A computer program for a terminal, a communication system and a method performed by a terminal.

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of appropriately prompting a user to subscribe to a service for a printer.SOLUTION: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for a terminal, the computer program causing a computer of the terminal to function as: a first specifying unit configured to, when an operation for subscribing to a first service provided by a first server identified by first server identification information is executed by a user, specify specific service type information associated with the first server identification information from correspondence information; A third specifying unit configured to execute communication with a second server identified by second server identification information to specify target information, and a transmission unit configured to transmit the target information to the first server, the target information being used by the first server as information for providing a first service to a user.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This specification relates to techniques for providing services for printers. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a communication system including a printer, a PC, and an information management server. Each time a print job is executed, the printer stores print information related to the number of prints and transmits the print information to the information management server. The information management server uses the print information received from the printer to provide a fixed-price print job service. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-49767 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] This specification provides a technique for improving user convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This specification discloses a computer program for a terminal device, the computer program comprising the following components: a first specifying component for specifying, from correspondence information available to the computer program, specific service type information associated with a first server identification information when a user performs an operation to subscribe to a first service provided by the first server identified by the first server identification information, the correspondence information being information in which, for each of a plurality of servers, server identification information identifying the server corresponds to service type information indicating the type of service provided by the server; The system may also function as a second identification unit that identifies the second server identification information that is different from the first server identification information, a third identification unit that performs communication with a second server identified by the identified second server identification information to identify target information, the target information being information stored in the second server in association with at least one of device identification information that identifies a function-executing device owned by the user and user identification information that identifies the user, and a transmission unit that transmits the identified target information to the first server, the target information being used by the first server as information for providing the first service to the user.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when an operation to subscribe to the first service is performed, the terminal device communicates with the second server to identify target information and transmits the target information to the first server. Since the user does not need to input the target information into the terminal device, user convenience can be improved.

[0007] A computer-readable storage medium storing the computer program, a terminal device implemented by the computer program, and a method executed by the terminal device are also novel and useful. Also novel and useful is a communication system including a terminal device, a first server, and a second server. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows the configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2] An example of each table is shown below. [Figure 3] 1 shows a sequence diagram of a first embodiment and a second embodiment. [Figure 4] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 3. [Figure 5] The sequence diagram continues from Figure 4. [Figure 6] 10 shows a sequence diagram of the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Overview of communication system 2; Figure 1) As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a terminal device 10, a printer 50, a first service providing server 100, a second service providing server 200, and a third service providing server 300. Hereinafter, the "service providing server" will be referred to as an "SP (short for Service Providing) server." The terminal device 10 and the printer 50 are connected to a LAN (short for Local Area Network) 4. The terminal device 10 and the printer 50 can communicate with each other via the LAN 4. The LAN 4 is connected to the Internet 6. The first SP server 100, the second SP server 200, and the third SP server 300 are installed on the Internet 6. The terminal device 10 and the printer 50 can communicate with each of the SP servers 100, 200, and 300 via the LAN 4 and the Internet 6.

[0010] (Configuration of terminal device 10) The terminal device 10 is a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone (e.g., a smartphone), a tablet PC, or a laptop PC. In a modified example, a stationary terminal device may be used instead of the terminal device 10. The terminal device 10 includes an operation unit 12, a display unit 14, a communication interface 18, and a control unit 30. Hereinafter, the interface will be referred to as "I / F."

[0011] The operation unit 12 has a plurality of keys. A user can input various instructions to the terminal device 10 by operating the operation unit 12. The display unit 14 is a display for displaying various information. The communication I / F 18 is connected to the LAN 4. The communication I / F 18 may be a wireless I / F or a wired I / F.

[0012] The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The memory 34 includes a volatile memory and a nonvolatile memory. The volatile memory includes RAM and cache memory. The nonvolatile memory may be a ROM, a flash memory, a solid state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a combination thereof. The nonvolatile memory stores an OS program 40, a browser program 42, and a printer application 44. The programs 40, 42, and 44 stored in the nonvolatile memory are loaded into the volatile memory, and the programs 40, 42, and 44 are executed by the CPU 32 to realize various processes described below.

[0013] The OS program 40 is a program for controlling the basic operations of the terminal device 10. Hereinafter, the OS program 40 will be referred to as "OS 40." The browser program 42 is a program for accessing a web server and displaying web pages. Hereinafter, the browser program 42 will be referred to as "browser 42." The OS 40 and browser 42 are installed in the terminal device 10 before shipping. The printer application 44 is a program for causing a printer (e.g., printer 50) to print and for causing information about the printer to be registered in the SP server. Hereinafter, the printer application 44 will be referred to as "app 44." The app 44 is installed in the terminal device 10 from a server (not shown) on the Internet 6 provided by the vendor of the OS 40 or the vendor of the printer 50. The app 44 is assigned an app ID "AP1" for identifying the app 44.

