Information processing device, control method for information processing device, program, and storage medium

Abstract

In an information processing device for using a communication-enabled electronic device, it is possible to easily grasp the registration and usage status of a specific service related to the electronic device via a network. [Solution] If the printer does not support the Printer Connect service, the usage status display button is hidden to indicate that the printer does not support the Printer Connect service. If the printer supports the Printer Connect service, the usage status display button is in one of three display states. In the three display states, the usage status display button is displayed, indicating that the printer supports the Printer Connect service. The three display states correspond to a case where the user is not registered with the Printer Connect service, a case where the user is registered with the Printer Connect service and is logged in to the Printer Connect service, and a case where the user is registered with the Printer Connect service but is not logged in to the Printer Connect service.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing technique for controlling a screen display. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, web services (network services) have been provided that provide various functions via servers on a network that can be accessed from information processing devices such as smartphones and PCs. For example, there is a cloud print service that registers a print job on a cloud server on a network and then sends the print job from the server to an electronic device such as a printer. To use this cloud print service, the printer and user information about the user who will use the printer must be associated and registered with the cloud print service.

[0003] Such web services are not limited to printers; device-specific services are also provided for various electronic devices such as washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, and speakers, and are becoming important services for increasing the added value of electronic devices.

[0004] Since each web service can be used from multiple information processing devices such as smartphones and PCs, it is desirable to enable the user to properly understand the usage status of the web service on each information processing device. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which, when one web service is used by multiple information processing devices sharing an account, the information processing devices that are using the web service with the shared account are displayed on the other information processing devices.

[0005] In addition to registering an account, some web services require registration to use various services. For example, if the service uses an electronic device, you will need to register the electronic device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-134886 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, although Patent Document 1 can display whether a registered account is being used on another information processing device, the user must individually check whether various services can be used with that account and the registration status for using the services.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to make it easier to grasp the registration and usage status of a specific service related to an electronic device via a network in an information processing device for using a communication-enabled electronic device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present disclosure is characterized by an information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device, comprising: a first acquisition means for acquiring compatibility information indicating the compatibility status of the electronic device with a specific service via a network; a second acquisition means for acquiring identification information that identifies a user; and a display control means for controlling a display indicating the user's usage status of the specific service on a screen of software running on the information processing device for controlling the electronic device, the display control means controlling the display of the user's usage status of the specific service to be different based on the compatibility information acquired by the first acquisition means and the identification information acquired by the second acquisition means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, in an information processing device for using a communication-enabled electronic device, it is possible to easily grasp the registration and usage status of a specific service related to the electronic device via a network. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration capable of operating an electronic device using a Web service according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a client terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration realized by an application executed on a client terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of printer information. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed by an application capable of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display state of a usage status display button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed by an application capable of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to printer and user registration and display control of a usage status display button according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed by an application capable of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating display control of a usage status display button after a printer and user registration process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating display control of a usage status display button after a printer and user registration process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present disclosure.

[0013] <1. System configuration> 1 shows an example of a system configuration capable of operating electronic devices using a web service according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system shown in Fig. 1 includes a client terminal 101, which is an information processing device such as a smartphone or PC, a printer 102, which is an electronic device that can be operated from the client terminal 101, and a printer connect service 103 that provides services related to the printer 102. Note that the printer 102 in this embodiment is a digital multifunction peripheral that has various functions such as a printing function, a copying function, a scanning function, and a fax function.

[0014] The printer connect service 103 can register information about the user of the client terminal 101 (hereinafter referred to as "user information") and information about printers that are compatible with the connect service (hereinafter referred to as "printer information"). Although the user information and printer information can be registered separately in the printer connect service 103, in order to complete the initial setup for using the printer connect service 103, it is necessary to register the user information and printer information in association with each other. Once this initial setup is complete, it becomes possible to register for use of various web services, such as a cloud print service 104, a points service 105, and a subscription service 106, via the printer connect service 103.

[0015] After completing the initial settings, registering with the cloud print service 104 enables safe and reliable printing from the client terminal 101 to the printer 102 via the network 100. Registering with the points service 105 also enables printing from the client terminal 101 to the printer 102, allowing points to be accumulated that can be used to purchase consumables such as ink and toner or a new printer. Registering with the subscription service 106 enables monthly fee-based services such as automatic delivery contracts and maintenance services for consumables such as recording materials such as ink and toner, and recording media such as printing paper, required for printing a specified number of pages per month from the client terminal 101. The printer connect service 103 provides various web services that enable safe and convenient use of the printer 102 from the client terminal 101.

[0016] A printer 102 that supports the connect service transmits printer information to the printer connect service 103 in accordance with an instruction from the client terminal 101. When the printer connect service 103 receives the printer information from the printer 102, it issues a printer ID, which is a unique identifier, to the printer 102. When the client terminal 101 transmits the printer information to the printer connect service 103 after the printer ID has been issued, the printer connect service 103 transmits the printer ID corresponding to the received printer information to the client terminal 101. Furthermore, when the printer connect service 103 receives user information from the client terminal 101, it issues the user information and a token, which is information that permits access for only a specific period of time, as a unique character string for the user information and transmits it to the client terminal 101. The client terminal 101 stores the printer ID and token received from the printer connect service 103. Thereafter, when the client terminal 101 transmits the printer ID and token to the printer connect service 103, the printer connect service 103 associates the printer information and user information corresponding to the received printer ID and token and stores them. This completes registration with the printer connect service 103, and the initial settings for using various services such as the cloud print service 104, the points service 105, and the subscription service 106 via the client terminal 101 are completed.

[0017] For convenience, FIG. 1 does not show the detailed configuration of the printer connect service 103, but the printer connect service 103 may be configured with multiple services, such as an authentication service, an authorization service, and a printer management service. Various web services, such as the cloud print service 104, the points service 105, and the subscription service 106, can cooperate with the authentication service, authorization service, and printer management service of the printer connect service 103. This enables the printer connect service 103 to identify the user of the client terminal 101 and the printer 102 and provide various services. Furthermore, there may be multiple client terminals 101 and multiple printers 102.

[0018] The information processing devices, electronic devices, and web services used in the description of this embodiment are merely examples, and can be applied to various information processing devices, electronic devices, and web services as long as a similar system configuration can be realized. Examples of electronic devices other than printers include cameras, automobiles, washing machines, air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions, speakers, and microwave ovens.

[0019] The above-mentioned components are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other via a predetermined network 100. The type of network 100 is not particularly limited as long as it allows data to be transmitted and received between the above-mentioned components. Specific examples of the network 100 include a LAN connected to the Internet, a WAN, a telephone line, a dedicated digital line, etc., or a combination thereof.

[0020] <2. Hardware configuration of client terminal> 2 shows an example hardware configuration of a client terminal 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The client terminal 101 includes a processor 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, an auxiliary storage device 204, a network I / F 205, an input device 206, an output device 207, and an imaging device 208, and these components are connected to each other via a bus 209.

[0021] The processor 201 is a CPU that controls various operations of the client terminal 101 and can control the overall operation of the client terminal 101. The RAM 202 is the processor's main storage device and is used as a work area for the processor 201 or a temporary storage area for expanding various programs. The ROM 203 stores programs (e.g., BIOS) used by the processor 201 to control the operation of the client terminal 101. The auxiliary storage device 204 stores basic software such as an operating system (OS), various application programs, and various data. The auxiliary storage device 204 is, for example, a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or SSD. The network I / F 205 is an interface that connects to a predetermined network (e.g., a LAN or a WAN) and communicates with the printer 102 and the printer connect service 103 via the connected network. The network I / F 205 can be connected to a wireless LAN communication unit 210, an NFC (Near Field Communication) communication unit 211, a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication unit 212, etc. The input device 206 is a device for receiving user input, and is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, an operating device such as a keyboard or a touch panel, or an audio input device such as a microphone. The output device 207 is a device for presenting various information to the user, and is, for example, a display device that displays various information. The imaging device 208 is a device that converts light captured by an imaging element into an electrical signal and converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element into digital data, thereby generating an image. The digital data generated by the imaging device 208 is temporarily stored in the RAM 202, and then converted into a predetermined image format by a program executed by the processor 201 and stored in the auxiliary storage device 204 as image data.

[0022] The above-described configuration of the client terminal 101 is merely an example, and the hardware configuration is not limited to the above. As another configuration example of the client terminal 101, some of the components included in the above-described client terminal 101, for example, the input device 206 or the output device 207, may be externally attached as a separate component from the client terminal 101. Also, the imaging device 208 may not be provided.

[0023] Furthermore, the functional configuration and processing described below are realized by a desired client terminal 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 203 or auxiliary storage device 204 into the RAM 202 and executing it.

