Service use application, electronic device, and system

Abstract

To provide a service use application, an electronic apparatus, and a system capable of improving the possibility that a cloud service requiring a license can be used.SOLUTION: A service use application as an application program for using a cloud service requiring a license causes an image processing apparatus to realize a service use unit that uses the cloud service, and the service use unit displays a service information screen as a screen indicating information on the cloud service (S204 and S205) when a setting of a tenant name of a tenant to which the image processing apparatus belongs is not executed among settings of the service use application in a case where the service use application is activated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a service utilization app as an application program for utilizing cloud services, an electronic device, and a system. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, electronic devices that use cloud services are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-215739 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when an electronic device uses a cloud service by executing a service utilization app as an application program for using a cloud service that requires a license, if the electronic device does not have a license, there is a problem that the electronic device cannot use the cloud service even if the service utilization app is launched.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a service usage application, an electronic device, and a system that can improve the possibility of using a cloud service that requires a license. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The service usage app of the present invention is a service usage app as an application program for using a cloud service that requires a license, and a service usage unit that uses the cloud service is realized in an electronic device, and when the service usage app is launched, if the tenant name setting of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs is not executed among the settings of the service usage app, the service usage unit displays a service information screen as a screen showing information about the cloud service.

[0007] With this configuration, when the service utilization app of the present invention is launched, an electronic device that executes the service utilization app displays a service information screen showing information about the cloud service if the tenant name setting of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs has not been executed among the settings of the service utilization app, thereby urging the user to obtain a license, thereby improving the likelihood of using cloud services that require a license.

[0008] In the service utilization app of the present invention, the electronic device is capable of storing contact information for inquiries by users, and when the contact information is stored in the electronic device, the service utilization unit may include the contact information stored in the electronic device on the service information screen.

[0009] With this configuration, an electronic device that executes the service utilization app of the present invention includes contact information on the service information screen for inquiries by users, thereby effectively encouraging users to obtain a license, thereby improving the likelihood of using cloud services that require a license.

[0010] In the service utilization application of the present invention, the service utilization unit may not display an error message related to the service utilization application while the service information screen is being displayed.

[0011] With this configuration, an electronic device that executes the service utilization app of the present invention does not display an error message regarding the service utilization app while displaying the service information screen, thereby reducing the possibility that the user will develop distrust in the service utilization app, and as a result, improving the possibility that the user will obtain a license.

[0012] In the service utilization app of the present invention, when the service information screen is closed, the service utilization unit may display a setting screen for executing setting of the tenant name among the settings of the service utilization app.

[0013] With this configuration, an electronic device that executes the service utilization app of the present invention displays a setting screen for setting the tenant name that is causing the service information screen to be displayed when the service information screen is closed, thereby improving convenience.

[0014] The electronic device of the present invention is an electronic device that realizes a service usage unit that uses a cloud service by executing a service usage app as an application program for using a cloud service that requires a license, and is characterized in that when the service usage app is launched, if the setting of the tenant name of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs is not executed among the settings of the service usage app, the service usage unit displays a service information screen as a screen showing information about the cloud service.

[0015] With this configuration, when a service-using app is launched, if the tenant name of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs is not set among the settings of the service-using app, the electronic device of the present invention displays a service information screen showing information about the cloud service, thereby encouraging the user to obtain a license, and as a result, improving the likelihood of using a cloud service that requires a license.

[0016] The electronic device of the present invention may be pre-installed with the service utilization application.

[0017] With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention can improve the significance of displaying the service information screen, since the user is likely to have a low level of understanding of the service-using app when the user launches the app for the first time, compared to a configuration in which the service-using app is installed later by the user.

[0018] The system of the present invention comprises a service providing system that provides a cloud service that requires a license, and an electronic device that realizes a service usage unit that uses the cloud service by executing a service usage app that is an application program for using the cloud service provided by the service providing system, and is characterized in that when the service usage app is launched, if the setting of the tenant name of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs is not executed among the settings of the service usage app, the service usage unit displays a service information screen that shows information about the cloud service.

[0019] With this configuration, when a service-using app is launched, if the setting of the tenant name of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs is not executed among the settings of the service-using app, the system of the present invention displays a service information screen showing information about the cloud service, thereby encouraging the user to obtain a license, and as a result, improving the likelihood of being able to use cloud services that require a license. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] The service-using app, electronic device, and system of the present invention can improve the possibility of using cloud services that require a license. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of the service providing system shown in FIG. 1 when configured by one computer. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of tenant management information illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of user management information shown in FIG. [Figure 5] 3 is a diagram showing an example of device management information shown in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of license management information shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a user terminal shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a block diagram of an example of the image processing device shown in FIG. 1 when configured as an MFP. [Figure 9] 9 is a diagram showing an example of information included in the configuration file shown in FIG. 8. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of application setting information shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 2 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system shown in FIG. 1 when a user logs in to the service providing system from a user terminal. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a login page displayed in the operation shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 9 is a flowchart of a part of the operation of the image processing device shown in FIG. 8 when a service utilization application is started. [Figure 14] 14 is a flowchart continuing from the flowchart shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 15] This flowchart is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 and is different from the flowchart shown in FIG. [Figure 16] 16 is a flowchart continuing from the flowchart shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 17]14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a service information screen display process shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 18] 18A is a diagram showing an example of a service information screen displayed in the operation shown in Fig. 17, including the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device; and FIG. 18B is a diagram showing an example of a service information screen displayed in the operation shown in Fig. 17, not including the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device. [Figure 19] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an initial setting screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 13. [Figure 20] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an error screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 21] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a PIN input screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 22] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an application setting screen displayed in the operation shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 23] 10 is a flowchart of the service providing system shown in FIG. 2 when activation of a service-using application is requested. [Figure 24] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a license reservation instruction screen shown in FIG. 15. [Figure 25] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the login screen shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 26] 18A is a diagram showing an example of a service information screen displayed in the operation shown in Fig. 17, including a code image and the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device. 18B is a diagram showing an example of a service information screen displayed in the operation shown in Fig. 17, including a code image and not including the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] First, the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 1, the system 10 includes a service providing system 20 that provides cloud services for utilizing data stored by scanning in an image processing device. The service providing system 20 may be configured with a single computer such as a PC (Personal Computer), or may be configured with multiple computers. The service providing system 20 is configured on a cloud.

