Service provision program, server, service system and service provision method

Abstract

To prevent service menus of same type from being simultaneously provided by a plurality of services directed to a device like a printer.SOLUTION: A server provides a first service directed to a device. Further, the server can provide a second service having a competitive relationship with the first service. In response to receiving a specific service request for the first service, the server determines whether the device has already subscribed the second service or not. If determining that the device has already subscribed the second service, the server guides the device to cancel the second service which the device has already subscribed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology for providing services to devices such as printers. [Background technology]

[0002] Various services for printers are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a shipping service that automatically ships a new ink cartridge when the ink remaining in the ink cartridge installed in the printer becomes low. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-133411 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A single printer can be subscribed to multiple services. However, when a single printer is subscribed to multiple services, depending on the content of each service, the same service menu may be provided by each of the multiple services. The provision of the same service menu in duplicate may result in unnecessary service subscriptions for the user.

[0005] An aspect of the present disclosure aims to prevent the same type of service menu from being provided redundantly from each of a plurality of services targeting devices such as printers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The service providing program according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a program (computer program) that can be executed by a computer included in the server, and is a program for providing a first service targeted at a device.

[0007] The server is capable of communicating with each of the information processing device and the device. The server is capable of providing one or more second services that are in a competitive relationship with the first service. A competitive relationship includes a relationship in which the functions of the first service and the functions of each of the one or more second services at least partially overlap.

[0008] The service providing program causes the computer to execute a determination process and a cancellation notification process. The determination process determines whether the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services in response to receiving a specific service request for the first service from the information processing device.

[0009] The cancellation notification process, in response to the determination process that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services, provides a notification to cancel the second service to which the device has already subscribed.

[0010] Such a service provision program prevents a user from subscribing to a first service and a second service that are in conflict with each other, i.e., prevents the same type of service menu from being provided in duplicate from multiple services.

[0011] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a server configured to execute the above-described service providing program may be provided. In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a service providing method used in the server executing the above-described service providing program may be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a device service system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of a device, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a management information table. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a part of a process executed in the device service system. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating another part of the processing executed in the device service system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing the remaining processing executed by the device service system. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a service start screen. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a first service main screen. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a second service main screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Embodiment] (1-1) Overview of the Device Service System The device service system 1 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 includes a service server 10, a device 30, and an information processing device 40. The device service system 1 can provide various services for various devices. In this embodiment, the various services are provided by the service server 10. The service server 10 of this embodiment can provide, for example, a first service, a second service, and a third service.

[0014] In this embodiment, the device that can sign up for various services is, for example, a device with a printing function, such as a printer or a multifunction device. The printing function is a function that acquires data of an image to be printed and prints the image represented by the data on a sheet-like recording medium. The device 30 has a printing function. Therefore, the device 30 can sign up for various services. A contract (registration) for each service is made separately for each device. A single subscriber can sign up for multiple services.

[0015] The service server 10 is capable of communicating with the device 30 and the information processing device 40. In this embodiment, the device 30 and the information processing device 40 are connected to a communication network 100.

[0016] The communication network 100 is connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network) 150. The service server 10 is connected to the WAN 150. Therefore, in this embodiment, the service server 10 can communicate with each of the device 30 and the information processing device 40 via the WAN 150 and the communication network 100.

[0017] The service server 10 may be connected to the communication network 100. The information processing device 40 may be connected to the WAN 150 and may be connectable to the communication network 100 via the WAN 150. The information processing device 40 may be able to communicate with the service server 10 without going through the WAN 150.

[0018] The communication network 100 may include a wired network or a wireless network. The WAN 150 may be any network. In this embodiment, the WAN 150 is, for example, the Internet configured so that communication is performed in accordance with the TCP / IP protocol.

[0019] (1-2) Service server configuration 1, the service server 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication I / F 13. "I / F" is an abbreviation for interface.

[0020] The control unit 11 includes, for example, a CPU. The storage unit 12 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, a flash memory, etc. That is, the service server 10 of this embodiment includes a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory.

[0021] The control unit 11 realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the storage unit 12. In this embodiment, the storage unit 12 corresponds to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores the programs. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 11 are not limited to being realized by executing programs, and some or all of the functions may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

[0022] The communication I / F 13 is an interface for communicating with other devices. The communication I / F 13 may be compatible with various communication methods, such as a wired LAN or a wireless LAN. In this embodiment, the communication I / F 13 is connected to the WAN 150.