[0024] <3. Functional configuration of client terminal> Fig. 3 shows an example of the software configuration of the client terminal 101 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration shown in Fig. 3 is realized by executing an application 300 on the client terminal 101, and mainly controls the display of the output device 207 of the client terminal 101 when using the printer connect service 103.

[0025] The application 300 is a software application that can operate electronic devices such as the printer 102 and is executed by the processor 201 of the client terminal 101, and is stored in the ROM 203 or the auxiliary storage device 204, and is deployed to the RAM 202 for execution. The application 300 functions as a setting management unit 301, a print management unit 302, a communication unit 303, an authentication control unit 304, a storage unit 305, and a UI control unit 306.

[0026] The setting management unit 301 stores setting information related to various functions of the printer 102 and the application 300 in a predetermined storage area, such as the RAM 202 or auxiliary storage device 204 of the client terminal 101, and reads the setting information from the storage area as needed. The setting information includes, for example, compatibility information indicating whether the printer 102 is compatible with the printer connect service 103, as well as the serial number and MAC address of the printer 102. The setting information also includes user information and login information required when the application 300 uses the printer connect service 103.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows an example of setting information related to the use of the printer connect service 103. "Model name" is information indicating the name of the printer 102, and in the example shown in Fig. 4, "PrinterA" is set as the model name. Note that, as long as it is possible to identify the type of printer 102, an identifier such as a model ID may be set as the information set as the model name.

[0028] The "serial number" is information for identifying the printer 102. In the example shown in Fig. 4, "KWRY850203" is set as the serial number. Note that the information set as the serial number may be in any format as long as it can identify the printer 102.

[0029] The "MAC address" is information for identifying the printer 102 on the second layer of the OSI reference model. In the example shown in Fig. 4, "00-11-22-1C-DD-EE" is set as the MAC address.

[0030] The "printer ID" is information that allows the printer connect service 103 to uniquely identify the printer 102. In the example shown in FIG. 4, "eyJraWQiQiiLJjNc9nSw" is set as the printer ID. The printer ID is information that identifies the printer 102 registered in the printer connect service 103, and is information that can be commonly used in each Web service that can be used via the printer connect service 103. The printer ID is issued by the printer connect service 103.

[0031] The print management unit 302 acquires setting information related to the printer 102 from the printer 102. The setting information is stored in a predetermined storage area via the setting management unit 301. The setting information includes, for example, compatibility information indicating whether the printer 102 is compatible with the printer connect service 103. The setting information also includes the serial number and MAC address of the printer 102, as well as print setting information necessary to execute the print function, such as the size of the recording medium, the type of recording medium, border settings, and double-sided settings.

[0032] The print management unit 302 also manages the print sequence of the print function executed by the application 300. For example, it generates a print command including print setting information for executing printing and transmits it to the printer 102 via the communication unit 303. The print management unit 302 also receives a status response to this print command from the printer 102 via the communication unit 303, and executes processing in response to the received status response.

[0033] The communication unit 303 transmits and receives various data to and from other devices such as the printer 102 and the printer connect service 103. For example, the communication unit 303 can transmit information related to printing to the printer 102 and receive status responses to print commands and setting information for the printer 102 from the printer 102. The communication unit 303 can also receive various processing requests from the printer connect service 103 and transmit information according to the processing results to the printer connect service 103.

[0034] The authentication control unit 304 executes various processes related to the management of user information relating to users of the printer connect service 103. The authentication control unit 304 receives user information held by the printer connect service 103 from the printer connect service 103 and stores the information in a predetermined storage area via the setting management unit 301. The authentication control unit 304 may also perform user authentication processing for using the printer connect service 103. In this case, the user authentication processing and management of user information may be performed in cooperation with an external authentication service. The authentication control unit 304 may also perform processing for sending and receiving information about printers to be registered in the printer connect service 103 to and from the printer connect service 103.

[0035] The storage unit 305 stores various data in a predetermined storage area, such as the RAM 202 or auxiliary storage device 204 of the client terminal 101, in response to a request from the setting management unit 301 or the like.

[0036] In response to a request from another device, the UI control unit 306 executes processing for generating and outputting a UI for accepting user input in the application 300 and presenting various types of information to the user. In this embodiment, the other devices are, for example, the printer 102 and the printer connect service 103. The UI control unit 306 also displays the generated UI on the output device 207 of the client terminal 101. A specific example of a UI is a UI for presenting information received from the printer 102 via the communication unit 303 about whether the printer 102 supports the printer connect service 103. Another example of a UI is a UI for presenting information about the user's usage of the printer connect service 103 received from the printer connect service 103 via the communication unit 303. Instead of generating a UI, the UI control unit 306 may receive a screen generated by the printer connect service 103 or data related to the output of that screen from the printer connect service 103 via the communication unit 303. This allows the UI control unit 306 to present the screen received from the outside as a UI to the user of the application 300 via the browser running on the client terminal 101.

[0037] <4. Registering the printer in the application> Fig. 5 shows an example of a display screen displayed by an application 300 capable of operating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a screen output to the output device 207 by the UI control unit 306 of the application 300.

[0038] To use the printer connect service 103, the user of the client terminal 101 must register the printer 102 in the application 300 running on the client terminal 101. Therefore, when the application 300 is started, if the printer is not yet registered in the application 300, a registration screen 500 shown in FIG. 5A is displayed, which is a screen for executing a process to register the printer 102 in the output device 207. When a search button 501 displayed on the registration screen 500 is pressed, the application 300 searches for printers connected to the same network 100 as the client terminal 101. The print management unit 302 acquires printer information from the printer 102 found by the search and stores the acquired printer information in the storage unit 305 of the application 300. The printer information includes information related to printing, such as the size of recording media usable by the printer 102, the type of recording media, border settings, and double-sided settings, as well as information related to the printer 102, such as the serial number, MAC address, and compatibility with the printer connect service 103. When the printer information acquired from the printer 102 is stored in the storage unit 305, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 displays the first home screen 510 shown in Fig. 5(b) or the second home screen 520 shown in Fig. 5(c). This completes the registration of the printer 102 to the application 300. Note that the home screen displayed by the application 300 when the printer 102 does not support the printer connect service 103 is the first home screen 510. Similarly, the home screen displayed by the application 300 when the printer 102 supports the printer connect service 103 is the second home screen 520.

[0039] The second home screen 520 includes a usage status display button 521 that indicates the usage status of the printer connect service 103, and a printer button 512 that indicates the printer 102 registered in the application 300. It also includes buttons for executing various functions supported by the registered printer 102. Specifically, it includes a document print button 513 that executes a document print function, a photo print button 514 that executes a photo print function, a scan button 515 that executes a scan function, a cloud button 516 that uses the cloud print service 104, etc. It also includes a register / switch button 517 that displays a list of printers registered in the application 300. The first home screen 510 is the same as the second home screen 520 except that the usage status display button 521 is not displayed.

[0040] When the printer button 512 is pressed, the application 300 displays a printer details screen (not shown) for checking detailed information about the printer 102. The printer details screen displays information about the remaining ink level of the printer 102, a utility button for performing maintenance on the printer 102, a manual button for displaying the manual for the printer 102, and the like. When the document print button 513 or photo print button 514 is pressed, the application 300 executes a function to print a document or photo stored in the client terminal 101 with the printer 102. When the scan button 515 is pressed, the application 300 executes a function to scan a photo or document with the printer 102 and store it in the client terminal 101.

[0041] When the registration / switch button 517 is pressed, the application 300 displays a printer registration switching screen 530 shown in Fig. 5(d). The registration switching screen 530 displays a list 531 of printers registered in the application 300, a delete button 532 for deleting a printer registered in the application 300, and the like. The printer list 531 displays PrinterA, PrinterB, and PrinterC, indicating that three printers are registered. Furthermore, when the delete button 532 is pressed, the application 300 deletes the printer registered in the application 300.

[0042] The following describes in detail the usage status display button 521, which the application 300 displays on the second home screen 520 and indicates the usage status of the printer connect service 103. If the printer 102 registered in the application 300 is compatible with the printer connect service 103, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 displays the usage status display button 521. The usage status display button 521 indicates one of three states: unregistered, registered and logged in, or registered and logged out, depending on the registration status and usage status of the printer 102 in the printer connect service 103 by the user of the client terminal 101. Furthermore, if the printer 102 registered in the application 300 does not support the printer connect service 103, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 hides the usage status display button 521. In other words, the usage status display button 521 can indicate whether the printer 102 supports the printer connect service 103, as well as the registration status and usage status of the printer 102 in the printer connect service 103 by the user of the client terminal 101. The usage status display button 521 is configured such that the symbol displaying the usage status functions as a button, but the symbol displaying the usage status and the button may be configured separately. In such a configuration, it is sufficient that at least the symbol portion displaying the usage status changes in display depending on the usage status. Here, a symbol refers to a visual symbol, including letters, numbers, figures, etc., used to convey meaning or information.

