Information processing system, its control method, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem in which a series of tasks related to an issuance of access tokens needs to be as simple as possible since a user task occurs on every expiration of an access token.SOLUTION: An Information processing system requires fewer procedures on a series of tasks related to the issuance of access tokens when an image forming apparatus is using the services of a service providing server via an intermediary server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] There is known a system that enables an image forming device to use services provided by a service providing server, such as cloud storage, via an intermediary server (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a system, a user authorizes the service providing server to allow the intermediary server to use user data on the service providing server, and the service providing server issues an access token to the intermediary server that is required to use the service.

[0003] Furthermore, access tokens generally have an expiration date for security reasons. Therefore, the intermediary server can use the services of the service provider server only within the expiration date of the access token. If the access token expires, it is necessary to obtain authorization from the user and have it reissued. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-184118 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the user must perform some work each time the access token expires, and after authorization to the service providing server, a separate authentication ID must be generated and entered into the image forming apparatus. It is desirable to minimize the number of steps required for the series of work required to re-authorize an access token after it has expired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an information processing system according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: That is, the information processing system is composed of a first external device, a second external device, an information processing device, and an image forming device, and includes an issuing unit that issues an access token for accessing a cloud service in the first external device, a first registration unit that receives the access token, associates it with an identifier of a button on the image forming device, and registers it in the second external device, and a registration unit that receives identification information of the button when a button displayed on the image forming device is pressed, and registers the access token in the second external device. hmm and a display means for identifying the identifier of the access token, informing the image forming device that the access token has expired, and causing the image forming device to display a re-authorization instruction object on the browser of the information processing device; and second registration means for, when the re-authorization instruction object is pressed, the image forming device obtains from the second external device information generated based on the identification information and an authentication page URL including a redirect URL to which the authorization token is to be sent, and transmits these to the information processing device, and redirects the browser of the information processing device to the authentication page URL, thereby reissuing an access token, and again associating the identifier with the reissued access token and registering them in the second external device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of steps that a user must perform when an access token is issued. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a software module configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Network configuration diagram [Figure 4] Cloud-linked print and scan app button management screen [Figure 5] Cloud-linked print and scan app button registration screen [Figure 6] Cloud service authentication / authorization sequence diagram [Figure 7] Image forming device home screen [Figure 8] Image forming device license expiration screen [Figure 9] Flowchart when pressing the button on the cloud-linked print and scan app [Figure 10] Cloud service reauthorization sequence diagram [Figure 11] Diagram showing the relationship between button settings and button IDs [Figure 12] Image forming device's print failure file list screen [Figure 13] Cloud Print Flowchart DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0010] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, image forming apparatus 100 is realized as a so-called MFP (multi-function peripheral) that integrates multiple functions, such as a scanning function and a printing function. Image forming apparatus 100 includes a controller unit 100 for controlling the entire apparatus, an operation unit 106, a scanner 112, and a printer 114. Operation unit 106 includes a numeric keypad and various hard keys for receiving instructions from a user, such as for executing a job, and a display panel for displaying device information, job progress information, and the like, as well as a setting screen for functions executable by image forming apparatus 100. Scanner 112 is an image input device that optically reads an image on a set document. Printer 114 is an image output device that prints an image on a recording medium, such as printing paper, based on image data.

[0012] The operation unit 106 is connected to an operation unit interface (I / F) 105 included in the controller unit 100. The scanner 112 and the printer 114 are connected to a scanner processing unit 113 and a printer processing unit 114, respectively, included in the controller unit 100. With this configuration, the operation unit 106, the scanner 112, and the printer 114 each operate under the control of the controller unit 100.

[0013] If necessary, an external storage device 116 such as a USB memory medium can be connected to the image forming apparatus 100. In this case, the external storage device 116 is connected via an external storage I / F 115 and operates under the control of the controller unit 100.

