Information processing device, its control method, and program

Abstract

When integrating with an LMS, registration is required in both the LMS and the information processing device. However, when registering multiple information processing devices, performing the registration process for each device is extremely time-consuming and inconvenient. [Solution] An information processing device, in a state where it is not linked to a digital service, queries an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device to see if it is linked to the digital service, requests an information processing device that is linked to the digital service and responds to the query to perform a proxy processing to relay communication with the digital service, and controls the proxy processing to communicate with the digital service via the information processing device to which the proxy processing was requested.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] With the recent concept of gigaschool, the efficiency of school affairs using digital services has been recommended, and various services have emerged and are being introduced into the education field. Against this background, multiple services such as LMS, questionnaire processing systems, and electronic scoring applications (hereinafter referred to as scoring apps) are also used in the education field, and there are multiple examples of operating in cooperation with information processing apparatuses. Note that LMS is an abbreviation for Learning Management System.

[0003] In the education field, multiple information processing apparatuses may be incorporated together. In such a case, if setup processing for cooperation with digital services such as LMS is executed for each information processing apparatus, it will take a very long time and be troublesome. In order to solve such problems, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for reducing the burden on the user for registering an information processing apparatus with a service. According to this, by transmitting information for registering a digital service from an information processing apparatus in which cooperation with the service is set to an uncooperated information processing apparatus within the same network, the burden on the user for registering the device with the service is reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 involves completing registration by sending a registration request via the POST method in HTTP communication or a Web API. However, some LMSs require user interaction to approve registration. Therefore, the above-mentioned conventional technology makes it difficult to reduce the user burden when performing registration processing for LMSs that require user interaction for registration. Consequently, there is a need to reduce the user burden when registering multiple information processing devices to a service.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the prior art described above.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to provide a technology that can reduce the burden on users when integrating an information processing device with digital services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objective, an information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, An information processing device, In a state where it is not linked to a digital service, a query means for inquiring whether an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device is linked to the digital service, A request means for requesting an information processing device linked to the digital service, which has responded to the inquiry of the aforementioned inquiry means, to perform proxy processing to relay communication with the digital service, The system is characterized by having a control means that controls the proxy processing to communicate with the digital service via the information processing device of the proxy recipient to which the proxy processing was requested by the request means. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, there is an effect of reducing the user's burden and enabling the information processing device to be linked with digital services.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numeral. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] The attached drawings are included in the specification and constitute part thereof, illustrating embodiments of the present invention and are used together with the description to explain the principles of the present invention. [Figure 1] A block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the multifunction printer according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the system configuration including the multifunction printer according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of screen transitions displayed on the operation panel of a multifunction printer according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of screen transitions displayed on the operation panel when a scoring application is executed in a multifunction printer according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] A diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on an information device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the multifunction printer according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the process performed when the scan start button is pressed on the answer sheet scanning screen of the scoring application in the multifunction printer according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] A flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the destination multifunction printer according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of screen transitions displayed on the operation panel of a multifunction device linked with an LMS, according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 10] A flowchart illustrating the process executed when the proxy information distribution button on the screen for selecting the method of linking the scoring application with the LMS is pressed in a multifunction printer linked with the LMS according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0013] In this embodiment, a system using the multifunction device 100 will be described as an example.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the hardware configuration of the multifunction device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0015] The CPU 101 controls the operation of the multifunction device 100 by expanding and executing the control program stored in the ROM 102 in the DRAM 103. The ROM 102 is composed of a memory such as an eMMC, etc., and stores the control program of the CPU 101 and various data. The DRAM 103 provides an expansion area for programs executed by the CPU 101, program control variables, etc., and a work area for storing various data. The operation unit 104 provides an interface with the user that displays various information on the display unit and accepts the user's operations by touching the display unit or keys, etc. The scanner 105 reads a document and converts the image data of the document into electronic data. The image data of the document read by the scanner 105 can also be transmitted to an external device by an image transmission function. The printer 106 prints an image on a recording paper according to the print data. The printing method by this printer 106 may be any of an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, etc. The communication unit 107 is an interface unit that communicates with external devices via a network, and includes a network communication unit that is an interface to the network. It may also include a USB interface for inputting and outputting data to and from a USB memory. The image processing unit 108 includes an ASIC that performs image processing such as resolution conversion, compression or decompression, rotation, etc. on the input image data and the output image data. Each of the above-described units is connected to the CPU 101 via a bus 109.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a system configuration including the multifunction device 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0017] In this system, multiple multifunction printers A-C (201-203), including multifunction printer 100, a Learning Management System (LMS) 210, and information devices 220 are connected via a network 204. Each of the multifunction printers A-C has the same hardware configuration as multifunction printer 100, as described with reference to Figure 1. In this system, information devices 220, such as PCs and smartphones, can communicate with multifunction printers 100, A-C and LMS 210 via the network 204, and can also communicate between LMS 210 and multifunction printers 100, A-C. At the same time, multifunction printers 100, A-C can communicate with information devices 220 and LMS 210 via a communication unit 107, and can also communicate with each other. Through these communications, multifunction printers 100, A-C can send and receive content requested by LMS 210 and information devices 220, and can exchange information related to electronic grading among themselves.