[0043] The second home screen 520 shows a state in which a printer 102 compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300, but the user of the client terminal 101 has not registered with the printer connect service 103. On this second home screen 520, a usage status display button 521 is displayed together with a message "Sign Up" to prompt the user of the client terminal 101 to register as a user. Therefore, in the state of the second home screen 520, the printer connect service 103 cannot yet be used. For example, when the cloud button 516 is pressed, the application 300 displays a message indicating that registration with the printer connect service 103 is required, and the cloud print service 104 becomes unavailable. Furthermore, the first home screen 510 shows a state in which a printer 102 incompatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300. On this first home screen 510, the usage status display button 521 displayed on the second home screen 520 is not displayed.

[0044] Here, whether the printer 102 is compatible with the printer connect service 103 is determined based on compatibility information for the printer connect service 103 that the print management unit 302 acquires from the printer 102 when the printer 102 is registered in the application 300. If the compatibility information indicates "compatible," the application 300 determines that the printer 102 is compatible with the printer connect service 103, and causes the output device 207 to display the second home screen 520. If the compatibility information indicates "incompatible," the application 300 determines that the printer 102 is not compatible with the printer connect service 103, and causes the output device 207 to display the first home screen 510.

[0045] However, the method for determining the compatibility of the printer connect service 103 is not limited to this. For example, the determination may be made based on the model name acquired from the printer 102. In this case, the application 300 transmits the model name to the printer connect service 103 and receives the compatibility of the printer 102 with the printer connect service 103 from the printer connect service 103. Alternatively, the application 300 may hold a list of model names compatible with the printer connect service 103, and the application 300 may determine the compatibility of the printer 102 with the printer connect service 103 based on the model name of the printer 102. The list of model names may be held in advance by the application 300, or may be held by the printer connect service 103 and acquired by the application 300 from the printer connect service 103 at any time, such as when the application 300 is started up.

[0046] <5. Display status of the usage status display button> 6 shows the compatibility status of the printer 102 with the printer connect service 103 and the display forms of the usage status display button 521 for each registration and usage status in the printer connect service 103 by the user of the client terminal 101. Switching between these display forms 601 to 604 is performed based on management information including token information and authentication status information, which will be described later.

[0047] If the printer 102 does not support the printer connect service 103, the usage status display button 521 is set to a display state 601. In the display state 601, the usage status display button 521 is hidden, indicating that the printer 102 does not support the printer connect service 103. Furthermore, by not displaying buttons related to unavailable services or making them unpressable, it is possible to prevent the user from unnecessarily registering for services that they cannot use. The first home screen 510 shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a home screen in the display state 601.

[0048] Note that even when multiple printers can be registered in the application 300, if all of the printers registered in the application 300 do not support the printer connect service 103, the usage status display button 521 will be in the display state 601. Also, when no printers are registered in the application 300 and the registration screen 500 shown in FIG. 5 is displayed, the usage status display button 521 will be in the display state 601. Instead of hiding the usage status display button 521 as the display state 601, for example, a symbol indicating that the printer 102 registered with the usage status display button 521 does not support the printer connect service 103 may be displayed. In this case, the usage status display button 521 cannot be pressed, or even if it is pressed, no processing related to the printer connect service 103 is executed.

[0049] If the printer 102 is compatible with the printer connect service 103, the usage status display button 521 will be in one of display states 602 to 604. In display states 602 to 604, the usage status display button 521 is displayed, indicating that the printer 102 is compatible with the printer connect service 103. This allows the user to recognize that registration for using the printer connect service 103 has been completed. The user can also understand the usage status of the printer connect service 103 from each display form in display states 602 to 604.

[0050] If the user of the client terminal 101 is not registered with the printer connect service 103, that is, if the application 300 does not hold token information, the usage status display button 521 enters a display state 602. In this case, the usage status display button 521 includes a user icon, a plus illustration, and a "Sign up" message, and is displayed to prompt the user of the client terminal 101 to register with the printer connect service 103. Furthermore, when the usage status display button 521 in the display state 602 is pressed, it operates to execute processing for registering with the printer connect service 103. The usage status display button 521 on the second home screen 520 is in the state shown in the display state 602.

[0051] Furthermore, if the user of the client terminal 101 has already registered with the printer connect service 103 and is currently logged in to the printer connect service 103, the usage status display button 521 will be in the display state 603. That is, if the application 300 holds token information and the authentication status information indicates "logged in," the usage status display button 521 will be in the display state 603. In this case, the usage status display button 521 includes a user icon and user initials, and can indicate to the user of the client terminal 101 that they are currently using the printer connect service 103. Furthermore, when the usage status display button 521 in the display state 603 is pressed, it operates to execute processing to display a user information screen.

[0052] Furthermore, if the user of the client terminal 101 has already registered with the printer connect service 103 but has not yet logged in to the printer connect service 103, the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 604. That is, if the application 300 holds token information and the authentication status information indicates "logout," the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 604. In this case, the usage status display button 521 includes a user icon and the message "login," and is displayed to prompt the user of the client terminal 101 to log in to the printer connect service 103. Furthermore, when the usage status display button 521 in the display state 604 is pressed, it operates to execute processing for logging in to the printer connect service 103.

[0053] If multiple printers are registered in the application 300 and one or more of the registered printers are compatible with the printer connect service 103, the usage status display button 521 will be in one of the display states 602 to 604.

[0054] In this way, the display form of the usage status display button 521 changes based on the compatibility status of the printer 102 registered in the application 300 with the printer connect service 103 and the user's registration and usage status in the printer connect service 103. This display form of the usage status display button 521 allows the user of the client terminal 101 to easily and appropriately recognize the registration and usage status in the printer connect service 103, improving usability.

[0055] <6. Registering with the Printer Connect Service> The following describes the registration of user information and printer information to the printer connect service 103 according to this embodiment, and the display form of the usage status display button 521 in each registration state. By registering user information and printer information in the printer connect service 103 in association with each other, various web services such as a cloud print service 104, a points service 105, and a subscription service 106 become available. The registration of user information and printer information to the printer connect service 103 is executed by the application 300 when the printer 102 is registered in the application 300. Alternatively, the application 300 may execute the registration when the usage status display button 521 is pressed by the user while the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 602, as in the second home screen 520.

[0056] The print management unit 302 of the application 300 instructs the printer 102 to communicate with the printer connect service 103 in order to register the printer 102 with the printer connect service 103. Upon receiving this instruction, the printer 102 transmits device identification information, including its own serial number and MAC address, to the printer connect service 103. The printer connect service 103 assigns a printer ID to the device identification information, including the serial number and MAC address, and associates and stores the serial number, MAC address, and assigned printer ID. The printer connect service 103 then transmits the printer ID to the printer 102. The printer 102 stores the received printer ID in its own device.

[0057] Next, the authentication control unit 304 of the application 300 transmits device identification information including the serial number and MAC address of the printer 102 to the printer connect service 103. The printer connect service 103 transmits the printer ID held for the device identification information including the received serial number and MAC address to the application 300. At this time, the serial number and MAC address transmitted by the application 300 to the printer connect service 103 are those stored as printer information in the storage unit 305 of the application 300 when the printer 102 was registered in the application 300.

[0058] The authentication control unit 304 of the application 300 executes processing to have the user of the client terminal 101 enter user information in order to associate the received printer ID with the user information and register it in the printer connect service 103. The UI control unit 306 of the application 300 causes the output device 207 to display a user name input screen 700 for entering a user name, as shown in FIG. 7A. The user name input screen 700 includes a user name input area 701 for entering a user name and a next button 702 for displaying the next screen. When a user name is entered in the user name input area 701 and the next button 702 is pressed, the application 300 causes the output device 207 to display a password input screen 710 for entering a password, as shown in FIG. 7B. The password input screen 710 includes a password input area 711 for entering a password and a next button 712 for displaying the next screen. When a password is entered in the password input field 711 and a Next button 712 is pressed, the application 300 sends the entered user name and password to the printer connect service 103. The printer connect service 103, which has received the user name and password, creates a user account based on that information and sends token information corresponding to the created user account to the application 300. The token information here refers to an access token defined in OAuth 2.0 or an ID token defined in OpenID Connect. The access token is a character string indicating information that authorizes access to the user account, and is used when the application 300 accesses the user account of the printer connect service 103. The ID token is a character string that proves authentication and can include information such as a user name, email address, and authentication identifier.