[0026] The system 10 includes a user terminal 30 used by a user. The system 10 may also include at least one other user terminal having a similar configuration to the user terminal 30. The user terminal may be configured, for example, by a computer such as a PC.

[0027] The system 10 includes an image processing device 40 as an electronic device that processes images. The system 10 may include at least one other image processing device having a similar configuration to the image processing device 40. The image processing device may be configured, for example, by an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral).

[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a service providing system 20 configured by one computer.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, the service providing system 20 includes an operation unit 21, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 22, which is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information; a communication unit 23, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 24, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various information; and a control unit 25 that controls the entire service providing system 20.

[0030] The storage unit 24 can store a service providing program 24a for providing cloud services. The service providing program 24a may be installed in the service providing system 20 during the manufacturing stage of the service providing system 20, or may be additionally installed in the service providing system 20 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, or may be additionally installed in the service providing system 20 from a network.

[0031] The storage unit 24 can store tenant management information 24b for managing tenants of the service providing system 20.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the tenant management information 24b.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the tenant management information 24b includes, for each tenant, a tenant name as tenant identification information. The tenant management information 24b shown in Fig. 3 is illustrated with some information omitted.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 can store user management information 24c that manages users who belong to tenants of the service providing system 20.

[0035] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the user management information 24c.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 4, the user management information 24c includes, for each user, a user ID as user identification information, the user password, the user role, and the tenant name of the tenant to which the user belongs. Roles include an administrator and a general user as a general user. The user management information 24c shown in Fig. 4 is drawn with some information omitted.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 can store device management information 24d for managing image processing devices belonging to tenants of the service providing system 20.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the device management information 24d.

[0039] 5, the device management information 24d includes, for each image processing device, a serial number as identification information for the image processing device and the tenant name of the tenant to which the image processing device belongs. The device management information 24d shown in FIG. 5 is drawn with some information omitted.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 24 can store license management information 24e that manages licenses for using cloud services provided by the service providing system 20.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the license management information 24e.

[0042] 6, the license management information 24e includes, for each tenant, the tenant name of the tenant to which a license (hereinafter referred to as a "tenant license") for the tenant to use the cloud service provided by the service providing system 20 is assigned, the number of licenses (hereinafter referred to as a "device license") for an image processing device to use the cloud service provided by the service providing system 20, and the serial number of the image processing device to which the device license is assigned. The license management information 24e shown in FIG. 6 is illustrated with some information omitted.

[0043] 2 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as a memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 25. The CPU of the control unit 25 executes programs stored in the storage unit 24 or the ROM of the control unit 25.

[0044] The control unit 25 executes the service providing program 24a to realize a service providing unit 25a that provides cloud services.

[0045] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example of the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7, the user terminal 30 includes an operation unit 31, which is an operation device such as a keyboard or mouse through which various operations are input; a display unit 32, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information; a communication unit 33, which is a communication device that communicates with external devices via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network; a memory unit 34, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information; and a control unit 35 that controls the entire user terminal 30.

[0047] The storage unit 34 can store a Web client program 34a for the Web client. The Web client program 34a may be installed in the user terminal 30 during the manufacturing stage of the user terminal 30, or may be additionally installed in the user terminal 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the user terminal 30 from a network.

[0048] The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as memory used as a work area for the CPU of the control unit 35. The CPU of the control unit 35 executes programs stored in the storage unit 34 or the ROM of the control unit 35.

[0049] The control unit 35 executes the Web client program 34a to implement a Web client 35a.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example of image processing device 40 when configured as an MFP.

[0051] As shown in Figure 8, the image processing device 40 is a computer that includes an operation unit 41, which is an operation device such as a button through which various operations are input, a display unit 42, which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information, a printer 43, which is a printing device that prints images on a recording medium such as paper, a scanner 44, which is a reading device that reads images from a document, a communication unit 45, which is a communication device that communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly via a wired or wireless connection without using a network, a fax communication unit 46, which is a fax device that communicates with an external facsimile machine (not shown) via a communication line such as a public telephone line, a memory unit 47, which is a non-volatile memory device such as a semiconductor memory or HDD that stores various information, and a control unit 48 that controls the entire image processing device 40.

[0052] The storage unit 47 stores an operation control program 47a for controlling the operation of the image processing device 40. The operation control program 47a may be installed in the image processing device 40 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing device 40, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 40 from a network.

[0053] The storage unit 47 can store a service utilization application 47b as an application program for utilizing a cloud service provided by the service providing system 20. The service utilization application 47b may be installed in the image processing device 40 during the manufacturing stage of the image processing device 40, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 40 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be additionally installed in the image processing device 40 from a network.

[0054] The storage unit 47 can store a configuration file 47c that indicates values ​​to be input on a screen for initial setup of the service utilization application 47b (hereinafter referred to as an "initial setup screen"). The configuration file 47c may be installed in the image processing device 40 together with the service utilization application 47b.

[0055] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of information included in the configuration file 47c.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, the configuration file 47c includes the domain name of the service providing system 20, the tenant name of the tenant to which the image processing device 40 belongs, and a PIN code for the administrator.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 47 can store information 47d indicating the settings of the service utilization application 47b (hereinafter referred to as "application setting information").

[0058] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the application setting information 47d.

[0059] The application setting information 47d shown in FIG. 10 includes activation information indicating whether the service usage application 47b has been activated, the domain name of the service providing system 20, the tenant name of the tenant to which the image processing device 40 belongs, a PIN code for the administrator, and service information screen display information indicating whether to display a screen showing information about cloud services (hereinafter referred to as the "service information screen").

[0060] The value of the activation information is either "activated" indicating that the service-using application 47b has been activated, or "not activated" indicating that the service-using application 47b has not been activated. The default value of the activation information in the application setting information 47d is "not activated."

