Printing apparatus, method for controlling the printing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To display a two-dimensional code image that includes data for individual parameters of an information processing device. [Solution] One embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device that displays content based on notification information transmitted from an external device via a GUI screen, and is characterized by having a display control means that displays either a first GUI screen having elements for displaying a two-dimensional code image generated by the information processing device, based on the type of notification information contained in the notification information and based on the individual parameters of the information processing device, or a second GUI screen that does not have such elements.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for displaying content based on information on a notification for a user transmitted by a server on a screen of a printing device when the printing device receives the information.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, content such as advertisements acquired from a server has been displayed on a screen of a terminal device. For example, similar content has been displayed on a screen of an image processing device such as a multifunction printer (hereinafter referred to as "MFP").

[0003] In Patent Document 1, when the toner runs out, as information on the storage location of the toner, image data of a map of the storage location and image data of a QR code (registered trademark) representing the location of the map are received from a server, and the image of the map and the image of the QR code are displayed on the screen of the image processing device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in Patent Document 1, there is a concern that the screen cannot be displayed with an optimal layout according to the type of notification. Further, since the image data of the QR code is generated by the server, the data of the individual parameters of the information processing device such as a printing device cannot be included in the QR code.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention aims to display a two-dimensional code image including data of individual parameters of an information processing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device that displays content based on notification information transmitted from an external device via a GUI screen, and is characterized by having a display control means that displays either a first GUI screen having an element for displaying a two-dimensional code image generated by the information processing device, based on the type of notification information contained in the notification information and based on the individual parameters of the information processing device, or a second GUI screen that does not have the element. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it becomes possible to display a two-dimensional code image that includes data for individual parameters of an information processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Information processing system configuration diagram [Figure 2] MFP Block Diagram [Figure 3] Block diagram of the service management server [Figure 4] Block diagram of the service provider server [Figure 5] Sequence diagram of the process of acquiring notification information and displaying a notification screen based on said notification information. [Figure 6] Example response [Figure 7] Flowchart for displaying the notification screen [Figure 8] Notification screen ("Image display" pattern) [Figure 9] Notification screen ("QR code display" pattern) [Figure 10] Sequence diagram of the process of acquiring notification information and displaying a notification screen based on said notification information. [Figure 11] A table that maintains the correspondence between LCD size and the number of characters that can be represented in a QR code. [Figure 12]Flowchart for displaying the notification screen [Figure 13] A table that holds the relationship between the size of the LCD, the number of characters that can be represented in the QR code, and the string of the URL used to display the QR code. [Figure 14] Sequence diagram of the process of acquiring notification information and displaying a notification screen based on said notification information. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are not intended to unnecessarily limit this disclosure, and not all combinations of features described below are necessarily essential as solutions of this disclosure. Furthermore, identical components will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0011] [First Embodiment] <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes an MFP 100, a service management server 200, a group of service provision servers 400, and a communication network 300. The group of service provision servers 400 is a collective term for the service provision servers that provide each service. In the example in Figure 1, the group of service provision servers 400 includes a service A provision server 420 that provides service A, a service B provision server 430 that provides service B, and a service C provision server 440 that provides service C.

[0012] <System Overview> The outline of the processing performed in the system of FIG. 1 will be described. First, examples of services provided by this system will be described. An example of a service is the firmware update service for the MFP 100. The firmware update service is a service that provides the corrected firmware and updates the firmware of the MFP 100 when improvements to the firmware of the MFP 100, countermeasures against failures, etc. are made. Also, as an example of another service, there is a consumable sales service such as ink for the MFP 100. A user of the MFP 100 can access a server that provides the service to order and purchase consumables. Furthermore, as another service, there is a print content providing service. A user of the MFP 100 can access a server that provides the service to download and print print content.

[0013] Note that the above-described services are merely examples and are not limited thereto. Any service related to the MFP 100 is acceptable.

[0014] In this system, processing is performed to display content based on information regarding notifications (hereinafter referred to as "notification information") sent from these service providing servers to users of the MFP 100 on the GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen of the MFP 100. Note that in FIG. 1, the MFP 100, the service management server 200, and the service providing server group 400 are connected via the communication network 300. In this embodiment, the MFP 100 receives notification information sent from the service management server 200. That is, it should be noted that in this embodiment, the MFP 100 does not directly receive notification information from each service providing server.