[0023] A first program 12a, a second program 12b, a third program 12c, a management program 12d, and a management information table 12e are stored in the storage unit 12. The management information table 12e is managed by the management program 12d.

[0024] The first program 12a has a function of providing a first service. That is, various functions related to the first service are realized by the control unit 11 executing the first program 12a.

[0025] The second program 12b has a function of providing the second service, that is, various functions related to the second service are realized by the control unit 11 executing the second program 12b.

[0026] The third program 12c has a function of providing a third service, that is, various functions related to the third service are realized by the control unit 11 executing the third program 12c.

[0027] The management program 12d has a management function for auxiliary management of various services that the service server 10 can provide. In this embodiment, as an example, a so-called virtual server is constructed. Specifically, the function of the control unit 11 providing the first service based on the first program 12a is realized by a virtual first server 21 in the service server 10. In the following description, the expression "the first server 21" means "the control unit 11 providing the first service in accordance with the first program 12a."

[0028] The function of the control unit 11 to provide the second service based on the second program 12b is realized by a virtual second server 22 in the service server 10. The phrase "the server 22" means "the control unit 11 that provides the second service in accordance with the second program 12b."

[0029] The function of the control unit 11 to provide the third service based on the third program 12c is realized by a virtual third server 23 in the service server 10. In the following explanation, the expression "the third server 23" means "the control unit 11 providing the third service in accordance with the third program 12c."

[0030] The management functions provided by the control unit 11 based on the management program 12d are realized by a virtual management server 24 in the service server 10. In the following description, the expression "the management server 24" means "the control unit 11 providing the management functions in accordance with the management program 12d." The management functions include a function for managing the registration information (e.g., account, user ID, name, etc.) of the subscriber for each of the first to third services, and a function for managing contract information for each device to which the subscriber has subscribed.

[0031] The management information table 12e is generated for each subscriber in the management server 24. As shown in Fig. 3, the management information table 12e registers the subscriber's account, devices registered by the subscriber (hereinafter referred to as registered devices), and whether or not each registered device is subscribed to (contracted for) a service.

[0032] The first service will be described in more detail. The first service in this embodiment is, for example, a service that targets particularly consumables in devices (first contract devices) that have subscribed to the first service, and includes a so-called subscription service (flat-rate service).

[0033] That is, in this embodiment, when a user subscribes to the first service, a cartridge dedicated to the service is provided as a cartridge containing colorant (toner or ink) used for the printing function. The user installs the dedicated cartridge in the first contract device to use the first contract device. The dedicated cartridge can only be used during the contract period, and becomes unusable if the user cancels the first service.

[0034] The fee for the first service to the subscriber is set as a monthly fee. That is, for each contract, a fixed number of pages can be printed (for example, M pages per month) at a fixed rate. If the number of pages printed in a month exceeds the specified number, an additional fee is charged. For example, a fixed amount is charged for every N pages printed above the specified number. If the actual number of pages printed in a month is less than the specified number, the surplus can be carried over to the next month.

[0035] The first server 21 periodically collects and stores various data from the first contracted device. That is, when a contract for the first service is concluded for a certain device, the first server 21 instructs the contracted first contracted device via the management server 24 to periodically notify the contracted first contracted device of notification information. The instruction includes the type of notification information to be notified and the notification interval. Examples of notification information include the number of printed sheets, remaining amount of consumables, firmware version, and various status information. Upon receiving the instruction, the first contracted device periodically transmits the specified notification information to the first server 21 via the management server 24 at the specified notification interval.

[0036] Furthermore, the first server 21 can issue action instructions to the first contract device. Examples of action instructions include an instruction to change various setting values ​​used in the first contract device, an instruction to execute printing, etc. When the first contract device receives an action instruction from the first server 21, it executes processing in accordance with the instruction.

[0037] As described above, the remaining amount of consumables (here, the remaining amount of coloring material in the dedicated cartridge) is periodically monitored by the first server 21. Then, when the remaining amount falls below a certain level, a new dedicated cartridge is automatically ordered and shipped to the contractor.