[0061] The domain name, tenant name, and PIN code values ​​in the application setting information 47d do not exist by default.

[0062] The value of the service information screen display information is either "display", which indicates that the service information screen is to be displayed, or "hide", which indicates that the service information screen is not to be displayed. The default value of the service information screen display information in the application setting information 47d may be "display".

[0063] The application setting information 47d shown in FIG. 10 is drawn with some information omitted.

[0064] 8, the storage unit 47 can store telephone number information 47e indicating the telephone number of a service person in charge of the image processing device 40 as contact information for inquiries by users. The service person can operate the image processing device 40 in maintenance mode by performing a special operation via the operation unit 41. When the image processing device 40 is operating in maintenance mode, the service person can register his or her own telephone number in the telephone number information 47e.

[0065] Control unit 48 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM as memory used as a work area for the CPU of control unit 48. The CPU of control unit 48 executes programs stored in storage unit 47 or the ROM of control unit 48.

[0066] The control unit 48 executes the operation control program 47a to implement an operation control unit 48a that controls the operation of the image processing device 40.

[0067] The control unit 48 executes the service utilization application 47b to realize a service utilization unit 48b that utilizes the cloud service provided by the service providing system 20.

[0068] The operation of the system 10 will now be described.

[0069] In the following, the user terminal 30 will be described as a representative of the user terminals. However, user terminals other than the user terminal 30 can also perform the same operations as the user terminal 30.

[0070] Similarly, the following description will be given of the image processing device 40 as a representative example of image processing devices. However, image processing devices other than the image processing device 40 can also perform the same operations as the image processing device 40.

[0071] First, the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the service providing system 20 from the user terminal 30 will be described.

[0072] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the system 10 when a user logs in to the service providing system 20 from the user terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0073] The user can instruct the user terminal 30 to access a login web page (hereinafter referred to as the "login page") provided by the service providing system 20 via the web client 35a of the user terminal 30. When instructed to access the login page, the web client 35a accesses the login page as shown in Fig. 11 (S101).

[0074] When the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 receives the access in S101, the service providing unit 25a transmits the data of the login page to the user terminal 30 (S102).

[0075] When the Web client 35a of the user terminal 30 receives the data transmitted in S102, it displays the login page 400 (see, for example, FIG. 12) on the display unit 32 based on the received data (S103).

[0076] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the login page 400.

[0077] The login page 400 shown in FIG. 12 includes a text box 401 for entering the user's user ID, a text box 402 for entering the user's password, and a login button 403 for accepting instructions to log in to the service providing system 20.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 11, after the processing of S103 is completed, when the login button 403 is pressed, the web client 35a of the user terminal 30 sends a login request to the service providing system 20 using the combination of the user ID that was entered in the text box 401 at the time the login button 403 was pressed and the password that was entered in the text box 402 at the time the login button 403 was pressed (S104).

[0079] When the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 receives the request transmitted in S104, it performs authentication based on the combination of the user ID and password included in the received request (S105). If the combination of the user ID and password included in the request transmitted in S104 is included in the user management information 24c, the service providing unit 25a determines that the authentication in S105 was successful. On the other hand, if the combination of the user ID and password included in the request transmitted in S104 is not included in the user management information 24c, the service providing unit 25a determines that the authentication in S105 was unsuccessful.

[0080] If the service providing unit 25a determines that the authentication in S105 is successful, it transmits a notification to the user terminal 30 that the user's login is permitted (S106).

[0081] When the Web client 35a of the user terminal 30 receives the notification sent in S106, it displays on the display unit 32 that the user has been granted permission to log in (S107).

[0082] If the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 determines that the authentication in S105 has failed, it transmits a notification to the user terminal 30 that the user's login is not permitted (S108).

[0083] When the Web client 35a of the user terminal 30 receives the notification sent in S108, it displays on the display unit 32 that the user's login is not permitted (S109).

[0084] When an administrator has already logged in to the service providing system 20, the administrator can request a tenant license of the tenant to which the administrator belongs from the service providing system 20 via the Web client 35a. When a tenant license of the tenant to which the administrator belongs is requested, the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 writes the tenant name associated with the administrator in the user management information 24c into the license management information 24e when granting the tenant license, if the tenant name is not stored in the license management information 24e.

[0085] When an administrator has already logged in to the service providing system 20, the administrator can request the service providing system 20 to edit the number of device licenses of the tenant to which the administrator belongs via the Web client 35a. When a request to edit the number of device licenses of the tenant to which the administrator belongs is received, the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20, if permitting this editing, edits the number of device licenses associated in the license management information 24e with the tenant name associated in the user management information 24c for the administrator, as requested.

[0086] When an administrator has already logged in to the service providing system 20, the administrator can request the service providing system 20 via the Web client 35a to edit image processing devices that are targets of device licenses of the tenant to which the administrator belongs. When requested to edit image processing devices that are targets of device licenses of the tenant to which the administrator belongs, the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 edits the serial numbers of image processing devices that are associated in the license management information 24e with the tenant name that is associated in the user management information 24c for the administrator as requested, within a range where the number of serial numbers of image processing devices that are associated in the license management information 24e with the tenant name that is associated in the user management information 24c for the administrator is less than or equal to the number of device licenses that are associated in the license management information 24e with the tenant name that is associated in the user management information 24c for the administrator.

[0087] Next, the operation of the image processing device 40 when the service utilization application 47b is started will be described.

[0088] Fig. 13 is a flowchart of part of the operation of the image processing device 40 when the service utilization application 47b is launched. Fig. 14 is a flowchart continuing from the flowchart shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is a flowchart continuing from the flowchart shown in Fig. 13 but different from the flowchart shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a flowchart continuing from the flowchart shown in Fig. 15.

[0089] When a specific screen, such as a home screen, is displayed on the display unit 42, the operation control unit 48a of the image processing device 40 can include an icon for launching the service utilization app 47b on this screen. Therefore, the user can instruct the image processing device 40 to launch the service utilization app 47b by, for example, pressing the icon for launching the service utilization app 47b via the operation unit 41. When the operation control unit 48a of the image processing device 40 is instructed to launch the service utilization app 47b, it launches the service utilization app 47b. When the service utilization app 47b is launched, the service utilization unit 48b of the image processing device 40 executes the operations shown in FIGS. 13 to 16.