[0015] In this embodiment, by providing the service management server 200, for example, notification information from various service providing servers to the MFP 100 can be aggregated in the service management server 200. Then, by the service management server 200 exchanging information with service providing servers that provide various services, the MFP 100 does not need to directly exchange information with the service providing servers.

[0016] The transmission and reception of information between the service management server 200 and each service providing server are performed when the usage conditions of each service are satisfied. Examples of the usage conditions include that a registration process for service use is performed between the terminal device that has read the QR code and each service providing server. When the usage conditions of the service are satisfied, each service providing server exchanges information with the service management server 200 and provides notification information. For each communication, control is performed through HTTP, XMPP, etc. Note that other protocols may be used for the protocol.

[0017] <Configuration of MFP> FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the MFP 100 in this embodiment. The MFP 100 is a type of information processing apparatus to which this embodiment is applicable. Also, the MFP 100 is a type of electronic device. The MFP 100 in this embodiment has information processing functions such as generation processing, storage processing, and transmission processing of device information including log information and status information. Further, the MFP 100 also has an image recording function (image forming function) for forming an image on a recording medium by the recording control unit 113 and the recording unit 114 described later.

[0018] The MFP 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an image memory 104, a data conversion unit 105, a reading control unit 106, a reading unit 107, an operation display unit 108, an LCD 109, a communication control unit 110, and a resolution conversion unit 111. Further, the MFP 100 includes a code decoding unit 112, a recording control unit 113, a recording unit 114, a USB function control unit 115, a USB host control unit 116, and a bus 117.

[0019] The CPU 101 is the system control unit and controls the operation of the entire MFP 100. The ROM 102 is a non-volatile memory that stores fixed data such as control programs executed by the CPU 101, data tables, and the embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS"). In this embodiment, based on the control programs stored in the ROM 102, software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing is performed under the management of the embedded OS stored in the ROM 102. The ROM 102 also stores information indicating whether or not to provide device information to the outside (referred to as "permission information"). The RAM 103 is composed of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, which requires a backup power supply, and power to the RAM 103 is guaranteed by a primary battery for data backup (not shown). Program control variables and the like are stored in the RAM 103. The image memory 104 is composed of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or the like, and can store image data. In addition, a part of the area of ​​the image memory 104 is reserved as a work area for executing software processing. The data conversion unit 105 can analyze data written in Page Description Language (PDL) and convert image data, such as developing character data into computer graphics (CG).

[0020] The reading unit 107 optically reads the document using a CIS image sensor and converts it into an electrical image signal. The reading control unit 106 applies various image processing, such as binarization and halftone processing, to the image signal acquired by the reading unit 107 to output high-resolution image data. The method for optically reading the document may be either a sheet reading control method, in which the document is read by a fixed CIS image sensor, or a book reading control method, in which the document fixed to the document tray is read by a moving CIS image sensor.

[0021] The operation display unit 108 consists of the minimum necessary keys such as numerical input keys, mode setting keys, select keys, and cancel keys, as well as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and a 7-segment display unit. The various keys listed here are implemented as keys displayed on the LCD 109, so-called soft keys, and can accept operations from the user. If the user does not operate the LCD 109 for a certain period of time, the LCD 109's backlight is switched OFF to reduce power consumption.

[0022] The communication control unit 110 controls communication between the MFP 100 and external devices via the communication network 300, specifically performing connections to an Internet service provider and communication of various data with the service management server 200. The communication control unit 110 can also determine the connection status of the MFP 100, such as whether it is connected to the Internet or only to the LAN. The connection between the communication control unit 110 and the communication network 300 shall be made using a known method such as HTTP or XMPP. The resolution conversion unit 111 performs resolution conversion processing, such as mutual conversion between millimeter-scale image data and inch-scale image data. The resolution conversion unit 111 can also perform image data scaling. The code decoding unit 112 applies encoding or decoding processing, or scaling processing, to image data (uncompressed, MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100. The recording control unit 113 performs various image processing operations on the image data to be printed, such as smoothing, recording density correction, and color correction, to convert it into high-resolution image data, and outputs recording data based on this high-resolution image data to the recording unit 114. The recording control unit 113 also plays a role in periodically acquiring status information of the recording unit 114. The recording unit 114 is composed of a laser beam printer or an inkjet printer, and records (i.e., prints) an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the recording data generated by the recording control unit 113.

