System and method

Abstract

The goal is to improve the means by which network devices can utilize cloud services. [Solution] A system comprising a plurality of network devices and a cloud system that provides contracted services which are cloud services contracted for each of the plurality of network devices, characterized in that it comprises determination means for determining the availability status of the contracted service by comparing the operating environment of the contracted service on the cloud system side with the configuration information of the requesting network device, based on requests from each of the plurality of network devices, and display means for displaying the result of the determination on the requesting network device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and a method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a usage form of connecting an image forming apparatus to an external cloud system to use various cloud services (hereinafter, also simply referred to as services) has been increasing. For example, by using a monitoring service of an image forming apparatus, an automatic delivery service for consumables that have decreased can be used. Alternatively, by using a backup service, setting information and application information of the image forming apparatus can be periodically backed up, or restored when the image forming apparatus fails. In order to meet such needs, a cloud system in which various cloud services are aggregated is provided.

[0003] Generally, in order to use a cloud service, it is necessary to conclude a usage contract and introduce an application corresponding to the cloud service into the image forming apparatus. Therefore, when an application is not introduced into the image forming apparatus or the introduced version is old, the cloud service may not be available. Thus, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining whether an application introduced into an image forming apparatus supports a cloud service, and updating the application if it does not support.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The operating environment required for an image forming apparatus to use cloud services is defined for each cloud service, and these conditions are likely to be updated as the cloud service is upgraded. Therefore, while cloud services may become available simply by installing an application, it may also be necessary to update the firmware to a specific version or change the settings of specific items. When these configuration changes are required, it may be necessary to dispatch a service technician, and manually performing all the necessary configuration changes places a significant burden on the operator. However, Patent Document 1 only addresses the application among the operating environment requirements for using cloud services, and therefore has the problem of not considering the above-mentioned issues. In other words, there has been room for improvement in the means of enabling cloud services on network devices such as image forming apparatuses.

[0006] This invention was made to solve the above problems, and its objective is to improve the means for enabling cloud services on network devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of network devices and a cloud system that provides contracted services, which are cloud services contracted to each of the plurality of network devices, and is characterized by having determination means for determining the availability status of the contracted service by comparing the operating environment of the contracted service on the cloud system side with the configuration information of the requesting network device, based on a request from each of the plurality of network devices, and display means for displaying the result of the determination on the requesting network device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, the means for enabling cloud services on network devices can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the system configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of cloud system 102. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the software configuration of cloud system 102. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a table stored in database 533. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the configuration of connection support application 407. [Figure 8] This figure shows a flowchart of the process according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on the control unit 201 by the connection support application 407. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a screen displayed on the control unit 201 by the connection support application 407. [Figure 11] This figure shows a flowchart of the process according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of an instruction sheet. [Figure 13] This figure shows a flowchart of the process according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure shows a flowchart of the process according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations for realizing the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Some of the configurations described in the embodiments may be omitted or replaced with equivalents to the extent that similar effects can be obtained.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. System 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a network 100, an image forming apparatus 101, and a cloud system 102. The image forming apparatus 101 is connected to the cloud system 102 via the network 100. In Figure 1, only two image forming apparatuses 101 are shown, but more than two may be connected. The network 100 is implemented by wired or wireless lines for interconnecting each device and is a network using known technologies such as the Internet. The image forming apparatus 101 is an example of a network device that utilizes cloud services provided by the cloud system 102.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 101 is, for example, a multifunction device that integrates multiple functions such as a printing device, copier, scanner, printer, and facsimile. The image forming apparatus 101 has the function of sending and receiving data via the network 100. For example, when the image forming apparatus 101 sends a registration request to the cloud system 102, the device information of the image forming apparatus 101 is registered in the tenant for device management managed by the cloud system 102. Subsequently, various cloud services are provided to the image forming apparatus 101 from the cloud system 102.

[0013] The cloud system 102 provides a device management service that manages the device information of the image forming apparatus 101 by tenant. A tenant is a logically separated data management area for managing device information in contract units such as customers. Further, the cloud system 102 provides various cloud services prepared for the image forming apparatus 101. Each cloud service is provided to the image forming apparatus 101 corresponding to the device information managed by the target tenant by granting a license to the tenant.