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, the service using unit 48b determines whether or not the value of the tenant name exists in the application setting information 47d (S121).

[0091] If the service use unit 48b determines in S121 that the value of the tenant name does not exist in the application setting information 47d, it determines whether the value of the service information screen display information in the application setting information 47d is "display" or "hide" (S122).

[0092] If the service use unit 48b determines in S122 that the value of the service information screen display information in the application setting information 47d is "display", it executes a process of displaying the service information screen (hereinafter referred to as "service information screen display process") (S123).

[0093] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the service information screen display process shown in FIG.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 17, the service utilization unit 48b determines whether or not a phone number acquisition API is provided by the operation control unit 48a as an API (Application Programming Interface) for acquiring a phone number from the phone number information 47e (S201).

[0095] When the service use unit 48b determines in S201 that the phone number acquisition API is provided by the operation control unit 48a, the service use unit 48b attempts to acquire a phone number from the phone number information 47e using the phone number acquisition API (S202).

[0096] When the process of S202 is completed, the service using unit 48b determines whether or not the telephone number was acquired in S202 (S203).

[0097] If the service use unit 48b determines in S203 that it was able to acquire the telephone number in S202, it displays a service information screen 410 (see, for example, FIG. 18(a)) including the telephone number acquired in S202 on the display unit 42 (S204).

[0098] If the service utilization unit 48b determines in S201 that the telephone number acquisition API is not provided by the operation control unit 48a, or determines in S203 that the telephone number could not be acquired in S202, it displays a service information screen 410 (see, for example, Figure 18(b)) that does not include the telephone number on the display unit 42 (S205).

[0099] Fig. 18(a) is a diagram showing an example of a service information screen 410 including the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device 40. Fig. 18(b) is a diagram showing an example of a service information screen 410 not including the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device 40.

[0100] 18(a) includes text 411 introducing the cloud service provided by the service providing system 20, text 412 encouraging the user to try out the cloud service, and a close button 413 for closing the service information screen 410. The text 412 includes text 412a indicating the telephone number acquired in S202. The service information screen 410 can encourage the user to sign up for the cloud service by using the text 411 and the text 412.

[0101] The configuration of the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 18(b) is the same as the configuration of the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 18(a), except that it does not include the text 412a (see FIG. 18(a)).

[0102] When the close button 413 on the service information screen 410 is pressed, the service use unit 48b ends the display of the service information screen 410 on the display unit 42.

[0103] As shown in FIG. 17, when the process of S204 or S205 ends, the service use unit 48b ends the service information screen display process shown in FIG.

[0104] As shown in Figures 13 to 16, when the service information screen display process in S123 ends, the service use unit 48b determines whether the close button 413 on the service information screen 410 has been pressed (S124) until it determines that the close button 413 has been pressed.

[0105] When the service use unit 48b determines in S122 that the value of the service information screen display information of the application setting information 47d is "hide", or when it determines in S124 that the close button 413 has been pressed, it displays the initial setting screen 420 (see, for example, FIG. 19) on the display unit 42 (S125).

[0106] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the initial setting screen 420. As shown in FIG.

[0107] The initial setting screen 420 shown in Figure 19 includes a text box 421 for specifying the domain name of the service providing system 20, a text box 422 for specifying the tenant name of the tenant to which the image processing device 40 belongs, a text box 423 for specifying a PIN code for the administrator, a setting execution button 424 for executing the setting of the value specified on the initial setting screen 420, a radio button 425a for specifying "display" as the value of the service information screen display information, a radio button 425b for specifying "hide" as the value of the service information screen display information, a close button 426 for closing the initial setting screen 420, and text 427 displaying an error message.

[0108] When the initial setting screen 420 is displayed, the domain name indicated in the application setting information 47d is entered in the text box 421. Therefore, when the initial setting screen 420 is displayed for the first time, the text box 421 is in a state where no value is entered. However, when the configuration file 47c is stored in the storage unit 47 and a domain name is indicated in the configuration file 47c stored in the storage unit 47, the service use unit 48b enters the domain name indicated in the configuration file 47c into the text box 421 when the initial setting screen 420 is displayed.

[0109] When the initial setting screen 420 is displayed, the tenant name indicated in the application setting information 47d is entered in the text box 422. Therefore, when the initial setting screen 420 is displayed for the first time, the text box 422 is in a state where no value is entered. However, when the configuration file 47c is stored in the storage unit 47 and a tenant name is indicated in the configuration file 47c stored in the storage unit 47, the service use unit 48b enters the tenant name indicated in the configuration file 47c into the text box 422 when the initial setting screen 420 is displayed.

[0110] When the initial setting screen 420 is displayed, the PIN code indicated in the application setting information 47d is entered in the text box 423. Therefore, when the initial setting screen 420 is displayed for the first time, no value is entered in the text box 423. However, when the configuration file 47c is stored in the storage unit 47 and a PIN code is indicated in the configuration file 47c stored in the storage unit 47, the service use unit 48b enters the PIN code indicated in the configuration file 47c into the text box 423 when the initial setting screen 420 is displayed.

[0111] The setting execution button 424 is grayed out and becomes inoperable if no value is entered in at least one of the text boxes 421, 422, and 423, and becomes operable only when some value is entered in all of the text boxes 421, 422, and 423.

[0112] Only one of radio button 425a and radio button 425b is always selected. When initial setting screen 420 is displayed, radio button 425a and radio button 425b are in a state corresponding to the value of service information screen display information in application setting information 47d. Therefore, when the default value of service information screen display information in application setting information 47d is "display," when initial setting screen 420 is displayed for the first time, only radio button 425a is selected. Although not specifically shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, when the states of radio button 425a and radio button 425b are changed, service use unit 48b changes the value of the service information screen display information in application setting information 47d according to the states of radio button 425a and radio button 425b.

[0113] When the setting execution button 424 or the close button 426 on the initial setting screen 420 is pressed, the service use unit 48b terminates the display of the initial setting screen 420 on the display unit 42.