[0014] The memory 34 further stores a type table 46. The type table 46 is stored in the memory 34 when the application 44 is installed. The type table 46 stores server IDs and service type information in association with each other. The server ID (e.g., "SV1") is an ID that identifies a server. The service type information (e.g., "print" or "scan") is information that indicates the type of service provided by the server. If a server provides a printing-related service (e.g., a flat-rate printing service, an automatic delivery service for consumables, a printer maintenance service, etc.), the service type information corresponding to the server ID of the server indicates "print." If a server provides a scanning-related service (e.g., a scanner maintenance service), the service type information corresponding to the server ID of the server indicates "scan."

[0015] (Configuration of printer 50) The printer 50 is a peripheral device (i.e., a peripheral device such as a PC) that can perform a printing function. The printer 50 may be a multi-function device that can perform a scanning function, a fax function, etc. in addition to a printing function. The printer 50 has a serial number "SN1" and a model name "MN1." The serial number is a unique identification number assigned to the printer when it is manufactured. The model name is a name that indicates the printer model. The printer 50 is owned by a user. "Owned" here means that the user owns it, or that the user has it in their possession (i.e., rents it).

[0016] (Configuration of each SP server 100, 200, 300) Each of the SP servers 100, 200, and 300 is installed on the Internet 6 by the vendor of the printer 50. In a modified example, each of the SP servers 100, 200, and 300 may be installed on the Internet 6 by a business operator other than the vendor. In another modified example, the vendor of the printer 50 may use an environment provided by an external cloud computing service rather than preparing the hardware for each of the SP servers 100, 200, and 300 on its own. In this case, the vendor of the printer 50 prepares the programs (i.e., software) for each of the SP servers 100, 200, and 300 and implements them in the above-described environment to realize each of the SP servers 100, 200, and 300.

[0017] The first SP server 100 provides a subscription service for the printer 50, more specifically, a flat-rate printing service. With the flat-rate printing service, only a basic fee is charged if the number of printed pages within a specified period (e.g., one month) is less than or equal to a maximum number of printed pages (e.g., 100 pages). If the number of printed pages within a unit period exceeds the maximum number of printed pages, the sum of the basic fee and an additional fee corresponding to the number of printed pages exceeding the maximum number of printed pages is charged. In other words, the flat-rate printing service allows printing up to the maximum number of printed pages within a specified period for a basic fee. The flat-rate printing service also includes an automatic consumables delivery service. The automatic consumables delivery service automatically delivers a new cartridge when the remaining amount of color material (e.g., ink or toner) in a cartridge installed in the printer 50 falls below a predetermined level. Even if a new cartridge is delivered, the cost of the new cartridge is not added to the billing amount. In other words, with the flat-rate printing service, only an amount corresponding to the number of printed pages printed by the printer within a specified period is charged.

[0018] The first SP server 100 has a server ID "SV1" that identifies the first SP server 100. The first SP server 100 stores a management table 110.

[0019] The second SP server 200 provides an automatic consumables delivery service. This automatic consumables delivery service is the same as the automatic consumables delivery service included in the flat-rate printing service, except that the cost of newly delivered cartridges is charged. In other words, with this automatic consumables delivery service, only the cost of the cartridges is charged. The second SP server 200 has a server ID "SV2" that identifies the second SP server 200. The second SP server 200 stores a management table 210.

[0020] The third SP server 300 provides a printer maintenance service. The printer maintenance service is a service that performs maintenance, warranty, etc. for printers. The third SP server 300 has a server ID "SV3" that identifies the third SP server 300. The third SP server 300 stores a management table 310.

[0021] Although not shown, the Internet 6 may also have an SP server that provides a scanner maintenance service that performs scanner maintenance, warranty, etc. Furthermore, there may also be an SP server that provides a pay-per-use billing service that charges a fee according to the number of sheets of paper printed by the printer in a specified period.

[0022] (Tables 110, 210, and 310; Figure 2) The contents of each table 110, 210, and 310 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. In the management table 110, account information, application ID, serial number, token, address information, and payment information are stored in association with each other. The account information is information for a user to log in to the first SP server 100 and includes a user ID (e.g., "U1") and a password (e.g., "PW1"). The application ID (e.g., "AP1") is an ID that identifies an application (e.g., application 44) installed in a terminal (e.g., terminal device 10) used by a printer user. The serial number (e.g., "SN1") is the serial number of the printer used by the user. The token (e.g., "TK1") is information used by the first SP server 100 to authenticate the printer. The address information (e.g., "AD1") is information that indicates the address of the delivery destination of the cartridge. The payment information (e.g., "PI1") is information used by a user to pay the usage fee for the flat-rate printing service, and includes, for example, credit card information (e.g., number, expiration date), bank account number, etc.

[0023] Management table 210 is similar to management table 110, except that each piece of information is information for the second SP server 200. Management table 310 is similar to management table 110, except that each piece of information is information for the third SP server 300.