[0014] The cloud service is provided by a service server that uses an information processing apparatus arranged in a data center (not shown) that constructs the cloud system 102 as a resource. Further, as an example of the cloud service, there is a service for remotely changing the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101 via the network 100. Further, as an example of the cloud service, there is a service for managing and distributing software such as firmware and applications required for the operation of the image forming apparatus 101. Note that the present invention can also be realized in a form in which the cloud system 102 is separated for each cloud service.

[0015] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 includes an operation unit 201, a scanner 214, and a printer 215. The image forming apparatus 101 also includes, as a processing unit related to the operation unit 201, a CPU 202, a RAM 203, an operation unit I / F 204, a network I / F 205, a ROM 206, an HDD 207, an image bus I / F 208, and a system bus 209. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory. I / F is an abbreviation for interface. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. The image forming apparatus 101 also includes, as a processing unit related to printing and scanning by the printer 215 and the scanner 214, an image bus 210, a device I / F 211, a scanner image processing unit 212, and a printer image processing unit 213.

[0016] The CPU 202 is a controller for controlling the entire image forming apparatus 101. The CPU 202 executes the boot program in the ROM 206 to expand the OS and control programs stored in the HDD 207 into the RAM 203, and comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 200 based on those programs. OS is an abbreviation for Operating System. The control by this CPU 202 also includes the execution of programs for realizing the flowchart described later.

[0017] The RAM 203 is a memory for temporarily storing processing necessary for the operation of image data and software. The operation unit I / F 204 is an interface with the operation unit 201, and outputs the image data displayed on the operation unit 201 to the operation unit 201. The operation unit I / F 204 also transmits information input by the user through the operation unit 201 to the CPU 202.

[0018] Network I / F 205 is connected to network 100 and is an interface for exchanging information with external devices via network 100. Here, the external device is, for example, cloud system 102.

[0019] ROM206 is a boot ROM that stores the boot program and various data for the image forming apparatus 101. HDD207 stores system software, image data, and configuration information. Image bus I / F208 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 209 and the image bus 210 and performs data conversion. System bus 209 is a common data exchange path between the various hardware components that make up the image forming apparatus 101.

[0020] The image bus 210 consists of a PCI bus or IEEE 1394 and is a high-speed transfer path for image data. PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect. Device I / F 211 connects the image input / output devices, scanner 214 and printer 215, to each hardware component and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

[0021] The scanner image processing unit 212 performs correction, processing, and editing on the input image. The image forming apparatus 101 may be equipped with a scanner 214 and a scanner image processing unit 212 as needed. The printer image processing unit 213 performs corrections and resolution conversions on the print output image data according to the printer's performance.

[0022] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the cloud system 102. The cloud system 102 includes a CPU 301, ROM 302, RAM 303, HDD 304, network I / F 305, and system bus 306. Although the cloud system 102 can interact with the image forming apparatus 101 and other servers even without a UI, and therefore the UI is not shown in Figure 3, it may have hardware such as a keyboard, pointing device, and display. UI is an abbreviation for User Interface.

[0023] The CPU 301 reads the control program stored in the ROM 302 and executes various control processes. The RAM 303 is the main memory of the CPU 301 and is used as a temporary storage area such as the work area. The HDD 304 stores various data and programs. The network I / F 305 connects the cloud system 102 to the network 100. The network I / F 305 sends and receives various information with other devices via the network 100. The system bus 306 is a common data exchange path between the hardware components that make up the cloud system 102.

[0024] Figure 4 shows an example of the software configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 includes an OS 401, a native program 402, and an application execution platform 403. The image forming apparatus 101 also includes a firmware management service 404, a configuration management service 405, an application management service 406, an application 407, and an application 408. Each of the configurations shown in Figure 4 is implemented, for example, by a software program.

[0025] On OS401, the native program 402 for the control programs originally built into printers, fax machines, scanners, etc., and the application execution platform 403 for running application 408 run. On native program 402, the firmware management service 404 and the configuration management service 405 run. On the application execution platform 403, the application management service 406, the connection support application 407, and application 408 run.

[0026] The firmware management service 404 is a management service that provides various functions for updating and managing the firmware. In this embodiment, when the connection support application 407 executes an instruction that includes the firmware update process, it requests the firmware management service 404 to perform the firmware update.

