Electronic devices, methods for controlling electronic devices, programs, and storage media

Abstract

When adding application software, the system will perform the appropriate processing for using the application software depending on the consent status. [Solution] The electronic device is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the user's consent status to the licensed content; and a control means for controlling the application software to execute a predetermined process without displaying a reception screen for receiving an operation to indicate user consent if, when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, the user has consented to all of the first licensed content, including the first licensed content, which is a first situation, and if the user has consented to all of them, then the application software will execute a predetermined process without displaying a reception screen for receiving an operation to indicate user consent; and if, when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, the user's consent status to the first licensed content is a second situation, which corresponds to the user not consenting, then the reception screen will be displayed before executing the predetermined process.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a method for controlling an electronic device, a program, and a storage medium.

Background Art

[0002] When adding application software (hereinafter referred to as an application) to an electronic device, there is known a system that displays a necessary permission acceptance screen and provides the service of the application added to the electronic device when the consent of the user is obtained.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a system that does not display a permission acceptance screen when consent has been obtained for a target permission when adding an application to an information processing device, and displays a permission acceptance screen when there is a difference in the permission content. This can reduce the user's permission operation when permission is not required.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, when non-consent has been obtained for a permission required for the use of an existing application, a newly added other application may not be available.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to execute a suitable process for using application software according to the consent situation when adding application software.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An electronic device according to one aspect of this disclosure is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the user's consent status to the licensed content; and a control means for controlling the application software to execute a predetermined process without displaying a reception screen for receiving an operation indicating user consent if, when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, the user has consented to all of the first licensed content, including the first licensed content, which is necessary for the use of the application software, in a first situation; and for displaying the reception screen before executing the predetermined process if, when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, the user's consent status to the first licensed content is in a second situation, which corresponds to the user not consenting. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, when adding application software, appropriate processing for using the application software can be performed depending on the consent status. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of the system configuration. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram of an electronic device. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the management information for the application group provided by the image processing device. [Figure 4] This diagram shows the types of licenses granted for image processing equipment and the status of consent. [Figure 5] This is a screen flow chart showing the process for receiving consent for permission to use an image processing device. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows the process of adding an application to an image processing device. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the process of launching an application for an image processing device. [Figure 8]This is a flowchart illustrating the process of launching an application on a mobile device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for implementing this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the relative arrangement of the components of the apparatus used in this embodiment, the apparatus shape, etc., are merely examples and are not limiting. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numeral, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0011] Figure 1 is a configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the system according to this embodiment. The information processing system of this embodiment includes a service provision server group 001, a license wording information management server 002, a license wording update information management server 003, a web server 004, an application provision server 005, an image processing device 100, and a mobile terminal 200. Each of these is connected to the others so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication network 300.

[0012] The service provider server group 001 is a server that provides services for the image processing device 100 in conjunction with a cloud server system (a server system on the internet). The cloud server system provides services such as printing image data on the cloud (on the internet) using the image processing device 100, and saving scanned image data from the image processing device 100 to the cloud.

[0013] The license wording information management server 002 manages the latest license version of the license wording. When there are changes to the license wording that users must agree to due to the addition of new features or legal revisions, the server updates the latest license version.

[0014] The license statement update information management server 003 manages the sendable license versions for each country as the license versions required for information transmission. Also, the license statement update information management server 003 determines the country where the image processing device 100 is installed and returns the sendable license version of the license corresponding to that country. When there is a change in the license statement that requires user consent due to function addition or legal amendment, etc., the sendable license version information in the server is updated.

[0015] The WEB server 004 stores the latest license statements for each region. The application providing server 005 is a server for providing application software (hereinafter referred to as an application) to be installed on and used by the image processing device 100. An application is for providing services in cooperation with the service providing server group 001. For example, there are applications such as transmitting image data scanned by the image processing device 100 to the service providing server group 001 that cooperates with the cloud server system.

[0016] Fig. 2(a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing device 100 in the present embodiment. The image processing device 100 is an electronic device. The image processing device 100 includes a CPU 101, a program memory 102, a data memory 103, a communication control unit 104, an input interface 105, an output interface 106, a display unit 107, a print engine 108, a non-volatile memory 109, and a RAM 110.

[0017] The CPU 101 is a system control unit that controls the entire image processing device 100. The program memory 102 stores control programs executed by the CPU 101, embedded operating system programs, etc. The data memory 103 stores program control variables, etc., and various work buffer areas are provided for use during the processing of the print engine 108.