[0024] In this embodiment, the user of printer 50 uses user ID "U1" and password "PW1." The user previously subscribed to a printer maintenance service for printer 50 but subsequently withdrew from the printer maintenance service. Therefore, information including user ID "U1" and password "PW1" was previously registered in management table 310 of third SP server 300, but this information was deleted when the user withdrew from the printer maintenance service. The user also subscribed to an automatic consumables delivery service for printer 50. Therefore, information including user ID "U1" and password "PW1" is registered in management table 210 of second SP server 200. The user wishes to subscribe to a flat-rate printing service for printer 50. In this case, the user must access first SP server 100 and register information including user ID "U1" and password "PW1" in management table 110 of first SP server 100. In order to facilitate this registration process, the terminal device 10 executes the processes shown in FIG. 3 and subsequent figures in response to instructions from the user.

[0025] (Service subscription process; Figure 3) Referring to FIG. 3, a service subscription process in which a user of the terminal device 10 (i.e., a user of the printer 50) subscribes to a flat-rate printing service provided by the first SP server 100 will be described. In the following description, for ease of understanding, the operations realized by the CPU (e.g., CPU 32) of the terminal device 10 will not be described primarily with the CPU in mind, but rather the OS 40, browser 42, or app 44 will be described primarily with the CPU in mind. The app 44 accesses hardware such as the CPU 32, memory 34, display unit 14, and communication I / F 18 via the OS 40 to perform various processes. However, in the following description, the fact that the app 44 performs processes via the OS 40 will be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, in the following description, communication between devices is performed via a communication I / F. In the following description, the phrase "via a communication I / F" will be omitted when describing communication.

[0026] In response to receiving an operation from the user, the terminal device 10 launches the browser 42. At T10, the browser 42 receives an access operation from the user to access the first SP server 100. As a result, at T12, the browser 42 transmits a login screen data request to the first SP server 100.

[0027] When the first SP server 100 receives the login screen data request from the browser 42 at T12, it transmits the login screen data to the terminal device 10 at T14.

[0028] When the browser 42 receives the login screen data from the first SP server 100 at T14, it displays the login screen represented by the login screen data on the display unit 14 at T16. Next, the browser 42 accepts a new registration operation from the user at T20, including an input operation of a user ID "U1" and a password "PW1". Then, at T22, the browser 42 transmits a registration request including the user ID "U1" and the password "PW1" to the first SP server 100.

[0029] When the first SP server 100 receives the registration request from the browser 42 in T22, it associates the user ID "U1" with the password "PW1" and stores them in the management table 110 in T24. Next, the first SP server 100 transmits the top screen data to the terminal device 10 in T26.

[0030] When the browser 42 receives the top screen data from the first SP server 100 in T26, it displays the top screen represented by the top screen data on the display unit 14 in T28. Next, the browser 42 accepts a service subscription operation for the flat-rate printing service from the user in T30. In this case, the browser 42 transmits a service subscription request to the first SP server 100 in T32.

[0031] When the first SP server 100 receives a service subscription request from the browser 42 at T32, it generates a PIN code "PN1" at T34 and stores the PIN code "PIN" in the memory 134 in association with the user ID "U1" and the password "PW1". Next, the first SP server 100 transmits the PIN code "PN1" to the terminal device 10 at T36.

[0032] When the browser 42 receives the PIN code "PN1" from the first SP server 100 at T38, it displays the PIN code "PN1" at T40. This allows the user of the terminal device 10 to know the PIN code "PN1" that should be entered into the printer 50.

[0033] At T50, the user performs an operation to input the PIN code "PN1" into the printer 50. As a result, at T52, the printer 50 sends a token request including the PIN code "PN1" and the serial number "SN1" of the printer 50 itself to the first SP server 100.

[0034] The first SP server 100 receives a token request from the printer 50 in T52. In this case, the first SP server 100 determines whether the PIN code "PN1" included in the token request has been stored. In this case, the first SP server 100 determines that the PIN code "PN1" has been stored. That is, the first SP server 100 determines that the authentication has been successful, and generates a token "TK1" in T54. Then, in T56, the first SP server 100 stores the serial number "SN1" included in the token request and the generated token "TK1" in the management table 110, in association with the user ID "U1." Next, the first SP server 100 transmits the token "TK1" to the printer 50 in T60.

[0035] When the printer 50 receives the token "TK1" from the first SP server 100 at T60, the printer 50 stores the token "TK1" in its memory. Next, at T62, the printer 50 uses the token "TK1" to establish an XMPP connection with the first SP server 100. The XMPP connection is a so-called permanent connection that remains established until the printer 50 is powered off. Even if the first SP server 100 does not receive a request from the printer 50, the first SP server 100 can send a request to the printer 50 through the firewall of the LAN 4 to which the printer 50 belongs by using the XMPP connection. Note that the mechanism for sending a request from the first SP server 100 to the printer 50 may not be an XMPP connection, but may be another method. For example, an HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) connection may be established between the printer 50 and the first SP server 100. This completes the process for registering information about the user and information about the printer 50 in the first SP server 100. At this point, the user has not yet subscribed to a flat-rate printing service for printer 50. Therefore, address information and payment information associated with serial number "SN1" are not yet stored in management table 110.