[0027] The configuration management service 405 is a management service for setting and managing various configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101. In this embodiment, when the connection support application 407 executes an instruction that includes a step for changing configuration information, it requests the configuration management service 405 to change the configuration information.

[0028] The application management service 406 is a utility library that is useful in common to all applications 408, and provides various functions such as installing and uninstalling applications 408. In this embodiment, when the connection support application 407 executes instructions that include the application installation process, it requests the application management service 606 to install the application.

[0029] The connection support application 407 is an application that provides functions to support connecting the image forming apparatus 101 to the cloud system 102 and using the cloud service 511 (see Figure 5) of the cloud system 102. The connection support application 407 is also an application with a user interface that displays information such as the connection status with the cloud system 102 and the usage status of the cloud service 511 on the operation unit 201.

[0030] Application 408 is software that runs on the application execution platform 403 and provides various functions according to its use and purpose. In this embodiment, application 408 includes multiple applications, namely App A, App B, and App C. Each of the multiple applications included in application 408 corresponds to one of the multiple cloud services 511 and is an application that is required to be installed in order to use each cloud service 511.

[0031] Here, among the multiple applications 408, application 408 with a UI can display an icon on the main menu screen shown on the operation unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 101. When the operation unit I / F 204 detects that the user has selected this icon via the operation unit 201, the operation unit I / F 204 transmits this information to the CPU 202. Upon receiving the information that the user has selected an icon, the CPU 202 displays the UI of the application corresponding to the icon selected by the user on the operation unit 201. In this embodiment, this application is, for example, the connection support application 407.

[0032] Note that the software configuration shown in Figure 4 describes the configuration necessary for explaining this embodiment, and the image forming apparatus 101 may include other management services and applications.

[0033] Figure 5 shows an example of the software configuration of the cloud system 102. The cloud system 102 comprises a cloud service provision unit 510, a remote control unit 520, and a data management unit 530. Each of the configurations shown in Figure 5 is implemented, for example, by a software program.

[0034] The cloud service provider unit 510 comprises multiple cloud services 511. The cloud service provider unit 510 provides each cloud service 511 to the image forming apparatus 101. Examples of cloud services 511 include an automated consumables shipping service and a backup service, and each cloud service 511 is equipped with an API necessary for its use. API stands for Application Programming Interface.

[0035] Furthermore, the cloud service 511 becomes available to the image forming apparatus 101 belonging to a tenant when a service-specific license is granted to that tenant. The granting of licenses is achieved, for example, through the UI of the cloud system 102 in response to the conclusion of a contract for the cloud service 511, and the control unit 531 updates the usage license management table 600 (see Figure 6(A)) accordingly. In this embodiment, the cloud service 511 includes multiple cloud services, namely service D, service E, and service F. Although Figure 5 shows an example where the cloud service 511 consists of three cloud services, the cloud service 511 can include any number of cloud services.

[0036] The remote control unit 520 includes an instruction sheet creation unit 521 and a communication unit 522. The remote control unit 520 provides a function for changing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 from the cloud system 102.

[0037] The instruction creation unit 521 creates instructions for the instruction execution unit 702 (see Figure 7) to execute. Instructions are created according to the content of the configuration change, such as firmware updates or application installations.

[0038] The communication unit 522 communicates with external devices and modules, receiving various requests and sending responses. In this embodiment, it receives a request to create an instruction sheet from the image forming apparatus 101 and sends an instruction sheet to the image forming apparatus 101.

[0039] The data management unit 530 comprises a control unit 531, a communication unit 532, a database 533, and a software pool 534. The data management unit 530 has the function of managing and distributing various databases, applications, and other software.

[0040] The control unit 531 performs various operations on the database 533 and software pool 534 in response to requests received by the communication unit 532. Examples include data acquisition, comparison, and updating, as well as software acquisition and registration.

[0041] The communication unit 532 communicates with external devices and modules, receiving various requests and sending responses. In this embodiment, the data management unit 530 performs processes such as updating the database with data received from the image forming apparatus 101 by the communication unit 532, and distributing software to the image forming apparatus 101 by the communication unit 532.

[0042] Database 533 is a database that stores various data on the cloud system 102 and configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101 registered with the tenant. Software pool 534 is storage that stores the actual software, such as firmware and applications.

[0043] Figure 6 shows an example of a table according to this embodiment, among the various tables stored in the database 533.