[0014] The controller unit 100 includes a CPU 101 that controls each block of the controller unit 100. The CPU 101 is connected to a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a hardware disk drive (HDD) 104, and an operation unit I / F 105 via a system bus 117. The CPU 101 is further connected to a network I / F 107, a fax I / F 109, an image processing unit 109, a device I / F 110, and an external storage I / F 115 via the system bus 117. The RAM 102 is a general-purpose RAM and is memory that provides a working area for the CPU 101. The RAM 102 is also used as a memory for temporarily storing parameters, setting values, etc., and as an image memory for storing image data in predetermined units such as pages. The ROM 103 is a general-purpose ROM that, for example, functions as a boot ROM and stores a system boot program. The HDD 104 stores system software programs, history data, tables, etc. The functions of the image forming apparatus 100 are realized, for example, by the CPU 101 reading out a program stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 102 and executing it.

[0015] The operation unit I / F 105 is an interface for inputting and outputting information to and from the operation unit 106. In response to an instruction from the CPU 101, the operation unit I / F 105 outputs display data to the operation unit 106, and also transmits information input by the user on the operation unit 106 to the CPU 101.

[0016] Network I / F 107 is connected to LAN 108, which is a wired or wireless medium, and enables input and output of information between image forming apparatus 100 and devices on LAN 108. Network I / F 107 has a configuration compatible with LAN 108, and may have a configuration compatible with near field communication, for example, with a wireless distance of approximately several tens of centimeters. In this case, mutual communication is performed with a portable wireless terminal.

[0017] The image processing unit 109 performs general-purpose image processing. For example, it performs processes such as enlargement / reduction, rotation, and conversion on image data acquired from outside via the LAN 108. The image processing unit 109 also performs a process of expanding PDL code received via the LAN 108 into a bitmap image. When outputting the image data to the printer 114 via the printer processing unit 113, the image processing unit 109 also performs a process of converting the image data compressed and encoded and stored in the RAM 102 into a format that can be processed by the printer processing unit 113.

[0018] The device I / F 110 is connected to the scanner 112 and printer 114 via the scanner processing unit 113 and printer processing unit 114, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data and transmits setting values, adjustment values, etc. The device I / F 110 also transmits status information of the scanner 112 and printer 114 to the CPU 101. This status information includes, for example, error information such as a jam that has occurred in the scanner 112 or printer 114.

[0019] Scanner processing unit 113 performs various processes corresponding to the scanning function, such as correction, processing, image area separation, magnification, and binarization, on the read data read and input by scanner 112. Scanner 112 includes an automatic continuous document feeder and a pressure plate reader (not shown), and is capable of reading a document placed on a glass document table and double-sided reading of multiple documents. In addition, scanner 112 is provided with sensors that detect the opening and closing of a document feeder cover (not shown), the opening and closing of a document cover (not shown), the presence or absence of a document, and the document size. Detection signals from these sensors and status information of scanner 112 are sent to CPU 101 via scanner processing unit 113 and device I / F 110, and CPU 101 recognizes the occurrence and cancellation of an error in scanner 112.

[0020] The printer processing unit 113 performs processing corresponding to the printing function, such as output correction, resolution conversion, and image printing position adjustment, on image data to be printed out in accordance with the output characteristics of the printer 114. The printer 114 includes one or more paper feed cassettes (not shown) for storing printing paper, one or more toner trays (not shown) for storing toner, and a paper feed unit (not shown) that can sequentially feed paper one sheet at a time from the paper feed cassette. The printer 114 also includes a marking unit (not shown) for printing toner on fed paper, and a fixing unit (not shown) for fixing the toner printed by the marking unit with heat and pressure. The printer 114 is provided with sensors that detect the open / close status of each paper feed cassette, the amount of paper remaining, the open / close status of the toner tray, the open / close status of the paper feed unit cover (not shown), the presence or absence of toner, the position of paper during feeding, etc. Detection signals from the sensors and status information of the printer 114 are sent to the CPU 101 via the printer processing unit 113 and the device I / F 110, and the CPU 101 recognizes the status of the printer 114, such as the occurrence and cancellation of an error.

[0021] When an external storage device 116 is connected, the external storage I / F 115 reads data stored in the external storage device 116 and writes data to the external storage device 116 in response to an instruction from the CPU 101 .