[0036] When an XMPP connection is established between the first SP server 100 and the printer 50 at T62, registration processing is executed from T100 onwards in Fig. 4. The registration processing is a process for registering target information required to provide a flat-rate printing service to a user in the management table 110. Here, the target information is information stored in the second SP server 200 in association with the serial number "SN1" of the printer 50 owned by the user. Specifically, the target information is address information and payment information.

[0037] At T100, the first SP server 100 transmits to the terminal device 10 a registration completion notification including the serial number "SN1", the server ID "SV1", and an application start command.

[0038] When the terminal device 10 receives the registration completion notification from the first SP server 100 at T100, it starts the application 44 in accordance with the application start command. Then, at T110, the application 44 sends an application ID notification including the application ID "AP1" to the first SP server 100.

[0039] When the first SP server 100 receives the application ID notification from the application 44 at T110, it stores the application ID "AP1" in the management table 110 in association with the user ID "U1."

[0040] The application 44 knows in advance the server IDs of the SP servers 100, 200, and 300. Then, in T100, when the application 44 receives a registration completion notification from the first SP server 100, it identifies the server ID "SV1" of the first SP server 100. Next, the application 44 identifies the service type information "printing" associated with the server ID "SV1" from the type table 46 in the memory 34. Next, in T120, the application 44 identifies the other server IDs "SV2" and "SV3" associated with the identified service type information "printing" from the type table 46. Then, in T122, the application 44 displays a service selection screen SC1 on the display unit 14.

[0041] The service selection screen SC1 includes a message asking the user to select which SP server to request transmission of the target information from, and two buttons B1 and B2 corresponding to the two identified server IDs "SV2" and "SV3." Button B1 indicates the consumables automatic delivery service provided by the second SP server 200. Button B2 indicates the printer maintenance service provided by the third SP server 300. This allows the user to confirm the type of service and then select which SP server to request transmission of the target information from.

[0042] When the application 44 receives the selection of the button B2 indicating the printer maintenance service in T124, it transmits an information request including the serial number "SN1" received in T100 to the third SP server 300 in T130.

[0043] When the third SP server 300 receives an information request from the application 44 at T130, it determines in the management table 310 that there is no information corresponding to the serial number "SN1" included in the information request, and at T132 sends a response indicating that there is no information to the terminal device 10.

[0044] When the application 44 receives a response from the third SP server 300 at T132, it causes the display unit 14 to display a reselection screen SC2 at T134. The reselection screen SC2 includes a message indicating that the target information could not be acquired from the service selected on the service selection screen SC1 (i.e., the third SP server 300), a message again prompting the user to select an SP server to request transmission of the target information, and two buttons B1 and B2. However, the button B2 indicating the printer maintenance service is displayed in an unselectable manner (grayed out in this embodiment). This is to prevent button B2 from being selected because the target information cannot be acquired from the third SP server 300. In this way, because the button B2 corresponding to the third SP server 300 that does not have the target information is grayed out, the user can easily select an SP server to request transmission of the target information.

[0045] When the application 44 receives selection of the button B1 indicating the consumables automatic delivery service in T140 of FIG. 5, it transmits an information request including the serial number "SN1" to the second SP server 200 in T150.

[0046] In T150, when the second SP server 200 receives the information request from the application 44, it identifies that information (particularly address information "AD1" and payment information "PI1") corresponding to the serial number "SN1" included in the information request exists in the management table 210. Then, in T152, the second SP server 200 transmits a response to the terminal device 10 indicating that the address information and payment information exist.

[0047] When the application 44 receives a response from the second SP server 200 in T152, the application 44 displays an information selection screen SC3 on the display unit 14 in T154. The information selection screen SC3 includes a message prompting the user to select information to be acquired, a button B3 indicating address information, and a button B4 indicating payment information. In this manner, the user can select, on the information selection screen, target information to be acquired from the second SP server 200 from among a plurality of target information (i.e., address information and payment information). For example, if the user recognizes that the address information registered in the second SP server 200 is not the latest information, the user can select only the payment information without selecting the address information. In this case, the application 44 accepts selection of the two buttons B3 and B4 in T160. In this case, the application 44 transmits an information request to the second SP server 200 to request transmission of the address information and payment information in T162.

[0048] When the second SP server 200 receives the information request from the application 44 in T162, the second SP server 200 transmits the address information "AD1" and payment information "PI1" identified in T150 to the terminal device 10 in T164.

[0049] When the application 44 receives the address information “AD1” and the payment information “PI1” from the second SP server 200 in T164, it displays a confirmation screen SC4 on the display unit 14 in T170. The confirmation screen SC4 includes a message for inquiring the user about whether to register the acquired target information, an address information input field, and a payment information input field. The address information “AD1” and the payment information “PI1” received in T164 have already been entered in these input fields, respectively. This allows the user to know the content of the target information that has been registered for a service different from the flat-rate printing service (i.e., a consumables automatic delivery service). The application 44 does not accept any changes to the address information and the payment information, and accepts selection of the OK button from the user in T172. In this case, the application 44 transmits a registration request to the first SP server 100 in T180. The registration request includes the address information “AD1” and the payment information “PI1.”