[0114] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, when the process of S125 ends, the service using unit 48b determines whether the close button 426 has been pressed (S126).

[0115] If the service use unit 48b determines in S126 that the close button 426 has not been pressed, it determines whether the setting execution button 424 has been pressed (S127).

[0116] If the service use unit 48b determines in S127 that the setting execution button 424 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S126.

[0117] If the service use unit 48b determines in S126 that the close button 426 has been pressed, it ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0118] When the service usage unit 48b determines in S127 that the setting execution button 424 has been pressed, it reflects the information specified on the initial setting screen 420 at the time the setting execution button 424 was pressed in the application setting information 47d (S128), and executes the processing of S121.

[0119] If the service use unit 48b determines in S121 that the value of the tenant name exists in the application setting information 47d, it attempts to connect to the service providing system 20 using the domain name indicated in the application setting information 47d (S129).

[0120] When the process of S129 is completed, the service use unit 48b determines whether or not the connection to the service providing system 20 in S129 was successful (S130).

[0121] If the service utilization unit 48b determines in S130 that the connection to the service providing system 20 in S129 was not successful, it displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "error screen") 430 (see, for example, Figure 20) containing an error message on the display unit 42 (S141).

[0122] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the error screen 430.

[0123] The error screen 430 shown in FIG. 20 includes text 431 indicating an error message, an administration menu button 432 for displaying an administration menu that can be operated by an administrator, and a close button 433 for closing the error screen 430.

[0124] When the management menu button 432 or the close button 433 is pressed, the service use unit 48b ends the display of the error screen 430 on the display unit 42.

[0125] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, when the process of S141 ends, the service using unit 48b determines whether the close button 433 has been pressed (S142).

[0126] If the service use unit 48b determines in S142 that the close button 433 has not been pressed, it determines whether the administration menu button 432 has been pressed (S143).

[0127] If the service use unit 48b determines in S143 that the administration menu button 432 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S142.

[0128] When the service use unit 48b determines in S142 that the close button 433 has been pressed, it ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0129] When the service use unit 48b determines in S143 that the administration menu button 432 has been pressed, it displays a screen for inputting the administrator's PIN code (hereinafter referred to as the "PIN input screen") 440 (see, for example, Figure 21) on the display unit 42 (S144).

[0130] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the PIN entry screen 440. As shown in FIG.

[0131] The PIN input screen 440 shown in FIG. 21 includes a text box 441 for entering the administrator's PIN code, an OK button 442 for confirming the PIN code entered in the text box 441, and a close button 443 for closing the PIN input screen 440.

[0132] When the OK button 442 or the close button 443 is pressed, the service use unit 48b terminates the display of the PIN entry screen 440 on the display unit 42.

[0133] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, when the process of S144 ends, the service using unit 48b determines whether the close button 443 has been pressed (S145).

[0134] If the service use unit 48b determines in S145 that the close button 443 has not been pressed, it determines whether the OK button 442 has been pressed (S146).

[0135] If the service use unit 48b determines in S146 that the OK button 442 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S145.

[0136] If the service use unit 48b determines in S145 that the close button 443 has been pressed, it executes the process of S141.

[0137] When the service usage unit 48b determines in S146 that the OK button 442 has been pressed, it determines whether the PIN code entered in the text box 441 at the time the OK button 442 was pressed matches the PIN code indicated in the application setting information 47d (S147).

[0138] If the service use unit 48b determines in S147 that the PIN code entered in the text box 441 at the time the OK button 442 was pressed does not match the PIN code indicated in the application setting information 47d, it displays on the display unit 42 for a specific period of time a message indicating that the PIN code is incorrect (S148), and executes the processing of S141.

[0139] If the service use unit 48b determines in S147 that the PIN code entered in the text box 441 at the time the OK button 442 was pressed matches the PIN code indicated in the application setting information 47d, it displays a screen for setting the service use application 47b (hereinafter referred to as the "application setting screen") 450 (see, for example, Figure 22) on the display unit 42 (S149).

[0140] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the application setting screen 450. As shown in FIG.

[0141] The app setting screen 450 shown in Figure 22 includes a text box 451 for specifying the domain name of the service providing system 20, a text box 452 for specifying the tenant name of the tenant to which the image processing device 40 belongs, a text box 453 for specifying a PIN code for the administrator, a setting execution button 454 for executing the setting of the value specified in the app setting screen 450, a radio button 455a for specifying "display" as the value of the service information screen display information, a radio button 455b for specifying "hide" as the value of the service information screen display information, and a close button 456 for closing the app setting screen 450.

[0142] When the application setting screen 450 is displayed, the domain name indicated in the application setting information 47d is already entered in the text box 451.

[0143] When the application setting screen 450 is displayed, the tenant name indicated in the application setting information 47d is already entered in the text box 452.

[0144] When the application setting screen 450 is displayed, the PIN code indicated in the application setting information 47d is already entered in the text box 453.

[0145] The setting execution button 454 is grayed out and becomes inoperable if no value is entered in at least one of the text boxes 451, 452, and 453, and becomes operable only when some value is entered in all of the text boxes 451, 452, and 453.

[0146] Only one of radio button 455a and radio button 455b is always selected. When application setting screen 450 is displayed, radio button 455a is selected if the value of the service information screen display information in application setting information 47d is "display," and radio button 455b is selected if the value of the service information screen display information in application setting information 47d is "hide." Although not specifically shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, service use unit 48b changes the value of the service information screen display information in application setting information 47d in accordance with the states of radio button 455a and radio button 455b when the states of radio button 455a and radio button 455b are changed.

[0147] When the setting execution button 454 or the close button 456 on the application setting screen 450 is pressed, the service use unit 48b terminates the display of the application setting screen 450 on the display unit 42.

[0148] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, when the process of S149 ends, the service using unit 48b determines whether the close button 456 has been pressed (S150).

[0149] If the service use unit 48b determines in S150 that the close button 456 has not been pressed, it determines whether the setting execution button 454 has been pressed (S151).

[0150] If the service use unit 48b determines in S151 that the setting execution button 454 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S150.