[0038] The second service will now be briefly described. The second service is different from the first service, but provides some of the functions of the first service. That is, the second service provides a service specialized in automatic ordering of consumables, for example. The second service does not include a flat-rate service for the number of prints. The first service and the second service overlap in that they both perform automatic ordering of consumables. A relationship in which the functions of different services overlap at least partially is called a competitive relationship.

[0039] In this embodiment, it is not possible to provide multiple services that are in a conflict with each other to the same device, and therefore it is not possible to subscribe to both the first service and the second service at the same time for one device.

[0040] The third service is a service that is not in competition with either the first service or the second service. The third service may be, for example, a cloud print service. The cloud print service provides a function for sending print data from a remote location to a contracted device for printing.

[0041] (1-3) Device configuration 2A, the device 30 is specifically described. The device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input I / F 33, a display I / F 34, a communication I / F 35, and a printing unit 36.

[0042] The control unit 31 has, for example, a CPU. The storage unit 32 has, for example, semiconductor memory such as ROM, RAM, NVRAM, and flash memory. That is, the device 30 of this embodiment is equipped with a microcomputer including a CPU and semiconductor memory. Various software and data are stored in the storage unit 32. The control unit 31 realizes various functions by executing various programs stored in the storage unit 32. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 31 are not limited to being realized by executing programs (i.e., by software processing), and some or all of them may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

[0043] The input I / F 33 has an input device for accepting various input operations by the user. The input device of the input I / F 33 may include, for example, an operation switch (not shown) or a touch panel (not shown). The display I / F 34 has a display device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The communication I / F 35 is an I / F for connecting the device 30 to the communication network 100. The printing unit 36 ​​realizes the printing function described above. The printing unit 36 ​​includes the consumables described above.

[0044] In this embodiment, the device 30 can communicate with the service server 10 using a communication protocol such as XMPP (Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol).

[0045] (1-4) Configuration of information processing device The information processing device 40 is any of various information processing devices, such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile personal computer, or a desktop personal computer.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2B, the information processing device 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, an input I / F 43, a display I / F 44, and a communication I / F 45. The control unit 41 includes, for example, a CPU. The storage unit 42 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a ROM, a RAM, an NVRAM, a flash memory, etc. That is, the information processing device 40 of this embodiment includes a microcomputer including a CPU and a semiconductor memory.

[0047] The control unit 41 realizes various functions by executing programs stored in the storage unit 42. In this embodiment, the storage unit 42 corresponds to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores the programs. Note that the various functions realized by the control unit 41 are not limited to those realized by executing programs, and some or all of the functions may be realized using one or more pieces of hardware.

[0048] The input I / F 43 has an input device for accepting various input operations by a user. The input device of the input I / F 43 includes, for example, a touch panel. The display I / F 44 has a display device capable of displaying images, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The communication I / F 45 is an I / F for connecting the information processing device 40 to the communication network 100.

[0049] An OS 42a and a terminal program 42b are stored in the storage unit 42. The OS 42a and the terminal program 42b are installed in the computer system. The terminal program 42b is used to receive various services provided by the service server 10. A subscriber of a service can access the service server 10 to obtain various information related to the service to which the subscriber has subscribed. One of the tools for obtaining various information is the terminal program 42b. The terminal program 42b has a function of obtaining various information related to the contracted service by communicating with the service server 10 (more specifically, communicating with each of the servers 21 to 24) and displaying the information on the display I / F 44. The terminal program 42b also has a function of transmitting various information, requests, etc. input by a user such as an administrator via the input I / F 43 to the service server 10.

[0050] In this embodiment, the terminal program 42b has, for example, a function of a web browser. On the other hand, each of the servers 21 to 24 of the service server 10 has, for example, a function of a web server. Therefore, the terminal program 42b in this embodiment communicates with each of the servers 21 to 24 using, for example, the HTTP or HTTPS communication protocol.

[0051] (1-5) Service contract flow Next, an example of a procedure for signing up for various services for a device, which is realized in the device service system 1 of this embodiment, will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 6. Figures 4 to 6 illustrate an example of the processing flow when a user who has not registered an account first signs up for the second service with the device 30, then signs up for the third service, and then signs up for the first service.

[0052] A user who wishes to subscribe to the second service for the device 30 starts the terminal program 42b (e.g., a web browser in this embodiment) on the information processing device 40, accesses the management server 24, and displays the service start screen 50 (see Figure 7) on the display I / F 44 of the information processing device 40 (S11).

