Printing device and control method

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: a mechanism has been demanded which enables a printer to achieve an appropriate software update complying with an instruction by a manager from a cloud print management server.SOLUTION: A printer comprises: first acquisition means for acquiring information for software applicable to the printer from a management server; notification means for transmitting the acquired software information as a device information notification to a print system; request means for executing an event request for the print system; second acquisition means for acquiring software information used for update from the print system when a response received in response to the event request includes a software update event according to an operation input to the print system; and update means for updating the software of the printer on the basis of the software information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a control method, and a program for the same in a cloud print service. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional printing services, users can print by directly sending print jobs from client terminals such as PCs to printing devices. In recent years, however, cloud printing services that utilize cloud services provided over the Internet have been proposed.

[0003] A conventionally known processing sequence for cloud printing will now be described with reference to Figure 1. The printing device 101 is assumed to support a cloud print function and a WebUI function for operating the printing device 101. The client terminal 100 is assumed to support a cloud print client function and a WebUI client for operating the WebUI. Furthermore, a cloud print service 102 represents a cloud print service on the Internet.

[0004] First, the user uses the WebUI client of the client terminal 100 to send a cloud print service registration request 111 to the printing device 101 via the WebUI. Upon receiving the request 111, the printing device 101 sends a cloud print service registration request 112 to the cloud print service 102. Upon receiving the request 112, the cloud print service 102 sends a cloud print service registration request response 113, which includes a registration URL 130 for cloud print registration, to the printing device 101. Upon receiving the response 113, the printing device 101 sends registration URL display screen information 114, which includes the cloud print service registration URL, to the client terminal 100 via the WebUI.

[0005] When the client terminal 100 receives the screen information 114, it displays a registration URL on the WebUI client. The user operates the WebUI client of the client terminal 100 and accesses the displayed registration URL. This causes the client terminal 100 to send a cloud print service registration approval request 115 including a cloud account 131 to the cloud print service 102. When the cloud print service 102 receives the registration approval request 115, it sends a cloud print service registration approval response 116 to the client terminal 100. The cloud account 131 indicates a user who has authority to use the cloud print service 102, and the user has registered a user account with the cloud print service 102 in advance.

[0006] The printing device 101 transmits a cloud print service registration confirmation request 117 to the cloud print service 102. Upon receiving the registration confirmation request 117, the cloud print service 102 transmits a cloud print service registration confirmation response 118 including a cloud printer ID 132 to the printing device 101. At this stage, the printing device 101 is registered with the cloud print service 102 and is able to use the cloud print service.

[0007] The client terminal 100 sends a print request 119 including a cloud printer ID 132, print data 134, and a cloud account 131 to the cloud print service 102. The printing device 101 sends a print job request 120 to the cloud print service 102. The cloud print service 102 sends a print job response 121 including the print data 134 and the cloud account 131 to the printing device 101. The printing device 101 prints the received print data.

[0008] 1, the printing device 101 sends the print job request 120 after detecting that a print job addressed to itself has been sent to the cloud print service 102. Specifically, the method of detection is realized when the printing device 101 receives an event notification from the cloud print service 102.

[0009] 2 is a diagram illustrating the processing sequence of an event notification. The printing device 101 sends an event acquisition request 201 including a cloud printer ID 132 and a cloud account 131 to the cloud print service 102. When the cloud print service 102 receives the event acquisition request 201, it maintains the connection. Then, when an event occurs, it sends an event response 202 including an event type 230 as a response to the event acquisition request 201. The cloud print service 102 continues to maintain the connection even after sending the event response 202. Whenever an event occurs, the cloud print service 102 sends an event response to the printing device 101.

[0010] The event type is set with information about the event that has occurred. Examples include a job reception event indicating that a print job addressed to the printing device 101 has been received, and a job cancellation event in which the printing device 101 cancels a job that has already been received. This concludes the explanation of conventionally known cloud printing.

[0011] A system for upgrading the software of a printing device compatible with a cloud print service has also been proposed. In the prior art (Patent Document 1), it is determined whether the printing device is compatible with the cloud print service, and if it is not, software such as firmware is downloaded from a pre-installed software distribution server and installed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0012] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-232512 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0013] However, software for printing devices is updated for various reasons, such as to address security vulnerabilities, and in some cases it is recommended that software be updated for printing devices currently in operation. In this regard, in the aforementioned Patent Document 1, the decision to update the software was based solely on whether the current software was compatible with the cloud print service, and there was room for improvement in the criteria for this decision.