[0151] If the service use unit 48b determines in S150 that the close button 456 has been pressed, it executes the process of S141.

[0152] When the service use unit 48b determines in S151 that the setting execution button 454 has been pressed, it reflects the information specified on the application setting screen 450 at the time the setting execution button 454 was pressed in the application setting information 47d (S152), and executes the processing of S121.

[0153] When the service use unit 48b determines in S130 that the connection to the service providing system 20 in S129 has been successful, the service use unit 48b inquires of the service providing system 20 whether or not it manages the tenant whose tenant name is indicated in the application setting information 47d (S131).

[0154] When the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 receives an inquiry in S131, if the tenant name inquired about in S131 is included in the tenant management information 24b, the service providing unit 25a responds to the image processing device 40 that it manages the tenant with the tenant name inquired about in S131, and if the tenant name inquired about in S131 is not included in the tenant management information 24b, the service providing unit 25a responds to the image processing device 40 that it does not manage the tenant with the tenant name inquired about in S131.

[0155] After the processing of S131 is completed, the service utilization unit 48b of the image processing device 40 determines whether or not the service providing system 20 has responded that it does not manage the tenant whose tenant name was inquired about in S131 (S132).

[0156] If the service usage unit 48b determines in S132 that the service providing system 20 has not responded that it does not manage the tenant whose tenant name was inquired about in S131, the service usage unit 48b determines whether the service providing system 20 has responded that it manages the tenant whose tenant name was inquired about in S131 (S133).

[0157] If the service use unit 48b determines in S133 that the service providing system 20 has not responded that it manages the tenant whose tenant name is inquired about in S131, the service use unit 48b executes the process of S132.

[0158] If the service use unit 48b determines in S132 that the service providing system 20 has responded that it does not manage the tenant whose tenant name was inquired about in S131, the service use unit 48b executes the process of S141.

[0159] When the service use unit 48b determines in S133 that the service providing system 20 has responded that it manages the tenant whose tenant name was inquired about in S131, the service use unit 48b inquires of the service providing system 20 whether it manages the image processing device 40 (S161). The service use unit 48b includes the serial number of the image processing device 40 and the tenant name indicated in the application setting information 47d in the inquiry in S161.

[0160] When the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 receives the inquiry in S161, if the combination of the serial number and tenant name included in the inquiry in S161 is included in the device management information 24d, the service providing unit 25a responds to the image processing device 40 that it is managing the image processing device 40, and if the combination of the serial number and tenant name included in the inquiry in S161 is not included in the device management information 24d, the service providing unit 25a responds to the image processing device 40 that it is not managing the image processing device 40.

[0161] After the process of S161 is completed, the service utilization unit 48b of the image processing device 40 determines whether or not the service providing system has responded that it does not manage the image processing device 40 inquired about in S161 (S162).

[0162] If the service utilization unit 48b determines in S162 that the service providing system has not responded that it does not manage the image processing device 40 inquired about in S161, it determines whether the service providing system has responded that it manages the image processing device 40 inquired about in S161 (S163).

[0163] If the service utilization unit 48b determines in S163 that the service providing system has not responded that it manages the image processing device 40 inquired about in S161, the service utilization unit 48b executes the process of S162.

[0164] If the service use unit 48b determines in S162 that the service providing system has responded that it does not manage the image processing device 40 inquired about in S161, the service use unit 48b transmits an instruction to manage the image processing device 40 (hereinafter referred to as a "device management instruction") to the service providing system 20 (S164). The service use unit 48b includes the serial number of the image processing device 40 and the tenant name indicated in the application setting information 47d in the device management instruction.

[0165] When the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 receives the device management instruction sent in S164, it includes the combination of the serial number and tenant name contained in the received device management instruction in the device management information 24d, and then sends a notification to the image processing device 40 that it is managing the image processing device 40.

[0166] When the processing of S164 is completed, the service utilization unit 48b of the image processing device 40 determines whether or not it has received notification from the service providing system 20 that it is managing the image processing device 40 until it determines that it has received notification from the service providing system 20 that it is managing the image processing device 40 (S165).

[0167] When the service utilization unit 48b determines in S163 that the service providing system has responded that it manages the image processing device 40 inquired about in S161, or when it determines in S165 that it has received a notification from the service providing system 20 that it manages the image processing device 40, it determines whether the service utilization application 47b has been activated based on the activation information in the application setting information 47d (S166).

[0168] If the service use unit 48b determines in S166 that the service use application 47b has not been activated, it transmits a request for activation of the service use application 47b (hereinafter referred to as an "activation request") to the service providing system 20 (S167). The service use unit 48b includes the tenant name indicated in the application setting information 47d and the serial number of the image processing device 40 in the activation request in S167.

[0169] FIG. 23 is a flowchart of the service providing system 20 when activation of the service utilization application 47b is requested.

[0170] When the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 receives an activation request from the image processing device 40, it executes the operation shown in FIG.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 23, the service providing unit 25a determines whether the tenant name included in the activation request is included in the license management information 24e (S221).

[0172] When the service providing unit 25a determines in S221 that the tenant name included in the activation request is included in the license management information 24e, it determines whether the number of device licenses associated with the tenant name included in the activation request in the license management information 24e is greater than the number of serial numbers associated with the tenant name included in the activation request in the license management information 24e (S222).

[0173] If the service providing unit 25a determines in S222 that the number of device licenses associated with the tenant name included in the activation request in the license management information 24e is greater than the number of serial numbers associated with the tenant name included in the activation request in the license management information 24e, the service providing unit 25a registers the serial numbers included in the activation request in association with the tenant name included in the activation request in the license management information 24e (S223).

[0174] When the process of S223 is completed, the service providing unit 25a transmits a notification of successful activation to the image processing device 40 (S224), and the operation shown in FIG. 23 is completed.

[0175] If the service providing unit 25a determines in S221 that the tenant name included in the activation request is not included in the license management information 24e, or determines in S222 that the number of device licenses associated with the tenant name included in the activation request in the license management information 24e is not greater than the number of serial numbers associated with the tenant name included in the activation request in the license management information 24e, the service providing unit 25a sends a notification of activation failure to the image processing device 40 (S225) and terminates the operation shown in Figure 23.