[0018] Furthermore, LMS210 is comprised of a commonly known server and other components that provide digital services related to learning support. Since the information device 220 can have a configuration similar to a commonly known PC or smartphone, a detailed explanation of the hardware configuration of LMS210 and information device 220 is omitted here.

[0019] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the operation unit 104 of the multifunction printer 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0020] The home screen 300 in Figure 3(A) includes multiple icons indicating the functions that the multifunction printer 100 can perform. This home screen 300 is mainly displayed immediately after the multifunction printer 100 is started up, and the user can transition to the screen associated with an icon by tapping the icon displayed on this home screen 300. For example, the user can tap the education support icon 301 to display a screen for performing operations related to the education support application.

[0021] Figure 3(B) shows an example of the scoring app's top screen 310, which is displayed immediately after the educational support app is launched by tapping the educational support icon 301. When the scoring / aggregation button 311 is pressed on this scoring app top screen 310, the multifunction printer 100 scans the answer sheet for scoring using the scanner 105, generating scoring image data and creating scoring data. These screens will be explained later. When the LMS linkage button 312 is pressed, the system transitions to a screen for registering the LMS-linked multifunction printer as a proxy device that relays communication with the LMS 210, which is a feature of this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 3(C) shows an example of a screen 320 for selecting the LMS integration method in the scoring application, which is displayed when the LMS integration button 312 is pressed. The user can select the method of integration with the LMS through this screen 320. LMS proxy integration, a feature of this embodiment, can be performed by pressing the proxy machine use button 321.

[0023] Figure 3(D) shows an example of the LMS-linked proxy machine search screen 330 in the scoring application, which is displayed when the proxy machine use button 321 is pressed. This search screen 330 is a screen instructing the multifunction printer 100 to query other multifunction printers on the same network to which it belongs, to check whether they are LMS-linked, that is, whether they are already linked to the LMS, and to obtain a list of LMS-linked multifunction printers. When the user presses the search start button 331, the process of searching for LMS-linked multifunction printers begins.

[0024] The scoring application LMS integration proxy screen 340 in Figure 3(E) shows an example screen displaying information 341-343 on other multifunction devices belonging to the same network as multifunction device 100 that are already integrated with the LMS, as a result of the process of searching for LMS-integrated multifunction devices. This screen 340 allows the user to check which multifunction devices are integrated with the LMS. The user can also check more detailed integration information by pressing the item buttons 341-343 for the multifunction device for which they wish to request integration proxy services.

[0025] Figure 3(F) shows an example of the screen displayed when the user selects button 341 (multifunction printer A) on the LMS integration proxy device list screen 340. This LMS integration proxy device selection screen 350 is an example of a screen that displays detailed integration information for multifunction printer A, which the user has selected as the integration proxy device. The integration information display area 351 displays not only the name of the LMS to be integrated, but also various permissions related to that integration. If the user determines that there are no problems with the information displayed in the integration information display area 351, they press the apply button 352. This starts the integration proxy request processing for multifunction printer A.

[0026] The LMS integration proxy setup completion screen 360 in Figure 3(G) is displayed when an integration proxy request is made to the integration proxy device, in this case the multifunction printer A, and a setup completion notification is received from that integration proxy device (the proxy destination). When this screen 360 is displayed, the multifunction printer 100 can then integrate with the LMS 210 through its integration proxy device (multifunction printer A).

[0027] Figure 4 shows an example of screen transitions displayed on the operation unit 104 when the scoring application is executed in the multifunction printer 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0028] The answer sheet scanning screen 400 of the scoring application shown in Figure 4(A) is an example of a screen that appears when the scoring / tallying button 311 in Figure 3(B) is pressed. When this screen 400 is displayed, the user can place the answer sheet and the correct answer sheet in the scanner 105 of the multifunction printer 100 and press the scan start button 401 to scan the correct answer sheet and generate scoring data obtained from scanning the answer sheet.

[0029] The answer sheet scanning screen 410 of the scoring application in Figure 4(B) is the screen displayed when the answer sheet set in the scanner 105 is scanned and scoring data is generated.