[0018] The communication control unit 104 controls data transfer with the external through the communication line 130. The input interface 105 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, a touch panel, etc. Note that the output interface 106 described later and the input interface 105 may have the same configuration, and the screen output and the reception of operations from the user may be performed with the same configuration. The output interface 106 is an interface for controlling the display unit 107 to display data and notify the state of the image processing apparatus 100.

[0019] The display unit 107 is composed of an LED (light emitting diode), an LCD (liquid crystal display), etc., and displays data and notifies the state of the image processing apparatus 100. Note that a soft keyboard having keys such as a numeric input key, a mode setting key, a determination key, a cancel key, a power key, etc. may be installed on the display unit 107, and inputs from the user may be received through the display unit 107. The print engine 108 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper using a recording material such as ink based on the information stored in the data memory 103 and the received print job, and outputs the print result.

[0020] The nonvolatile memory 109 is composed of devices such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a flash memory, etc. The nonvolatile memory 109 is mainly used for the purpose of storing data such as the set values of the image processing apparatus 100 that need to be retained even when the power supply of the image processing apparatus 100 is not supplied. Hereinafter, the nonvolatile memory 109 is also called a storage unit. The RAM 110 is composed of a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) etc. that requires a backup power supply. The RAM 110 is also used as the main memory and the work memory of the CPU 101, and stores a reception buffer for temporarily storing print information received from a PC etc. and various kinds of information. The above components 101 to 106, 108 to 110 are interconnected via the CPU bus 120 managed by the CPU 101.

[0021] The image processing device 100 is capable of communicating with each of the servers and mobile terminals 200 indicated by 001 to 005 via the communication network 300. The image processing device 100 communicates with each of the servers indicated by 001 to 005, obtains the license wording and the licensed version associated with the license wording, and stores them in the non-volatile memory 109.

[0022] Figure 2(b) shows the configuration of a mobile terminal 200, which is one of the electronic devices in this embodiment. The mobile terminal 200 has a CPU 201, a program memory 202, a data memory 203, a communication control unit 204, an input interface 205, an output interface 206, a display unit 207, a non-volatile memory 209, and RAM 210.

[0023] The CPU 101 is the system control unit and controls the entire mobile terminal 200. The program memory 202 stores control programs and embedded operating system programs executed by the CPU 201. The data memory 203 stores program control variables and provides various work buffer areas.

[0024] The communication control unit 204 controls the exchange of data with the outside via the communication line 230. The input interface 205 is an interface for receiving data input and operation instructions from the user, and is composed of a physical keyboard, buttons, touch panel, etc. Alternatively, the output interface 206 and the input interface 205 may have the same configuration, allowing for screen output and acceptance of user operations using the same configuration. The output interface 206 is an interface that controls the display unit 207 for displaying data and notifying the status of the mobile terminal 200.

[0025] The display unit 207 consists of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and LCDs (liquid crystal displays) and displays data and notifies the status of the mobile terminal 200. Alternatively, a soft keyboard with keys such as numerical input keys, mode setting keys, select keys, cancel keys, and power keys may be installed on the display unit 207 to accept user input via the display unit 207. The non-volatile memory 209 consists of devices such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) and flash memory. The non-volatile memory 209 is primarily used to store data such as settings of the mobile terminal 200 that need to be retained even when the mobile terminal 200 is not powered.

[0026] RAM210 consists of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and other components that require a backup power supply. RAM210 is also used as the main memory and work memory of CPU201, and stores a transmit buffer for temporarily storing information to be sent to the mobile terminal 200, as well as various other information. Components 201-206 and 209-210 are interconnected via the CPU bus 220 managed by CPU101.

[0027] The mobile terminal 200 is capable of communicating with each of the servers and image processing device 100 indicated by 001 to 004 via the communication network 300. The mobile terminal 200 communicates with each of the servers indicated by 001 to 004, obtains the license wording and the licensed version associated with the license wording, and stores them in the non-volatile memory 209.

[0028] Figure 3 shows the management information for the application group provided by the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. The image processing device 100 includes applications A and B that are pre-installed at the time of shipment. In addition, the image processing device 100 includes additional applications C and D that are installed by the user after shipment.

[0029] The management information shown in Figure 3 stores, for each application name, "information on whether permission is required or not," "type of permission," "status of whether it is the first launch or not," and "account information."