[0023] The USB function control unit 115 performs protocol control according to the USB communication standard. The USB host control unit 116 is a control unit for communication using the protocol defined in the USB communication standard. This USB communication standard is a standard for bidirectional high-speed data communication, and according to this USB communication standard, multiple hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master). In other words, the USB host control unit 116 provides the host function in USB communication. The components other than the reader unit 107 and LCD 109 are interconnected via the bus 117.

[0024] <Service Management Server Configuration> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the service management server 200 in this embodiment. The service management server 200 includes a CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, internal storage device 204, external storage device 205, operation unit 207, display unit 208, and communication unit 209.

[0025] The CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire service management server 200 according to a program read from the ROM 202, RAM 203, internal storage device 204, or external storage device 205 from the external storage medium 206. The ROM 202 stores the control program for the CPU 201, etc. The RAM 203 temporarily stores programs and various data, and by using the RAM 203, it is possible to speed up the processing of the service management server 200. The internal storage device 204 stores the operating system, various application programs, and various data, etc. In addition, application software for sending and receiving various control commands and data is installed in the internal storage device 204. The operation unit 207 is an input device such as a keyboard or mouse, and receives instruction input from the operator of the service management server 200. The display unit 208 displays various information to the operator. The communication unit 209 is connected to the communication network 300 and performs communication of various data between the Internet service provider and the MFP 100 or each service provider server included in the service provider server group 400. Furthermore, connection to the communication network 300 shall be made by a known method such as HTTP or XMPP.

[0026] <Configuration of the service provider server> Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of each service provider server included in the service provider server group 400 in this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 4 shows configuration examples of service A provider server 420, service B provider server 430, and service C provider server 440. Each service provider server has a CPU 401, ROM 402, RAM 403, internal storage device 404, external storage device 405, operation unit 407, display unit 408, and communication unit 409.

[0027] The components other than the internal memory device 404 and the communication unit 409 are the same as those of the service management server 200 in FIG. 3, so the description thereof will be omitted. The internal memory device 404 stores an OS, various application programs, various data, etc. Further, application software for transmitting and receiving various control commands and data to and from the service management server 200 is installed in the internal memory device 404. The communication unit 409 is connected to the communication network 300 and performs communication of various data between the connection to the Internet service provider and the service management server 200.

[0028] <Processing performed between the MFP and the service management server> FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the processing performed between the MFP 100 and the service management server 200.

[0029] When it becomes an opportunity to inquire about the presence or absence of notification to the user (hereinafter referred to as "inquiry opportunity"), the MFP 100 performs a process of inquiring the service management server 200 for notification information as a process for acquiring the notification information. The opportunity to inquire about the presence or absence of notification occurs at a predetermined timing. For example, the inquiry may be periodically performed after a certain period of time has elapsed, or the inquiry may be performed at the time of startup of the MFP 100.

[0030] In step S510, the MFP 100 transmits a request for inquiring about notification information to the service management server 200. Hereinafter, "step S~" will be abbreviated as "S~".

[0031] In S520, the service management server 200 transmits a response corresponding to the request transmitted in S510 to the MFP 100. This response includes data regarding the content to be notified to the user and type information indicating the type of notification.

[0032] In S530, the MFP100 analyzes the response received in S520. Through the response analysis in this step, various data such as the image URL indicating the storage location where the image data is stored, and the URL for displaying the QR code are obtained.

[0033] In S540, the MFP100 updates the QR code display URL by adding its own parameters (product serial number, MAC address) to the QR code display URL string obtained in S530. These parameters are information that the MFP100 has pre-stored in ROM 402 or similar without receiving them from the service management server 200. The MFP100 then saves the updated QR code display URL. In this embodiment, the MFP100's parameters are added, but other information that the MFP100 has pre-stored in ROM 402 or similar without receiving it from the service management server 200 may also be added. The generated QR code display URL is then sent to the service management server 200, and encryption may be performed during transmission to the service management server 200. The MFP100 may then receive the encrypted QR code display URL. This configuration ensures that the information acquired by the terminal device through QR code reading is encrypted. The decryption of encrypted information may be performed on the terminal device, or on a service provider server or similar that receives the encrypted information from the terminal device.