[0176] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, after the process of S167 is completed, the service use unit 48b of the image processing device 40 determines whether or not a notification of activation failure has been received from the service providing system 20 (S168).

[0177] If the service use unit 48b determines in S168 that it has not received a notification of activation failure from the service providing system 20, it determines whether it has received a notification of activation success from the service providing system 20 (S169).

[0178] If the service use unit 48b determines in S169 that it has not received a notification of successful activation from the service providing system 20, it executes the process of S168.

[0179] When the service use unit 48b determines in S168 that it has received a notification of activation failure from the service providing system 20, it displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "license reservation instruction screen") 460 (see, for example, Figure 24) on the display unit 42, instructing the user to reserve a device license for using the service use application 47b (S170).

[0180] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the license reservation instruction screen 460.

[0181] The license reservation instruction screen 460 shown in Figure 24 includes text 461 indicating a message instructing the user to reserve a device license for using the service-using application 47b, and a close button 462 for closing the license reservation instruction screen 460.

[0182] When the close button 462 on the license reservation instruction screen 460 is pressed, the service use unit 48b ends the display of the license reservation instruction screen 460 on the display unit 42.

[0183] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, when the process of S170 ends, the service using unit 48b determines whether the close button 462 has been pressed or not until it determines that the close button 462 has been pressed (S171).

[0184] When the service use unit 48b determines in S171 that the close button 462 has been pressed, it ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0185] If the service use unit 48b determines in S169 that it has received a notification of successful activation from the service providing system 20, it changes the value of the activation information in the application setting information 47d to "activated" (S172).

[0186] When the service utilization unit 48b determines in S166 that the service utilization application 47b has been activated or when the processing of S172 is completed, the service utilization unit 48b displays a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "login screen") 470 (see, for example, Figure 25) for the user to log in to the service providing system 20 from the image processing device 40 on the display unit 42 (S181).

[0187] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of the login screen 470.

[0188] The login screen 470 shown in FIG. 25 includes a text box 471 for entering the user's user ID, a text box 472 for entering the user's password, a login button 473 for accepting instructions to log in to the service providing system 20, an administration menu button 474 for displaying an administration menu that can be operated by the administrator, and a close button 475 for closing the login screen 470.

[0189] When the login button 473, the management menu button 474, or the close button 475 is pressed, the service use unit 48b terminates the display of the login screen 470 on the display unit 42.

[0190] As shown in FIGS. 13 to 16, when the process of S181 ends, the service using unit 48b determines whether the close button 475 has been pressed (S182).

[0191] If the service use unit 48b determines in S182 that the close button 475 has not been pressed, it determines whether the administration menu button 474 has been pressed (S183).

[0192] If the service use unit 48b determines in S183 that the administration menu button 474 has not been pressed, it determines whether the login button 473 has been pressed (S184).

[0193] If the service use unit 48b determines in S184 that the login button 473 has not been pressed, it executes the process of S182.

[0194] When the service use unit 48b determines in S182 that the close button 475 has been pressed, it ends the operations shown in FIGS.

[0195] If service use unit 48b determines in S183 that administration menu button 474 has been pressed, it executes the processes of S185 to S193 which are similar to the processes of S144 to S152. However, if service use unit 48b determines in S186 that close button 443 on PIN entry screen 440 has been pressed, or if service use unit 48b determines in S191 that close button 456 on application setting screen 450 has been pressed, it executes the process of S181.

[0196] When the service use unit 48b determines in S184 that the login button 473 has been pressed, it sends a login request to the service providing system 20 using the combination of the user ID that was entered in the text box 471 at the time the login button 473 was pressed and the password that was entered in the text box 472 at the time the login button 473 was pressed (S194).

[0197] When the service providing unit 25a of the service providing system 20 receives the request transmitted in S194, it performs authentication based on the combination of the user ID and password included in the received request. If the combination of the user ID and password included in the request transmitted in S194 is included in the user management information 24c, the service providing unit 25a determines that the authentication has been successful and transmits a notification that the user's login is permitted to the image processing device 40. On the other hand, if the combination of the user ID and password included in the request transmitted in S194 is not included in the user management information 24c, the service providing unit 25a determines that the authentication has failed and transmits a notification that the user's login is not permitted to the image processing device 40.

[0198] When the process of S194 is completed, the service use unit 48b of the image processing device 40 determines whether or not a notification that the login of the request transmitted in S194 is not permitted has been received (S195).

[0199] If the service usage unit 48b determines in S195 that it has not received a notification that the login of the subject of the request sent in S194 is not permitted, it determines whether it has received a notification that the login of the subject of the request sent in S194 is permitted (S196).

[0200] If the service use unit 48b determines in S196 that it has not received a notification of permission to log in for the request transmitted in S194, it executes the process of S195.

[0201] When the service utilization unit 48b determines in S195 that it has received a notification that the login of the request sent in S194 has been denied, it displays the denial of the user's login on the display unit 42 for a specific period of time (S197) and executes the processing of S181.

[0202] When the service utilization unit 48b determines in S196 that it has received a notification that the login of the target of the request sent in S194 has been permitted, it starts operation in conjunction with the cloud service provided by the service providing system 20 (S198) and terminates the operation shown in Figures 13 to 16.

[0203] As described above, when the service usage application 47b is launched and the tenant name has not been set in the application setting information 47d of the service usage application 47b (NO in S121), the image processing device 40 displays the service information screen 410 showing information about the cloud service (S204 and S205), thereby urging the user to obtain a license, thereby improving the possibility of using a cloud service that requires a license.

[0204] The image processing device 40 includes the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device 40 on the service information screen 410 as contact information for inquiries by users (S204), which effectively encourages users to obtain a license, thereby increasing the likelihood that they will be able to use cloud services that require a license. Note that the contact information may be information other than a telephone number. For example, the contact information may be an email address of the service person in charge of the image processing device 40.