[0044] The usage license management table 600 shown in Figure 6(A) is a table that manages the presence or absence of cloud service usage licenses in each tenant. The usage license management table 600 includes device ID, tenant ID, service, and usage license. Here, device ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the image forming apparatus 101. Tenant ID is identification information that uniquely identifies the tenant. Service refers to an individual cloud service 511. Usage license indicates whether a usage license for that service has been granted. In the usage license management table 600 shown in Figure 6(A), for example, the image forming apparatus 101 with device ID "Device001" belongs to the tenant "Tenant001", and in that tenant, services D and E are contracted. That is, the cloud services that "Device001" can use are services D and E, and service F is not available. Contracted services are just one example of contracted services.

[0045] The service operating environment definition table 610 shown in Figure 6(B) is a table that shows the operating environment of the image forming apparatus 101 required to use each of the multiple cloud services included in the cloud service 511. The service operating environment definition table 610 includes service, firmware version, application, and configuration information. For example, the service operating environment definition table 610 shows that in order to use service D, the image forming apparatus 101 must have firmware version 2.0 or higher and application A installed. The hyphen in the figure indicates that no specific conditions are set, so the configuration information for using service D can be set to any value. The operating environment shown in the service operating environment definition table 610 is an example of the operating environment of a contracted service on the cloud system side.

[0046] The device configuration information table 620 shown in Figure 6(C) is a table defined for each image forming apparatus 101 and manages the configuration information of each image forming apparatus 101. The device configuration information table 620 includes the device ID, firmware version, application, and configuration information. For example, in the case of "Device001", the device configuration information table 620 indicates that firmware version 1.0 is installed, application A is installed, and the TLS usage setting is 1.2. TLS is an abbreviation for Transport Layer Security. Note that only the configuration information related to this embodiment is shown as an example, but any configuration information that can be set on the image forming apparatus 101 may be managed. The configuration information shown in the device configuration information table 620 is an example of the configuration information of the requested network device.

[0047] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of the connection support application 407. The connection support application 407 comprises a UI display unit 701, an instruction execution unit 702, a configuration information acquisition unit 703, and a communication unit 704.

[0048] The UI display unit 701 provides the user with a UI for operating the connection support application 407 via the operation unit 201 and accepts user input. The instruction execution unit 702 receives the instruction created by the instruction creation unit 521 via the communication unit 704 and executes it. The instruction execution unit 702 also sends execution requests to the firmware management service 404, the configuration management service 405, and the application management service 406 according to the steps specified in the instruction.

[0049] The configuration information acquisition unit 703 acquires the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101. Specifically, the configuration information acquisition unit 703 sends requests to the firmware management service 404, the settings management service 405, and the application management service 406. The configuration information acquisition unit 703 then acquires the firmware version, settings information, and a list of installed applications of the image forming apparatus 101 from each of these services. The acquired configuration information is stored in the database 533 via the communication unit 704. In this embodiment, the above process is assumed to operate when the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101 is changed, but it may also be configured to operate periodically at specified intervals, for example.

[0050] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the processing according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the processing of the connection support application 407 and the cloud system 102 according to Embodiment 1. Specifically, Figure 8 shows the processing flow in which the connection support application 407 displays the usage status of the cloud service 511 on the UI, and this flow is started when the user presses the icon of the connection support application 407.

[0051] In step S801, the communication unit 704 sends a request to the cloud system 102 for a comparison process between the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101 and the operating environment of the available services. This request includes the device ID of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0052] In step S802, the communication unit 532 receives the request sent in step S801. In step S803, the control unit 531 identifies the cloud service 551 to which the tenant to which the image forming apparatus 101, the source of the request, belongs, by referring to the database 533. Specifically, this is done by referring to the usage license management table 600 using the device ID included in the request as a key.

[0053] In step S804, the control unit 531 compares the operating environment of the cloud service 511 identified in step S803 with the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101, which is the source of the request. Specifically, it first refers to the service operating environment definition table 610 using the cloud service 511 identified in step S803 as the key to identify the operating environment of the cloud service 511. Next, it refers to the device configuration information table 620 using the device ID included in the request received in step S802 as the key to identify the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101. Finally, it compares the obtained information to obtain a comparison result showing whether the operating environment is met for each cloud service. For example, in the case of "Device001", it can be seen that the firmware version is insufficient for the operating environment of service D, and that the installation of application B and TLS settings are insufficient for the operating environment of service E. This process is an example of a determination means for determining the availability status of a contracted service by comparing the operating environment of the contracted service on the cloud system side with the configuration information of the requesting network device, based on requests from each network device.