[0034] In S550, the MFP100 sends a request for image data (referred to as the "image acquisition request") to the service management server 200. This request is made by specifying the URL of the image to be acquired in S530.

[0035] In S560, the service management server 200, upon receiving the request transmitted in S550, sends the image data to the MFP 100.

[0036] When the CPU 101 of the MFP100 determines that it is time to display content based on notification information, it uses a management table that associates the timing of display with the content to determine the content to be displayed. The CPU 101 also determines the type of notification using the response type information and displays the content via a GUI screen corresponding to the determined type. This process will be described later.

[0037] <Example response> Figure 6 shows an example of a response sent by the service management server 200 to the MFP100 in S520 of Figure 5. This response is a text file written in JSON format, and the format of the response will be explained using Figure 6.

[0038] Figure 6(a) shows the response to notification information about an important firmware update.

[0039] The key "url" indicates the URL of the image file to be notified to the user, and its value is a URL string. In S550 in Figure 5, a request is sent with this URL string specified.

[0040] The key "type" indicates the type of notification and can take either "normal" or "qr" as its value. The example in Figure 6(a) shows the case of "normal".

[0041] The key "qr_url" indicates the URL used to generate the QR code displayed on the GUI screen (the notification screen described later, see Figure 9), and takes the value of a URL string. In the example in Figure 6(a), "qr_url" is actually empty and does not contain a URL string.

[0042] The key "timing" indicates the timing for displaying content based on notification information, and its value can be either "startup" or "jobend". In the example in Figure 6(a), the value of "timing" is "startup", so the MFP100 displays content based on notification information when startup is complete.

[0043] Figure 6(b) shows the response to notification information from the ink purchase site. The keys such as "url" are the same as in Figure 6(a).

[0044] In the example in Figure 6(b), the value of "type" is "qr". In this case, as shown in the diagram, the URL string is placed in "qr_url", and in S540 in Figure 5, the individual parameters of the MFP100 are added to this URL string. The individual parameters that are added are, for example, the product serial number "123456789" and the MAC address "11-22-33-44-55-66". In this case, the URL string will be "https: / / shop.com / ink_sale.html / ?mdl=123456789&adr=11-22-33-44-55-66".

[0045] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6(b), the value of "timing" is "jobend," so the MFP100 displays content based on the notification information at the time the printing process is completed.

[0046] <Notification screen display processing> Figure 7 is a flowchart of the process executed in the MFP100 when the notification screen is displayed in S570 (see Figure 5) as described above.

[0047] In S710, the CPU 101 determines whether the notification information indicates a normal image display pattern. A normal image display pattern is a pattern that displays a notification image that does not have an area for displaying a QR code generated by the MFP 100. If the result of this step is true, the process proceeds to S720. On the other hand, if the result of this step is false (i.e., if the notification information does not indicate a normal image display pattern), the process proceeds to S730. Specifically in this step, the value of the key "type" in the response, which indicates the type of notification, is used. If the value is "normal", it is determined that the notification information indicates a normal image display pattern. On the other hand, if the value of the key "type" is "qr", it is determined that the notification information indicates a QR code display pattern. A QR code display pattern is a pattern that displays a notification image that has an area for displaying a QR code generated by the MFP 100.

[0048] In S720, the CPU 101 functions as a display control means and displays a notification screen corresponding to the image display pattern. This notification screen is created based on the image data acquired in S560 in Figure 5. The notification screen displayed in this step has a close button. Details of the notification screen displayed in this step will be described later with reference to Figure 8.

[0049] In S730, the CPU 101 functions as a display control means and displays a notification screen corresponding to the QR code display pattern. This notification screen is created based on the image data acquired in S560 in Figure 5. The notification screen displayed in this step has a close button and a QR code button. Details of the notification screen displayed in this step will be described later with reference to Figure 9.