[0030] "Information indicating whether permission is required or not" refers to information indicating whether or not permission is required for the user to use the application. "Type of permission" indicates the type of permission required for the user to use the application. For example, application D indicates that the user must agree to both permission A and permission B in order to use it. These permissions are associated with the permission text and the latest permission version managed by the permission text information management server 002.

[0031] There are two states for "First launch or not": "Yes" and "No". "Yes" is the default value, and the CPU is set to 101 when the application is installed. The state is changed to "No" when the application is launched for the first time.

[0032] "Account information" indicates the account required to use the application. For example, it indicates that you need to log in to account X to use application B. Applications that do not have account information, such as application A, do not require logging in to a specific account. The management information shown in Figure 3 is stored in non-volatile memory 109.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the stored state of consent status for each type of license in the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. This stored state is controlled by the CPU 101 and stored in the non-volatile memory 109. The CPU 101 stores the consent status for either License A or License B as the type of license. The non-volatile memory 109 stores the consent status and the license version (the version of the license text to which the consent status applies) for each type of license. The consent status stores a value corresponding to one of three states: not consented (not licensed), not consented (not licensed), or consented (licensed). For example, in Figure 6, the consent status (licensing status) for License B is "consented".

[0034] "Agreement" refers to a state in which the user has given an action indicating their agreement to the license wording managed by the license wording information management server 002, and the licensed version of the license wording at the time the agreement action was given (when the user agreed) is associated with and stored. "Disagreement" refers to a state in which the user has given an action indicating their disagreement to the license wording managed by the license wording information management server 002.

[0035] "Not Agreed" means that the user neither agrees nor disagrees with the license agreement. "Not Agreed" is the default value and is set when the image processing device 100 is shipped from the factory.

[0036] In addition to these three states, a value indicating the "re-consent required" state may also be stored. Re-consent required (re-licensing required) means that due to legal revisions or other reasons, the license wording that requires user consent has changed, and it is necessary to confirm the user's consent again. The CPU 101 periodically communicates with the license wording update information management server 003 to obtain the transmittable license version for each license type. Then, when the transmittable license version is greater than the license version shown in Figure 4, the consent status is set to "re-consent required".

[0037] Figure 5 is a diagram showing the screen transitions in the consent acceptance process of the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. The screen showing the consent acceptance process is displayed and controlled by the CPU 101. Each process in the screen transition diagram shown in Figure 5 is realized by the CPU 101 loading the application program stored in the program memory 102 into the RAM 110 and executing it. That is, the screen showing the consent acceptance process is displayed and controlled by the CPU 101. In this embodiment, the screen transitions described in Figure 5 are executed in the consent acceptance process for Permission A (S706) and the consent acceptance process for Permission B (S711), which will be described later in Figure 7.

[0038] Screen 500 is an information screen that notifies the user that permission is required. The CPU 101 reads the information screen from RAM 110 and displays it on the display unit 107. When a click button is detected via the input interface 105, the system proceeds to screen 501. The click button has a URL embedded in it that is provided by a pre-installed application, such as the URL of the embedded web browser. The text displayed on the information screen may also be different from the usual text when the additional application is launched for the first time (S704 and S709 are YES, as described later), such as "Since this is the first launch, we are confirming your agreement to the permission again." In other words, the text displayed on the information screen may be changed depending on whether the application is being launched for the first time or not.

[0039] Screen 501 is a screen that displays the license summary text. The CPU 101 reads the license summary text currently being processed from the non-volatile memory 109 and displays it on the display unit 107. When the CPU 101 detects that the "Details" button 502 has been pressed (touched) via the input interface 105, it displays screen 504. When the CPU 101 detects that the "Next" button 503 has been pressed, it displays screen 508.

[0040] Screen 504 displays a URL for accessing detailed license terms. The CPU 101 obtains a URL for accessing the web server 004 from the license terms information management server 002 via the communication control unit 104. The CPU 101 then displays the URL string 505 and a two-dimensional code 506 containing the URL information on the display unit 107. When the CPU 101 detects that the "End" button 507 has been pressed via the input interface 105, it displays screen 501.

[0041] Screen 508 is a screen for obtaining consent (consent confirmation screen). The CPU 101 reads the text "Do you consent?" 509 from the non-volatile memory 109 and displays it on the display unit 107. When the CPU 101 detects that the "Consent" button 510 has been pressed via the input interface 105, it stores information indicating consent in the consent status of the permission text (type of permission) that is currently being processed.