[0054] In step S805, the communication unit 532 transmits the comparison result obtained in step S804 to the image forming apparatus 101. In step S806, the communication unit 704 receives the comparison result transmitted in step S805. In step S807, the UI display unit 701 displays the comparison result received in step S806 on the operation unit 201. A specific example of this will be explained using Figures 9 and 10.

[0055] Figures 9 and 10 show examples of screens displayed on the operation unit 201 by the connection support application 407.

[0056] Figure 9(A) shows an example of the connection status display screen that is initially displayed after clicking the icon for the connection support application 407. The connection status display screen 901 includes a connection status display area 910 and a status confirmation button 911.

[0057] The connection status display area 910 displays information regarding the connection status with the cloud system 102. As an example, Figure 9(A) displays the connection status, which indicates whether the connection to the cloud system 102 is successful, the name of the connected tenant, and the service usage status column, which indicates whether any of the contracted cloud services do not meet the operating environment requirements. Depending on the comparison results received in step S806, the service usage status column of the connection status display area 910 will display phrases such as "Unavailable" or "All Available". The connection status display area 910 may also include other information, such as the tenant ID of the connected tenant and the connection start date and time.

[0058] The status confirmation button 911 is a button for transitioning to the service usage status display screen shown in Figure 9(B). When pressed, the UI display unit 701 generates the screen and switches the screen display.

[0059] Figure 9(B) shows an example of a service usage status display screen. The service usage status display screen 902 includes a service usage status display area 920, a detail confirmation button 921, and a button 922.

[0060] The service usage status display area 920 is an area that displays the comparison results of whether the operating environment required for using each cloud service to which the tenant to which the image forming apparatus 101 belongs has been granted a usage license is met. The service usage status display area 920 displays the words "Available" if the operating environment required for using the service is met, and "Unavailable" if the operating environment required for using the service is not met.

[0061] The details confirmation button 921 is a button for transitioning to the service usage details screen shown in Figure 9(C). When pressed, the UI display unit 701 generates the screen and switches the screen display. A details confirmation button 921 is provided for each cloud service displayed in the service usage display area 920. When any of the multiple details confirmation buttons 921 are pressed, the service usage details screen for the cloud service associated with that details confirmation button 921 is displayed.

[0062] Button 922 is labeled "Make All Available" and is used to change the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 all at once to meet the operating environment requirements of all cloud services for which usage licenses have been granted. When button 922 is pressed, the UI display unit 701 generates the execution confirmation screen shown in Figure 10(B) and switches the screen display to obtain the user's consent to change the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0063] Figure 9(C) shows an example of the service usage details screen. The service usage details screen 903 includes a service usage details display area 930, a details button 931, and a button 932. The service usage details screen 903 in Figure 9(C) is displayed when the details confirmation button 921, which is associated with service E, is pressed. This screen is an example of a screen that displays a breakdown of the settings that are missing in order to use the contracted service when the availability status of the contracted service is unavailable.

[0064] The service usage details display area 930 is an area that displays details of whether the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 meets the operating environment requirements of the selected cloud service. In the example shown in Figure 9(C), it is indicated that while the firmware meets the operating environment requirements for using service E, the application and configuration information do not and require action.

[0065] The details button 931 is a button for transitioning to the comparison results details screen shown in Figure 10(A). When pressed, the UI display unit 701 generates the screen and switches the screen display. A details button 931 is provided for each item that shows whether the operating environment displayed in the service usage status details display area 930 is met. When any of the multiple details buttons 931 are pressed, the comparison results details screen for the item associated with that details button 931 is displayed.

[0066] Button 932 is labeled "Enable" and is used to change the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 all at once to meet the operating environment requirements of the selected cloud service. When button 932 is pressed, similar to button 922, the UI display unit 701 generates the execution confirmation screen shown in Figure 10(B) and switches the screen display. Buttons 922 and 932 may be programmed to be hidden or disabled if the image forming apparatus 101 meets the operating environment requirements of the target cloud service.