[0050] The user may wish to change the content of the target information already registered with a different service. In this case, the user can change the information already entered in the address information input field and payment information input field on the confirmation screen SC4. With the above configuration, the user can register the desired information in the first SP server 100. This improves user convenience. In this case, after at least one of the address information and payment information has been changed, the app 44, upon receiving the user's selection of the OK button, transmits the registration information including the changed information to the first SP server 100.

[0051] When the first SP server 100 receives the registration request from the application 44 in T180, it stores the address information "AD1" and the payment information "PI1" in association with the user ID "U1" in the management table 110 in T182. This completes the registration process for registering the address information "AD1" and the payment information "PI1" in the management table 110 as target information required for the first SP server 100 to provide the flat-rate printing service to the user.

[0052] Thereafter, when the printer 50 determines that a predetermined timing has arrived, it transmits notification information including the printer 50's serial number "SN1," the cumulative number of printed pages, and CTG remaining amount information to the first SP server 100. The predetermined timing may be, for example, a predetermined time of day. When the first SP server 100 receives notification information from the printer 50, it stores the number information in memory and determines whether the remaining amount indicated by the remaining amount information is below a threshold. If the first SP server 100 determines that the remaining amount indicated by the remaining amount information is below a threshold, it identifies the address indicated by the address information "AD1" in the management table 110 and executes a delivery process to deliver a new cartridge to the identified address. Furthermore, every time a predetermined period (e.g., one month) elapses, the first SP server 100 identifies the number of pages indicated by the number information stored in memory and determines whether the identified number exceeds the contracted number of pages to be printed. The first SP server 100 executes a billing process to charge a fixed fee if the specified number of sheets does not exceed the contracted number of sheets to be printed, and executes a billing process to charge a total amount that is the sum of the fixed fee and an amount corresponding to the number of sheets exceeding the contracted number of sheets to be printed. The billing process uses the payment information "PI1" in the management table 110.

[0053] (Effects of this embodiment) As described above, when a user performs an operation to subscribe to the flat-rate printing service provided by the first SP server 100 (T10, T20, T30, and T50 in FIG. 3), the terminal device 10 communicates with the second SP server 200 to identify the target information (T150, T152, T162, and T164 in FIG. 5). Specifically, the terminal device 10 identifies the target information by transmitting the serial number "SN1" of the printer 50 to the second SP server 200 (T150). The terminal device 10 then transmits the target information to the first SP server 100 (T180). With this configuration, the user does not need to input the target information into the terminal device 10 when subscribing to the flat-rate printing service, thereby improving user convenience.

[0054] (Correspondence) The server ID "SV1," the first SP server 100, and the flat-rate printing service are examples of "first server identification information," "first server," and "first service," respectively. The server ID "SV2" and the second SP server 200 are examples of "second server identification information" and "second server," respectively. The first SP server 100, the second SP server 200, and the third SP server 300 are examples of "multiple servers." T10, T20, T30, and T50 in FIG. 3 are examples of "operations for subscribing to the first service." The type table 46 is an example of "corresponding information." The service type information "printing" is an example of "specific service type information." The server ID is an example of "server identification information." Printing and scanning are each examples of "service type information." The combination of address information "AD1" and payment information "PI1" is an example of "target information." The combination of server ID "SV2" and server ID "SV3" is an example of "multiple pieces of server identification information." The combination of the consumable automatic delivery service and the maintenance service is an example of "multiple pieces of service information." Server ID "SV3" is an example of "third server identification information." The maintenance service is an example of "service information related to the third server identification information." The third SP server 300 is an example of a "third server."

[0055] T120, T122, and T164 in Fig. 4 are examples of processing executed by a "first identification unit," a "second identification unit," and a "third identification unit," respectively. T180 is an example of a "transmission unit." T122, T134, and T154 in Fig. 4 are examples of processing executed by a "first display control unit," a "second display control unit," and a "third display control unit," respectively.

[0056] (Second embodiment; Figures 4 and 5) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the application 44 transmits an information request including a user ID "U1" instead of the serial number "SN1" at T130 in Fig. 4 and T150 in Fig. 5.

[0057] When the application 44 is launched in T100 of Fig. 4, it acquires the user ID "U1" entered in T20 of Fig. 3 from the browser 42. Alternatively, in a modified example, the registration completion notification in T100 of Fig. 4 may further include the user ID "U1", in which case the application 44 acquires the user ID "U1" included in the registration completion notification. Therefore, the application 44 can transmit an information request including the user ID "U1" in T130 of Fig. 4 and T150 of Fig. 5.