[0014] For example, there has been a demand for a mechanism that enables software updates of a printing device compatible with a cloud print service to be performed appropriately in accordance with instructions from an administrator on a cloud print management server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] A printing device capable of communicating with a printing system that provides a print service via a network, comprising: a first acquisition means for acquiring information on software applicable to the printing device from a management server that manages software of the printing device; a notification means for transmitting the acquired software information as a device information notification to the printing system; a request means for executing an event request to the printing system; a second acquisition means for acquiring information on software to be used for updating from the printing system when a response received in response to the event request includes a software update event corresponding to an operation input to the printing system; and based on the software information acquired by the second acquisition means, Using the software requested and obtained from the management server, an update unit that executes software update processing for the printing device; When the software update process of the printing device is executed, the update unit transmits a device information notification including information indicating that the software update is being performed as a device status to the printing system. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mechanism that enables a printing device that is compatible with a cloud print service to perform appropriate software updates in accordance with instructions from an administrator via a cloud print management server. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] Conventional cloud print processing sequence diagram [Figure 2] Conventional Cloud Print event notification processing sequence diagram [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a printing device and a server device. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the software configuration of a printing device and a cloud print server [Figure 5] Network configuration diagram according to this embodiment [Figure 6] 1 is a sequence diagram showing a sequence from startup of a printing device to software update according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] Software information transmitted by the printing device in this embodiment [Figure 8] Latest software information transmitted by the printing device in this embodiment [Figure 9] 1 is a management screen of a cloud print service according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a screen when a software update is executed on the management screen of the cloud print service according to this embodiment. [Figure 11] Flowchart for when a printing device checks for the latest software [Figure 12] Flowchart for when a printing device processes an event [Figure 13] Flowchart when a printing device executes a software update process [Figure 14] Flowchart for displaying the management screen for the cloud print service [Figure 15] Software update information sent by the cloud print service to the printing device DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0019] First, FIG. 3(a) is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the printing device 101 according to the present invention. A control unit 301 including a CPU 302 controls the overall operation of the printing device 101. The CPU 302 reads control programs stored in a ROM 304 and performs various controls such as communication control. A RAM 303 is used as a temporary storage area such as the main memory and work area of ​​the CPU 301. A HDD 314 stores data, various programs, and various information tables. Programs stored within the printing device 101, read into memory, and executed by the CPU 302 include programs for implementing the processes shown in the sequences and flowcharts described below.

[0020] The printer I / F 306 serves as an interface for outputting an image signal to a printer 307 (printer engine). The scanner I / F 308 serves as an interface for inputting a read image signal from a scanner 309 (scanner engine). The CPU 302 processes the image signal input from the scanner I / F 308 and outputs it to the printer I / F 306 as a recording image signal. The operation panel I / F 310 connects an operation panel 311 to the control unit 301. The operation panel 311 is equipped with a liquid crystal display unit with touch panel functionality, a keyboard, and the like. The network I / F 312 transmits information to external terminals such as the client terminal 100 and the cloud print service 102, or receives various information from these external devices. The blocks in the control unit 301 are connected by a system bus 305.

[0021] 3(b) is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a server device on which the cloud print service 102 according to the present invention is executed. The cloud print service 102 may be realized as a virtual server using some of the hardware resources provided by multiple server devices configured in a data center, etc. The software management server (SW management server) 501 also has the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 3(b).

[0022] The control unit 3101, including the CPU 3102, controls the overall operation of the cloud print service 102. The CPU 3102 reads control programs stored in the ROM 3104 and performs various controls, such as communication control. The RAM 3101 is used as a temporary storage area, such as the CPU 301's main memory or work area. The HDD 3114 stores data, various programs, or various information tables. Programs stored in the server device, such as the cloud print service 102 or the SW management server 501, read into memory, and executed by the CPU 3102 include programs for implementing the processes shown in the sequences described below. The network I / F 3112 transmits information to external terminals, such as the client terminal 100 or the printing device 101, and receives various information from these external devices. The blocks in the control unit 301 are connected via a system bus 305.

[0023] Fig. 4(a) is a diagram for explaining the software configuration of the printing device 101. Each functional unit shown in Fig. 4 is realized by the CPU 302 of the printing device 101 executing a control program.

[0024] The operation control unit 400 controls the operation panel 311. It displays an operation menu on the operation panel 311, waits for instructions to be input by the user, notifies other functional units of the received instructions, and displays the results of the instructions on the operation panel 311.