[0022] 2 is a diagram showing the software module configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. Each module in FIG. 2 is realized by the CPU 101 executing a program.

[0023] The UI processing unit 201 performs processing related to the operation unit I / F 105 and operation unit 106. The UI processing unit 201 notifies other modules of operations performed by the user on the operation unit 106 as necessary, and displays a screen on the operation unit 106 in response to instructions from the other modules. The UI processing unit 201 also performs editing of drawing data to be displayed on the operation unit 106.

[0024] The network processing unit 202 performs communication processing with devices on the LAN 108 via the network I / F 107. When the network processing unit 202 receives control commands or data from devices on the LAN 108, it notifies the other modules of the information. In addition, the network processing unit 202 transmits control commands or data to devices on the LAN 108 in response to instructions from the other modules.

[0025] The job control unit 203 controls other modules and performs overall control over the execution of each job generated within the image forming apparatus 100, such as copying, printing, and faxing. When a job is input from the UI processing unit 201 or the network processing unit 202, the job control unit 203 determines the type of job and instructs an input processing unit appropriate for that type to execute processing to generate an image for printing. For example, if a copy job is input, the job control unit 203 issues an execution instruction to the scan input processing unit 206, and if a PDL job is input, the job control unit 203 issues an execution instruction to the PDL input processing unit 207. Each input processing unit generates an image for each page, saves it in the storage unit 205, and notifies the job control unit 203. Upon receiving the notification, the job control unit 203 instructs the output processing unit 209 to execute processing to print the image on a recording medium. This series of controls is repeated the number of times corresponding to the number of pages in the job to print the image.

[0026] The image processing unit 204 performs image processing by software or image processing by hardware using the image processing unit 109 in response to instructions from each input processing unit and output processing unit 210. It also performs image segmentation and handwriting determination in the second embodiment, which will be described later.

[0027] The storage unit 205 reads data from and writes data to the RAM 102 and the HDD 104. The storage unit 205 saves various data in response to instructions from other modules.

[0028] The scan input processing unit 206 controls the scanner processing unit 111 and the scanner 112 in response to instructions from the job control unit 203 to execute a reading process of a document placed on the scanner 112. The scan input processing unit 206 controls the scanner processing unit 111 to execute image processing on the read image data. The scan input processing unit 206 also acquires status information of the scanner processing unit 111 and the scanner 112 and notifies the job control unit 203. Furthermore, when the scan input processing unit 206 receives an interrupt instruction (described later) from the job control unit 203, it can interrupt the document reading process and image generation process.

[0029] In response to an instruction from the job control unit 203, the PDL input processing unit 207 analyzes the PDL data received via the network processing unit 202 and converts it into a bitmap image for each page. The converted bitmap image is stored in a storage area by the storage unit 205. Furthermore, when the PDL input processing unit 207 receives an interrupt instruction (described later) from the job control unit 203, it can interrupt the PDL analysis processing and the image generation processing.

[0030] The fax input processor 208 converts data received via the network processor 202 into a binary image for each page in response to an instruction from the job controller 203. The converted binary image is stored in a storage area by the storage unit 205.

[0031] The output processing unit 209 controls the image processing unit 204, printer processing unit 113, and printer 114 in response to instructions from the job control unit 203, performs appropriate image processing on image data generated by each input processing unit, and prints the image data on a recording medium. The output processing unit 209 also acquires status information of the printer processing unit 113 and printer 114 and notifies the job control unit 203. While the output processing unit 209 is performing print processing of a certain job, it does not perform print processing of other jobs. However, only when it receives a priority update notification (described later) from the job control unit 203, it may interrupt processing of the job currently being printed and start processing of another job.

[0032] A transmission processing unit 210 controls the image processing unit 204 and network processing unit 202 in response to an instruction from the job control unit 203 to transmit an image to a device on the LAN 108 .