[0042] When the CPU 101 detects that the "Disagree" button 511 has been pressed via the input interface 105 on screen 508, it displays screen 513. Furthermore, when it detects that the "Back" button 512 has been pressed, it displays screen 501.

[0043] Screen 513 is a confirmation screen for non-consent. The CPU 101 reads a statement 514 from the non-volatile memory 109 indicating that the service cannot be received due to non-consent, and displays it on the display unit 107. When the CPU 101 detects that the "Yes" button 515 is pressed via the input interface 105 on screen 513, it stores the non-consent status in the consent status of the permission statement (type of permission) that is currently being processed for consent acceptance. When the CPU 101 detects that the "No" button 516 is pressed on screen 513, it displays screen 508.

[0044] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the process of adding an application to the image processing device 100. This flowchart starts when the CPU 101 executes the application addition process. Each step in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 loading the application program stored in the program memory 102 into the RAM 110 and executing it. In the following descriptions of each process, "S" indicates a step in the flowchart.

[0045] In S601, the CPU 101 retrieves a list of applications from the application provision server 005 and displays it on the display unit 107. In S602, the CPU 101 determines whether it has detected the press of the add button from the list of add applications. If it determines that the add button has been pressed, the CPU 101 proceeds to S603. If it determines that the add button has not been detected, the CPU 101 continues to display the list of add applications.

[0046] In S603, the CPU 101 executes the installation process for the additional application. That is, it retrieves the application selected by pressing the add button from the application provider server 005 and stores it in the program memory 102. In S604, the CPU 101 determines whether the application was successfully stored in the program memory 102. If it determines that it was successful, the CPU 101 proceeds to S605. If it determines that it failed, the CPU 101 displays a message indicating the failure on the display unit 107 and terminates the process in this flowchart.

[0047] In S605, CPU101 registers the "application name," "license required or not information," "license type," and "account information" of the newly added application in the management information of the application group shown in Figure 3. In S606, CPU101 sets the "initial startup status" of the newly added application to "Yes." After that, CPU101 terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0048] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the application control method of the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 loading the program stored in the program memory 102 into the RAM 110 and executing it. This flowchart also starts when the CPU 101 launches the application.

[0049] In S700, CPU101 determines whether or not there is an instruction to start one of the multiple application software programs (hereinafter simply referred to as "applications") (an operation to execute the functions of an application). If it determines that there is an instruction to start one of the applications, CPU101 proceeds to S701; otherwise, it waits in S700 for an instruction to start one of the applications.

[0050] In S701, the CPU 101 refers to the management information of the application group shown in Figure 3 and determines whether the launched application is an application that requires permission. If it determines that permission is not required, the CPU 101 proceeds to S714; if it determines that permission is required, it proceeds to S702.

[0051] In S702, the CPU 101 determines whether the launched application is an application that requires license A. This process is performed by the CPU 101 referring to the management information of the application group in the non-volatile memory 109 (Figure 3). If it is determined that the application requires license A, the CPU 101 proceeds to S703. If it is determined that the application does not require license A, the process proceeds to S707.

[0052] In S703, the CPU 101 determines whether the launched application has agreed to License A. This process is performed by the CPU 101 referring to the agreement status of License A in the non-volatile memory 109 (Figure 4). If it is determined that the application has agreed to License A, the CPU 101 proceeds to S707. If it is determined that the application has not agreed to License A, the CPU 101 proceeds to S704.

[0053] In S704, the CPU 101 determines whether the launched application is being launched for the first time (initial launch). This process is performed by referring to the application group management information (Figure 3) in the non-volatile memory 109. If it is determined to be the first launch, the CPU 101 proceeds to S706. If it is determined not to be the first launch (second launch or later), it proceeds to S705.

[0054] In S705, the CPU 101 refers to the consent status (licensing status) for license A stored in the non-volatile memory 109 shown in Figure 4 and determines whether or not consent is stored. If it is determined that consent is stored for license A (not consented), the CPU 101 proceeds to S707. If it is determined that consent is not stored for license A (not consented), the CPU proceeds to S706. Note that a case in which consent is not given in S703 and consent is not given in S705 is, for example, when the user has "not consented" to license A.

