Information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To determine whether content is permitted to be outputted or not on the basis of information about an output place and security of the content.SOLUTION: An information processing system includes: an information processing apparatus including a registration unit which registers content to be outputted from an output device, a first setting unit which sets information about security of the content, and a first communication unit which receives a first message giving an instruction to output the content from a terminal device and transmits a second message to a mediation system; the mediation system including a second setting unit which sets information about the output device, a second communication unit which receives the second message, and a determination unit which determines whether the content can be outputted by the output device or not; and the output device including a third communication unit which receives a third message giving an instruction to output the content from the mediation system and an output unit which outputs the content. When a result of determination in the determination unit shows that the content can be outputted, the second communication unit of the mediation system transmits the third message to the output device, and the output unit of the output device outputs the content.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, co-working spaces, shared offices, etc. have become popular in addition to offices and homes of companies, etc., and opportunities to work in various places have increased. Therefore, handling of confidential information, etc. in places other than company offices has become important. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for evaluating the security risk based on conditions such as the place of printing when executing printing by a printer and determining whether printing can be executed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, with the conventional technology, it has not been possible to determine whether printing can be executed in consideration of information regarding the security of the content to be printed.

[0004] In view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention aims to determine whether content can be output based on the output location of the content and information regarding security.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes a registration unit that registers content output from an output device, First a first setting unit that sets Configuration information including content type or information about locations where the content is permitted to be output. regarding the security of the content set by the user, and a first communication unit that receives a first message instructing output of the content from a terminal device operated by the user and Second transmits a second message instructing output of the content to an intermediation system, an information processing apparatus having the above, the output device Including the aforementioned configuration information, a second setting unit that sets, a second communication unit that receives the second message from the information processing apparatus, the Installation location ​ Based on the location of the output device and the information regarding the content type, or based on the location of the output device and the information regarding the location where the output of the content is permitted. An information processing system comprising: an intermediary system having a determination unit that determines whether or not the output device can output the content based on the determination result of the determination unit; an output device having a third communication unit that receives a third message from the intermediary system instructing the output of the content; and an output unit that performs the output of the content, wherein the second communication unit of the intermediary system transmits the third message to the output device if the determination result of the determination unit is that output is possible, and the output unit of the output device performs the output of the content based on the third message. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not content can be output based on information regarding the content output location and security. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device and a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a configuration diagram of a functional block in an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a sequence relating to content output processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of an output device registration screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a content registration screen (content type specification) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of content output permission settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]This figure shows an example of a content registration screen (output location specification) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a content registration screen (output device type specification) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a flowchart relating to content output request processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a content output request screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a content output completion notification screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This figure shows an example of a content output failure notification screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of a sequence related to content output processing with default settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the information processing system, information processing method, and program according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0009] [First Embodiment] <System Overview> Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic diagram of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing system 6 includes a cloud service 1 connected to a communication network 7 such as the Internet, an intermediary system 2, terminal devices 5a and 5b, and output devices 3 and 5c connected to the intermediary system 2.

[0010] The content creator operates the terminal device 5b to register the created content in the cloud service 1. At this time, as information regarding the security of the content (which may also be referred to as security information), the content creator sets, for example, the type of the content or the output device 3 (which may also be referred to as an output device or an edge device) capable of outputting the content. The output device 3 includes types such as a multifunction device, a printer, a display, a projector, etc. For example, for highly confidential content, it is also possible to set a configuration that prohibits output by a multifunction device or a printer and only permits display by a display or a projector.

[0011] The administrator operates the terminal device 5a to set, in the mediation system 2 (which may also be referred to as a cloud gateway) existing in the remote network 8 such as a co-working space, information regarding the type and installation location of the output device 3.

[0012] The user who outputs the content operates the terminal device 5c to log in to the cloud service 1, selects the content to be output and the output device 3, and requests the output of the content. When the mediation system 2 receives a message instructing content output from the cloud service 1, it determines whether the content can be output based on the information regarding the output device 3 and the information regarding the security of the content. That is, the information processing system 6 according to the embodiment of the present invention can determine whether the content can be output based on the information regarding the output location and security of the content. Here, the output device 3 may be in a form that outputs the content via a personal computer (PC) or a tablet terminal, etc. Or, when the output device 3 is a display or a projector, the mediation system 2 and the output device 3 may be connected by a cable or a wireless transmission device, etc. for transmitting a display image.