[0059] The information to be entered when creating a user account is not limited to a user name and password. It may also be an email address, birthday, or the date of purchase of the printer 102, and a screen for entering such information may be displayed. This allows the user to enter necessary user information according to the characteristics of the web service provided. The user name input screen 700 and password input screen 710 may be generated by the printer connect service 103 and received by the application 300, and the UI control unit 306 may display the received screen. The user name input screen 700 and password input screen 710 are merely examples in this embodiment, and other methods may be used as long as information for user authentication can be obtained. For example, FIDO authentication using a passkey may be applied as another user authentication method.

[0060] When the application 300 receives the printer ID and token information in this manner, the application 300 associates the printer ID with the token information and transmits them to the printer connect service 103. The token information transmitted by the application 300 to the printer connect service 103 may not be the entire token information, but may be only a portion of the token information, such as a UUID for uniquely identifying a user account. Upon receiving the printer ID and token information, the printer connect service 103 associates the printer ID with the token information and stores them. As a result, the printer 102 and the user of the client terminal 101 are associated and registered in the printer connect service 103. The printer connect service 103 transmits the result of the registration process to the application 300. Upon receiving a successful registration result, the application 300 associates the token information with authentication status information indicating "logged in" and stores it in the storage unit 305 as management information. If the application 300 holds the token information and authentication status information indicating "logged in," the application 300 determines that the application 300 is registered and logged in to the printer connect service 103. When it is determined that the application 300 is registered and logged in, the UI control unit 306 changes the screen displayed on the output device 207 from the second home screen 520 shown in FIG. 5 to the third home screen 720 shown in FIG. 7(c). The display of the usage status display button 521 on this third home screen 720 is in the display state 603 shown in FIG. 6. In other words, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 displays a user icon and the user's initials on the usage status display button 521. By displaying the usage status display button 521 in this display mode, the user of the client terminal 101 can recognize that he or she has registered with the printer connect service 103 and is currently using the printer connect service 103.

[0061] On the third home screen 720, for example, when the cloud button 516 is pressed, the screen of the cloud print service 104 (not shown) is displayed because the user is registered and logged in to the printer connect service 103. At this time, the application 300 transmits token information held in the storage unit 305 to the cloud print service 104, thereby enabling the application 300 to use the cloud print service 104 as a user registered and logged in to the printer connect service 103.

[0062] Furthermore, when the usage status display button 521 is pressed on the third home screen 720, the application 300 displays a user information screen 730 shown in FIG. 7D. The user information screen 730 displays the user name 731 and email address 732 of the registered, logged-in user, and a user portal button 733 for displaying a user portal screen 760 shown in FIG. 7G. The user information screen 730 also includes a printer registration button 734 for registering a new printer in the printer connect service 103, and a logout button 735 for logging out from the printer connect service 103. When the user portal button 733 is pressed, the application 300 displays the user portal screen 760 provided by the printer connect service 103. The application 300 can also use the user portal screen 760 as a registered, logged-in user by sending token information stored in the storage unit 305 to the user portal.

[0063] The user portal screen 760 displays user information such as user names and email addresses registered with the printer connect service 103, as well as printer information stored in association with the user information. The user portal screen 760 also displays information for checking detailed usage status of the point service 105 and subscription service 106. By using the user portal screen 760, the user of the client terminal 101 can check the user information and printer information registered with the printer connect service 103.

[0064] Furthermore, the user of the client terminal 101 can change or delete registered user information and delete registered printers via the user portal screen 760. Specifically, when the Delete User Information button 761 is pressed, the printer connect service 103 deletes all of the user information of the currently logged-in user and the printer information associated with that user information. On the user portal screen 760 shown in FIG. 7, the Printer User account in the user information is deleted. Furthermore, when the Delete Printer Information button 762 is pressed, the printer information associated with the user is deleted. When the Delete Printer Information button 762 is pressed on the user portal screen 760 shown in FIG. 7, Printer A is deleted from the Printer User account registered as user information.

[0065] When the printer registration button 734 is pressed on the user information screen 730, the application 300 displays a printer list screen (not shown) that lists printers that are compatible with the printer connect service 103 and that are registered in the application 300. When a printer to be newly registered in the printer connect service 103 is selected from this printer list screen, the application 300 registers the selected printer in the printer connect service 103.

[0066] Furthermore, when the logout button 735 on the user information screen 730 is pressed, the application 300 changes the authentication state information stored in the storage unit 305 by the setting management unit 301 to "logout" and enters a registered and logged out state. In other words, the application 300 switches between registered and logged in and registered and logged out based on the value of the authentication state information held in the storage unit 305.

[0067] When the state of the application 300 becomes registered and logged out, the application 300 causes the UI control unit 306 to display the fourth home screen 740 shown in FIG. 7(e) on the output device 207. The display of the usage status display button 521 on the fourth home screen 740 is in the display state 604 shown in FIG. 6. In other words, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 causes the usage status display button 521 to display a user icon and the message "Login." This allows the user of the client terminal 101 to recognize that although the user has registered with the printer connect service 103, the user is not currently using the printer connect service 103.

[0068] On the fourth home screen 740, for example, when the cloud button 516 is pressed, a message is displayed indicating that it is necessary to log in to the printer connect service 103. This is because the printer connect service 103 is not being used and therefore the cloud print service 104 is also not available.

[0069] Furthermore, when the usage status display button 521 is pressed on the fourth home screen 740, the application 300 displays an account selection screen 750 shown in Fig. 7(f) that prompts the user to log in to the printer connect service 103. The account selection screen 750 also includes a user account button 751 that allows login based on the token information stored in the storage unit 305 of the application 300, and a new account creation button 752 for creating a new user account.

[0070] Furthermore, when a user count button 751 is pressed on the account selection screen 750, the application 300 checks with the printer connect service 103 whether the token information stored in the storage unit 305 is valid. If the token information has expired, the application 300 causes the UI control unit 306 to display a user name input screen 700 and a password input screen 710 on the output device 207, and causes the authentication control unit 304 to perform user authentication processing again. If the token information stored in the storage unit 305 is within the expiration date, the application 300 logs in to the printer connect service 103 based on the user name input screen 700 and the password input screen 710. After logging in to the printer connect service 103, the application 300 obtains token information with a new expiration date set from the printer connect service 103, and updates the authentication status information stored in the storage unit 305 to "logged in." Based on the authentication status information and updated token information stored in the storage unit 305, the application 300 displays the third home screen 720 and sets the usage status display button 521 to the display state 603. That is, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 displays a user icon and the user's initials on the usage status display button 521. This allows the user of the client terminal 101 to recognize that they have registered with the printer connect service 103 and are now using it.

[0071] When the create new account button 752 is pressed on the account selection screen 750, the application 300 displays the user name input screen 700 and the password input screen 710 on the output device 207. This executes processing equivalent to that performed when user information is registered with the printer connect service 103 on the second home screen 520. When the processing is completed, the application 300 enters a registered and logged in state, and displays the third home screen 720. The display of the usage status display button 521 becomes the display state 603 shown in FIG. 6. That is, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 displays a user icon and the user's initials on the usage status display button 521. This display enables the user of the client terminal 101 to recognize that they have registered with the printer connect service 103 and are now using the printer connect service 103.

[0072] <7. Processing flow for registration and display control of the usage status display button in the Printer Connect service> Next, in this embodiment, a registration process to the printer connect service 103 executed by the application 300 when registering the printer 102 in the application 300 will be described. FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for explaining the process related to printer and user registration and display control of the usage status display button according to this embodiment. This is the process executed by the application 300 when the search button 501 on the registration screen 500 of the application 300 is pressed while the printer 102 is connected to the network 100. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the processor 201 of the client terminal 101 loading into the RAM 202 and executing a program stored in the ROM 203 or auxiliary storage device 204.

[0073] In S801, the processor 201 detects the printer 102 connected to the network 100 to which the client terminal 101 is connected.

[0074] In S802, the processor 201 receives printer information from the detected printer 102. The printer information includes information related to printing, such as the size of recording media usable by the printer 102, the type of recording media, border settings, and double-sided settings, as well as information related to the printer, such as the serial number, MAC address, and printer connect service 103 compatibility information of the printer 102.

[0075] In step S803 , upon receiving the printer information, the processor 201 registers the printer 102 in the application 300 .

[0076] In S804, the processor 201 checks whether the printer information received in S802 includes information on compatibility with the printer connect service 103. If the processor 201 determines that the information indicating compatibility with the printer connect service 103 is not included and that the detected printer 102 does not support the printer connect service 103, the processor 201 proceeds to S822; otherwise, the processor 201 proceeds to S805.

[0077] In S822, the processor 201 displays the first home screen 510 in which the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 601, and ends the process. In this case, the application 300 does not display the usage status display button 521, indicating that the printer connect service 103 is not available.