[0067] Figure 10(A) shows an example of the comparison results details screen. The comparison results details screen 904 includes a comparison results details display area 940. The content displayed on the comparison results details screen 904 changes depending on which of the multiple detail buttons 931 is pressed, but in this embodiment, the comparison results details of the setting information are used as an example. The comparison results details screen 904 in Figure 10(A) is displayed when the detail button 931 associated with the setting information item is pressed.

[0068] The comparison results details display area 940 is an area that displays the details of the comparison results corresponding to the selected details button 931. In Figure 10(A), only one example of setting information that needs to be set is shown, but if there are multiple, the item name, current setting, and required setting will be listed. If the cloud service operating environment is met and there is no setting information that needs to be set, a message such as "No setting is required" may be displayed in the comparison results details display area 940. Alternatively, if the cloud service operating environment is met and there is no setting information that needs to be set, the details button 931 may be disabled to prevent transition to the comparison results details screen 904. Although setting information was used as an example here, the same applies when displaying comparison results details for firmware or applications. Specifically, the comparison results details screen 904 displays the current version and the required version for firmware, and the name of the application that needs to be installed for applications.

[0069] Figure 10(B) shows an example of an execution confirmation screen. The execution confirmation screen 905 includes a display area 950, a button 951, and a button 952. The display area 950 displays text confirming whether or not it is OK to execute a process that changes the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. When the user presses button 951, the process shown in Figure 11 is started. When the user presses button 952, the screen may return to one of the screens in Figures 9(A), 9(B), 9(C), and 10(A), or the process in step S807 may be terminated.

[0070] Buttons 922 and 951 are examples of receiving means for receiving instructions from a user to change the configuration so that a contracted service that is currently unavailable can be used. Buttons 932 and 951 are examples of receiving means for receiving instructions from a user to change the configuration so that a contracted service that is currently unavailable can be used. Buttons 922 and 951 are examples of receiving means for receiving instructions from a user to change the configuration so that the contracted service can be used for all of the missing settings required to use the contracted service. Buttons 932 and 951 are examples of receiving means for receiving instructions from a user to change the configuration so that the contracted service can be used for any one of the missing settings required to use the contracted service.

[0071] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the processing according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the processing of the connection support application 407 and the cloud system 102 according to Embodiment 1. Specifically, Figure 11 shows the flow of processing in which the connection support application 407 changes the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 by executing instructions.

[0072] In step S1001, the communication unit 704 sends an instruction request to the cloud system 102. This instruction request includes information on which cloud service the instruction is for, depending on whether the user pressed button 922 or button 932.

[0073] In step S1002, the communication unit 522 receives the instruction document creation request transmitted in step S1001. In step S1003, the instruction document creation unit 521 creates an instruction document according to the instruction document creation request received in step S1002.

[0074] Figure 12 shows an example of an instruction sheet. Instruction sheet 1100 consists of a command indicating the execution type and a value indicating its target.

[0075] The Updatefirmware command 1101 included in instruction manual 1100 is a command for performing a firmware update. In the example in Figure 12, it specifies updating the firmware version to "2.0".

[0076] The InstallApplication command 1102 included in instruction 1100 is a command to install an application. In the example in Figure 12, it specifies that an application named "AppB" should be installed.

[0077] The SetConfigValue command 1103 included in instruction manual 1100 is a command for setting configuration information. In the example in Figure 12, it is specified to set the TLS setting to "1.3".

[0078] The instruction sheet is created based on the information included in the instruction sheet creation request, which specifies which cloud services to enable, and the comparison results obtained in step S804. This correspondence is achieved, for example, by having the communication unit 532 issue a session ID in step S805 and including this session ID in the instruction sheet creation request.

[0079] In step S1004, the communication unit 522 transmits the instruction sheet created in step S1003 to the image forming apparatus 101. In step S1005, the communication unit 704 receives the instruction sheet transmitted in step S1004.

[0080] In step S1006, the instruction execution unit 702 analyzes the instruction received in step S1005 and executes processing according to the specified command. If the command involves software installation, the instruction execution unit 702 accesses the software pool 534 via the communication unit 704 to download the specified software, and then sends a configuration change execution request to each management service. For the UpdateFirmware command 1101, the instruction execution unit 702 sends a request to the firmware management service 404. For the InstallApplication command 1102, the instruction execution unit 702 sends a request to the application management service 406. For the SetConfigValue command 1103, the instruction execution unit 702 sends a request to the settings management service 405. This changes the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. The processing from steps S1003 to S1006 is an example of an execution means that executes a configuration change in response to the instruction for the configuration change.