[0055] In S706, CPU 101 displays the consent acceptance screen for License A and performs the consent acceptance process for License A. The consent acceptance process is the process explained using the screen transition diagram shown in Figure 5. First, CPU 101 displays screen 500 as the consent acceptance screen for License A in Figure 5 and performs the process described above in Figure 5 in response to user input. If the user presses the consent button 510, CPU 101 stores "Agree" as the consent status for License A in the non-volatile memory shown in Figure 4 and stores the license version associated with the license text in the license version. On the other hand, if the user presses the disagree button 511, CPU 101 stores "Disagree" as the consent status for License A shown in Figure 4.

[0056] Let's consider, for example, the case where CPU 101 launches additional application C for the first time. By referring to the type of license in the management information in Figure 3, we can see that additional application C is an application that requires license A. Also, by referring to the consent status shown in Figure 4, we can see that license A is "not agreed to," and that the user has recorded that they do not agree to license A. Generally, if license A has already been not agreed to, CPU 101 does not perform the consent acceptance process for license A when launching additional application C. However, in this embodiment, CPU 101 performs the consent acceptance process for license A, provided that it is the first launch of additional application C.

[0057] As mentioned above, for example, even if additional application C is launched for the first time, if the consent status for license A is stored as "agree," CPU 101 will not display the consent request screen for license A (and will not execute the consent request process). This is because S703 confirmed that consent to license A, which is necessary for using application C, has been given before determining whether application C is being launched for the first time. Also, for example, even if the consent status for license A, which is necessary for using application C, is stored as "disagree," if application C is launched for the second time or later, the consent request process for license A will not be executed. The reason why the consent request process is not performed from the second time onward, even if it is stored as "disagree," is that displaying the consent request screen again after the user has already taken an action to indicate disagreement when using application C may impair user convenience.

[0058] In S707, the CPU 101 determines whether the launched application contains any applications that require license B. This process is performed by the CPU 101 referring to the management information of the application group in the non-volatile memory 109 (Figure 3). If it is determined that the application requires license B, the CPU 101 proceeds to S708. If it is determined that the application does not require license B, the process proceeds to S712.

[0059] In S708, the CPU 101 determines whether the launched application has agreed to License B. This process is performed by the CPU 101 referring to the agreement status of License B in the non-volatile memory 109 (Figure 4). If it is determined that License B has been agreed to, the CPU 101 proceeds to S712. If it is determined that License B has not been agreed to, the CPU 101 proceeds to S709.

[0060] In S709, the CPU 101 determines whether the launched application is being launched for the first time (initial launch). This process is performed by referring to the management information of the application group in the non-volatile memory 109 (Figure 3). If it is determined to be the first launch, the CPU 101 proceeds to S711. If it is determined not to be the first launch (second launch or later), it proceeds to S710.

[0061] In S710, the CPU 101 refers to the consent status (license status) for license B stored in the non-volatile memory 109 shown in Figure 4 and determines whether or not a non-consent status is stored. If it is determined that a non-consent status is stored for license B (non-consented), the CPU 101 proceeds to S712. If it is determined that a non-consent status is not stored for license B (not non-consented), the CPU 101 proceeds to S711. In S711, the CPU 101 displays the consent acceptance screen for license B and performs the consent acceptance process for license B.

[0062] In S712, CPU 101 sets the status of the launched application to "No" to indicate whether it is the first time it has been launched. This is done by CPU 101 referring to the management information of the application group in non-volatile memory 109 (Figure 3).

[0063] In S713, the CPU 101 refers to the management information (Figure 3) and consent status (Figure 4) of the application group in the non-volatile memory 109 and determines whether consent has been obtained for all types of licenses required by the launched application. If it determines that consent has been obtained for all types of licenses, the CPU 101 proceeds to S714. Otherwise, that is, if it determines that the consent status of any one of the types of license texts is not consented to, not consented to, or requires reconsideration, the CPU 101 proceeds to S715.

[0064] In S714, the CPU 101 executes predetermined processes performed by the launched application, i.e., functions performed by the launched application. For example, it performs processes that execute functions of the launched application, such as coordinating with the service provision server group 001 to print image data on the cloud using the image processing device 100, or saving scanned image data from the image processing device 100 to the cloud. After that, the CPU 101 terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0065] At S715, the CPU 101 terminates the processing of this flowchart without stopping or starting the currently controlled application. In this case, the application's functions, which were instructed to start, are not executed, and the application's processing is terminated without starting. In this way, the CPU 101 controls the system so that information is not transmitted by applications for which the necessary consent has not been obtained. The above is the flowchart of this embodiment.