[0033] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a network configuration in this embodiment, which is an information processing system to which multiple devices are connected. An image forming device 100 and a PC 302 (information processing device) are connected on a network 300 so that they can communicate with each other. The network 300 is also connected to the Internet 303, so that the image forming device 100 and an intermediary server 301 (a second external device) and the intermediary server 301 and a cloud service 304 (a first external device) can communicate with each other. The intermediary server 301 mediates communication between the image forming device 100 and the cloud service 304. The cloud service 304 refers to a known storage service providing server, and although the figure shows one cloud service for convenience, multiple cloud services actually exist. In the example described below, a user selects one cloud service to use from multiple cloud services.

[0034] In the following, an application in the image forming apparatus 100 that links the image forming apparatus 100 with the cloud service 304 via the intermediary server 301 will be referred to as "cloud linked print and scan," and will be described.

[0035] 4 shows the management screen for Cloud Linked Print & Scan installed in image forming apparatus 100. When image forming apparatus 100 is accessed from a browser on PC 302 or the like, the screen is displayed on the display unit of PC 302. Application name 401 is an area for displaying the application name, and the name "Cloud Linked Print & Scan" is displayed. Cloud Linked Print & Scan is an application that sends data scanned by scanner 112 of the image forming apparatus to the cloud via relay server 301 based on predetermined settings. Alternatively, it is an application that downloads data stored in the cloud via relay server 301 and prints it. Multiple settings (also called button settings) can be registered, and for each setting, it is possible to switch between cloud settings, scan settings, and print settings as the communication destination.

[0036] Version information 402 is an area that displays the version of the application. Size information 403 is an area that displays the size of the storage area used by the application. Register new button 404 is a button (object) for registering a new button setting. Pressing this button transitions to a button setting edit screen, which will be described later. Button setting list 405 is an area that displays a list of registered button settings. One button setting is displayed every two lines, and the representative button name, scan button name and display setting, and print button name and display setting can be confirmed. Re-authorization button 406 (re-authorization instruction object) is a button for starting the re-authorization flow when the authorization expires, which will be described later. Since the authorization expiration differs for each button setting, a re-authorization button 406 is provided for each button setting. The re-authorization button 406 may be displayed when the authorization has expired, or may be displayed at all times even when the authorization has not expired. Pressing the re-authorization button 406 when the authorization has not expired also starts the re-authorization flow process.

[0037] In addition, a Delete button is displayed for each button setting to delete unnecessary button settings. Currently, three button settings, Button 1, Button 2, and Button 3, are registered, and the following explanation will be written based on this assumption.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows the button setting editing screen for cloud linked print & scan. The button name input field 501 is an area for inputting an arbitrary button name. The button name input here will be used in the button setting list 405 described above. The scan button name input field 507 is an area for inputting an arbitrary scan button name. This will be used as the name of the scan button described below. The print button name input field 508 is an area for inputting an arbitrary print button name. This will be used as the name of the print button described below. Cloud linked print & scan displays two buttons, one for executing scan and one for executing print, on the home screen shown in FIG. 6 described below, so each button name can be set to distinguish them. The linked service selection field 502 is an area for selecting the cloud service you want to communicate with. The options displayed here are based on the support list (described below) obtained from the intermediary server 301. In this embodiment, cloud services 1 to 3 are displayed as an example, but the selectable services may be changed depending on the embodiment. The scan settings field 503 is an area for setting scan settings. Setting items such as scan size and color mode are displayed depending on the embodiment. The print settings field 504 is an area for setting print settings. Depending on the embodiment, setting items such as the paper feed unit and paper size are displayed. The register button 505 is a button for registering the button settings with the input settings. Pressing this button saves the button settings in the storage area of ​​the cloud-linked print and scan, and two buttons (one for scan and one for print) corresponding to the home screen of the image forming apparatus 100, which will be described later, are displayed. Furthermore, since user authentication with the selected cloud service may be required, pressing the register button will transition to an authentication screen provided by the cloud service. The cancel button 506 is a button for canceling the registration of new button settings. Pressing this button will end without saving the input settings.

[0039] 6 is a sequence diagram of button setting registration in the image forming apparatus 100 and authentication / authorization of the cloud service 304 in cooperation with the intermediary server 301. Communication between the devices on the sequence diagram is performed using HTTPs.