[0013] Note that the system configuration of the information processing system 6 shown in FIG. 1 is an example. For example, the communication network 7 and the remote network 8 may include connection sections by wireless communication such as mobile communication or wireless LAN. Also, the number of output devices 3 and terminal devices 5 (5a, 5b, 5c), and the number of information processing devices 4 for executing the processing in the cloud service 1 and the mediation system 2 may be arbitrary numbers. Further, a configuration may be such that some or all of the functions of the mediation system 2 are included in the cloud service 1. Also, the cloud service 1 and the terminal device 5 may communicate via the mediation system 2, or may communicate directly without going through it, or both may be possible.

[0014] <Hardware Configuration Example> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 4 and the terminal device 5 that constitute the cloud service 1 and the mediation system 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing device 4 and the terminal device 5 are constructed by a computer, and include a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a HD (Hard Disk) 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0015] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 4 and terminal device 5. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as IPL. The RAM 503 is used as the work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as cursors, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. External devices in this case include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and printers. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 7. The bus line 510 is an address bus, data bus, etc., for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in Figure 2.

[0016] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys used for inputting characters, numbers, or various instructions. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means used for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting processing targets, moving the cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls the reading or writing of various data to the DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the DVD-RW drive 514 is not limited to DVD-RW, but may also be DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 516 controls the reading or writing (storage) of data to the recording medium 515, such as flash memory.

[0017] <About the features> Figure 3 shows an example of a configuration diagram of a functional block in an information processing system 6 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cloud service 1 includes a first communication unit 10, a first setting unit 11, and a registration unit 12. Each of these units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed on the information processing device constituting the cloud service 1.

[0018] The first communication unit 10 is a communication function of the cloud service 1, and it sends and receives information with the intermediary system 2, terminal devices 5, etc. via the communication network 7.

[0019] The first setting unit 11 sets information about the output device 3 configured by the administrator, including the type of output device 3 (multifunction device, printer, display, projector, etc.) and the location where the output device 3 is installed, in the cloud service 1. The first setting unit 11 also sets information about the content security configured by the content creator (content type, locations where output is permitted, and output devices, etc.) in the cloud service 1.

[0020] The registration unit 12 registers the content (content file) that the content creator has requested to be registered with the cloud service 1.

[0021] The intermediary system 2 includes a second communication unit 20, a second setting unit 21, an authentication unit 22, and a determination unit 23. Each of these units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed on the information processing device constituting the intermediary system 2. Furthermore, some functions of the intermediary system 2, such as the second communication unit 20 and the determination unit 23, may reside outside the intermediary system 2.

[0022] The second communication unit 20 is a communication function of the intermediary system 2, and transmits and receives information with the cloud service 1, output device 3, terminal device 5, etc. via the communication network 7.

[0023] The second setting unit 21 registers information about the output device 3 set by the administrator with the intermediary system 2, including the type of output device 3 (multifunction device, printer, display, projector, etc.) and information about the location of the output device 3. Here, in order for the intermediary system 2 to send a message to the output device 3 instructing it to output content, the information about the location may include the IP address of the output device 3 or information that identifies the output device 3.

[0024] The authentication unit 22 performs user authentication by checking whether the received authentication information (user ID and password, etc.) is included in the authentication information held by the authentication unit 22.

[0025] The determination unit 23 determines whether or not to output the content based on information regarding the security of the content to be output (content type, locations where output is permitted, output device, etc.) and information regarding the output device 3 (location where the output device 3 is installed, location where the content is output, etc.).

[0026] The output device 3 has a third communication unit 30 and an output unit 31. Each of these units is a function or means realized, for example, by the CPU executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed in the output device 3.

[0027] The third communication unit 30 is a communication function of the output device 3, and transmits and receives information with the intermediary system 2, etc., via the communication network 7.

[0028] The output unit 31, in response to a message from the intermediary system 2 instructing content output, performs actions such as printing or displaying the content in order to output the content (content file).

[0029] The terminal device 5 includes a fourth communication unit 50, a display control unit 51, and an operation reception unit 52. Each of these units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the information processing device that constitutes the terminal device 5.

[0030] The fourth communication unit 50 is a communication function of the terminal device 5, and it sends and receives information with the cloud service 1, the intermediary system 2, etc. via the communication network 7.

[0031] The display control unit 51 uses the received screen information to display the login screen, output device registration screen, content registration screen, etc., on the terminal device 5.

[0032] The operation reception unit 52 accepts user operations such as text input and button presses via the keyboard, pointing device, etc., of the terminal device 5 for purposes such as inputting authentication information, registering output devices, and registering content.

[0033] <Content output processing> Figure 4 shows an example of a sequence relating to content output processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. This sequence describes the registration of the output device 3 by the administrator of the intermediary system 2, the registration of content by the content creator, and the content output process by the user. The processing of each step in Figure 4 will be described below.