[0066] In this embodiment, the permission acceptance process is basically performed in S706 or S711 during the initial startup, and it is determined whether to "agree" or "disagree". That is, in this embodiment, after the application is started, the permissions related to the application will be either "agree" or "disagree". If it is not the initial startup, if the necessary permissions, for example, Permission A, are "disagree", then S704 Yes, S705 Yes, and the application will terminate at S715 without going through S706. In other words, if the instruction to start the application is given for the second time or later and the answer is "disagree", the permission acceptance screen will not be displayed, and the user will not be asked again if they have already disagree to the application. Here, we will explain the case where the consent status is "not consented". For example, if the consent status for Permission A is "not consented", when Application C is launched for the first time, the consent request screen shown in Figure 5 will be displayed in S706. If, for some reason, the application is closed without selecting either consent or rejection, the consent status for Permission A will remain "not consented". If Application C is closed and then launched again in this situation, the state will be "consent status is 'not consented' and Application C is being launched for the second time or later". In this state, S704 will be judged as "No", and S705 will also be judged as "No". That is, the process proceeds to S706, and the consent request process for Permission A is executed. Thus, even when the consent status is "not consented" and Application C is being launched for the second time or later, the consent request process is executed (the consent screen is displayed).

[0067] As described above, according to this embodiment, when adding application software, appropriate processing for using the application software can be performed according to the consent status. Specifically, even if the consent status for the licenses required for the newly installed application is "not consented," the system can be controlled to perform the consent acceptance process when the newly installed application is launched for the first time. This allows users to use the additional application without cumbersome operations, even if they have previously refused the relevant licenses in an existing application.

[0068] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, the process was described as being performed by the image processing device 100. That is, the image processing device 100 performed the flowchart processing shown in Figure 7 by referring to the consent status from its own memory without coordinating with other devices. Embodiment 2 describes a configuration in which the mobile terminal 200 updates the consent status (Figure 4) stored in the memory of the image processing device 100 by accessing the permission consent acceptance screen of the embedded web browser provided by the image processing device 100 via the communication control unit 204. That is, a configuration is described in which the electronic device (mobile terminal) cooperates with another device (external device), a second electronic device (image processing device), obtains the consent status from the second electronic device, and uses the obtained consent status when launching an application on the electronic device.

[0069] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control method for the application of the mobile terminal 200 in this embodiment. Each process in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 201 of the mobile terminal 200 loading the program stored in the program memory 202 into the RAM 210 and executing it. This flowchart starts when the CPU 201 of the mobile terminal 200 launches the application.

[0070] In S801, the CPU 201 obtains the consent status (Figure 4) stored in the image processing device 100 via the communication control unit 204. In S802, the CPU 201 checks the obtained consent status. If "Not Agreed" is stored as the consent status for the permission required to use the application, and this is the first time the application is launched on the mobile terminal 200, the CPU 201 proceeds to S803. If "Not Agreed" or "Re-agreement Required" is stored as the consent status for the permission required to use the application, the CPU 201 proceeds to S803. On the other hand, if "Agreed" is stored as the consent status for the permission required to use the application, the CPU 201 proceeds to S810. If "Not Agreed" is stored as the consent status for the permission required to use the application, and this is the second or subsequent launch of the application on the mobile terminal 200, the CPU 201 proceeds to S811.

[0071] In S803, the CPU 201 obtains the URL of the consent acceptance screen (Figure 5) of the embedded web browser provided by the image processing device 100 via the communication control unit 204. For example, it obtains a URL such as "http: / / 192.168.xx.xx / kyodaku.html". At this time, it is also possible to specify the type of permission (Figure 3) and obtain the URL of the consent acceptance screen.

[0072] In S804, the CPU 201 accesses the acquired URL via the communication control unit 204. In S805, the CPU 201 displays the information acquired from accessing the URL on the display unit 207. Then, it waits for user input. In S806, the user refers to the display unit 207 and performs a consent operation via the input interface 205. In S807, the CPU 201 updates the consent acceptance screen (Figure 5) via the communication control unit 204. At this time, the CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 stores the consent status (Figure 4) as either consented or not consented.

[0073] In S808, the CPU 201 obtains the consent status via the communication control unit 204. At this time, the CPU 101 of the image processing device 100 returns the consent status value (Figure 4) to the mobile terminal 200. In S809, the CPU 201 checks the obtained consent status. If the consent status is "consented", the CPU 201 proceeds to S810. If the consent status is "not consented", "not consented", or "re-consent required", the process proceeds to S811.