[0053] When the user taps or clicks the account registration button 54 on the service start screen 50 shown in FIG. 7, the user can proceed to register an account. The first button 51 is a button for logging in to the first service. The second button 52 is a button for logging in to the second service. The third button 53 is a button for logging in to the third service. The user can also proceed to register an account by tapping or clicking any of the first to third buttons 51 to 53.

[0054] In this case, the user plans to sign up for the second service, and so performs a selection operation for the second service, i.e., taps or clicks the second button 52. Upon receiving the selection operation for the second service (S12), the terminal program 42b transmits a second server access request to the management server 24 (S13). The second server access request requests the second server 22 to access the second server 22.

[0055] Upon receiving the second server access request, the second server 22 transmits second login screen information to the terminal program 42b (S61). The second login screen information is information for displaying a second login screen (not shown). The second login screen is a screen that accepts a user operation for logging in to the second server 22 or a user operation for registering an account.

[0056] In response to receiving the second login screen information from the second server 22, the terminal program 42b displays the second login screen on the display I / F 44 (S14). Here, the user performs an operation to register an account. Specifically, the user requests account registration, and inputs information required for account registration (account information) into an account information input screen that is displayed in response to the request. The terminal program 42b accepts the account information input by the user (S15). Having accepted the account information, the terminal program 42b transmits the account information to the second server 22 and requests account registration (S16).

[0057] The second server 22, which has received the account information and a request for account registration from the terminal program 42b, registers the account in response to the request (S62). After registering the account, the second server 22 notifies the management server 24 of the registered account information (S63). Upon receiving the notification of the account information, the management server 24 registers the account information (S51). As a result, the management server 24 generates a new management information table (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the newly registered account. The management status of the account in the management server 24 at this point is referred to as a "first status." In the first status, the account has just been newly registered, and as shown in FIG. 3, the device has not yet been registered and the account has not yet been subscribed to any services.

[0058] A user who has registered an account obtains device information required for device registration from device 30 in order to register the device for which the user has a contract for the service in the system. Then, by performing an operation to request device registration, the user causes terminal program 42b to display a device registration screen (not shown) for device registration. Starting from the device registration screen, the user performs various device registration operations, including inputting the device information obtained from the device.

[0059] The terminal program 42b accepts a device registration operation by the user (S17), and then transmits a device registration request together with the device information input by the user to the second server 22 (S18).

[0060] The second server 22 that has received the device registration request receives and registers the sent device information (S64). Furthermore, the second server 22 notifies the management server 24 of the registered device information (S65). The management server 24 that has received this notification registers the device information. At this point, the management status of the account in the management server 24 is set to the "second status." In the second status, the device 30 has been registered, and therefore, as shown in the example of FIG. 3, the device 30 is registered as a registered device. As a result, the device 30 can be used to register any of the services. It will be possible to enter into a contract with the company.

[0061] When the second server 22 completes the device registration, it causes the information processing device 40 to display a screen prompting the user to subscribe to the second service. The user performs various subscription operations on this screen, including inputting subscription information required to subscribe to the second service. The terminal program 42b accepts the user's operation to subscribe to the second service (S19). Then, it transmits a second service subscription request to the second server 22 together with the subscription information input by the user (S20).

[0062] The second server 22, which has received the second service subscription request, receives the subscription information sent and, based on the subscription information, registers the subscription of the device 30 to the second service (S66). Furthermore, the second server 22 notifies the management server 24 of the subscription information of the device 30 (S67). Upon receiving this notification, the management server 24 officially registers the subscription of the device 30 to the second service (S53).

[0063] After completing the subscription for the second service, the user performs various operations required for subscribing to the third service in order to further subscribe for the device 30 to the third service. Specifically, the service start screen 50 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed on the display I / F 44 (S21). Then, using the service start screen 50 as a starting point, the user performs a subscription operation for the third service. This subscription operation includes, for example, tapping or clicking the third button 53 on the service start screen 50. In accordance with the subscription operation, the terminal program 42b communicates with the third server 23 to perform a third service subscription process for subscribing the device 30 to the third service (S22). The result of this subscription process is notified to the management server 24, which then officially registers the device 30's subscription to the third service (S54).