[0025] The cloud service registration control unit 401 analyzes the cloud print service registration request 111 received from the client terminal 100, and transmits a cloud print service registration request 112 to the cloud print service 102. In this way, the cloud print service registration process is controlled.

[0026] The cloud print control unit 402 controls the process of transferring the print data 134 received from the cloud print service 102 to the image processing unit 406 together with a print instruction.

[0027] An event control unit 408 controls event transmission and event reception processing between the printing device 101 and the cloud print service 102. A device information control unit 409 manages device information of the printing device 101 and controls processing for notifying the cloud print service 102.

[0028] In response to instructions from other functional units, the storage unit 405 stores designated data in the ROM 304 or the HDD 314, or reads out stored data. An example of data managed by the storage unit 405 is user management information for the printing device.

[0029] The image processing unit 406 performs processing to render the print job into image data for printing. The print processing unit 407 performs processing to transmit the image data rendered by the image processing unit 406 as an image signal to the printer 207 via the printer I / F 206 and print the image data.

[0030] The user account control unit 403 manages the user account information stored in the storage unit 405 .

[0031] The SW update processing unit 404 controls the process of updating software such as firmware and applications of the printing device 101 .

[0032] Fig. 4(b) is a diagram for explaining the software configuration of the cloud server that executes the cloud print service 102. Each functional unit shown in Fig. 4(b) is realized by the CPU 3102 of the cloud server executing a control program.

[0033] The WebUI control unit 4100 performs Web communication via the network I / F 3112 and controls the processing of providing a UI to a browser or the like running on the user's computer. The WebUI content generation unit 4106 controls the processing of generating WebUI content to be transmitted by the WebUI control unit 4100.

[0034] The cloud service registration control unit 4101 receives a cloud print service registration request 112 from the printing device 101 and controls the process of registering the printing device 101 with the cloud print service 102. The cloud print control unit 4102 receives a print request 119 from the client terminal 100 and controls the process of sending print data 134 included in the print request 119 to the printing device 101. The event control unit 4103 receives an event acquisition request 201 from the printing device 101 and controls the process of sending event responses 202 and 203 depending on whether an event has occurred.

[0035] The device management unit 4108 controls the process of managing multiple printing devices 101 registered in the cloud print service 102. Specifically, it stores and manages information such as the software version of each printing device.

[0036] The storage unit 4105 stores specified data in the ROM 3104 or HDD 3114, or reads out stored data, in response to instructions from other functional units. Examples of data managed by the storage unit 4105 include print data 134, event information, and information on registered printing devices 101. The storage unit 4105 stores specified data in the ROM 3104 or HDD 3114, or reads out stored data, in response to instructions from other functional units. Examples of data managed by the storage unit 4105 include print data 134, event information, and information on registered printing devices 101.

[0037] The SW version management unit 4107 manages whether a newer SW version than the currently operating SW version has been released, based on the printing device information stored in the storage unit 4105. The WebUI content generation unit 4106 controls whether or not to display the SW update button, according to the version information managed by the SW version management unit 4107. The user information control unit 4104 manages users and their authorities, and performs control to determine whether the user information instructing a SW update sent from the printing device 101 is a user with update authority.

[0038] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration in this embodiment.

[0039] Reference numeral 502 in Fig. 5 denotes a LAN (Local Area Network). The printing device 101 communicates with a SW management server 501 via the LAN 502. The SW management server 501 is a management server that manages firmware and application information for the printing device 101. The managed firmware information includes not only firmware for responding to version upgrades of the cloud print service 102, but also information on various firmware such as those for responding to security vulnerabilities, improving network function performance, and adding functions. Reference numeral 504 denotes the Internet.

[0040] The cloud print service 102 is a print system for providing print services and the like realized by one or more servers existing on a network such as the Internet 504. The LAN 502 and the Internet 504 are connected via a firewall 503. The SW management server 501 may be configured to be located on the Internet 504. Alternatively, the SW management server 501 and the cloud print service 102 may be configured to be provided on the same server.

[0041] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the process from when the printing device is started up to when the software is updated in this embodiment.

[0042] When the printing device 101 starts up (when the power is turned on or when the device returns from sleep mode, etc.), the printing device 101 sends a device information notification 600 to the cloud print service 102. The device information notification 600 includes all device information of the printing device 101. The device information includes the name and version information of the software installed on the printing device.