[0074] In S810, CPU201 executes the processing of the application it is currently controlling. For example, it may work in conjunction with image processing device 100 to save scanned image data from image processing device 100 to the cloud. In S811, CPU201 stops the processing of the application it is currently controlling and terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0075] According to this embodiment, even if the consent status in the application of the image processing device 100 is "not consented," the consent acceptance process can be controlled to be performed when the application of the mobile terminal 200 is launched for the first time. In other words, even if the consent status in the application of the image processing device 100 is "not consented," the application of the mobile terminal 200 can be used by updating the consent status.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, it was assumed that the management information shown in Figure 3 and the consent status shown in Figure 4 are stored in the non-volatile memory 109 (storage unit) of the image processing device 100, but in reality, this is not the only option. For example, a server may be provided to manage the management information and consent status, and the consent status obtained from operations performed by the image processing device 100 and the mobile terminal may be stored on the server. In such a case, at S801 in Figure 8, the mobile terminal 200 can obtain the consent status by communicating with the server rather than the image processing device 100.

[0077] <Other Embodiments> Furthermore, the various controls described above, which are performed by the image processing device 100, may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or multiple pieces of hardware (for example, multiple processors or circuits) may share the processing to control the entire device.

[0078] Furthermore, although this disclosure has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments, this disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure are also included in the present invention. Moreover, each of the embodiments described above is merely one example of this disclosure, and it is possible to combine each embodiment as appropriate.

[0079] Furthermore, although the embodiments described above have explained the application of this disclosure to an image processing device or a mobile terminal as an example, this is not limited to this example and can be applied to a printer device or information processing device equipped with a display.

[0080] This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0081] Furthermore, this disclosure includes the following components. (Composition 1) A means for obtaining information indicating the user's consent status to the licensed content, When the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, if the user has agreed to all of the first set of license agreements, including the first set of license agreements, which are necessary for the use of the application software, the control means controls the application software to execute a predetermined process without displaying a confirmation screen for receiving confirmation from the user; and if, when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, the user has agreed to all of the first set of license agreements, which corresponds to a second situation where the user has not agreed, the control means controls the application software to display the confirmation screen before executing the predetermined process. An electronic device characterized by having the following features. (Configuration 2) When the aforementioned reception screen is displayed and a first operation indicating the user's agreement to the license content is received, the first information is recorded as the status of agreement to the license content. When the aforementioned reception screen is displayed and a second operation is received indicating that the user does not agree to the license content, a recording means controls the recording of second information as the user's agreement status to the license content. The electronic device according to configuration 1, further comprising: (Composition 3) The electronic device according to configuration 2, characterized in that the second situation is when the information indicating the user's consent status to the first license content, obtained by the acquisition means, is the second information. (Composition 4) The electronic device according to configuration 2, characterized in that the control means controls the application software to execute the predetermined process based on the acceptance of the first operation on the reception screen displayed when the initial startup of the application software is instructed. (Composition 5) The electronic device according to configuration 4, characterized in that, when the control means receives the second operation on the reception screen displayed when the initial startup of the application software is instructed, it terminates the processing of the application software without performing the predetermined processing, or controls the application software not to start. (Composition 6) The electronic device according to configuration 2, characterized in that, in the case where neither the first operation nor the second operation has been performed with respect to the licensed content, the information indicating the consent status obtained by the acquisition means is third information. (Composition 7) The electronic device according to configuration 6, characterized in that the control means controls the application software to display the reception screen when it is instructed to start, regardless of whether it is the first time it is started, if the information on the consent status to the first license content acquired by the acquisition means is the third information. (Composition 8) The electronic device according to Configuration 1, characterized in that when the application software is instructed to be started for the second time or later, if the agreement status to the first license content is in the second state, the control means terminates the processing of the application software or prevents the application software from being started without displaying the reception screen. (Composition 9) The electronic device according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the control means controls the execution of the predetermined process without displaying the reception screen when the application software is instructed to be started for the second time or later, if the first situation is present. (Composition 10) Having a memory means, The electronic device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires information indicating the consent status stored in the storage means. (Composition 11) The electronic device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires information indicating the consent status from an external device different from the electronic device. (Composition 12) The electronic device according to configuration 11, characterized in that the control means controls the display of the reception screen on the electronic device by accessing the URL of the embedded web browser of the external device. (Composition 13) The electronic device according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the control means controls the application software to display different wording on the reception screen depending on whether it is being launched for the first time or for subsequent launches. (Composition 14) The electronic device according to Configuration 1, wherein information indicating whether the application software is being launched for the first time is stored in the storage unit, and when the application software is launched for the first time, the information indicating whether it is being launched for the application software is updated. (Composition 15) The electronic device according to configuration 1, characterized in that the application software is software for providing services by communicating with a server system on the Internet. (Composition 16) An acquisition step to obtain information indicating the user's consent status to the license terms, A control step which controls the application software to execute a predetermined process without displaying a confirmation screen for receiving user consent when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, if the user has agreed to all of the first set of license agreements, including the first set of license agreements, which are necessary for the use of the application software, then when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, the user has agreed to all of the first set of license agreements, which is the first set of license agreements, and when the user has agreed to all of the first set of license agreements, which is the second set of license agreements, then the confirmation screen is displayed before the predetermined process is executed. A control method for electronic equipment, characterized by comprising: (Composition 17) A program for causing a computer to function as one of the electronic devices described in any one of items 1 through 15. (Composition 18) A computer-readable storage medium containing a program for causing the computer to function as one of the electronic devices described in any one of items 1 to 15.