[0030] The answer sheet scanning completion screen 420 of the scoring application shown in Figure 4(C) is displayed when the scanning of the answer sheet and the generation of scoring data are complete. After this screen 420 is displayed, it becomes possible to access the LMS 210 and the multifunction printers 100,A~C from the information device 220 to perform electronic scoring.

[0031] Figure 5 shows an example of a screen displayed on the information device 220 according to Embodiment 1.

[0032] Figure 5(A) shows an example of a screen displaying the test list screen 500 of the scoring application, which is accessed from the information device 220 via the LMS 210 or one of the multifunction printers 100, A to C to retrieve and display information. Image data of the answer sheets, scoring data, and HTML data for displaying and editing them, stored in the ROM 102 or DRAM of the multifunction printer, are retrieved via the communication unit and displayed on the information device 220. When retrieving and displaying this information via the LMS 210, a request for retrieval is sent to one of the multifunction printers 100, A to C using a standard called LTI (Learning Tools Interoperability). By pressing test item 501 or 502 displayed on this screen 500, the selected test can be graded and the scoring results can be checked.

[0033] Figure 5(B) shows an example of the top page 510 of the scoring app, which is used to grade the test items 502 selected on the test list screen 500 of the scoring app and to check the scoring results. When the scoring button 511 is pressed on this screen 510, scoring begins.

[0034] The scoring page screen 520 of the scoring app in Figure 5(C) shows an example of the screen that appears when the scoring button 511 is pressed on the scoring app's top page 510 in Figure 5(B). On this screen 520, users can perform scoring actions such as marking answers as correct, incorrect, partially correct, and adding or deleting comments. When the scoring completion button 521 is pressed, the scoring results are reflected, and after the results are reflected, the user is returned to the scoring app's top page 510 in Figure 5(A).

[0035] Figure 6(A) is a flowchart illustrating the process performed when the search start button 331 is pressed on the LMS linkage proxy device search screen 330 in the multifunction printer 100 according to Embodiment 1. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 of the multifunction printer 100 executing a program loaded into the DRAM 103.

[0036] First, in S601, when the CPU 101 receives a command from the user to search for an LMS-linked proxy machine, it performs a linkage query to other multifunction devices belonging to the same network and proceeds to S602. Note that the linkage query described here is assumed to be equivalent to a well-known general method such as searching for multifunction devices on the network and obtaining capability responses when installing a printer driver, and a detailed explanation is omitted. In Embodiment 1, device information of the multifunction device itself, such as the IP address, device name, installation location, and model name of the multifunction device, as well as information indicating whether it is linked with LMS210, is obtained. Furthermore, if it is linked with LMS210, information about the LMS, such as the name of the linked LMS and what functions are enabled, is obtained. In S602, the CPU 101 uses the information of the LMS-linked multifunction devices that responded to the query in S601 to create a list of LMS-linked proxy machines (for example, screen 340 in Figure 3(E)) and displays it on the operation unit 104, and then terminates this process.

[0037] This process allows the system to retrieve information on LMS-integrated multifunction devices that are on the same network as the multifunction device 100 that is not integrated with the LMS, and present this information to the user for selection.

[0038] Figure 6(B) is a flowchart illustrating the process performed when the Apply button 352 is pressed on the LMS linkage agent selection screen 350 (Figure 3(F)) in the multifunction printer 100 according to Embodiment 1. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 of the multifunction printer 100 executing a program loaded into the DRAM 103.

[0039] In S610, CPU 101 generates a proxy request for an LMS-integrated proxy machine selected by the user from the list of LMS-integrated proxy machines, and proceeds to S611. This proxy request includes device information such as the IP address, device name, installation location, and model name of the requesting multifunction printer 100. In S611, CPU 101 sends the generated proxy request to the multifunction printer selected as the proxy destination (in this case, for example, multifunction printer A), and proceeds to S612. The multifunction printer that receives the proxy registration request retrieves the device information such as the IP address, device name, installation location, and model name of the requesting multifunction printer 100, which is the source of the request, and saves it in ROM.

[0040] In S612, CPU101 determines whether it has received the registration result from the multifunction printer (multifunction printer A) selected as the proxy destination. If it has received the registration result, it proceeds to S613. If it has not received the registration result, it remains at S612 because it needs to wait for the process to complete.

[0041] In S613, CPU101 saves the device information of the multifunction printer (multifunction printer A) that sent the proxy registration result to ROM102 and terminates this process. By saving the device information of the multifunction printer (multifunction printer A) that sent the proxy registration result, an update notification can be sent to the destination multifunction printer (multifunction printer A) when the scoring data is updated.