[0040] In S601, the user specifies the URL of the management screen ( FIG. 4 ) of the cloud-linked print & scan of the image forming apparatus 100 in the web browser installed on the PC 302. As a result, the PC 302 requests the management screen of the cloud-linked print & scan from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0041] In S602, the image forming apparatus 100 returns data necessary for displaying the management screen for cloud linked print and scan to the PC 302. Upon receiving the data, the PC 302 displays the management screen for cloud linked print and scan on the web browser.

[0042] In step S603, the user presses the register new button 404. This causes the PC 302 to request the image forming apparatus 100 to display the button setting edit screen (FIG. 5) for cloud linked print and scan.

[0043] In S604, the image forming apparatus 100 requests a support list from the relay server 301. The support list is a list of clouds supported by the relay server 301. Note that authentication is generally required for the image forming apparatus 100 to communicate with the relay server 301. The authentication method may be selected appropriately depending on the embodiment, such as Basic authentication or OAuth authentication. In this embodiment, authentication between the image forming apparatus 100 and the relay server 301 is not the main point of the invention, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0044] In step S605, the intermediary server 301 returns the support list to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0045] In S606, the image forming apparatus 100 returns data necessary for displaying the button setting edit screen for cloud linked print and scan to the PC 302. At this time, the data returned as options in the linked service selection field 502 is changed in accordance with the support list received in S607. Upon receiving the data, the PC 302 displays the button setting edit screen for cloud linked print and scan on the web browser.

[0046] In S607, after the user has finished inputting the desired settings, he or she presses the registration button 505. This causes the PC 302 to request the image forming apparatus 100 to register the button settings for cloud linked print and scan.

[0047] In S608, the image forming apparatus 100 saves the button settings received from the PC 302 in the storage unit 205. At this time, the image forming apparatus 100 assigns a unique ID (identifier) ​​to the button settings and saves them. The image forming apparatus 100 then requests an authentication page URL from the intermediary server 301, adding the unique ID and a completion notification redirect URL. A unique ID is generated when the button is generated, with one unique ID generated per button. The unique ID is different from the button setting ID. The authentication page URL is the URL of an authentication web page corresponding to the linked service selected by the user in S607 among the cloud services 304. Generally, to use a cloud service from another service (in this case, the intermediary server 301), the user must authorize "use from another service" on the cloud service. To obtain authorization, the user must log in (authenticate) to the cloud service and perform the instructed task. For this, the URL of the authentication web page is required. The completion notification redirect URL is a URL that the intermediary server 301 specifies as a redirect destination after the authorization flow described below is completed, and is the URL of the management screen (FIG. 4) for cloud-linked print and scan.

[0048] In S609, intermediary server 301 saves the received unique ID and completion notification redirect URL as a pair. Intermediary server 301 then returns an authentication page URL to image forming apparatus 100. At this time, intermediary server 301 adds information corresponding to the unique ID (a character string generated by an arbitrary algorithm based on the unique ID) and the authorization token destination redirect URL of cloud service 304 to the authentication page URL. The authorization token destination redirect URL is intermediary server 301 itself.

[0049] In S610, the image forming apparatus 100 returns an authentication page URL to the PC 302.

[0050] In step S611, the web browser of the PC 302 redirects to the returned authentication page URL. At this time, the cloud service 304 obtains, as accompanying information of the authentication page URL, information corresponding to the unique ID and a redirect URL to which the authorization token is to be sent. The user performs the login and authorization process described above on the authentication page.

[0051] In step S612, the cloud service 304 adds information corresponding to the unique ID and the authorization token, and then returns the redirect URL of the destination of the authorization token to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0052] In S613, the web browser of PC 302 redirects to intermediary server 301. Since the redirect includes information corresponding to the unique ID and the authorization token, intermediary server 301 can obtain the unique ID and the authorization token as a set.

[0053] In S614, the intermediary server 301 uses the authorization token obtained in S613 to request an access token from the cloud service 304.