[0058] 5, the application 44 transmits an information request including the user ID "U1" to the second SP server 200. When the second SP server 200 receives the information request from the terminal device 10 in T150, the second SP server 200 identifies in the management table 210 that information corresponding to the user ID "U1" included in the information request (particularly, address information "AD1" and payment information "PI1") exists. Then, in T152, the second SP server 200 transmits to the terminal device 10 a response indicating that the address information and payment information exist. This enables the application 44 to identify the target information (i.e., address information "AD1" and payment information "PI1") stored in the second SP server 200 in association with the user ID "U1" and transmit the target information to the first SP server 100 (T180). In this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0059] (Third embodiment; Figure 6) Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 2 of this embodiment further includes a job history server 400 that stores a history table 410. The job history server 400 is installed on the Internet 6.

[0060] The history table 410 is a table for managing a user's job history. As shown in FIG. 2, the history table 410 stores date and time information, a function, a serial number, and a server ID in association with each other. The date and time information (e.g., "DT1") is the date and time when a job such as printing, scanning, or copying was executed. The function (e.g., "print") is the type of job. The serial number (e.g., "SN1") is the serial number of the device (i.e., printer, scanner, or multi-function device) that executed the job. The server ID (e.g., "SV3") is the server ID of the SP server on which the device that executed the job is registered. In the history table 410, the information is newer from top to bottom. In other words, the information corresponding to the date and time information "DT5" is the newest.

[0061] Referring to Fig. 6, a service subscription process in which a user of the terminal device 10 (i.e., a user of the printer 50) subscribes to a flat-rate printing service provided by the first SP server 100 will be described. Fig. 6 is a continuation of Fig. 3. In the terminal device 10 and the first SP server 100, processing similar to T100 to T120 in Fig. 4 is executed.

[0062] In T200, the application 44 sends a history request including the serial number "SN1" received in T100 to the job history server 400.

[0063] When the job history server 400 receives the history request from the application 44 in T200, it determines that information corresponding to the serial number "SN1" included in the information request exists in the history table 410. In this case, the job history server 400 transmits to the terminal device 10 a job history including a first combination of date and time information "DT1", serial number "SN1", and server ID "SV1", and a second combination of date and time information "DT5", serial number "SN1", and server ID "SV2".

[0064] In T202, the application 44 receives the job history from the job history server 400. In T204, the application 44 identifies the server ID "SV2" included in the second combination, which is the latest history included in the job history, from the two server IDs "SV2" and "SV3" identified in T120. Thereafter, the same processes as in T150 to T182 of FIG. 5 are executed.

[0065] According to the above configuration, the terminal device 10 identifies the server ID "SV2" corresponding to the second combination, which is the most recent history, in T204. Then, the terminal device 10 can identify the target information (i.e., address information "AD1" and payment information "PI1") stored in the second SP server 200 corresponding to the server ID "SV2" in T164 of FIG. 5. According to this configuration, the terminal device 10 attempts to acquire the target information from the second SP server 200 corresponding to the relatively new history, even if the user does not select an SP server on the service selection screen SC1. Therefore, the possibility that the terminal device 10 will acquire the target information can be increased.

[0066] Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Modifications of the above-mentioned embodiments are listed below.

[0067] (Variation 1) The terminal device 10 does not need to store the type table 46. For example, the type table 46 may be stored in a predetermined server on the Internet 6. In this case, the terminal device 10 identifies the server ID of the SP server by communicating with the predetermined server at T120 in FIG. 4. Generally speaking, the "correspondence information" may or may not be stored in the memory of the terminal device. In other words, the "correspondence information" may be information that can be used by the "computer program" of the terminal device.

[0068] (Variation 2) T122 and T124 in Fig. 4 may be omitted. In this case, after identifying the server IDs "SV2" and "SV3" in T120, the application 44 may sequentially request each of the SP servers 200, 300 identified by the server IDs "SV2" and "SV3" to transmit the target information. For example, the application 44 may first request the second SP server 200 to transmit the target information, and then request the third SP server 300 to transmit the target information. In this variation, the "first display control unit" can be omitted.

[0069] (Variation 3) T134 in Fig. 4 and T140 in Fig. 5 may be omitted. In this case, when the application 44 receives a response from the third SP server 300 in T132, it may transmit an information request including the serial number "SN1" to the second SP server 200 in T150. In this variation, the "second display control unit" can be omitted.

[0070] (Variation 4) At T134, the application 44 may display a reselection screen SC2 on which the button B2 is displayed in a selectable manner. Generally speaking, on the redisplayed service selection screen, the service information related to the third server identification information does not need to be displayed in an unselectable manner.

[0071] (Variation 5) T152 to T162 in Fig. 5 may be omitted. In this case, the application 44 transmits an information request to the second SP server 200 in T150, and receives address information "AD1" and payment information "PI1" from the second SP server 200 in T164. Thereafter, processing similar to that of T170 to T182 is executed. In this variation, the "third display control unit" can be omitted.

[0072] (Variant 6) In the above embodiment, the processing of each step in Figures 3 to 6 is realized by software (for example, each program 40, 42, 44 of terminal device 10), but at least one of these processes may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

[0073] Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings may exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technologies illustrated in this specification or drawings may achieve multiple objectives simultaneously, and achieving one of those objectives alone is technically useful.