[0064] The management status of the account in the management server 24 at this point is set to the “third status.” In the third status, the device 30 has subscribed to the second service and the third service, and therefore, the subscription statuses of the second service and the third service are both set to “subscribed,” as illustrated in FIG.

[0065] Next, a user who wants to subscribe the device 30 to the first service causes the service start screen 50 of FIG. 7 to be displayed on the display I / F 44 (S23). Then, the user selects the first service, that is, taps or clicks the first button 51. When the terminal program 42b accepts the selection of the first service (S24), it transmits a first server access request to the management server 24 (S25). The first server access request requests the first server 21 to access the first server 21.

[0066] Upon receiving the first server access request, the first server 21 transmits first login screen information to the terminal program 42b (S81). The first login screen information is information for displaying a first login screen (not shown). The first login screen is a screen that accepts a user operation for logging in to the first server 21 or a user operation for registering an account.

[0067] In response to receiving the first login screen information from the first server 21, the terminal program 42b displays the first login screen on the display I / F 44 (S26). On this first login screen, the user performs a login operation to log in to the first server 21. The login operation includes inputting registered account information. The terminal program 42b accepts the login operation by the user (S27). Then, it transmits a login request together with the accepted information to the first server 21 (S28). The first server 21 that has received this login request accepts the login to the first server 21. Then, the server of the device 30 The service subscription status is checked (S83). Specifically, the subscription status of services other than the first service is checked.

[0068] Based on the confirmation result of S83, the first server 21 determines whether the device 30 has subscribed to another service (a competing service) that is in a competitive relationship with the first service (S84). In this example, at this point in time, the device 30 has subscribed to the second and third services. Of these, the second service is in a competitive relationship with the first service.

[0069] If the device 30 is not subscribed to another service that competes with the first service, the first server 21 allows the device 30 to subscribe to the first service and registers the subscription to the first service through a user operation described below. On the other hand, if the device 30 has already subscribed to a competing service (S84: YES), the first server 21 does not allow the device 30 to subscribe to the first service at the current time and prompts the user to cancel the competing service to which the user has already subscribed. In other words, the subscription procedure for the first service does not begin as long as the device 30 is subscribed to the competing service.

[0070] More specifically, in this embodiment, an instruction to display the first service main screen 60 (see FIG. 8) on the information processing device 40 is sent to the terminal program 42b (S85) to instruct the terminal program 42b to display the first service main screen 60. Upon receiving this instruction, the terminal program 42b displays the first service main screen 60 on the display I / F 44 (S31).

[0071] The first service main screen 60 displayed at this time displays a message 61 for canceling other services and a button 62 for canceling other services, as shown in FIG. 8. The message 61 for canceling other services includes a first message indicating that the device 30 has already subscribed to a second service that competes with the first service, and a second message urging the user to cancel the second service that competes with the first service. The button 62 for canceling other services is a button for accepting the user's request to cancel the competing service to which the user has subscribed. By viewing the message 61 for canceling other services, the user can recognize that the device 30 has already subscribed to the second service that competes with the first service, and can also recognize that the user needs to cancel the second service in order to subscribe to the first service.

[0072] A user who wants to prioritize the first service over the second service cancels the second service by requesting cancellation of the competing service, i.e., by tapping or clicking the other service cancellation button 62. In response to receiving the cancellation request (S32), the terminal program 42b transmits a competing service cancellation request to the first server 21 (S33).

[0073] When the first server 21 receives the competing service cancellation request, it notifies the second server 22, which provides the second service to be canceled, that it has received the cancellation request (S86). Upon receiving this notification, the second server 22 instructs the terminal program 42b to display the second service main screen 70 by sending screen information for displaying the second service main screen 70 to the terminal program 42b (S68). Upon receiving this instruction, the terminal program 42b displays the second service main screen 70 on the display I / F 44 (S34).

[0074] The second service main screen 70 displayed at this time displays a service cancellation button 71, as shown in Fig. 9. The service cancellation button 71 is a button for accepting a request to cancel the second service.

[0075] A user who wishes to cancel the second service in order to subscribe to the first service performs an operation to instruct cancellation of the second service, that is, taps or clicks the service cancellation button 71. In response to receiving the operation to instruct cancellation (S35), the terminal program 42b transmits a cancellation request for the second service to the second server 22 (S36).