[0042] This process allows a proxy registration request to be sent to the multifunction printer that will act as the LMS-integrated proxy device, registering it as a proxy device, and retaining information about that proxy device.

[0043] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process performed when the scan start button 401 is pressed on the answer sheet scanning screen 400 of the scoring application in the multifunction printer 100 according to Embodiment 1. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 of the multifunction printer 100 executing a program loaded into the DRAM 103.

[0044] In S701, the CPU 101 receives an instruction to perform an electronic scoring scan when the user presses the scan start button 401 in Figure 4(A). The CPU 101 then performs the scanning process of the correct answer sheet and the answer sheet, creates electronic scoring data, and proceeds to S702. At this time, the answer sheet set in the scanner 105 is scanned, scoring data is generated to obtain scoring results, etc., and saved in the ROM 102.

[0045] In S702, the CPU 101 checks the ROM 102 of the multifunction printer 100 to see if the device information of the multifunction printer that sent the proxy registration result, i.e., the proxy destination registration data, exists. If the proxy destination registration data exists, it is determined that the linked proxy destination is registered and the process proceeds to S703. On the other hand, if the proxy destination registration data does not exist, the process proceeds to S705 because the linked proxy destination is not registered.

[0046] In S703, the CPU 101 sends an update notification for the electronic scoring data to the linked multifunction printer read from ROM 102 and proceeds to S704. At this time, as an update notification, it sends the scoring data and thumbnail image to the linked multifunction printer read from ROM 102. In S704, the CPU 101 determines whether it has received the update result from the multifunction printer to which the update notification was sent in S703. If the update result has been received, the process proceeds to S705. However, if the update result has not been received, the process remains at S704 because it is necessary to wait for the linked multifunction printer to complete its processing. In S705, the CPU 101 displays "processing complete" on the operation panel 104 of the multifunction printer 100 and terminates this process.

[0047] This process allows multifunction printers that are not linked to the LMS to scan answer sheets, obtain grading data, and then have the LMS grade the answers via a third-party multifunction printer, thereby obtaining the grading results.

[0048] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by a substitute multifunction device, for example, multifunction device A, according to Embodiment 1. The processing shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 101 of multifunction device A executing a program loaded into the DRAM 103. The same procedure can be followed when the substitute devices are multifunction devices B and C, so their explanations are omitted.

[0049] Figure 8(A) shows the top page content generation process flow performed by the multifunction device A according to Embodiment 1 when accessing the electronic scoring application. Through the process shown in this flowchart, the multifunction device A can directly provide the content of the electronic scoring application to the information device 220 via the LMS 210. This process is, for example, the process flow that is executed when generating the test list page 500 of the scoring application shown in Figure 5(A).

[0050] In S801, when the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A receives a request to retrieve content from the scoring application's top page, it proceeds to process S802. In S802, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A retrieves electronic scoring data from ROM 102 and proceeds to process S803. At this time, the electronic scoring data sent by the requesting party for the linkage service, for example, multifunction printer 100, is also included in the above data.

[0051] In S803, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A generates an electronic scoring data list page from the electronic scoring data acquired in S802 and proceeds to S804. In S804, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A sends the electronic scoring data list display page generated in S803 to the LMS 210 via the communication unit 107 and terminates this process.

[0052] Figure 8(B) is a flowchart illustrating the scoring page content generation process performed when the multifunction printer A according to Embodiment 1 accesses the scoring page of the electronic scoring application. This process enables the multifunction printer A to directly provide content related to the scoring process of the electronic scoring application to the information device 220 via the LMS 210. This shows the process performed when generating the scoring application top page 510 shown in Figure 5(B).

[0053] In S810, when the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A receives a request to retrieve content for the scoring application's top page, it proceeds to S811. In S811, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A determines whether the selected scoring data exists in ROM 102 or is held in another multifunction printer (in this case, multifunction printer 100) that is acting as the proxy. Here, if the data does not exist in ROM 102, it determines that it is data from another multifunction printer that is acting as the proxy and proceeds to S812. If it is not the scoring data to be handled by the proxy, it reads and retrieves the scoring data from ROM 102 and proceeds to S814. In S814, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A generates a scoring page based on the retrieved scoring data and proceeds to S815.

[0054] In S812, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A sends a request to another multifunction printer acting as the proxy to acquire the selected scoring data, and proceeds to S813. At this time, the acquisition request sent will include information such as generation date and time information and a unique identification number that can uniquely identify the scoring data. In S813, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A determines whether it has received the scoring data requested in S812 from the other multifunction printer acting as the proxy. If it has been received, it proceeds to S815; if not, it remains in S813, waiting for the reception to be completed. In S815, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A creates the scoring page. Then, in S816, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A sends the scoring page to the LMS 210 via the communication unit 107 and terminates this process.