[0054] In S615, the cloud service 304 returns the access token to the intermediary server 301. By adding the access token to subsequent communications with the cloud service 304, the intermediary server 301 can use the services of the cloud service 304 (for example, uploading data to the cloud or downloading data from the cloud). The intermediary server 301 also manages the access token in association with the unique ID. This allows the intermediary server 301 to determine the access token to be used when subsequently acting as an intermediary between the image forming apparatus 100 and the cloud service 304.

[0055] In S616, the intermediary server 301 returns to the PC 302 the completion notification redirect URL associated with the unique ID saved in S609.

[0056] In step S617, the web browser of the PC 302 redirects to the destination indicated by the completion notification redirect URL, that is, to the image forming apparatus 100.

[0057] In S618, the image forming apparatus 100 returns the management screen (FIG. 4) for cloud linked print and scan to the PC 302.

[0058] The above sequence allows the image forming apparatus 100 to use the services of the cloud service 304 via the intermediary server 301. However, the access token issued by the cloud service 304 in S615 has an expiration date. If the expiration date is reached, authorization must be performed again to issue an access token. Re-authorization can be initiated by pressing the re-authorization button 406 in FIG. 4 described above.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows an example of a home screen displayed on the operation unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 100. A screen name 701 is an area that displays the name of the currently displayed screen. A button display area 702 is an area for displaying buttons that trigger execution of functions of the image forming apparatus. Each displayed button corresponds to a specific function of the image forming apparatus 100 (e.g., copy, fax, etc.). A user can execute any function by pressing a button. A cloud-linked scan button 703 is a scan button corresponding to button 1 in FIG. 4. When pressed, a scan is performed according to the scan settings of button 1, and the scanned data is sent to the cloud service set for button 1. "Button 1 Scan" in FIG. 7 corresponds to the scan button name set in FIG. 5. A cloud-linked print button 704 is a print button corresponding to button 1 in FIG. 4. When pressed, data stored in the cloud service set for button 1 is downloaded and the data is printed according to the print settings of button 1. The other buttons displayed in FIG. 6 also correspond to buttons 2 and 3 in FIG. 4.

[0060] 8 shows a screen that is displayed on the operation unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 100 when the cloud-linked scan button 703 or cloud-linked print button 704 is executed and the authorization period for the access token stored in the intermediary server 301 has expired. Explanation 801 explains the work that the user should do to resolve the authorization expiration error. Close button 802 is pressed to close this screen.

[0061] 9 is a flowchart of operations performed when a button is pressed in image forming apparatus 100. The processing of this flowchart is realized, for example, by CPU 101 reading a program stored in ROM 103 into RAM 102 and executing it.

[0062] In step S901, the CPU 101 receives a button press from the user. In this embodiment, the description will be given assuming that the cloud linked scan button 703 in FIG.

[0063] In S902, CPU 101 identifies the button setting ID. FIG. 11 is a table listing the current button settings and the IDs of each button displayed on the home screen. In reality, this table is not stored as is inside image forming apparatus 100; only the button setting name and button setting ID are stored. In this embodiment, a scan button ID and a print button ID are generated from the button setting ID and linked to the displayed button. The scan button ID is a value obtained by multiplying the button setting ID by 10 and adding 1. The print button ID is a value obtained by multiplying the button setting ID by 10 and adding 2. Since cloud-linked scan button 703 is the scan button of button 1, scan button ID 11 was pressed this time. Therefore, the button setting ID is 1.

[0064] In S903, the CPU 101 reads the button setting based on the button setting ID identified in S902.

[0065] In S904, the CPU 101 determines whether to perform scanning or printing. If the remainder when dividing the scan button ID or print button ID by 10 is 1, scanning is selected, and the process proceeds to S905. If it is 2, printing is selected, and the process proceeds to S911.

[0066] In step S905, the CPU 101 displays a screen (not shown) for confirming whether or not to execute cloud-linked scanning. This step may be omitted depending on the settings.