[0078] In S805, the processor 201 instructs the printer 102 to start communication with the printer connect service 103. Upon receiving this instruction, the printer 102 transmits its own serial number and MAC address to the printer connect service 103. The printer connect service 103 generates and stores a printer ID that is unique for the combination of the received serial number and MAC address. The printer connect service 103 transmits the generated printer ID to the printer 102. The printer 102 stores the printer ID received from the printer connect service 103. This process allows the printer connect service 103 to recognize the existence of the printer 102.

[0079] In S806, the processor 201 sends a request for the printer ID corresponding to the printer 102 registered in the application 300 to the printer connect service 103. The request includes the serial number and MAC address of the printer 102 as printer information. When the printer connect service 103 receives the serial number and MAC address of the printer 102 from the application 300, it identifies the printer ID corresponding to the combination of the received serial number and MAC address. If the corresponding printer ID has been identified, the printer connect service 103 sends a response including the identified printer ID to the application 300.

[0080] In step S807, the processor 201 receives a response from the printer connect service 103 in response to the request for the printer ID.

[0081] In S808, the processor 201 checks whether the printer ID was included in the response received from the printer connect service 103 and whether the printer ID was acquired. If the printer ID was not acquired, the processor 201 determines that the registration process of the printer 102 to the printer connect service 103 failed and proceeds to S821; otherwise, the processor 201 proceeds to S809.

[0082] In S821, the processor 201 displays the second home screen 520 in which the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 602, and ends the processing. At this time, the processor 201 may cause the output device 207 to display an error screen indicating that the registration process of the printer 102 with the printer connect service 103 did not end normally. When the usage status display button 521 is pressed on the second home screen 520, the processor 201 executes the registration process of the printer 102 with the printer connect service 103. In other words, the processor 201 executes the process shown in S805 again. Therefore, the user of the client terminal 101 can execute the registration process of the printer 102 with the printer connect service 103 again by pressing the usage status display button 521 on the second home screen 520.

[0083] In S809, the processor 201 displays the user name input screen 700 on the output device 207. When a user name is input on the user name input screen 700 and an instruction to display the next screen is received, the processor 201 proceeds to S810.

[0084] In S810, the processor 201 displays the password entry screen 710 on the output device 207. When the password is entered and an instruction to display the next screen is received, the processor 201 proceeds to S811.

[0085] In S811, the processor 201 transmits a request for account creation to the printer connect service 103. The transmitted request includes the input authentication information, that is, the user name and password. At this time, as two-factor authentication, ownership authentication using a one-time password or biometric authentication using a face, fingerprint, vein, or the like may be performed. Also, instead of authentication using a user name and password, FIDO authentication using a passkey may be used. Furthermore, the processor 201 may display a screen for inputting the email address, birthday, or the like of the user of the client terminal 101 in addition to the user name and password.

[0086] In response to the request for account creation in step S811, the printer connect service 103 creates an account for the corresponding user. If the account has been created, the printer connect service 103 sends a response to the application 300 that includes token information corresponding to the created account.

[0087] In S812, the processor 201 receives a response from the printer connect service 103 to the request for account creation.

[0088] In S813, the processor 201 checks whether the token information is included in the response received from the printer connect service 103 and whether the token information has been acquired. If the token information has not been acquired, the processor 201 determines that the account creation process has failed and proceeds to S821 described above; otherwise, the processor 201 proceeds to S814. When proceeding from S813 to execute S821, the processor 201 may cause the output device 207 to display an error screen indicating that the account creation for the printer connect service 103 has failed.

[0089] In S814, the processor 201 transmits a request to the printer connect service 103 to register the printer 102 in association with the account corresponding to the token information. This request includes the printer ID and token information. The printer connect service 103, which has received the request to register the printer, registers the printer ID with the account corresponding to the received token information. As a result, the printer connect service 103 associates the printer ID with the account, and the printer 102 is registered with the account corresponding to the token information. When the registration of the printer ID with the account is complete, the printer connect service 103 transmits a response including registration completion information to the application 300.

[0090] In S815 , the processor 201 receives the response sent by the printer connect service 103 .

[0091] In S816, the processor 201 checks whether the response received from the printer connect service 103 includes registration completion information and whether the registration of the printer 102 to the account was successful. If the registration completion information is not included, the processor 201 determines that the registration process of the printer 102 to the account failed, and proceeds to S819; otherwise, proceeds to S817.

[0092] In step S819, the processor 201 stores the token information and authentication status information indicating "logout" in the storage unit 305. At this time, the application 300 has succeeded in creating an account for the user of the client terminal 101, but has failed to register the printer 102 to that account, and the printer connect service 103 cannot be used.

[0093] In S820, the processor 201 displays the fourth home screen 740 in which the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 604, and ends the processing. At this time, the processor 201 may cause the output device 207 to display an error screen indicating that the registration process of the printer 102 to the account of the user of the client terminal 101 did not end normally. When the usage status display button 521 is pressed on the fourth home screen 740, the processor 201 executes the registration process of the printer 102 to the printer connect service 103. In other words, the processor 201 executes the process shown in S805 again. Therefore, the user of the client terminal 101 can execute the registration process of the printer 102 to the printer connect service 103 again by pressing the usage status display button 521 on the fourth home screen 740.

[0094] In step S817, the processor 201 stores the token information and authentication status information indicating "logged in" in the storage unit 305. At this time, the application 300 has successfully completed registration of the user of the client terminal 101 to the printer connect service 103, and is in a state where the printer connect service 103 can be used.

[0095] In S818, the processor 201 ends the processing by displaying on the output device 207 the third home screen 720 in which the display of the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 603. At this time, the processor 201 may also display on the output device 207 a screen indicating that the registration process for the user of the client terminal 101 to the printer connect service 103 has been successfully completed.

[0096] 8 does not always need to be executed when registering with the printer connect service 103. For example, if the processor 201 does not have a new printer to register with the printer connect service 103, it is possible to omit steps S805 to S808. Also, if the application 300 holds in advance valid token information corresponding to the account to be logged in, it is possible to omit steps S809 to S813. This is effective when the usage status display button 521 of the display status 604 is pressed, for example.

[0097] 8 does not necessarily have to start from S801, and any necessary processing may be executed as appropriate. For example, when the usage status display button 521 of the display state 602 is pressed on the second home screen 520, the processing may be executed from S805. Furthermore, when the new printer registration button 734 is pressed on the user information screen 730 and the printer 102 to be registered is selected, the processing may be executed from S805. Similarly, when an account to be logged in is selected on the account selection screen 750, the processing may be executed from S805. The processing shown in FIG. 8 is processing that can be executed from any step as necessary, as long as it is for registering the printer 102 registered in the application 300 in the printer connect service 103.

[0098] 8, the processor 201 may change some of the processing content as long as it can appropriately control the display state and operation state of the usage status display button 521. For example, the compatibility status of the printer 102 with the printer connect service 103 does not necessarily have to be received from the printer; similar information may be received from the printer connect service 103.

[0099] Through this series of processing steps, the printer 102 registered in the application 300 can be registered in the printer connect service 103. Furthermore, the display mode of the usage status display button 521 can be switched depending on whether the registration process in the printer connect service 103 is successful or unsuccessful. The user of the client terminal 101 can recognize the registration and usage status in the printer connect service 103 from the usage status display button 521, improving usability.

[0100] <8. Deletion of registered information> Printer information registered in the application 300, and printer information and user information registered in the printer connect service 103 can be deleted and deregistered at any time. For example, a printer 102 registered in the application 300 can be deleted from the application 300 on a printer registration switching screen 530. The printer registration switching screen 530 is displayed when a registration / switch button 517 included in the first home screen 510 or the second home screen 520 of the application 300 is pressed. Furthermore, a printer 102 registered in the printer connect service 103 can be deleted from the printer connect service 103 on a user portal screen 760 opened in another application such as a web browser. Similarly, user information registered in the printer connect service 103 can also be deleted from the user portal screen 760.

[0101] The screen display of the application 300 when information required for using the printer connect service 103 is deleted in each of the display states 602 to 604 shown in FIG. 6 will be described below mainly with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 and 9.

[0102] First, the screen display of the application 300 when the printer information of the printer 102 corresponding to the printer connect service 103 registered in the application 300 is deleted in the display state 602 will be described.

[0103] In display state 602, the printer 102 compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300, but no printer 102 is registered in the printer connect service 103. That is, the application 300 displays the second home screen 520 shown in FIG. 5. In display state 602, if all printers compatible with the printer connect service 103 are deleted from the application 300, no printers compatible with the printer connect service 103 are registered in the application 300. Therefore, the application 300 changes to the state described in display state 601. That is, the application 300 hides the usage status display button 521. In this case, if no printers are registered in the application 300, the application 300 displays the registration screen 500. Furthermore, if only printers incompatible with the printer connect service 103 are registered in the application 300, the application 300 displays the first home screen 510.