[0076] When the second server 22 receives the cancellation request, it registers the cancellation of the second service for the device 30 (S69), and then notifies the management server 24 of the cancellation of the second service for the device 30 (S70).

[0077] The management server 24, which has received the notice of cancellation of the second service from the second server 22, officially registers the cancellation of the second service for the device 30 (S55). At this point, the management status of the account in the management server 24 is set to "fourth state." In the fourth state, since the contract for the second service for the device 30 has been cancelled, the subscription status of the second service is set to "not subscribed," as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0078] After officially registering the cancellation of the second service for the device 30, the management server 24 notifies the first server 21 that the cancellation of the second service has been completed (S56). Upon receiving this notification, the first server 21 again executes the processes from S83 onwards.

[0079] In S84, if the device 30 is not subscribed to a service that conflicts with the first service (S84: NO), the first server 21 instructs the terminal program 42b to display the first service main screen. In response to this instruction, the terminal program 42b displays the first service main screen on the display I / F 44 (S41).

[0080] The first service main screen displayed here has the same basic screen configuration as the first service main screen 60 in Fig. 7, but does not display the other service cancellation message 61 or the other service cancellation button 62. Here, a message urging the user to subscribe to the first service and a subscription request button for accepting a subscription request to the first service are displayed.

[0081] A user who wants to subscribe the device 30 to the first service performs a subscription operation to the first service. Specifically, the user taps or clicks a subscription request button. Upon receiving this subscription operation (S42), the terminal program 42b transmits a first service subscription request together with the user's subscription information to the first server 21 (S43).

[0082] The first server 21, which has received this first service subscription request, receives the subscription information sent thereto and, based on the subscription information, registers the subscription of the device 30 to the first service (S91). Furthermore, the first server 21 notifies the management server 24 of the subscription information of the device 30 (S92). The management server 24, which has received this notification, officially registers the subscription of the device 30 to the first service (S57). At this point, the management status of the account in the management server 24 is set to "fifth state." In the fifth state, a contract for the first service for the device 30 has been registered, and therefore, the subscription status of the first service is set to "subscribed," as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0083] In this embodiment, the service server 10 corresponds to an example of a server in the present disclosure. The first program 12a that provides the first service corresponds to an example of a service provision program in the present disclosure. The first server 21 corresponds to an example of a first service provision unit in the present disclosure. The second server 22 corresponds to an example of a second service provision unit in the present disclosure. The first service main screen 60 in FIG. 8 corresponds to an example of a first screen in the present disclosure. The other service cancellation button 62 in FIG. 8 corresponds to an example of a first cancellation request image in the present disclosure. The second service main screen 70 in FIG. 9 corresponds to an example of a second screen in the present disclosure. The cancellation button 71 in FIG. 9 corresponds to an example of a second cancellation request image in the present disclosure. The information transmitted to the first server 21 in S33 corresponds to an example of first cancellation request information in the present disclosure. The information transmitted to the second server 22 in S36 corresponds to an example of second cancellation request information in the present disclosure.

[0084] The processing of S28 corresponds to an example of service request processing (processing of sending a specific service request targeting the first service) in the present disclosure. The processing of S83 to S84 corresponds to an example of determination processing in the present disclosure. The processing of S85 and S86 corresponds to an example of cancellation notification processing in the present disclosure. The processing of S91 corresponds to an example of subscription processing in the present disclosure. Note that, in the above embodiment, both the processing of S85 and S86 are executed as an example of cancellation notification processing, but at least one of the processing of S85 and S86 may be executed as cancellation notification processing.

[0085] 2. Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be practiced in various modified forms.

[0086] (2-1) If a user is already subscribed to another service that competes with the service to which the user wishes to subscribe (contract), the user may be informed of the cancellation of the competing service in any manner.

[0087] For example, it may be possible to simply display a message equivalent to the other service cancellation message 61. 9 or a similar screen may be displayed to prompt the user to cancel the second service without displaying the other service cancellation button 62 (i.e., without waiting for a user operation). In this case, the other service cancellation message 61 may be displayed temporarily before the second service main screen 70 is displayed, or the second service main screen may be displayed without displaying the other service cancellation message 61.

[0088] (2-2) A "competitive relationship" may be defined in any way. In other words, it is not limited to overlapping functions as in the above embodiment. For example, it may be determined that there is a "competitive relationship" when there is a specific relationship between the two.