[0067] In S906, the CPU 101 attempts to acquire a file list from the cloud storage by sending a file list acquisition request to the intermediary server 301. If the file list is acquired successfully, the process proceeds to S907. If a communication error occurs, the process proceeds to S908. If an authorization expiration error is returned from the intermediary server 301, the process proceeds to S909.

[0068] In S907, the CPU 101 executes cloud-linked scanning based on the button settings read in S903, but detailed description of what follows is omitted as it is outside the scope of the present invention. Note that, since communication with the intermediary server 301 is performed several times during the scanning process, there is a possibility that the aforementioned communication error or authorization expiration error may occur. In such a case, the process proceeds to S908 or S909, which will be described later.

[0069] In S908, the CPU 101 displays a communication error screen (not shown) and ends the flow.

[0070] In S909, the CPU 101 displays the authorization expiration screen shown in Fig. 8. Pressing the close button 802 ends the flow.

[0071] In S910, the CPU 101 attempts to acquire the file list in the same way as in S906. If the file list is acquired successfully, the process proceeds to S911. If a communication error occurs, the process proceeds to S908. If an authorization expiration error occurs, the process proceeds to S909.

[0072] In step S911, the CPU 101 displays a file selection screen (not shown), and the user selects the file they want to print. The number of selectable files may vary depending on the embodiment. The selected file is added to the selected file list.

[0073] In step S912, the CPU 101 displays a screen for confirming whether to execute cloud-linked printing (not shown). This step can be omitted depending on the settings.

[0074] In S913, the CPU 101 executes cloud collaborative printing based on the button settings read in S903, which will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

[0075] As described above, if an authorization expiration error is returned from the intermediary server 301 when executing cloud-linked scanning (printing), a dedicated error screen (FIG. 8) can be displayed to prompt the user to re-authorize.

[0076] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram of re-authorization. Communication between devices on the sequence diagram is performed using HTTPs.

[0077] The processes of S901 and S902 in FIG. 10 are the same as the processes of S601 and S602 in FIG.

[0078] In S1001, the user presses the re-authorization button 406. This causes the PC 302 to request re-authorization of the button named "Button 1" from the image forming apparatus 100.

[0079] In S1002, the image forming apparatus 100 adds a unique ID and a completion notification redirect URL, and then requests the authentication page URL from the intermediary server 301. The unique ID used is the one saved in S608. The completion notification redirect URL is the management screen URL for cloud-linked print and scan, the same as in S608.

[0080] The subsequent processing from S909 to S918 is the same as the processing from S609 to S618 in FIG.

[0081] In this embodiment, an intermediary server 301 is interposed between the image forming device 100 and the cloud service 304, but data such as URLs and tokens may also be sent and received directly between the image forming device 100 and the cloud service 304 without the intermediary server 301.

[0082] Re-authorization is performed through the above sequence, and image forming device 100 becomes able to use the services of cloud service 304 again via intermediary server 301. When the screen of Fig. 4 is displayed, the user can start re-authorization simply by accessing image forming device 100 from a browser on a PC and pressing re-authorization button 406; there is no need for the user to perform any other tasks than re-authorization on the cloud service.

[0083] <Second embodiment> A second embodiment of the present invention will now be described.

[0084] 12 shows a screen displayed on the operation unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 100 when a file could not be downloaded due to a communication error or other reason in the print execution flow of S913, and the print job submission failed for that file. A failed file list 1201 displays a list of failed file names. A close button 1202 is pressed to close this screen.

[0085] 13 is a detailed flowchart of the print execution flow in S913. The processing of this flowchart is realized, for example, by the CPU 101 reading a program stored in the ROM 103 into the RAM 102 and executing it.

[0086] In S1301, the CPU 101 determines whether there are any unprocessed files based on the selected file list created in S911. If there are any, the process proceeds to S1302. If there are no unprocessed files, the process proceeds to S1306.