[0055] This process allows the off-site multifunction printer to send the scoring page, including the scoring data stored on the original multifunction printer, to the LMS210, enabling it to perform the scoring and aggregation processes.

[0056] Figure 8(C) is a flowchart illustrating the process of saving the scoring results when the scoring completion button 521 on the scoring application scoring page 520 is pressed in the multifunction printer A according to Embodiment 1. This process makes it possible to reflect the scoring results, including the scoring data stored in the ROM 102 of the multifunction printer 100 of the client that requested the service.

[0057] In S820, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A receives the scoring result and proceeds to S821. In S821, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A determines whether the scoring data to be saved is data that exists in ROM 102 or data that is held in another multifunction printer that is acting as a proxy (in this case, multifunction printer 100). If the data does not exist in ROM 102, it is determined to be data from the other multifunction printer that is acting as a proxy and proceeds to S822. If it is not data from the other multifunction printer that is acting as a proxy, the process proceeds to S824, where the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A reads the scoring data from ROM 102 and proceeds to S825.

[0058] In S822, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A sends a request to the other multifunction printers that are acting as intermediaries to update the scoring data, and proceeds to S823. At this time, it sends information other than the test data image of the scoring data. In S823, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A determines whether it has received the score data update result requested in S822 from the other multifunction printers that are acting as intermediaries. If it has received it, it proceeds to S825; if it has not received it, it remains in S823 as it needs to wait for the reception to be completed. In S825, the CPU 101 of multifunction printer A sends the score page reflecting the update result to the LMS 210 and terminates this process.

[0059] As explained above, according to Embodiment 1, even a multifunction printer 100 that is not linked to the LMS210 can be linked to the LMS210 via a multifunction printer that is linked to the LMS210. It should be noted that, in Embodiment 1, waiting for the registration result in S612 after sending the proxy registration request in S611, and the proxy destination recording process in S613 are not necessarily required. The registration request may be sent only, and the registration result may be checked at a later time, or the registration result may not be checked at all. Similarly, the proxy destination recording process in S613 may be performed at any time.

[0060] [Embodiment 2] In Embodiment 1 described above, the multifunction printer 100, which was not linked to the LMS210, actively searched for a linked multifunction printer within the same network and sent a request for linking proxy to that linked multifunction printer. However, conversely, the multifunction printer 100, which is linked to the LMS210, may also configure the unlinked multifunction printer to act as a linking proxy destination by distributing proxy information to the unlinked multifunction printer. Therefore, Embodiment 2 describes a configuration in which the multifunction printer 100, which is linked to the LMS210, distributes linking information to the unlinked multifunction printer to achieve proxy linking. Note that the system configuration and hardware configuration of the multifunction printer in Embodiment 2 are the same as in Embodiment 1 described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0061] Figure 9 shows an example of screen transitions displayed on the operation panel 104 of a multifunction printer 100 that is linked with the LMS210, according to Embodiment 2.

[0062] Figure 9(A) shows the selection screen 900 for the scoring application's LMS integration method. This screen is displayed when the LMS integration button 312 of the scoring application shown in Figure 3(B) is pressed on a multifunction printer 100 that is already integrated with the LMS 210 according to Embodiment 2. It differs from the selection screen 320 for the scoring application and LMS integration method shown in Figure 3(C) described in Embodiment 1 in that it includes a proxy information distribution button 901. By pressing the proxy information distribution button 901, proxy information can be distributed to multifunction printers that are not yet integrated with the LMS 210.

[0063] The LMS integration proxy information distribution screen 910 of the scoring app in Figure 9(B) is an example of a screen that is accessed when the proxy information distribution button 901 is pressed on the scoring app and LMS integration method selection screen 900. On this screen 910, a list of multifunction devices 911 to 913 that have been found on the same network to which the multifunction device 100 belongs and are not yet integrated with the LMS 210 is displayed. The user can then select the multifunction devices to be distributed from this list. Figure 9(B) shows the state where multifunction devices B and C have been selected. By pressing one of the buttons 911 to 913 for each multifunction device to select the multifunction devices to be distributed to individually, or by pressing the select all button 915, all multifunction devices in the list of found multifunction devices can be selected as distribution targets. Finally, by pressing the confirm button 916, the integration proxy information can be distributed to the multifunction devices selected on this screen that are not yet integrated with the LMS 210.