[0043] The printing device 101 transmits a latest SW confirmation request 601 to the SW management server 501. The SW management server 501 transmits a latest SW confirmation response 602 to the printing device 101 in response to the request.

[0044] The printing device 101 receives the latest SW confirmation response 602 and transmits the latest SW information acquired in the response to the cloud print service 102 as a device information notification 603. The latest SW information includes information such as the name and version of the SW applicable to the printing device 101.

[0045] The cloud print service 102 reflects the received latest SW information in the display of the management screen provided by the cloud print service 102. In this embodiment, a SW update operation 620 by the user on the management screen is now accepted.

[0046] The printing device 101 sends an event request 604 to the cloud print service 102. The event request 604 may be made periodically, or may be made at a predetermined frequency during a predetermined period after the device information notification 603. The cloud print service 102 sends an event response 605 to the printing device 101 in response to the event request. If the user has instructed a SW update by the above-mentioned SW update operation 620, the event response 605 will include a SW update event according to that operation.

[0047] The printing device 101 checks the contents of the received event response 605, and if it detects a SW update event, it sends a SW update information request 606 to the cloud print service 102. The cloud print service 102 sends a SW update information response 607 to the printing device 101 as a response to the request. The SW update information response 607 includes the name and version of the SW to be updated.

[0048] The printing device 101 receives the SW update information response 607 and, based on the SW update information included in the response, sends a SW acquisition request 608 to the SW management server 501. The SW management server 501 sends a SW acquisition response 609 to the printing device 101 as a response. The SW acquisition response 609 includes the SW specified by the name and version specified by the printing device 101 in the SW acquisition request 608.

[0049] The printing device 101 transmits a device information notification 610 to the cloud print service 102. The device information notification 610 includes a device status, and the device status is set to "Updating."

[0050] The printing device 101 updates its software 621 with the software received in the SW acquisition response 609. As a result of this update process, the printing device 101 restarts 622. Following the restart, the printing device 101 will operate with the updated software. After restarting, the printing device 101 sends a device information notification 611 to the cloud print service 102. This device information notification 611 includes the device status, and the device status is set to "Ready." "Ready" here is information indicating that the software update process has been completed and the device has returned to its normal state.

[0051] In the following description, the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) defined in RFC8011 and PWG5100.18 will be used as an example of a communication protocol between the printing device 101 and the cloud print service 102. Communication between the printing device 101 and the SW management server 501 is performed using HTTP or the like.

[0052] 7 is a diagram showing software information transmitted by a printing device in this embodiment. The software information described here is transmitted in a device information notification 600.

[0053] In IPP, device information notification is executed by an operation called Update-Output-Device-Attributes. The IPP attributes sent by Update-Output-Device-Attributes include printer-firmware-name 701, which indicates the software name, and printer-firmware-version 702, which indicates the software version. In this embodiment, the values ​​MainController and 82.70 are set, respectively. Note that multiple pieces of software may exist. In that case, multiple values ​​are set in printer-firmware-name 701 and printer-firmware-version 702.

[0054] 8 is a diagram showing the latest software information sent by the printing device in this embodiment. The latest software information described here is sent in the device information notification 603.

[0055] The IPP attribute sent in Update-Output-Device-Attributes is printer-firmware-latest-version 811, which indicates the latest software version. In this embodiment, this indicates that the version of the MainController currently running on the printing device 101 is 82.70, and the latest version of the MainController is 83.00.

[0056] 9 shows a management screen of the cloud print service 102 in this embodiment. The SW update operation 620 in FIG. 6 is also received on one of the management screens provided by the cloud print service 102.

[0057] The management screen is displayed when the user accesses the cloud print service 102 using a browser or the like. The information displayed here is a merge of the information sent by the printing device 101 in Update-Output-Device-Attributes and the information managed by the cloud print service 102 itself.

[0058] 901 is a management screen displayed by the cloud print service 102 when the software of the printing device is the latest version. 902 displays the printer name. 903 displays the printer ID for uniquely identifying the printing device registered in the cloud print service 102. 904 displays the model name of the printing device. 905 displays the status of the printing device. The status of the printing device, Ready, indicates that the printing device is in a state where it can print. 906 displays the date and time when the printing device was registered with the cloud print service 102. 907 displays the software name of the printing device. 908 displays the software version of the printing device. 909 displays the latest version of the software in 907.

[0059] Like 901, 911 is a management screen displayed by the cloud print service 102, but is a management screen displayed when there is software with a newer version than the software on the printing device. The software version of the printing device displayed in 912 is 82.70. In contrast, the latest software version displayed in 913 is 83.00.