[0089] (2-3) Each of the servers 21 to 23 that provide the service may have the functions of the management server 24. In other words, the management server 24 may be omitted, and the servers 21 to 23 may share contract information with each other.

[0090] (2-4) Each of the servers 21 to 24 in the service server 10 may be configured as a plurality of physically different servers instead of virtual servers. (2-5) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1...device service system, 10...service server, 11, 41...control unit, 12, 42...storage unit, 12a...first program, 12b...second program, 12c...third program, 12d...management program, 12e...management information table, 21...first server, 22...second server, 23...third server, 24...management server, 30...device, 40...information processing device, 42b...terminal program, 50...service start screen, 60...first service main screen, 61...other service cancellation message, 62...other service cancellation button, 70...second service Main screen, 71...service cancellation button.

Claims

1. A service providing program executable by a computer included in a server for providing a first service targeted at a device, the program comprising: the server is capable of communicating with each of the information processing device and the device; the server is capable of providing one or more second services that are in a competitive relationship with the first service, the competitive relationship including a relationship in which a function of the first service and a function of each of the one or more second services at least partially overlap; the information processing device includes a display unit, The service providing program is installed on the computer. a determination process, in response to receiving a specific service request for the first service from the information processing device, for determining whether the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services; a cancellation notification process for providing a notification to cancel the second service to which the device has already subscribed, in response to the determination process that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services, a first request to request the information processing device to display a first screen on the display unit, the first screen being a screen that allows the user to recognize that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services, the first screen being a screen including a first cancellation request image for accepting a request to proceed to a cancellation procedure for the second service to which the user has already subscribed; a second request that, when first cancellation request information is transmitted from the information processing device that has received the first request in response to an operation by a user of the information processing device, in response to receiving the transmitted first cancellation request information, request the information processing device to display on the display unit a second screen that is a screen including a second cancellation request image for receiving an instruction to cancel the second service to which the user has already subscribed; when second cancellation request information is transmitted from the information processing device that has received the second request in response to an operation by a user of the information processing device, performing a cancellation procedure for the second service to which the user has already subscribed in response to receiving the transmitted second cancellation request information; A cancellation notice process including a subscription acceptance process for requesting the information processing device to display on the display unit a screen for accepting a subscription operation requesting subscription to the first service in response to completion of cancellation of the second service by the cancellation notification process; Execute The information processing device includes: displaying the first screen on the display unit in response to the first request; In response to receiving a selection operation for the first cancellation request image on the first screen, transmitting the first cancellation request information indicating that the first cancellation request image has been selected to the server; displaying the second screen on the display unit in response to the second request; transmitting, to the server, second cancellation request information indicating that the second cancellation request image has been selected, in response to receiving a selection operation on the second cancellation request image on the second screen; A service delivery program that is structured to:

2. 2. The service providing program according to claim 1, The first screen includes a first message indicating that the device is already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services.

3. A service provision program according to claim 2, The service provision program, wherein the first screen includes a second message prompting the user to cancel the second service to which the device already subscribes.

4. The service providing program according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The computer further comprises: a subscription process for subscribing the device to the first service in response to the determining process determining that the device is not subscribed to any of the one or more second services; A service provision program that executes the above.

5. a communication unit capable of communicating with each of an information processing apparatus having a display unit and a device; a first service provider configured to provide a first service targeted to the device; a second service providing unit configured to provide one or more second services that are targeted at the device and that are in a competitive relationship with the first service, wherein the competitive relationship includes a relationship in which a function of the first service and a function of each of the one or more second services at least partially overlap; Equipped with The first service providing unit a determination process, in response to receiving a specific service request for the first service from the information processing device, for determining whether the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services; a subscription process for subscribing the device to the first service in response to the determining process determining that the device is not subscribed to any of the one or more second services; a cancellation notification process for providing a notification to cancel the second service to which the device has already subscribed, in response to the determination process that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services, a first request to request the information processing device to display a first screen on the display unit, the first screen being a screen that allows the user to recognize that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services, the first screen being a screen including a first cancellation request image for accepting a request to proceed to a cancellation procedure for the second service to which the user has already subscribed; a cancellation request reception notification that notifies the second service providing unit that a request for cancellation of the second service to which the user has already subscribed has been received in response to reception of the first cancellation request information, when first cancellation request information is transmitted from the information processing device that has received the first request in response to an operation by the user of the information processing device; A cancellation notice process including Run The second service providing unit The cancellation process is as follows: a second request to the information processing device to display, in response to receiving the cancellation request reception notification from the first service providing unit, a second screen including a second cancellation request image for receiving an instruction to cancel the second service to which the user has already subscribed; when second cancellation request information is transmitted from the information processing device that has received the second request in response to an operation by a user of the information processing device, performing a cancellation procedure for the second service to which the user has already subscribed in response to receiving the transmitted second cancellation request information; Execute the cancellation process, including the first service providing unit requests the information processing device to display, on the display unit, a screen for accepting a subscription operation requesting subscription to the first service, in response to completion of cancellation of the second service by the cancellation process; server.