[0081] In step S1007, the communication unit 704 transmits the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101, which was updated in step S1006, to the cloud system 102. The configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101 is acquired by the configuration information acquisition unit 703.

[0082] In step S1008, the communication unit 532 receives the configuration information of the image forming apparatus 101 transmitted in step S1007. In step S1009, the control unit 531 accesses the database 533 and updates the device configuration information table 620. As a result, when the connection support application 407 icon is pressed again and the flow shown in Figure 8 is started, the comparison result obtained in step S804 will match without any differences. Consequently, the service usage status display area 910 displays a message indicating that all cloud services 511 for which a usage license has been granted are available.

[0083] As described above, according to this embodiment, when the operating environment of the image forming apparatus 101 does not meet the conditions for using the cloud service 511, a mechanism is provided that can perform a configuration change in one go to make the cloud service 511 available. This makes it possible to change the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101 to a state where the cloud service 511 is available without dispatching a service technician.

[0084] <Embodiment 2> In Embodiment 1, the process shown in Figure 8 is executed, which allows the user to perform the screen operations shown in Figures 9 and 10, and an instruction sheet is created on the cloud system 102 side. However, if the scale of the configuration change is large, for example, if there are many setting information to be set, the instruction sheet creation process may take a long time, which could result in an increase in the time required to change the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101.

[0085] Furthermore, if there are multiple cloud services that do not meet the operating environment requirements, it is necessary to make all cloud services available, so it is generally considered appropriate to press button 922 to make all of them available. On the other hand, there are limited cases in which it is desirable to make individual cloud services available by pressing button 932 to make them available individually. One such case might be when there is a cloud service that requires a firmware update, and the downtime of the image forming apparatus 101 is to be minimized by performing the update late at night.

[0086] Therefore, Embodiment 2 of the present invention provides a method to reduce the time required to change the configuration of the image forming apparatus by pre-creating instructions for enabling all cloud services asynchronously. The following describes the differences between Embodiment 2 of the present invention and Embodiment 1.

[0087] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the processing according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the processing of the connection support application 407 and the cloud system 102 according to Embodiment 2. The processing from steps S801 to S807 in Figure 13 in Embodiment 2 is the same as the processing from steps S801 to S807 in Figure 8 in Embodiment 1, so the explanation is omitted.

[0088] In step S1201, the communication unit 532 asynchronously sends an instruction document creation request to the remote control unit 520. This instruction document creation request includes the comparison results obtained in step S804 as information necessary for creating the instruction document.

[0089] In step S1202, the communication unit 522 receives the instruction document creation request sent in step S1201. In step S1203, the instruction document creation unit 521 creates the instruction document. The instruction document created in step S1203 is an instruction document that applies all differences included in the comparison results, that is, an instruction document that enables all cloud services.

[0090] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the process according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and is a flowchart showing the process of the connection support application 407 and the cloud system 102 according to Embodiment 2. Similar to Figure 11, which is the process according to Embodiment 1, Figure 14 shows the process flow in which the connection support application 407 executes instructions to change the configuration of the image forming apparatus 101. The process from steps S1001 to S1009 in Figure 14 in Embodiment 2 is the same as the process from steps S1001 to S1009 in Figure 11 in Embodiment 1, so the explanation is omitted.

[0091] In step S1301, the instruction creation unit 521 analyzes the instruction creation request received in step S1002 and determines whether it is an instruction creation request to enable all cloud services. That is, it determines whether the button 922 to enable all services was pressed, or the button 932 to enable services was pressed. If the instruction creation unit 521 determines that it is an instruction creation request to enable all cloud services, i.e., button 922 was pressed, the process in step S1303 is executed. If the instruction creation unit 521 determines that it is not an instruction creation request to enable all cloud services, i.e., button 932 was pressed, the process in step S1302 is executed.

[0092] In step S1302, the instruction creation unit 521 creates an instruction document to enable the specified cloud service. In step S1303, the instruction creation unit 521 retrieves the instruction document created in step S1203. In step S1004, the communication unit 522 transmits the instruction document created in step S1302 or the instruction document retrieved in step S1303 to the image forming apparatus 101.