[0205] As shown in FIG. 18, the image processing device 40 does not display an error message regarding the service usage app 47b while the service information screen 410 is displayed, thereby reducing the possibility that the user will distrust the service usage app 47b, and as a result, improving the possibility that the user will obtain a license.

[0206] The image processing device 40 displays (S125) the initial setting screen 420 for executing the setting of the tenant name in the application setting information 47d, which is the cause of displaying the service information screen 410, when the service information screen 410 is closed (YES in S124), thereby improving convenience.

[0207] In the above, the service information screen 410 shown in Fig. 18 has been described as an example of the service information screen 410. However, the service information screen 410 may be one other than that shown in Fig. 18. For example, the service information screen 410 may be one shown in Fig. 26.

[0208] Fig. 26(a) is a diagram showing an example of a service information screen 410 including a code image 414 and the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device 40. Fig. 26(b) is a diagram showing an example of a service information screen 410 including the code image 414 but not including the telephone number of the service person in charge of the image processing device 40.

[0209] The configuration of the service information screen 410 shown in Fig. 26(a) is the same as the configuration of the service information screen 410 shown in Fig. 18(a) except that it includes a code image 414. The code image 414 includes a uniform resource locator (URL) for jumping to a web page (hereinafter referred to as a "service introduction page") that displays information about the cloud service provided by the service providing system 20. The code image 414 may be, for example, a QR code (registered trademark).

[0210] The configuration of the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 26(b) is the same as the configuration of the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 18(b), except that a code image 414 is included.

[0211] In S204 (see FIG. 17), the service use unit 48b may display the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 26(a) instead of the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 18(a). In S205 (see FIG. 17), the service use unit 48b may display the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 26(b) instead of the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 18(b).

[0212] A service introduction page may be provided for each destination of the image processing device. The destination is registered in the image processing device. The service utilization application 47b has a code image for each destination. When displaying the service information screen 410 shown in FIG. 26, the service utilization unit 48b displays the service information screen 410 including the code image corresponding to the destination registered in the image processing device 40.

[0213] When the image processing device 40 has the service usage app 47b pre-installed, the user is likely to have a low level of understanding of the service usage app 47b when the user launches the service usage app for the first time, compared to a configuration in which the service usage app 47b is installed later by the user, and therefore the significance of displaying the service information screen 410 can be improved.

[0214] In this embodiment, the setting execution button 424 of the initial setting screen 420 is operable only when some value has been entered in all of the text boxes 421, 422, and 423. However, the setting execution button 424 of the initial setting screen 420 may be operable even when no value has been entered in at least one of the text boxes 421, 422, and 423. Similarly, the setting execution button 454 of the application setting screen 450 may be operable even when no value has been entered in at least one of the text boxes 451, 452, and 453.

[0215] In this embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention is an image processing device, but the electronic device of the present invention may be an electronic device other than an image processing device.

[0216] In this embodiment, the cloud service of the present invention is a cloud service for utilizing data accumulated by scanning in an image processing device. However, the cloud service of the present invention may be a cloud service other than a cloud service for utilizing data accumulated by scanning in an image processing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0217] 10 Systems 20 Service Delivery System 40 Image processing equipment (electronic equipment) 47b Service usage app 48b Service User Section 410 Service Information Screen 414 Code Image 420 Initial setting screen (setting screen)

Claims

1. A service usage app as an application program for using a cloud service that requires a license, A service utilization unit that utilizes the cloud service is realized in an electronic device; The service usage app is characterized in that when the service usage app is launched, if the tenant name of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs is not set among the settings of the service usage app, the service usage unit displays a service information screen as a screen showing information about the cloud service.

2. the electronic device is capable of storing contact information for inquiries by a user; The service utilization app of claim 1, characterized in that, when the contact information is stored in the electronic device, the service utilization unit includes the contact information stored in the electronic device on the service information screen.

3. The service utilization application according to claim 1 , wherein the service utilization unit does not display an error message related to the service utilization application while the service information screen is displayed.

4. The service utilization app according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the service information screen is closed, the service utilization unit displays a setting screen for executing the setting of the tenant name among the settings of the service utilization app.

5. The service utilization application according to claim 1 , wherein the service information screen includes a code image including a URL for jumping to a web page showing information about the cloud service.

6. The service utilization app according to claim 1, characterized in that when the service utilization app is launched and the tenant name setting among the settings of the service utilization app is executed, the service utilization unit queries the service providing system that provides the cloud service as to whether or not it manages the tenant that is the tenant name.

7. The service utilization application of claim 6, characterized in that when the service providing system responds that it manages the tenant whose tenant name is the service utilization unit, it inquires the service providing system as to whether it manages the electronic device.

8. The service utilization application according to claim 7, characterized in that the service utilization unit determines whether the service utilization application has been activated when the service providing system responds that it is managing the electronic device.

9. The service utilization app described in claim 7, characterized in that when the service providing system responds that it does not manage the electronic device, the service utilization unit has the service providing system manage the electronic device and then determines whether the service utilization app has been activated.

10. The service utilization application according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the service utilization unit requests the service providing system to activate the service utilization application when it determines that the service utilization application has not been activated.

11. The service utilization app described in claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that when the service utilization unit determines that the service utilization app has not been activated, it displays a license acquisition instruction screen as a screen instructing the user to acquire a license to use the service utilization app.

12. 1. An electronic device that implements a service utilization unit that utilizes a cloud service by executing a service utilization app as an application program for utilizing the cloud service that requires a license, The electronic device is characterized in that, when the service usage app is launched, if the setting of the tenant name of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs is not executed among the settings of the service usage app, the service usage unit displays a service information screen as a screen showing information about the cloud service.

13. 13. The electronic device according to claim 12, wherein the service utilization application is pre-installed.

14. a service providing system that provides a cloud service that requires a license; an electronic device that implements a service utilization unit that utilizes the cloud service by executing a service utilization app as an application program for utilizing the cloud service provided by the service providing system; Equipped with The system is characterized in that when the service usage app is launched, if the setting of the tenant name of the tenant to which the electronic device belongs is not executed among the settings of the service usage app, the service usage unit displays a service information screen as a screen showing information about the cloud service.

Images