[0060] If there is software that is more up-to-date than the software in the printing device, an Update Firmware button 914 is displayed. By operating this button, the SW update operation 620 in FIG. 6 is realized, and the software in the printing device 101 is updated.

[0061] FIG. 10 shows a screen when a software update is executed on the management screen of the cloud print service 102 in this embodiment.

[0062] When the Update Firmware button 914 is pressed on the management screen 911 in Figure 9, the printing device 101 starts the software update process and sends a device information notification 610 to the cloud print service 102. Upon receiving this, the cloud print service 102 displays a management screen 1001 on the management screen. In 1002, the printer status becomes "Updating," indicating that the software is currently being updated.

[0063] When the printer software update is complete, the printing device 101 sends a device information notification 611 to the cloud print service 102. Upon receiving this, the cloud print service 102 displays a management screen 1011 on the management screen. In 1012, the printer status becomes Ready, indicating that printing is possible. In addition, in 1013, the printer version becomes 83.00, indicating that it has been updated to the latest version.

[0064] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the process when the printing device 101 checks for the latest software.

[0065] In S1101, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 sends a latest SW confirmation request 601 to the SW management server 501. In S1102, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 receives a latest SW confirmation response 602 from the SW management server 501. In S1103, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 acquires the latest software information contained in the response. The latest software information includes various information such as identification information such as the name of the software, the type of software, and software version information.

[0066] In S1104, the software update processing unit 404 of the printing apparatus 101 determines whether the software version included in the latest software information is newer than the software version of the printing apparatus 101. If it is not newer (NO in S1104), the process waits for a certain period of time in S1105, and then repeats the process from S1101 again. If it is newer (YES in S1104), in S1106, the device information control unit 409 of the printing apparatus 101 sends the latest software information described in FIG. 8 to the cloud print service 102 using Update-Output-Device-Attributes, which is an IPP operation.

[0067] Then, after waiting for a certain period of time in S1105, the process is repeated from S1101.

[0068] 12 is a flowchart for explaining the process when the printing device processes an event. As described in FIG. 2, the printing device 101 receives an event from the cloud print service 102 by maintaining a communication connection.

[0069] In S1201, the event control unit 408 of the printing device 101 transmits a Get-Notifications request, which is an IPP operation, to the cloud print service 102. The event control unit 408 of the printing device 101 maintains the connection used during the transmission, and waits for a reception event of a Get-Notifications response in S1202.

[0070] In step S1203, when a reception event occurs, the event control unit 408 of the printing apparatus 101 receives a Get-Notifications response. In step S1204, the event control unit 408 of the printing apparatus 101 determines the type of the reception event.

[0071] If the event type is job reception, the cloud print control unit 402 of the printing apparatus 101 performs job reception processing in step S1205. When a job is received from the cloud print service 102, the printing apparatus 101 executes print processing according to the contents of the job.

[0072] If the event type is job cancellation, the cloud print control unit 402 of the printing apparatus 101 performs job cancellation processing in step S1206.

[0073] If the event type is software update, the software update processing unit 404 of the printing apparatus 101 performs software update processing in S1207. This processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0074] Event reception may be achieved by polling events instead of maintaining a communication connection.

[0075] 13 is a flowchart for explaining the details of the software update process performed by the printing device. The software update process explained here is a detailed explanation of the process in S1207 in the flowchart of FIG.

[0076] In S1301, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 sends an Acknowledge-Update-Firmware request, which is an IPP operation, to the cloud print service 102 to request detailed information for the SW update. In S1302, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 receives the SW update information described in FIG. 15 from the cloud print service 102 as a response to the Acknowledge-Update-Firmware request.

[0077] In S1303, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 sends a SW acquisition request 608 to the SW management server 501. At that time, the software is requested with the software identification information (such as name) and version information according to the SW update information acquired in S1302. In S1304, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 receives the software specified in S1303 from the SW management server 501.

[0078] In step S1305, the device information control unit 409 of the printing apparatus 101 sends an Update-Output-Device-Attributes request, which is an IPP operation, to the cloud print service 102. The Update-Output-Device-Attributes request includes the device status as an IPP attribute, and the value of the attribute is set to "Updating."

[0079] In S1306, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 updates the software of the printing device 101 with the software acquired in S1304. When the update is complete, in S1307 the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing device 101 restarts the printing device 101. When the restart is complete, in S1305 the device information control unit 409 of the printing device 101 sends an Update-Output-Device-Attributes request to the cloud print service 102. The Update-Output-Device-Attributes request includes the device status as an IPP attribute, and its value is set to "Ready."