[0064] The LMS integration proxy information distribution screen 920 in Figure 9(C) is the screen that is accessed when the confirmation button 915 on the LMS integration proxy information distribution screen 910 is pressed. This screen 920 is displayed until the distribution of the integration proxy information is complete.

[0065] The LMS integration proxy information distribution completion screen 930 in Figure 9(D) is displayed when the distribution of the integration proxy information is complete. By displaying this screen 930 on the operation panel of the multifunction printer 100, the user can be notified that the distribution is complete.

[0066] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the multifunction printer 100, which is linked with the LMS210, according to Embodiment 2. The processing shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 101 executing a program loaded into the DRAM 103.

[0067] Figure 10(A) is a flowchart illustrating the process executed when the proxy information distribution button 901 on the scoring application and LMS linkage method selection screen 900 is pressed in a multifunction printer 100 that is linked with LMS210 according to Embodiment 2. This process makes it possible to display a list of multifunction printers that are not linked with LMS210 and are on the same network as the multifunction printer 100. Here, it is assumed that the multifunction printer 100 is linked with MS210.

[0068] In S1001, when CPU101 receives a user instruction to search for a multifunction printer that is not yet connected to LMS210, it performs a connection query to other multifunction printers belonging to the same network and proceeds to S1002. Note that the connection query described here is assumed to be equivalent to a well-known general method such as searching for multifunction printers on the network and obtaining capability responses when installing a printer driver, and a detailed explanation is omitted. In the case of Embodiment 2, device information of the multifunction printer itself, such as the IP address, device name, installation location, and model name, is obtained.

[0069] In S1002, the CPU 101 extracts the multifunction devices that are not linked to the LMS 210 based on the response to the linkage query made in S1001, generates a list display screen data, displays it on the operation unit 104 of the multifunction device 100, and then terminates this process. The list display screen of the unlinked multifunction devices will look like Figure 9(B) above, for example.

[0070] Figure 10(B) is a flowchart illustrating the process performed when an unlinked multifunction device is selected on the LMS linkage proxy information distribution screen 910 in Figure 9(B) and the confirmation button 916 is pressed, in a multifunction device 100 that is linked with the LMS 210 according to Embodiment 2. This process makes it possible to distribute proxy linkage information to multifunction devices that are not linked with the LMS 210 and are on the same network as the multifunction device 100.

[0071] In S1010, the CPU 101 generates a proxy registration request for the multifunction printer not yet connected to the LMS 210, as instructed by the user, and proceeds to S1011. In S1011, the CPU 101 sends the proxy registration request generated in S1010 to the LMS 210 and the unconnected multifunction printer, and proceeds to S1012. In S1012, the LMS connection proxy information distribution screen 920 is displayed on the operation panel 104 of the multifunction printer 100. The proxy registration request sends a registration request that includes device information such as the IP address, device name, installation location, and model name of the multifunction printer 100, as well as information about the LMS, such as the name of the connected LMS 210 and its enabled functions. The LMS 210 and the unconnected multifunction printer that received the proxy registration request save the device information such as the IP address, device name, installation location, and model name of the requesting multifunction printer 100 to its ROM.

[0072] In S1012, the CPU 101 determines whether it has received a proxy registration, which is the result of proxy registration from a multifunction device that is not linked to the LMS 210. If a proxy registration result is received, the process proceeds to S1013. If no proxy registration result is received, the process remains at S1012, as it is necessary to wait for the process to complete. Then, in S1013, the CPU 101 saves the device information of the multifunction device that sent the proxy request, i.e., the multifunction device that performed the proxy registration, to the ROM 102 and terminates this process. At the end of this process, the LMS linkage proxy information distribution completion screen 930 is displayed on the operation panel 104 of the multifunction device 100.

[0073] As described above, according to Embodiment 2, a multifunction printer 100 that is already linked to the LMS can distribute a linkage proxy setting to a multifunction printer that is not yet linked to the LMS, and the multifunction printer 100 can be registered as a proxy for the unlinked multifunction printer. As a result, the multifunction printer that is not yet linked to the LMS can link with the LMS via the LMS-linked multifunction printer 100.

[0074] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized 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 realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0075] This specification and drawings disclose the following information processing device, its control method, and program.

[0076] <Item 1> An information processing device, In a state where it is not linked to a digital service, a query means for inquiring whether an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device is linked to the digital service, A request means for requesting an information processing device linked to the digital service, which has responded to the inquiry of the aforementioned inquiry means, to perform proxy processing to relay communication with the digital service, Control means for controlling the proxy processing to communicate with the digital service via the information processing device of the proxy recipient to which the proxy processing was requested by the request means, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

[0077] <Item 2> The control means is When information accessed from the digital service is generated while the digital service is not linked to the digital service, a determination means determines whether the proxy information processing device is registered. A transmission means that transmits an update notification of the information to the information processing device of the proxy that has determined that the determination means is registered, The information processing device according to item 1, characterized by having the following features.