Claims

1. A means for obtaining information indicating the user's consent status to the licensed content, When the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, if the user has agreed to all of the first set of license agreements, including the first set of license agreements, which are necessary for the use of the application software, the control means controls the application software to execute a predetermined process without displaying a confirmation screen for receiving confirmation from the user; and if, when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, the user has agreed to all of the first set of license agreements, which corresponds to a second situation where the user has not agreed, the control means controls the application software to display the confirmation screen before executing the predetermined process. An electronic device characterized by having the following features.

2. When the aforementioned reception screen is displayed and a first operation indicating the user's agreement to the license content is received, the first information is recorded as the status of agreement to the license content. When the aforementioned reception screen is displayed and a second operation is received indicating that the user does not agree to the license content, a recording means controls the recording of second information as the user's agreement status to the license content. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the second situation is when the information indicating the user's consent status to the first license content obtained by the acquisition means is the second information.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that the control means controls the application software to execute the predetermined process based on the fact that the first operation has been received on the reception screen displayed when the initial startup of the application software is instructed.

5. The electronic device according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the control means receives the second operation on the reception screen displayed when the initial startup of the application software is instructed, it terminates the processing of the application software without performing the predetermined processing, or controls the application software not to start.

6. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, if neither the first operation nor the second operation has been performed with respect to the licensed content, the information indicating the consent status obtained by the acquisition means is third information.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control means controls the application software to display the reception screen when it is instructed to start, regardless of whether it is the first time it is started, if the information on the consent status to the first license content acquired by the acquisition means is the third information.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the application software is instructed to be started for the second time or later, if the consent status to the first license content is in the second state, the control means terminates the processing of the application software or does not start the application software without displaying the reception screen.

9. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the execution of the predetermined process without displaying the reception screen when the application software is instructed to be started for the second time or later, if the first situation is present.

10. Having a memory means, The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires information indicating the consent status stored in the storage means.

11. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the acquisition means acquires information indicating the consent status from an external device different from the electronic device.

12. The electronic device according to claim 11, characterized in that the control means controls the display of the reception screen on the electronic device by accessing the URL of the embedded web browser of the external device.

13. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the application software to display different wording on the reception screen depending on whether it is being launched for the first time or for subsequent launches.

14. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein information indicating whether the application software is being launched for the first time is stored in the storage unit, and when the application software is launched for the first time, the information indicating whether it is being launched for the application software is updated.

15. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the application software is software for providing services by communicating with a server system on the Internet.

16. An acquisition step to obtain information indicating the user's consent status to the license terms, A control step which controls the application software to execute a predetermined process without displaying a confirmation screen for receiving user consent when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, if the user has consented to all of the first set of license contents, including the first set of license contents, which are necessary for the use of the application software, then the system is controlled to execute a predetermined process without displaying a confirmation screen for receiving user consent, and if the user has not consented to the first set of license contents when the application software is instructed to be launched for the first time, the system is controlled to display the confirmation screen before executing the predetermined process. A control method for electronic equipment, characterized by comprising:

17. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means of an electronic device described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as one of the electronic devices described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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