[0050] In S740, CPU101 detects the pressing of the QR code button (see Figure 9) on the notification screen displayed in S730.

[0051] In S750, CPU 101 retrieves the URL for displaying the QR code saved in S540 in Figure 5, and generates a QR code corresponding to the retrieved URL by converting it into a QR code. Note that the timing of QR code generation is not limited to this timing; for example, this process may be executed before the press of the QR code button is detected.

[0052] In S760, CPU 101 displays a notification screen containing the QR code image generated by S750 (see Figure 9).

[0053] In S770, CPU 101 determines whether the close button on the notification screen has been pressed. If the result of this step is true, the process proceeds to S780; otherwise, it waits until the close button is pressed.

[0054] In the S780, CPU101 closes (hides) the notification screen displayed on LCD109.

[0055] <Notification screen> The GUI screens that display content based on notification information will be described below using Figures 8 and 9. In this specification, the GUI screens that display content based on notification information will be referred to as "notification screens."

[0056] Figure 8 shows an example of a notification screen displayed on the LCD 109 of the MFP100 when YES is determined in S710 of Figure 7. As shown in the figure, the notification screen 800 has a notification image 801 obtained from the server and a close button 802 as display elements. When the close button 802 is pressed, the notification screen 800 is hidden. Also, when the screen shown in Figure 8 is displayed, the MFP100 does not generate a QR code. Furthermore, the screen shown in Figure 8 does not include a QR code generated by the MFP100 or a button for displaying that QR code. Note that the screen shown in Figure 8 may include other buttons. Specifically, for example, suppose the screen shown in Figure 8 is a notification screen that notifies about a Web application program (hereinafter referred to as a Web application) that can be used by the MFP100. Note that a Web application that can be used by the MFP100 is, for example, a Web application that can provide image content or document content to the MFP100 and cause the MFP100 to print said image content or document content. Furthermore, the content related to web applications that can be used with the MFP100 specifically includes, for example, notifications about the addition of new web applications that can be used with the MFP100, or content that encourages users to use web applications. The notification screen may also include a button to launch the web application that is being notified.

[0057] The above examples do not include screens that do not contain a QR code generated by the MFP100 or a button to display that QR code. For example, a notification screen prompting the user to update the MFP100's firmware, or a notification screen advertising the recording materials (ink and toner) or recording media (paper) that the MFP100 uses for printing (image formation), are also acceptable.

[0058] Figure 9 shows an example of a notification screen displayed on the LCD 109 of the MFP 100 when NO is determined in S710 of Figure 7. As shown in the figure, the notification screen 900 has as display elements an image 901 obtained from the server, a close button 902, and a QR code button 903. When the QR code button 903 is pressed, the system transitions to the notification screen 910 which displays the QR code image 911. In this embodiment, the notification screen having the QR code button 903, as shown in Figure 9, is specifically, for example, a screen related to a printing service provided by the service provider server. This printing service is, for example, a service in which the user of the MFP 100 accumulates points that can be used by the MFP 100 according to the number of sheets of paper printed by the MFP 100. This service can be used, for example, by performing a registration process for using the printing service between the user's terminal device, such as a smartphone, and the service provider server. Therefore, for example, the screen related to the printing service is a screen that prompts the user to use the printing service, a screen that prompts the user to perform the registration process for using the printing service, etc. In this embodiment, the notification screen 900 does not include the QR code image 911 itself, but it may also include the QR code image 911 itself, but without the QR code button 903.

[0059] In this embodiment, an example was described in which the GUI screen displays a QR code image. However, the 2D code image displayed on the GUI screen is not limited to a QR code image. Other 2D code images, such as barcode images, may be displayed.

[0060] Furthermore, while buttons were used as an example to explain how to switch the display of a GUI screen, such elements are not limited to buttons. You can design GUI screens using other elements such as checkboxes and radio buttons.