[0080] It is also possible to perform user authentication in two ways.

[0081] (1) User authentication in cloud print service In S1301, the SW update processing unit 404 of the printing apparatus 101 adds requesting-user-uri as user information to an Acknowledge-Update-Firmware request and sends it. The cloud print service 102 then determines whether the notified user information has SW update authority in the cloud print service 102. If the user has authority, an Acknowledge-Update-Firmware response is sent as described above. If the user does not have SW update authority, an error response of client-error-not-authorized is sent in response to the request.

[0082] (2) User authentication on the printing device In S1302, the cloud print service 102 adds update-operating-user-uri as user information to the Acknowledge-Update-Firmware response and sends it. The printing device 101 then determines whether the notified user information has SW update authority on the printing device 101. If the user has authority, the FW update process continues in S1303; if the user does not have authority, the FW update process is interrupted and the process ends.

[0083] 14 is a flowchart for explaining the process of displaying the management screen in the cloud print service. The management screen is the one explained in FIGS.

[0084] In S1401, the cloud print service 102 obtains information about the specified printing device from printer information managed by the cloud print service 102. In S1402, the cloud print service 102 compares the software of the specified printing device with the latest software version. In S1403, the cloud print service 102 compares the software of the specified printing device with the latest software version, and if the latest software is newer than the software of the printing device (YES in S1403), it executes the processing of S1404. If not (NO in S1403), the cloud print service 102 displays the printer information on the management screen in S1406.

[0085] In S1404, the cloud print service 102 determines whether the status of the specified printing device is "Updating." If it is "Updating," the cloud print service 102 displays the printer information on the management screen in S1406. If the status of the printing device is not "Updating," the cloud print service 102 displays the printer information on the management screen and also displays a software update button in S1405.

[0086] 15 shows SW update information sent from the cloud print service to the printing device 101. This information is sent from the cloud print service 102 to the printing device 101 as a response to the Acknowledge-Update-Firmware request described with reference to FIG.

[0087] 1501 indicates the time to execute the software update. If "now" is set, the update will be performed immediately. By setting the date and time, it is possible to perform the update at any time. 1501 indicates the name of the software to be updated. 1502 indicates the version of the software to be updated.

[0088] (Other Examples) The present invention also includes an apparatus or system configured by appropriately combining the above-described embodiments, and a method thereof.

[0089] Here, the present invention is a device or system that executes one or more pieces of software (programs) that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Also, a method for implementing the above-described embodiments executed by the device or system is also one aspect of the present invention. The program is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and is read into one or more memories and executed by one or more computers (CPUs, MPUs, etc.) of the system or device. In other words, the present invention also includes the program itself or various storage media that store the program and are readable by a computer. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 101 Printing device 102 Cloud Print Service 501 Software Management Server

Claims

1. A printing device that can communicate with a printing system that provides a printing service via a network, a first acquisition means for acquiring information about software applicable to the printing device from a management server that manages software for the printing device; a notification means for transmitting information about the acquired software as a device information notification to the print system; a requesting means for executing an event request to the printing system; a second acquisition means for acquiring information on the software to be used for updating from the printing system when a response received in response to the event request includes a software update event corresponding to an operation input to the printing system; an update unit that executes a software update process for the printing device using software that is requested and acquired from the management server based on the software information acquired by the second acquisition unit, The printing device is characterized in that, when a software update process for the printing device is executed, the update means sends a device information notification to the printing system, the device information notification including information indicating that the device status is being updated.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the software update process of the printing device is completed, the update means sends information to the printing system as a device information notification indicating that the device status has returned to a normal state.

3. A control method for a printing device that can communicate with a printing system that provides a print service via a network, comprising: a first acquisition step of acquiring information about software applicable to the printing device from a management server that manages software for the printing device; a notification step of transmitting information about the acquired software as a device information notification to the print system; a request step of executing an event request to the printing system; a second acquisition step of acquiring, from the printing system, information on the software to be used for the update when a response received in response to the event request includes a software update event corresponding to an operation input to the printing system; an update step of executing a software update process for the printing device using software obtained by requesting the management server based on the software information obtained in the second acquisition step; A control method characterized in that, in the update process, when a software update process for the printing device is executed, a device information notification including information indicating that the device status is being updated is sent to the printing system.

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