[0104] In the display state 602, no user account has been created in the printer connect service 103, and no user information or printer information has been registered. Therefore, there is no case where user information or printer information registered in the printer connect service 103 is deleted.

[0105] Next, a screen display of the application 300 when the printer information of the printer 102 corresponding to the printer connect service 103 registered in the application 300 is deleted in the display state 603 shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

[0106] Display state 603 is a state in which a printer compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300 and the application is registered and logged in to the printer connect service 103. That is, the application 300 is displaying the third home screen 720 shown in FIG. 7. If all printers compatible with the printer connect service 103 are deleted from the application 300 in display state 603, the application 300 will be in a state in which no printers compatible with the printer connect service 103 are registered. Meanwhile, the application 300 still holds token information corresponding to the user account currently logged in to the printer connect service 103 and authentication status information indicating "logged in." Therefore, the application 300 maintains the registered and logged in state and remains in display state 603. That is, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 continues to display the user icon and the user's initials on the usage status display button 521. Therefore, the screen displayed by the application 300 is either the registration screen 900 shown in Fig. 9(a) or the third home screen 720 shown in Fig. 7. When no printers are registered in the application 300, the registration screen 900 is displayed, and when only printers that do not support the printer connect service 103 are registered in the application 300, the third home screen 720 is displayed. The registration screen 900 is a screen in which a usage status display button 521 of the display state 603 is added to the registration screen 500. Note that the operation when the usage status display button 521 is pressed on the registration screen 900 is the same as the operation when the usage status display button 521 is pressed on the third home screen 720.

[0107] As a result, even if the user of the client terminal 101 deletes the printer 102 registered in the application 300, the user can display the user information screen 730 or the user portal screen 760 by pressing the usage status display button 521. The display of the usage status display button 521 may indicate that not only is the user registered and logged in, but also that no printers compatible with the printer connect service 103 are registered in the application 300.

[0108] Next, the screen display of the application 300 when printer information registered in the printer connect service 103 is deleted in the display state 603 will be described. When printer information registered in the printer connect service 103 is deleted, the association between user information and printer information in the printer connect service 103 is deleted. In order to control the display state of the usage status display button 521, the application 300 communicates with the printer connect service 103 via the communication unit 303 at any timing, such as at startup, and checks the registration status of the printer connect service 103. At that time, the application 300 can check the registration status of the printer connect service 103 by sending token information stored in the storage unit 305 to the printer connect service 103. If the result of checking the registration status shows that printer information associated with the user information of the user of the client terminal 101 is not registered in the printer connect service 103, the application 300 changes the authentication status information stored in the storage unit 305 to "logout." This changes the status of the application 300 to a registered, logged-out state. That is, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 displays the fourth home screen 740, and the usage status display button 521 is set to the display state 604. By keeping the display of the usage status display button 521 in the display state 604, the user of the client terminal 101 can easily log in again to the printer connect service 103 from the account selection screen 750. To log in again, the user registers the printer 102 corresponding to the printer connect service 103 registered in the application 300 in the printer connect service 103. This makes it possible to associate the user information of the user of the client terminal 101 with the printer information of the printer 102, and the printer information is newly stored in the printer connect service 103. When registering the printer 102 in the printer connect service 103, the application 300 simultaneously changes the authentication status information stored in the storage unit 305 to "Logged In" and sets the usage status display button 521 to the display state 603.

[0109] The following describes the screen display of the application 300 when user information registered with the printer connect service 103 is deleted in the display state 603. When user information registered with the printer connect service 103 is deleted, the user account in the printer connect service 103 is deleted. To control the display state of the usage status display button 521, the application 300 communicates with the printer connect service 103 via the communication unit 303 at any time, such as at startup, to check the registration status of the printer connect service 103. At this time, the application 300 can check the registration status of the user of the client terminal 101 with the printer connect service 103 by sending token information stored in the storage unit 305 to the printer connect service 103. If the result of checking the registration status shows that the user account of the user of the client terminal 101 does not exist in the printer connect service 103, the application 300 deletes the token information stored in the storage unit 305 and the authentication status information indicating "logged in." This causes the application 300 to become unregistered in the printer connect service 103. That is, the application 300 displays the second home screen 520 and sets the usage status display button 521 to the display state 602. By setting the usage status display button 521 to the display state 602, the user of the client terminal 101 can re-register with the printer connect service 103 via the user name input screen 700 and the password input screen 710. When re-registering, the application 300 registers with the printer connect service 103 the printer 102 corresponding to the printer connect service 103 registered with the application 300. As a result, the user information of the user of the client terminal 101 and the printer information of the printer 102 are associated and registered with the printer connect service 103. At the same time, the application 300 stores in the storage unit 305 the token information and authentication status information indicating "logged in" that were acquired when the application 300 re-registered with the printer connect service 103, and sets the usage status display button 521 to the display state 603.

[0110] Next, a screen display of the application 300 when the printer 102 compatible with the printer connect service 103 registered in the application 300 is deleted in the display state 604 shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

[0111] In the display state 604, a printer compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300, and the application 300 is in the state of being registered and logged out of the printer connect service 103. That is, the application 300 displays the fourth home screen 740 shown in FIG. 7. If all printers compatible with the printer connect service 103 are deleted from the application 300 in the display state 604, the application 300 will no longer have any printers compatible with the printer connect service 103 registered. However, since the application 300 still holds token information corresponding to the user account currently logged in to the printer connect service 103, the application 300 maintains the state of being registered and logged out, and remains in the display state 604. That is, the UI control unit 306 of the application 300 continues to display the user icon and a message prompting the user to log in on the usage status display button 521. Therefore, the screen displayed by the application 300 will be either the registration screen 910 shown in FIG. 9B or the fourth home screen 740 shown in FIG. 7. If no printers are registered in the application 300, a registration screen 910 is displayed, and if only printers that do not support the printer connect service 103 are registered in the application 300, a fourth home screen 740 is displayed. The registration screen 910 is a screen in which a usage status display button 521 of the display state 604 is added to the registration screen 500. Note that the operation when the usage status display button 521 is pressed on the registration screen 910 is the same as the operation when the usage status display button 521 is pressed on the fourth home screen 740. Furthermore, the display of the usage status display button 521 may indicate that not even one printer 102 that supports the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300, in addition to indicating that the application is registered and logged out.

[0112] In this case, since no printer compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300, it is not possible to register a printer in the printer connect service 103. In other words, the user of the client terminal 101 cannot log in again to the printer connect service 103 via the account selection screen 750. Therefore, when the user account button 751 is pressed in the display state 604, the application 300 displays a registration error screen (not shown). This registration error screen displays a printer registration button for executing processing to register a printer in the application 300 and a user portal button for opening a user portal screen 760. When this printer registration button is pressed, the application 300 executes processing to register the printer in the application 300. When the printer 102 compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300, the application 300 registers the printer 102 in the printer connect service 103. As a result, even if the user of the client terminal 101 deletes the printer 102 registered in the application 300, the user can register the printer 102 in the printer connect service 103 by pressing the usage status display button 521. As a result, the application 300 can store token information corresponding to the user of the client terminal 101 and authentication status information indicating "logged in" in the storage unit 305, and set the usage status display button 521 to the display state 603. The operation when the user portal button is pressed is the same as the operation when the user portal button 733 on the user information screen 730 is pressed. The user of the client terminal 101 can check their own user account information on the user portal screen 760.

[0113] Note that the screen display of the application 300 when the printer information registered with the printer connect service 103 is deleted in the display state 604 is the same as when the printer information registered with the printer connect service 103 is deleted in the display state 603. However, because the storage unit 305 of the application 300 has already changed the authentication status information to "logout," the application 300 simply maintains the registered logged out state. In other words, the application 300 continues to display the fourth home screen 740, and the usage status display button 521 also remains in the display state 604.

[0114] Furthermore, in the display state 604, when the user information registered in the printer connect service 103 is deleted, the screen display of the application 300 is the same as when the user information registered in the printer connect service 103 is deleted in the display state 603.

[0115] In this way, even when the printer information registered in the application 300 and the printer information and user information registered in the printer connect service 103 are deleted, the application 300 appropriately controls the display state and operation state of the usage status display button 521. This allows the user of the client terminal 101 to easily and appropriately recognize the user's registration and usage status in the printer connect service 103 even when the registered information is deleted, thereby improving usability.