[0074] In the scope of the claims at the time of filing, even if each claim depends on only some of the claims, it is not limited to the fact that each claim can depend on only those some of the claims. To the extent that there is no technical contradiction, each claim can also depend on other claims that were not dependent at the time of filing. In other words, the technology of each claim can be combined in various ways as follows: (Item 1) A computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The computer of the terminal device is composed of the following parts: a first identification unit that, when a user performs an operation to subscribe to a first service provided by a first server identified by first server identification information, identifies specific service type information associated with the first server identification information from correspondence information available to the computer program, the correspondence information being information in which, for each of a plurality of servers, server identification information that identifies the server is associated with service type information that indicates the type of service provided by the server; a second identification unit that identifies, from the identified correspondence information, second server identification information that is associated with the specific service type information and that is different from the first server identification information; a third identification unit that executes communication with a second server identified by the identified second server identification information to identify target information, the target information being information stored in the second server in association with at least one of device identification information that identifies a function performing device owned by the user and user identification information that identifies the user; a transmission unit that transmits the identified target information to the first server, the target information being used by the first server as information for providing the first service to the user; A computer program that functions as a (Item 2) the second specifying unit specifies, from the correspondence information, a plurality of pieces of server identification information associated with the specific service type information, the plurality of pieces of server identification information including the second server identification information; The computer program further causes the computer to: functioning as a first display control unit that displays, on a display unit of the terminal device, a service selection screen including a plurality of pieces of service information related to the plurality of pieces of specified server identification information; Item 1. The computer program according to item 1, wherein the third identification unit executes communication with a server identified by server identification information related to the service information selected on the service selection screen. (Item 3) the third specifying unit, when service information related to third server identification information different from the first server identification information and the second server identification information is selected from the plurality of service information on the service selection screen, executes communication with a third server identified by the third server identification information; The computer program further causes the computer to: functioning as a second display control unit that re-displays the service selection screen on the display unit when it is determined that there is no information stored in the third server in association with at least one of the device identification information and the user identification information as a result of communication with the third server; Item 2. The computer program of claim 2, wherein the third identification unit communicates with the second server to identify the target information when service information related to the second server identification information is selected on the service selection screen that is redisplayed. (Item 4) Item 4. The computer program according to item 3, wherein on the service selection screen that is redisplayed, the service information related to the third server identification information is displayed in an unselectable manner. (Item 5) The computer program further causes the computer to: when a plurality of types of target information are identified as a result of communication with the second server, function as a third display control unit that displays an information selection screen on a display unit of the terminal device for selecting one or more types of target information from the plurality of types of target information; 5. The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the transmission unit transmits the one or more types of target information selected on the information selection screen to the first server. (Item 6) 6. The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the third specifying unit transmits the device identification information to the second server and receives the target information from the second server. (Item 7) 7. The computer program according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the third specifying unit transmits the user identification information to the second server and receives the target information from the second server. (Item 8) The second specifying unit is Identifying a plurality of pieces of server identification information associated with the specific service type information from the identified correspondence information, the plurality of pieces of server identification information including the second server identification information; A computer program according to any one of items 1 to 7, which identifies the second server identification information associated with the most recent history from among the plurality of identified server identification information based on history information of functions executed by the function executing device. (Item 9) A terminal device; a first server; a second server different from the first server; A communication system comprising: The terminal device a first specifying unit that, when a user performs an operation to subscribe to a first service provided by the first server identified by the first server identification information, specifies specific service type information associated with the first server identification information from correspondence information available to the terminal device, the correspondence information being information in which, for each of a plurality of servers, server identification information identifying the server is associated with service type information indicating the type of service provided by the server; a second identification unit that identifies, from the identified correspondence information, second server identification information that is associated with the specific service type information and that is different from the first server identification information; a third identification unit that executes communication with the second server identified by the specified second server identification information to identify target information, the target information being information stored in the second server in association with at least one of device identification information that identifies a function performing device possessed by the user and user identification information that identifies the user; a transmission unit that transmits the identified target information to the first server, the target information being used by the first server as information for providing the first service to the user; A communication system comprising: (Item 10) A method performed by a terminal device, comprising: a first specifying step of specifying, when a user performs an operation to subscribe to a first service provided by a first server identified by first server identification information, specific service type information associated with the first server identification information from correspondence information available to the terminal device, wherein the correspondence information is information in which, for each of a plurality of servers, server identification information identifying the server is associated with service type information indicating the type of service provided by the server; a second specifying step of specifying, from the specified correspondence information, second server identification information associated with the specific service type information, the second server identification information being different from the first server identification information; a third specifying step of executing communication with a second server identified by the specified second server identification information to specify target information, the target information being information stored in the second server in association with at least one of device identification information identifying a function performing device possessed by the user and user identification information identifying the user; a transmitting step of transmitting the identified target information to the first server, wherein the target information is used by the first server as information for providing the first service to the user; A method comprising: [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 2: communication system, 4: LAN, 6: Internet, 10: terminal device, 12: operation unit, 14: display unit, 18: communication I / F, 30: control unit, 32: CPU, 34: memory, 40: program, 42: browser program, 44: printer application, 46: type table, 50: printer, 100: first service providing server, 110: management table, 200: second service providing server, 210: management table, 300: third service providing server, 310: management table