[0093] As described above, according to this embodiment, instructions for enabling all cloud services can be generated asynchronously at the time of comparing the operating environment of the cloud services with the configuration information of the image forming apparatus. This reduces the time required to change the configuration of the image forming apparatus when making configuration changes to enable all multiple cloud services, by sending the instructions that have been created in advance.

[0094] (Other embodiments) Furthermore, the objective of the present invention can also be achieved by performing the following process: supplying a storage medium containing program code for software that realizes the functions of the above embodiment to a system or device, and having the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device read the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself will realize the function of the embodiment described above, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code will constitute the present invention.

[0095] (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.

[0096] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its essence.

[0097] This embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Composition 1) A system including multiple network devices and a cloud system that provides contracted cloud services, which are contracted cloud services for each of the multiple network devices, A determination means for determining the availability status of the contracted service by comparing the operating environment of the contracted service on the cloud system side with the configuration information of the requested network device, based on requests from each of the aforementioned multiple network devices. A display means that displays a result of the determination on the requested network device, A system characterized by having the following features. (Configuration 2) If the availability status of the contracted service is unavailable, the display means will display a breakdown of the settings that are missing for using the contracted service. The system according to configuration 1, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 3) A receiving means for receiving instructions from a user to change the configuration in order to make the contracted service, which is currently unavailable, available for use, An execution means that performs a configuration change in response to the instruction for the configuration change, The system according to configuration 1 or configuration 2, characterized by having the following features. (Composition 4) The aforementioned receiving means receives instructions from the user for configuration changes to enable the use of the contracted service, for any one or all of the settings that are missing for the contracted service to be used. The system according to configuration 3, characterized by the features described above. (Composition 5) The execution means includes an instruction creation means for creating an instruction document to make the contract service available, and an instruction execution means for executing the instruction document to perform configuration changes. The instruction document creation means generates instructions for all of the missing settings necessary to enable the use of the contracted service, without waiting for instructions from the user to make configuration changes necessary to enable the use of the contracted service. The system according to configuration 4, characterized by the features described above. (Method 1) A method for controlling a system that includes multiple network devices and a cloud system that provides contracted cloud services, which are contracted cloud services for each of the multiple network devices, A determination step that determines the availability status of the contracted service by comparing the operating environment of the contracted service on the cloud system side with the configuration information of the requested network device, based on requests from each of the aforementioned multiple network devices. A display step in which the requested network device displays information according to the result of the determination, A method characterized by having the following: [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 101 Image forming apparatus 102 Cloud Systems 407 Connection support application 521 Instructions Creation Department 702 Instruction Execution Department

Claims

1. A system including multiple network devices and a cloud system that provides contracted cloud services, which are contracted cloud services for each of the multiple network devices, A determination means for determining the availability status of the contracted service by comparing the operating environment of the contracted service on the cloud system side with the configuration information of the requested network device, based on requests from each of the aforementioned multiple network devices. A display means that displays a result of the determination on the requested network device, A system characterized by having the following features.

2. If the availability status of the contracted service is unavailable, the display means will display a breakdown of the settings that are missing for using the contracted service. The system according to feature 1.

3. A receiving means for receiving instructions from a user to change the configuration in order to make the contracted service, which is currently unavailable, available for use, An execution means that performs a configuration change in response to the instruction for the configuration change, The system according to claim 1, characterized by having the following features.

4. The aforementioned receiving means receives instructions from the user for configuration changes to enable the use of the contracted service, for any one or all of the settings that are missing for the contracted service to be used. The system according to claim 3.

5. The execution means includes an instruction creation means for creating an instruction document to make the contract service available, and an instruction execution means for executing the instruction document to perform configuration changes. The instruction document creation means, without waiting for instructions from the user regarding configuration changes necessary to enable the use of the contracted service, creates instruction documents for all of the missing settings necessary to enable the use of the contracted service. The system according to feature 4.

6. A method for controlling a system that includes multiple network devices and a cloud system that provides contracted services, which are cloud services contracted for each of the multiple network devices, A determination step that determines the availability status of the contracted service by comparing the operating environment of the contracted service on the cloud system side with the configuration information of the requested network device, based on requests from each of the aforementioned multiple network devices. A display step in which the requested network device displays information according to the result of the determination, A method characterized by having the following:

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