[0116] <9. Process flow for controlling the display of the usage status display button after registering with the Printer Connect service> Fig. 10 shows a flowchart for explaining the processing related to the display control of the usage status display button 521 after printer and user registration according to this embodiment. Fig. 10 is mainly executed by the application 300 when the application 300 is started after the processing flow shown in Fig. 8 has been executed. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the processor 201 of the client terminal 101 loading a program stored in the ROM 203 or auxiliary storage device 204 into the RAM 202 and executing the program.

[0117] In S1001, the processor 201 acquires a list of printers registered in the application 300.

[0118] In S1002, the processor 201 checks whether the printer list acquired in S1001 contains one or more elements. If the list is empty, the processor 201 determines that no printers are registered in the application 300 and proceeds to S1019 shown in Fig. 11; otherwise, the processor 201 proceeds to S1003.

[0119] In S1003, the processor 201 acquires token information from the storage unit 305 to check whether an account for the printer connect service 103 has already been created.

[0120] In S1004, the processor 201 checks whether or not the token information has been acquired. If the token information has not been acquired, it is determined that an account for the printer connect service 103 has not been created, and the process proceeds to S1005; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1007.

[0121] In S1005, the processor 201 acquires the compatibility status of the printers registered in the application 300 with the printer connect service 103. Specifically, for example, the processor 201 acquires compatibility information of the printers included in the printer list acquired in S1001 with the printer connect service 103.

[0122] In S1006, the processor 201 checks whether or not a printer whose compatibility information for the printer connect service 103 is "compatible" exists in the list. That is, the processor 201 checks whether or not a printer compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300. If a printer compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300, the process proceeds to S1017; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1018.

[0123] In S1017, the processor 201 causes the output device 207 to display the second home screen 520, in which the display of the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 602. This processing is performed when the application 300 is started and a printer compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300 but is not registered in the printer connect service.

[0124] In S1018, the processor 201 causes the output device 207 to display the first home screen 510, which is in the display state 601 and does not include the usage status display button 521. This processing is performed when the application 300 is started and no printer compatible with the printer connect service 103 is registered in the application 300, making it impossible to use the printer connect service 103.

[0125] Note that the processing in S1005 and S1006 is not limited to this. The application 300 may obtain a list of model information of printers compatible with the printer connect service 103 from the printer connect service 103 and make a determination by comparing the obtained model information list with the model information in the printer list of the application 300. Alternatively, the application 300 may hold model information of printers compatible with the printer connect service 103. Furthermore, the application 300 may send model information to the printer connect service 103, and the printer connect service 103 may determine whether the received model information includes a printer compatible with the printer connect service 103. In this case, the application 300 obtains a determination result from the printer connect service 103 and, based on the obtained determination result, checks whether a printer compatible with the printer connect service 103 is present in the list.

[0126] In S1007, the processor 201 transmits the token information to the printer connect service 103 to check whether an account corresponding to the token information exists in the printer connect service 103, and acquires the user information corresponding to the token information.

[0127] In S1008, the processor 201 checks whether or not user information corresponding to the token information has been acquired, that is, whether or not user information corresponding to the token information exists in the printer connect service 103. If it is determined that user information corresponding to the token information does not exist in the printer connect service 103, the process proceeds to S1009; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1010.

[0128] In S1009, the processor 201 deletes the token information and authentication status information from the storage unit 305 and proceeds to S1005. The processing steps executed from S1005 onwards have been described above, so a description thereof will be omitted here. This processing flow is followed when an account is deleted from the printer connect service 103. Therefore, when S1017 or S1018 is executed via S1009, the processor 201 may further display an error screen indicating that the user information does not exist in the printer connect service 103.

[0129] In S1010, the processor 201 acquires the authentication status information from the storage unit 305.

[0130] In S1011, the processor 201 checks the acquired authentication status information. If the acquired authentication status information indicates "logout", the processor 201 proceeds to S1016.

[0131] In S1016, the processor 201 causes the output device 207 to display the fourth home screen 740 in which the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 604. This processing flow occurs when, when the application 300 is started, a printer is registered in the application 300, but the user has logged out using the logout button 735 displayed on the user information screen 730.

[0132] In S1011, if the acquired authentication status information is "logged in", the application 300 proceeds to S1012.

[0133] In S1012, the processor 201 transmits the token information held in the storage unit 305 to the printer connect service 103, and acquires the printer registration status for the account corresponding to the transmitted token information from the printer connect service 103. This is because, in order to use the printer connect service 103, the printer must be registered in the account of the user of the client terminal 101.

[0134] In S1013, the processor 201 determines whether the printer registration information can be acquired and whether the printer is registered with the printer connect service 103. If it is determined that the printer is not registered with the printer connect service 103, the process proceeds to S1014, and if not, the process proceeds to S1015.

[0135] In S1014, the processor 201 changes the authentication status information stored in the storage unit 305 to "logout." The processing of S1016 has been described above, and therefore will not be described here. However, this processing flow occurs if no printer is registered in the printer connect service 103 when the application 300 is launched. Therefore, when S1016 is executed, an error screen indicating that no printer is registered in the printer connect service 103 may also be displayed. In order to use the printer connect service 103, the printer must be registered in the account of the user of the client terminal 101, and therefore the service is set to an unavailable state in this way.

[0136] In step S1015, the processor 201 displays the third home screen 720 in which the display of the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 603. This processing flow is performed when the application 300 is started and registration with the printer connect service 103 has been successfully completed.

[0137] Next, a process flow shown in FIG. 11 will be described, which is executed when it is determined in S1002 that the printer is not registered in the application 300.

[0138] The processes of S1019 to S1028 shown in FIG. 11 are the same as S1003 to S1004 and S1007 to S1014 shown in FIG. 10, respectively, and therefore will not be described here.

[0139] In S1029, the processor 201 causes the output device 207 to display the registration screen 800 in which the usage status display button 521 is in the display state 603. This processing flow is performed when the application 300 is started and registration with the printer connect service 103 has been successfully completed, but no printers have been registered in the application 300.

[0140] In S1030, the processor 201 causes the output device 207 to display the registration screen 910, with the usage status display button 521 in the display state 604. This processing flow is performed when no printers are registered in the application 300 when the application 300 is started and the user has logged out from the printer connect service 103 using the logout button 735 displayed on the user information screen 730. This processing flow is also performed when no printers are registered in the application 300 when the application 300 is started and no printers are registered in the printer connect service. Note that when the processing of S1030 is performed, an error screen indicating that no printers are registered in the printer connect service 103 may also be displayed, as in the case where S1016 is executed via S1014.

[0141] In S1031, the processor 201 causes the output device 207 to display the registration screen 500, with the usage status display button 521 in the display state 601. This processing flow is performed when the application 300 is started and no printers are registered in the application 300, and the printer connect service 103 is also unregistered. Note that when the processing of S1031 is executed, the processor 201 may also display an error screen indicating that no user information exists in the printer connect service 103, just as in the case where S1017 and S1018 are executed via S1009.

[0142] In this way, the application 300 can appropriately control the display state and operation state of the usage status display button 521. This allows the user of the client terminal 101 to easily and appropriately recognize the user's registration and usage status in the printer connect service 103, improving usability.

[0143] The various controls described above as being performed by processor 201 may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the entire device may be controlled by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) sharing the processing.

[0144] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in detail based on preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the above-described embodiments merely represents one embodiment of the present invention, and each embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

[0145] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a client terminal that operates a printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this example and can be applied to any device that includes an information processing device that operates a device that cooperates with a web service and registers with the web service. That is, the printer can be replaced with IoT devices such as air conditioners, robot vacuum cleaners, home appliance remote controls, lighting, digital cameras, smart plugs, smart speakers, smartphones, smart watches, smart locks, and water heaters. The information processing device can also be replaced with personal computers, PDAs, mobile phones, tablet devices, portable image viewers, digital photo frames, music players, game consoles, e-book readers, and the like. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a device that integrates a device that cooperates with a web service and a device that operates the device and registers with the web service, such as an image forming device equipped with an information processing device.

[0146] In the above-described embodiment, a home screen in one of display states 601 to 604 is configured to display one of the usage status display buttons 521, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the three usage status display buttons displayed on the home screens in display states 602 to 604 may be displayed on the same home screen, and only one of the three usage status display buttons corresponding to the usage status may be substantially selectable.