[0087] In S1302, CPU 101 requests relay server 301 for the download URL of the first unprocessed file in the selected file list. The download URL is a URL used by image forming apparatus 100 to download the file. Image forming apparatus 100 cannot directly access the file stored on cloud service 304. Therefore, relay server 301 downloads the file to a location that image forming apparatus 100 can access and returns the URL to image forming apparatus 100, allowing image forming apparatus 100 to download the file. If the response from relay server 301 is a download URL, the process proceeds to S1303. If the status indicates that downloading is in progress, the process proceeds to S1302 to make a re-request. If an error has occurred, the process proceeds to S1305.

[0088] In S1303, CPU 101 downloads the file from the download URL. If the download is successful, the process proceeds to S1304. If the download is unsuccessful, the process proceeds to S1305.

[0089] In step S1304, the CPU 101 submits the downloaded file as a print job to the job control unit 203. If there are unprocessed files, the subsequent download process and print process are performed in parallel, but detailed description of the print process is omitted as it is outside the scope of the present invention.

[0090] In S1305, the CPU 101 advances the index of the selected file list by 1. At this time, if the transition is from S1302 or S1303, the file is listed as a failed file.

[0091] In S1306, the CPU 101 determines whether there is a failed file. If there is, the process proceeds to S1307. If there is not, the print execution flow ends.

[0092] In S1307, the CPU 101 displays the failed file list screen of FIG.

[0093] According to the above flowchart, files stored on the cloud service 304 are printed, and if there is a file that has failed to print, the user can know which file failed to print.

[0094] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

Claims

1. An information processing system including a first external device, a second external device, an information processing device, and an image forming device, an issuing means for issuing an access token for accessing a cloud service in the first external device; a first registration means for receiving the access token, associating the access token with an identifier of a button of the image forming apparatus, and registering the access token in the second external device; a display means for causing the second external device to receive identification information of the button when a button displayed on the image forming device is pressed, identify an access token, notify the image forming device that authorization for the access token has expired, and cause the image forming device to display a re-authorization instruction object on a browser of the information processing device; and a second registration means for, when the re-authorization instruction object is pressed, the image forming device obtains from the second external device information generated based on the identification information and an authentication page URL including an authorization token destination redirect URL, and sends the information to the information processing device, redirecting the browser of the information processing device to the authentication page URL, thereby issuing an access token again, and again associating the identifier with the re-issued access token and registering it in the second external device.

2. Furthermore, a setting means for setting a button name in the browser of the information processing device; 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a button with the button name set by said setting unit on an operation unit of said image forming apparatus.

3. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein, in response to an execution instruction from a button displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus executes scanning according to scan settings set in the button.

4. 3. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein, in response to an execution instruction from a button displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus, printing is executed according to print settings set in the button.

5. The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the identifier is associated with the button.

6. A control method for an information processing system including a first external device, a second external device, an information processing device, and an image forming device, comprising: an issuing step of issuing an access token for accessing a cloud service by the first external device; a first registration step of receiving the access token, associating the access token with an identifier of a button of the image forming apparatus, and registering the access token in the second external device; a display step in which, when a button displayed on the image forming apparatus is pressed, the second external device receives identification information of the button, identifies an access token, notifies the image forming apparatus that the authorization of the access token has expired, and the image forming apparatus displays a re-authorization instruction object on a browser of the information processing apparatus; a second registration step in which, when the re-authorization instruction object is pressed, the image forming device obtains from the second external device information generated based on the identification information and an authentication page URL including an authorization token destination redirect URL, sends the information to the information processing device, and redirects the browser of the information processing device to the authentication page URL, thereby issuing an access token again, and again associates the identifier with the re-issued access token and registers it in the second external device.

7. Furthermore, a setting means for setting a button name in the browser of the information processing device; 7. The method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 6, further comprising display means for displaying a button with the button name set by said setting means on an operation unit of said image forming apparatus.

8. 8. The control method for an information processing system according to claim 6, wherein, in response to an execution instruction of a button displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus, a scan is executed according to a scan setting set in the button.

9. 8. The control method for an information processing system according to claim 6, wherein, in response to an execution instruction of a button displayed on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus, printing is executed according to print settings set in the button.

10. The method for controlling an information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein the identifier is associated with the button.

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