[0061] After the notification screen 910 is displayed, a QR code is photographed and acquired by a terminal device with a camera function. The terminal device then analyzes the QR code and acquires various information, including the individual parameters of the MFP100. In this embodiment, the registration process for using the printing service is performed between the terminal device and the service provider server, and the various information acquired from the QR code is used in this registration process. Specifically, the terminal device accesses the service provider server using the URL contained in the information acquired from the QR code. The terminal device then sends its own individual parameters and the individual parameters of the MFP100 to the service provider server. This completes the registration for using the printing service with the MFP100. At this time, since the terminal device has acquired the individual parameters of the MFP100 by reading the QR code, it can easily acquire the individual parameters of the MFP100 without accepting input of the individual parameters from the user. In other words, this embodiment improves the usability of the registration process for using the printing service with the MFP100. The above describes a configuration in which the generation of information for generating a QR code and the generation of the QR code are performed by the MFP100. However, depending on the content of the notification, the generation of information for generating a QR code and the generation of the QR code may be performed by a device other than the MFP100. For example, a notification screen for advertising recording materials (inks and toners) and recording media (paper) used by the MFP100 for printing (image formation) may include a QR code button 903. The information obtained by reading the QR code displayed on such a notification screen is used to access the sales page of the advertised recording materials or recording media. In such a case, since it is not necessary to include the individual parameters of the MFP100 in the QR code, the generation of information for generating a QR code and the generation of the QR code may be performed by a device other than the MFP100. In addition, the notification screen displayed in such a case may include a QR code button 903, an image 901 containing a QR code, or a QR code in a configuration separate from the QR code button 903 and image 901.

[0062] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the MFP 100 adds individual parameters to the URL string for QR code display. In contrast, in this embodiment, the service management server 200 adds individual parameters to the URL string for QR code display without the MFP 100 adding them. Hereinafter, for the same content as in the previous embodiment, the description will be appropriately omitted by using the same reference numerals, and mainly the content different from the previous embodiment will be described.

[0063] [Processing Performed between the MFP and the Service Management Server] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the processing performed between the MFP 100 and the service management server 200 when the service management server 200 adds individual parameters.

[0064] When an inquiry opportunity occurs, the MFP 100 performs a process of inquiring the service management server 200 for notification information as a process for acquiring the notification information.

[0065] In S1010, the MFP 100 transmits a request for inquiring about notification information to the service management server 200. The inquiry request transmitted in this step includes individual parameters (product serial number, MAC address) of the MFP 100. For example, "123456789" is added as the product serial number, and "11-22-33-44-55-66" is added as the MAC address.

[0066] In S1020, the service management server 200 that has received the inquiry request transmitted in S1010 adds individual parameters to the URL string for QR code display. As a result of this step, the URL string becomes something like "https: / / shop.com / ink_sale.html / ?mdl=123456789&adr=11-22-33-44-55-66".

[0067] Thus, in this embodiment, the service management server 200 adds individual parameters to the URL. As a result, when performing response analysis in subsequent S530, the MFP 100 can directly save the URL string for QR code display in the recording unit 114.

[0068] [Third Embodiment] In the first embodiment, when it is determined as NO in S710, the URL string obtained from the service management server 200 with the individual parameters of the MFP 100 added to the URL string for QR code display was converted into a QR code in S750. However, depending on the size of the LCD 109, there is a limit to the amount of information that can be converted into a QR code, so there may be cases where conversion is not possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, a process considering the number of printable characters that can be converted based on the size of the LCD 109 will be described.

[0069] <Relationship between the size of the LCD and the number of characters that can be represented by the QR code> FIG. 11 is a table that holds the correspondence between the size of the LCD 109 and the number of characters (binary) that can be represented by the QR code. In the example of FIG. 11, as the size of the LCD 109 of the MFP 100, there are two types: "160×160" and "QVGA". Also, the number of printable characters corresponding to each type is determined. In the case of "160×160", it is 106, and in the case of "QVGA", it is 251.

[0070] A string that exceeds the number of printable characters cannot be converted into a QR code. Therefore, even if the QR code button 903 is pressed and the screen transitions to the screen for displaying the QR code in such a case, the QR code image 911 as shown in FIG. 9 will not be displayed.

[0071] <Display process of the notification screen> FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the display process of the notification screen according to this embodiment. In this display process, in order not to cause a problem that the QR code image is not displayed, a process of changing the GUI screen to be displayed based on the length of the URL string for QR code display is included.