[0147] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0148] The present disclosure includes the following configurations and methods. [Configuration 1] An information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device a first acquiring means for acquiring compatibility information indicating a compatibility status of the electronic device with a specific service via a network; a second acquiring means for acquiring identification information for identifying a user; a display control means for controlling a display showing a usage status of the specific service by the user on a screen of software operating on the information processing device for controlling the electronic device, a display control means for controlling a display of the user's usage status of the specific service to be different based on the correspondence information acquired by the first acquisition means and the identification information acquired by the second acquisition means; An information processing device comprising: [Configuration 2] the identification information includes specific information for authorizing access to the user's account associated with the electronic device managed in the specific service; 2. The information processing device according to configuration 1, [Configuration 3] when the compatibility information indicates that the electronic device is compatible with the specific service, the display control means changes a display format of the usage status depending on whether the second acquisition means has been able to acquire the specific information; 3. The information processing device according to configuration 2. [Configuration 4] When the compatibility information indicates that the electronic device is compatible with the specific service, the display control means changes the display format of the usage status according to authentication status information, which is acquired based on the specific information and indicates whether the account is logged in. 4. The information processing device according to configuration 2 or 3. [Configuration 5] the display control means does not display the usage status when the compatibility information indicates that the electronic device is not compatible with the specific service. 5. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 2 to 4. [Configuration 6] An information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device When the electronic device is a device that supports a specific service via a network and a user of the information processing device has registered for and is currently using the specific service, a first display is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service; When the electronic device is a device compatible with the specific service and the user of the information processing device has registered for the specific service and is not currently using the service, a second display is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service; When the electronic device is a device that supports the specific service and the user of the information processing device has not registered for the specific service, a display in a third format is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service. a display control means for controlling the display of the image; An information processing device comprising: [Configuration 7] When the electronic device is not a device that supports the specific service, the display control means controls the electronic device so that none of the first to third modes of display is performed as the display of the usage status of the specific service. 7. The information processing device according to configuration 6. [Configuration 8] the display control means displays the usage status of the electronic device registered in the information processing device, When at least one electronic device among a plurality of electronic devices registered in the information processing device supports the specific service, the display of the usage status is performed in one of the first to third modes; When there is no electronic device that corresponds to the specific service among the plurality of electronic devices registered in the information processing device, control is performed so that none of the first to third modes of display is performed as the display of the usage status. 8. The information processing device according to configuration 7. [Configuration 9] the display control means displays the usage status of the electronic device registered in the information processing device, and after displaying the usage status in the first form or the second form, maintains the display in the first form or the second form even if the registration of the electronic device corresponding to the specific service is cancelled. 9. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 6 to 8. [Configuration 10] the display control means displays the usage status for the electronic device registered in the information processing device, and after displaying the usage status in the first form or the second form, when the registration of the electronic device in the specific service is cancelled, controls to display the usage status in the second form. 10. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 6 to 9. [Configuration 11] the display control means controls to display the usage status in the third form when the user's registration for the specific service is cancelled after displaying the usage status in the first form or the second form; 11. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 6 to 10. [Configuration 12] the display control means displays the usage status of the electronic device registered in the information processing device, a determination means for determining whether the electronic device registered in the information processing device is compatible with the specific service based on a list of identification information of electronic devices compatible with the specific service and the identification information of the electronic device registered in the information processing device; 12. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 6 to 11, further comprising: [Configuration 13] the determination means acquires the list of identification information from one of an external device, the electronic device, and a storage means of the information processing device; 13. The information processing device according to configuration 12. [Configuration 14] The electronic device is a printer. 14. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 6 to 13. [Configuration 15] The web service is a service related to the delivery of recording materials used in printing. 15. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 6 to 14. [Configuration 16] The information processing device according to any one of configurations 6 to 13, wherein the electronic device is any one of IoT devices such as an air conditioner, a water heater, a robot vacuum cleaner, a home appliance remote control, a light, a digital camera, a smart plug, a smart speaker, a smartphone, a smart watch, and a smart lock. [Configuration 17] A method for controlling an information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device a first acquisition step of acquiring compatibility information indicating a compatibility status of the electronic device with a specific service via a network; a second acquisition step of acquiring identification information that identifies the user; a display control step of controlling a screen of software operating on the information processing device for controlling the electronic device to display a display indicating a usage status of the specific service by the user, a display control step of controlling a display of the user's usage status of the specific service to be different based on the correspondence information acquired in the first acquisition step and the identification information acquired in the second acquisition step; 1. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: [Configuration 18] A method for controlling an information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device When the electronic device is a device that supports a specific service via a network and a user of the information processing device has registered for and is currently using the specific service, a first display is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service; When the electronic device is a device compatible with the specific service and the user of the information processing device has registered for the specific service and is not currently using the service, a second display is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service; When the electronic device is a device that supports the specific service and the user of the information processing device has not registered for the specific service, a display in a third format is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service. a display control step of controlling the display 1. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising: [Configuration 19] A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 16. [Configuration 20] A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each means of the information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 16.

Claims

1. An information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device a first acquiring means for acquiring compatibility information indicating a compatibility status of the electronic device with a specific service via a network; a second acquiring means for acquiring identification information for identifying a user; a display control means for controlling a display showing a usage status of the specific service by the user on a screen of software operating on the information processing device for controlling the electronic device, a display control means for controlling a display of the user's usage status of the specific service to be different based on the correspondence information acquired by the first acquisition means and the identification information acquired by the second acquisition means; An information processing device comprising:

2. the identification information includes specific information for authorizing access to the user's account associated with the electronic device managed in the specific service; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. when the compatibility information indicates that the electronic device is compatible with the specific service, the display control means changes a display form of the usage status depending on whether the specific information has been acquired by the second acquisition means.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

4. When the compatibility information indicates that the electronic device is compatible with the specific service, the display control means changes the display format of the usage status according to authentication status information, which is acquired based on the specific information and indicates whether the account is logged in.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

5. the display control means does not display the usage status when the compatibility information indicates that the electronic device is not compatible with the specific service.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein:

6. An information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device When the electronic device is a device that supports a specific service via a network and a user of the information processing device has registered for and is currently using the specific service, a first display is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service; When the electronic device is a device compatible with the specific service and the user of the information processing device has registered for the specific service and is not currently using the service, a second display is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service; When the electronic device is a device that supports the specific service and the user of the information processing device has not registered for the specific service, a display in a third format is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service. a display control means for controlling the display of the image; An information processing device comprising:

7. the display control means controls the electronic device so that, when the electronic device is not a device compatible with the specific service, none of the first to third modes of display is performed as the display of the usage status of the specific service.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

8. the display control means displays the usage status of the electronic device registered in the information processing device, When at least one electronic device among a plurality of electronic devices registered in the information processing device supports the specific service, the display of the usage status is performed in one of the first to third modes; If there is no electronic device that supports the specific service among the plurality of electronic devices registered in the information processing device, control is performed so that none of the first to third modes of display is performed as the display of the usage status.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7,

9. the display control means displays the usage status of the electronic device registered in the information processing device, and after displaying the usage status in the first form or the second form, maintains the display in the first form or the second form even if the registration of the electronic device corresponding to the specific service is cancelled.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

10. the display control means displays the usage status for the electronic device registered in the information processing device, and after displaying the usage status in the first form or the second form, when the registration of the electronic device in the specific service is cancelled, controls to display the usage status in the second form.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

11. the display control means controls the display of the usage status in the third form when the user's registration for the specific service is cancelled after the display of the usage status in the first form or the second form.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

12. the display control means displays the usage status of the electronic device registered in the information processing device, a determination means for determining whether the electronic device registered in the information processing device is compatible with the specific service based on a list of identification information of electronic devices compatible with the specific service and the identification information of the electronic device registered in the information processing device; 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

13. the determination means acquires the list of identification information from one of an external device, the electronic device, and a storage means of the information processing device; 13. The information processing apparatus according to claim 12.

14. The electronic device is a printer.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

15. the specific service is a service related to delivery of recording materials used for printing; 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6,

16. 7. The information processing device according to claim 6, wherein the electronic device is any one of IoT devices such as an air conditioner, a water heater, a robot vacuum cleaner, a home appliance remote control, lighting, a digital camera, a smart plug, a smart speaker, a smartphone, a smart watch, and a smart lock.

17. A method for controlling an information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device a first acquisition step of acquiring compatibility information indicating a compatibility status of the electronic device with a specific service via a network; a second acquisition step of acquiring identification information that identifies the user; a display control step of controlling a screen of software operating on the information processing device for controlling the electronic device to display a display indicating a usage status of the specific service by the user, a display control step of controlling a display of the user's usage status of the specific service to be different based on the correspondence information acquired in the first acquisition step and the identification information acquired in the second acquisition step; 1. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising:

18. A method for controlling an information processing device capable of communicating with an electronic device When the electronic device is a device that supports a specific service via a network and a user of the information processing device has registered for and is currently using the specific service, a first display is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service; When the electronic device is a device compatible with the specific service and the user of the information processing device has registered for the specific service and is not currently using the service, a second display is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service; When the electronic device is a device that supports the specific service and the user of the information processing device has not registered for the specific service, a display in a third format is performed as a display of the usage status of the specific service. a display control step of controlling the display 1. A method for controlling an information processing device, comprising:

19. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. 17. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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