[0078] <Item 3> If there are multiple information processing devices linked to the digital service that have responded to the inquiry by the aforementioned inquiry means, the system further includes a selection means that displays a list of information from the multiple information processing devices and selects an information processing device from the list to request the proxy processing from. The information processing apparatus according to item 1 or 2, characterized in that the request means requests the information processing apparatus selected by the selection means to perform the proxy processing.

[0079] <Item 4> The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the request for the proxy processing includes at least device information including the IP address and device name of the information processing device requesting the proxy processing.

[0080] <Item 5> An information processing device, In a state of being linked with a digital service, the information processing device has a query means for querying whether an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device is linked with the digital service, A request means for an information processing device that has responded to the inquiry by the aforementioned inquiry means and is not linked to the digital service to register the information processing device that made the inquiry as a proxy device that relays communication with the digital service, When a content request is received from the aforementioned digital service, a control means controls communication with the aforementioned digital service based on whether the content is intended for the aforementioned unconnected information processing device requested by the request means, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

[0081] <Item 6> The control means is A determination means for determining whether the content is intended for the uncooperative information processing device requested by the request means, If the determination means determines that the content is intended for the unconnected information processing device, it obtains the target data from the unconnected information processing device. If the determination means determines that the content is not intended for the unconnected information processing device, it reads the target data from the information processing device, generates content using the target data, and transmits it to the digital service. The information processing device according to item 5, characterized by having the following features.

[0082] <Item 7> If there are multiple information processing devices that have responded to the inquiry by the inquiry means and are not linked to the digital service, the system further includes a selection means that displays a list of information on the multiple unlinked information processing devices and selects an information processing device from the list that requests the information processing device that made the inquiry to be registered as the proxy device. The information processing device according to item 6, characterized in that the request means requests the information processing device selected by the selection means to register the information processing device that made the inquiry as the substitute device.

[0083] <Item 8> An information processing device, When linked with a digital service, if a content update request is received from the said digital service, a determination means determines whether the content is intended for the information processing device of the requesting party that requested the relaying of communication with the said digital service, If the determination means determines that the content is intended for the requesting information processing device, it sends an update request for the target data to the requesting information processing device; if the determination means determines that the content is not intended for the requesting information processing device, it provides an update means to update the target data of the information processing device. A transmission means for transmitting the content of the target data updated by the update means to the digital service, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

[0084] <Item 9> The information processing device according to any one of items 1 to 8, characterized in that the digital service includes a learning support system (LMS).

[0085] <Item 10> A control method for controlling an information processing device, The inquiry means includes an inquiry step of querying whether an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device is linked to the digital service, when the inquiry means is not linked to the digital service, The request means includes a request step in which the request is made to an information processing device that is linked to the digital service and has responded to the inquiry in the inquiry step, to perform a proxy processing that relays communication with the digital service, A control step that controls the control means to communicate with the digital service via the information processing device of the proxy recipient to which the proxy processing was requested by the request step, A control method characterized by having the following features.

[0086] <Item 11> A control method for controlling an information processing device, In a state where the inquiry means is linked to a digital service, the inquiry process involves querying an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device whether it is linked to the digital service, A request means requests the information processing device that has not been linked to the digital service, which responded to the inquiry in the inquiry step, to register the information processing device that made the inquiry as a proxy device that relays communication with the digital service, A control means, upon receiving a content request from the digital service, controls communication with the digital service based on whether the content is intended for the unlinked information processing device requested by the request process; A control method characterized by having the following features.

[0087] <Item 12> A control method for controlling an information processing device, When the determination means is in a state of cooperation with a digital service, and receives a content update request from the digital service, it performs a determination step of determining whether the content is intended for the information processing device of the requesting party that requested the relay processing of communication with the digital service, If the determination step determines that the content is intended for the requesting information processing device, the update means sends an update request for the target data to the requesting information processing device; if the determination step determines that the content is not intended for the requesting information processing device, the update means updates the target data of the information processing device. The transmission means includes a transmission step in which it transmits the content of the target data updated by the update step to the digital service, A control method characterized by having the following features.

[0088] <Item 13> A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the control method described in any one of items 10 to 12.