Claims

1. A computer program for a terminal device, comprising: The computer of the terminal device is composed of the following parts: a first identification unit that, when a user performs an operation to subscribe to a first service provided by a first server identified by first server identification information, identifies specific service type information associated with the first server identification information from correspondence information available to the computer program, the correspondence information being information in which, for each of a plurality of servers, server identification information that identifies the server is associated with service type information that indicates the type of service provided by the server; a second specifying unit that specifies, from the specified correspondence information, second server identification information that is associated with the specific service type information and that is different from the first server identification information; a third identification unit that executes communication with a second server identified by the specified second server identification information to identify target information, the target information being information stored in the second server in association with at least one of device identification information that identifies a function performing device possessed by the user and user identification information that identifies the user; a transmission unit that transmits the identified target information to the first server, the target information being used by the first server as information for providing the first service to the user; A computer program that functions as a

2. the second specifying unit specifies, from the correspondence information, a plurality of pieces of server identification information associated with the specific service type information, the plurality of pieces of server identification information including the second server identification information; The computer program further causes the computer to: a first display control unit that causes a service selection screen including a plurality of pieces of service information related to the plurality of pieces of specified server identification information to be displayed on a display unit of the terminal device; The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the third specifying unit executes communication with a server identified by server identification information associated with the service information selected on the service selection screen.

3. the third specifying unit, when service information related to third server identification information different from the first server identification information and the second server identification information is selected from the plurality of service information on the service selection screen, executes communication with a third server identified by the third server identification information; The computer program further causes the computer to: when it is determined that there is no information stored in the third server in association with at least one of the device identification information and the user identification information as a result of communication with the third server, the second display control unit functions as a second display control unit that causes the display unit to re-display the service selection screen; 3. The computer program according to claim 2, wherein the third identification unit communicates with the second server to identify the target information when service information related to the second server identification information is selected on the service selection screen that is redisplayed.

4. The computer program according to claim 3 , wherein the service information related to the third server identification information is displayed in an unselectable manner on the service selection screen that is redisplayed.

5. The computer program further causes the computer to: when a plurality of types of target information are identified as a result of communication with the second server, the terminal device functions as a third display control unit that displays an information selection screen on a display unit of the terminal device for selecting one or more types of target information from the plurality of types of target information; The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitting unit transmits the one or more types of target information selected on the information selection screen to the first server.

6. The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the third specifying unit transmits the device identification information to the second server and receives the target information from the second server.

7. The computer program product according to claim 1 , wherein the third specifying unit transmits the user identification information to the second server and receives the target information from the second server.

8. The second specifying unit is Identifying a plurality of pieces of server identification information associated with the specific service type information from the identified correspondence information, the plurality of pieces of server identification information including the second server identification information; 2. The computer program according to claim 1, further comprising: identifying the second server identification information associated with the most recent history from among the plurality of identified server identification information based on history information of functions executed by the function executing device.

9. A terminal device; a first server; a second server different from the first server; A communication system comprising: The terminal device a first specifying unit that, when a user performs an operation to subscribe to a first service provided by the first server identified by the first server identification information, specifies specific service type information associated with the first server identification information from correspondence information available to the terminal device, the correspondence information being information in which, for each of a plurality of servers, server identification information identifying the server is associated with service type information indicating the type of service provided by the server; a second specifying unit that specifies, from the specified correspondence information, second server identification information that is associated with the specific service type information and that is different from the first server identification information; a third identification unit that executes communication with the second server identified by the specified second server identification information to identify target information, the target information being information stored in the second server in association with at least one of device identification information that identifies a function performing device possessed by the user and user identification information that identifies the user; a transmission unit that transmits the identified target information to the first server, the target information being used by the first server as information for providing the first service to the user; A communication system comprising:

10. A method performed by a terminal device, comprising: a first specifying step of specifying, when a user performs an operation to subscribe to a first service provided by a first server identified by first server identification information, specific service type information associated with the first server identification information from correspondence information available to the terminal device, the correspondence information being information in which, for each of a plurality of servers, server identification information identifying the server is associated with service type information indicating the type of service provided by the server; a second specifying step of specifying, from the specified correspondence information, second server identification information associated with the specific service type information, the second server identification information being different from the first server identification information; a third specifying step of executing communication with a second server identified by the specified second server identification information to specify target information, the target information being information stored in the second server in association with at least one of device identification information identifying a function performing device possessed by the user and user identification information identifying the user; a transmitting step of transmitting the identified target information to the first server, wherein the target information is used by the first server as information for providing the first service to the user; A method comprising:

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