6. A service system including a server system, a device, and an information processing device including a display unit, the server system includes a first server and a second server; the first server is configured to provide a first service targeted to the device; the second server is configured to provide one or more second services that are targeted at the device and that are in a competitive relationship with the first service, the competitive relationship including a relationship in which a function of the first service and a function of each of the one or more second services at least partially overlap; the information processing device executes a service request process to transmit a specific service request for the first service to the server system; The first server a determination process for determining whether the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services in response to receiving the service request from the information processing device; a subscription process for subscribing the device to the first service in response to the determining process determining that the device is not subscribed to any of the one or more second services; a cancellation notification process for providing a notification to cancel the second service to which the device has already subscribed, in response to the determination process that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services, a first request to request the information processing device to display a first screen on the display unit, the first screen being a screen that allows the user to recognize that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services, the first screen being a screen including a first cancellation request image for accepting a request to proceed to a cancellation procedure for the second service to which the user has already subscribed; a cancellation request reception notification that notifies the second server that a request for cancellation of the second service to which the user has already subscribed has been received in response to reception of the first cancellation request information, when first cancellation request information is transmitted from the information processing device that has received the first request in response to an operation by the user of the information processing device; A cancellation notice process including Run The second server The cancellation process is as follows: a second request to the information processing device to display, in response to receiving the cancellation request reception notification from the first server, a second screen including a second cancellation request image for receiving an instruction to cancel the second service to which the user has already subscribed; and when second cancellation request information is transmitted from the information processing device that has received the second request in response to an operation by a user of the information processing device, performing a cancellation procedure for the second service to which the user has already subscribed in response to receiving the transmitted second cancellation request information; Execute the cancellation process, including the first server requests the information processing device to display, on the display unit, a screen for accepting a subscription operation to request subscription to the first service, in response to completion of cancellation of the second service by the cancellation process; Service system.

7. A service providing method used in a server capable of communicating with a device, for providing a service targeted at the device, comprising: the services include a first service and one or more second services; each of the one or more second services is in a competitive relationship with the first service, and the competitive relationship includes a relationship in which a function of the first service and a function of each of the one or more second services at least partially overlap; The service providing method includes: a determining step by the server in response to receiving a specific service request directed to the first service, the server determining whether the device already subscribes to at least one of the one or more second services; a subscribing step, in response to the determining step determining that the device is not subscribed to any of the one or more second services, of the server subscribing the device to the first service; a cancellation guidance step in which, in response to the determination step that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services, the server guides a source of the service request to cancel the second service to which the device has already subscribed, a first notification from the server to the requestor that the device has already subscribed to at least one of the one or more second services and that the server is able to accept a request to transition to a cancellation procedure for the second service to which the device has already subscribed; a second notification in which, when the requester that has received the first notification transmits first cancellation request information in response to an operation by the user of the transmission source, the server notifies the requester that it is able to accept an instruction to cancel the second service to which the requester has already subscribed in response to the server receiving the transmitted first cancellation request information; when second cancellation request information is transmitted from the request source that has received the second notification in response to an operation by the user of the transmission source, the server performs a cancellation procedure for the second service to which the user has already subscribed in response to receiving the transmitted second cancellation request information; Cancellation instructions including: a subscription acceptance step of notifying the request source from the server that an instruction to subscribe to the first service is available in response to completion of the cancellation of the second service by the cancellation notification step; a providing step in which, in response to the device being subscribed to the first service by the subscribing step, the server acquires information about the device from the device and provides the first service based on the acquired information; A service provision method having the above.

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