[0089] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are attached to make the scope of the invention public. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 100...Multifunction device, 101...CPU, 102...ROM, 103...DRAM, 104...Operation unit, 210...LMS, 220...Information equipment

Claims

1. An information processing device, In a state where it is not linked to a digital service, a query means for inquiring whether an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device is linked to the digital service, A request means for requesting an information processing device linked to the digital service, which has responded to the inquiry of the aforementioned inquiry means, to perform proxy processing to relay communication with the digital service, Control means for controlling the proxy processing to communicate with the digital service via the information processing device of the proxy recipient to which the proxy processing was requested by the request means, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

2. The control means is When information accessed from the digital service is generated while the digital service is not linked to the digital service, a determination means for determining whether the proxy information processing device is registered, A transmission means that transmits an update notification of the information to the information processing device of the proxy that has determined that the determination means is registered, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by having the following features.

3. If there are multiple information processing devices linked to the digital service that have responded to the inquiry by the inquiry means, the system further includes a selection means that displays a list of information from the multiple information processing devices and selects an information processing device from the list to request the proxy processing from. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the request means requests the information processing apparatus selected by the selection means to perform the proxy processing.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the request for the proxy processing includes at least device information including the IP address and device name of the information processing apparatus requesting the proxy processing.

5. An information processing device, In a state of being linked with a digital service, the information processing device has a query means for querying whether an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device is linked with the digital service, A request means for an information processing device that has responded to an inquiry by the aforementioned inquiry means and is not linked to the digital service to register the information processing device that made the inquiry as a proxy device that relays communication with the digital service, When a content request is received from the aforementioned digital service, a control means controls communication with the aforementioned digital service based on whether the content is intended for the aforementioned unconnected information processing device requested by the request means, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

6. The control means is A determination means for determining whether the content is intended for the uncooperative information processing device requested by the request means, If the determination means determines that the content is intended for the unconnected information processing device, it obtains the target data from the unconnected information processing device. If the determination means determines that the content is not intended for the unconnected information processing device, it reads the target data from the information processing device, generates content using the target data, and transmits it to the digital service. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized by having the following features.

7. If there are multiple information processing devices that have responded to the inquiry by the inquiry means and are not linked to the digital service, the system further includes a selection means that displays a list of information on the multiple unlinked information processing devices and selects an information processing device from the list that requests the information processing device that made the inquiry to be registered as the proxy device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the request means requests the information processing apparatus selected by the selection means to register the information processing apparatus that made the inquiry as the substitute machine.

8. An information processing device, When linked with a digital service, if a content update request is received from the said digital service, a determination means for determining whether the content is intended for the information processing device of the requesting party that requested the proxy processing to relay communication with the said digital service, If the determination means determines that the content is intended for the requesting information processing device, it sends an update request for the target data to the requesting information processing device; if the determination means determines that the content is not intended for the requesting information processing device, it provides an update means to update the target data of the information processing device. A transmission means for transmitting the content of the target data updated by the update means to the digital service, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

9. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1, 5, or 8, characterized in that the digital service includes a learning support system (LMS).

10. A control method for controlling an information processing device, The inquiry means includes an inquiry step of inquiring whether an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device is linked to the digital service, when the inquiry means is not linked to the digital service, The request means includes a request step in which the request is made to an information processing device that is linked to the digital service and has responded to the inquiry in the inquiry step, to perform a proxy processing that relays communication with the digital service, A control step that controls the control means to communicate with the digital service via the information processing device of the proxy recipient to which the proxy processing was requested by the request step, A control method characterized by having the following features.

11. A control method for controlling an information processing device, In a state where the inquiry means is linked to a digital service, the inquiry process involves querying an information processing device belonging to the network of the information processing device whether it is linked to the digital service, A request means requests the information processing device that has not been linked to the digital service, which responded to the inquiry in the inquiry step, to register the information processing device that made the inquiry as a proxy device that relays communication with the digital service, A control means, upon receiving a content request from the digital service, controls communication with the digital service based on whether the content is intended for the unlinked information processing device requested by the request process; A control method characterized by having the following features.

12. A control method for controlling an information processing device, When the determination means is in a state of cooperation with a digital service, and receives a content update request from the digital service, it performs a determination step of determining whether the content is intended for the information processing device of the requesting party that requested the relay processing of communication with the digital service, If the determination step determines that the content is intended for the requesting information processing device, the update means sends an update request for the target data to the requesting information processing device; if the determination step determines that the content is not intended for the requesting information processing device, the update means updates the target data of the information processing device. The transmission means includes a transmission step in which it transmits the content of the target data updated by the update step to the digital service, A control method characterized by having the following features.

13. A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the control method described in any one of claims 10 to 12.

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