[0072] In S710, the CPU 101 determines whether the notification information shows a normal image display pattern. If the result of this step is true, the process proceeds to S720. On the other hand, if the result of this step is false (the notification information does not show a normal image display pattern, i.e., it shows a QR code display pattern), the process proceeds to S1210.

[0073] In S1210, the CPU 101 determines whether a QR code can be created based on the URL string for displaying the QR code. If the result of this step is true, the process proceeds to S730; otherwise, the process proceeds to S720.

[0074] To explain the S1210 judgment process in detail, first, the CPU 101 obtains the URL string for displaying the QR code stored in S540 and, by referring to a table as shown in Figure 11, obtains the number of characters that can be displayed corresponding to the size of the LCD 109. Then, the CPU 101 determines whether the length of the URL string for displaying the QR code is less than or equal to the number of characters that can be displayed corresponding to the size of the LCD 109. If the length of the URL string for displaying the QR code is less than or equal to the number of characters that can be displayed corresponding to the size of the LCD 109, the QR code can be created. On the other hand, if the length exceeds the number of characters that can be displayed, the QR code cannot be created.

[0075] If the result of S1210 is false (i.e., QR code creation is not possible), then, as in the first embodiment, in S720, the CPU 101 displays a notification screen corresponding to the image display pattern. In this case, a notification screen without a QR code button, as shown in Figure 8, is displayed as a GUI screen for displaying the image acquired from the service management server 200.

[0076] If the result of the determination in S1210 is true (i.e., if a QR code can be created), then, as in the first embodiment, in S730, the CPU 101 displays a notification screen corresponding to the QR code display pattern. In this case, a notification screen having an image obtained from the server and a QR code button is displayed, as shown in Figure 9.

[0077] [Embodiment 4] In the third embodiment, the MFP 100 performs processing in consideration of the number of characters that can be represented according to the size of the LCD 109. However, the service management server 200 may determine the number of characters of the URL string according to the size of the LCD 109.

[0078] <Relationship between the size of the LCD and the number of characters that can be represented by the QR code> In this embodiment, in the service management server 200, the number of characters that can be represented according to the size of the LCD 109 and the URL string for QR code display corresponding thereto are managed in advance using a table as shown in FIG. 13.

[0079] In the example of FIG. 13, there are two types of sizes of the LCD 109 of the MFP 100, “160×160” and “QVGA”, and the number of characters that can be represented (binary) corresponding to each and the URL string for QR code display are held. When the size of the LCD 109 is “160×160”, the number of characters that can be represented is 106, and a URL string of 106 characters or less corresponding to that number of characters is used. When the size of the LCD 109 is “QVGA”, the number of characters that can be represented is 251, and a URL string of 251 characters or less corresponding to that number of characters is used.

[0080] <Processing performed between the MFP and the service management server> FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of the processing performed between the MFP 100 and the service management server 200.

[0081] In S1410, the MFP 100 transmits a request for inquiring notification information to the service management server 200. The request transmitted in this step includes data on the size of the LCD 109.

[0082] In S1420, the MFP100 selects a URL string for displaying a QR code that corresponds to the size of the LCD109 by referring to the table shown in Figure 12. For example, if the size of the LCD109 is "160 x 160", the number of characters that can be displayed is 106, so "https: / / shop.com / ink_sale.html / " is selected. The URL selected in this step is included in the response sent in the subsequent S520. Note that the URL strings stored in the table in Figure 13 are designed so that the length of the string does not exceed the upper limit of the number of characters that can be displayed even when individual parameters are added, by ensuring that the length of the string is sufficient for the individual parameters.

[0083] The processing after S1420 is the same as in the first embodiment (see Figure 5).

[0084] [Other embodiments] 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. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 100 MFP 101 CPU 800 notification screen 900 notification screen 903 QR code button 911 QR code image

Claims

[Claim 1] An information processing device that displays content based on notification information transmitted from an external device via a GUI screen, Based on the notification type information contained in the notification information, the system has a display control means that displays either a first GUI screen having elements for displaying a two-dimensional code image generated by the information processing device, based on the individual parameters of the information processing device, or a second GUI screen that does not have such elements. An information processing device characterized by the following:

Images