[0034] Step S71: The administrator of the mediation system 2 registers the output device 3 by operating the terminal device 5a. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of an output device registration screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The output device registration screen 400 shown in Figure 5 has an output device selection button 401, an installation location selection field 402, and a registration button 403.

[0035] The output device selection button 401 is used to select the output device 3 to be registered, and in Figure 5, "Printer A" is selected.

[0036] The installation location selection field 402 displays the options (candidates) for where the output device will be installed. In Figure 5, "Coworking Space" is selected. Other options displayed include "Affiliated Office (Own Business)", "Affiliated Office (Other Business)", "Client's Office", "Home", "Hotel / Accommodation", and "Public Space (Convenience Store / Coffee Shop)". These options do not indicate specific locations, but rather the type of location where the content will be output.

[0037] The registration button 403 is the button to press when registering the information selected on the output device registration screen 400.

[0038] Let's return to Figure 4 for explanation. The display control unit 51 of the terminal device 5a displays the output device registration screen 400 on the terminal device 5a. The operation reception unit 52 of the terminal device 5a receives the administrator's operation to select the output device 3 and its installation location on the output device registration screen 400, and to press the registration button 403. The fourth communication unit 50 of the terminal device 5a sends a message to the second communication unit 20 of the mediation system 2 requesting the registration of the output device 3. The message includes information about the type of output device 3 to be registered and its installation location.

[0039] Step S72: The second setting unit 21 of the mediation system 2 registers the received information regarding the type and location of the output device 3 with the mediation system 2. Furthermore, the second communication unit 20 of the mediation system 2 sends a message to the first communication unit 10 of the cloud service 1 requesting registration of the output device 3. The message includes the received information regarding the type and location of the output device 3. The first setting unit 11 of the cloud service 1 sets the received information regarding the type and location of the output device 3 with the cloud service 1.

[0040] Step S73: The content creator registers the content to the cloud service 1 by operating terminal device 5b. Three examples of how to register content are shown below.

[0041] In the first content registration method, information regarding the security of the content is registered by specifying the type, such as "publicly available content" that is generally disclosed, "confidential content" that can only be disclosed within the company, and "confidential content" that contains information that would cause problems if leaked. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a content registration screen (content type specification) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content registration screen 410 shown in Figure 6 has a content file specification field 411, a content type selection field 412, and a registration button 413.

[0042] The content file specification field 411 is for specifying the file name of the content to be registered.

[0043] The content type selection field 412 is where you select the type of content to register. In Figure 6, "Confidential Content" is selected. Other options displayed are "Publicly Known Content" and "Confidential Content." The relationship between content type and content output location will be explained later.

[0044] The registration button 413 is the button to press when registering the content selected on the content registration screen 410.

[0045] Figure 7 shows an example of content output permission settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. The output permission settings 60 shown in Figure 7 are content output locations 61 for three types of content 62 (publicly known, confidential, and private). "○" is displayed if content output is permitted (can be output), and "×" is displayed if it is not permitted (cannot be output). For example, "publicly known content," which does not pose an information leakage problem, can be output at all content output locations 61, but "confidential content," which has the strictest security requirements, can only be output at the "affiliated office (own business location)."

[0046] In the second content registration method, the content is registered by specifying the location where the content output is permitted. Figure 8 shows an example of a content registration screen (output location specification) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content registration screen 420 shown in Figure 8 has a content file specification field 421, a content output location selection field 422, and a registration button 423.

[0047] The content file specification field 421 is for specifying the file name of the content to be registered.

[0048] The content output location selection field 422 is for selecting the locations where the registered content is permitted to be output. The output location options (candidates) are the same as the locations for installing the output device 3 shown in Figure 5 and the content output location 61 in Figure 7, and indicate the type of location where output is permitted.

[0049] The registration button 423 is the button to press when registering the content selected on the content registration screen 420.

[0050] In the third content registration method, the content is registered by specifying the output device that is permitted to output the content. Figure 9 shows an example of a content registration screen (output device type specification) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content registration screen 430 shown in Figure 9 has a content file specification field 431, a content output device selection field 432, and a registration button 433.

[0051] The content file specification field 431 is for specifying the file name of the content to be registered.

[0052] The content output device selection field 432 is for selecting the type of output device 3 that is permitted to output the registered content. The types of output devices 3 include multifunction printers, printers, displays, projectors, etc. For example, for highly confidential content, it is possible to select only displays or projectors that only show the content temporarily and do not leave any printed copies.

[0053] The registration button 433 is the button to press when registering the content selected on the content registration screen 430.

[0054] The above describes three types of content registration methods, but it is also acceptable to use a combination of these methods to utilize information regarding the content type, locations where output is permitted, and output devices on which output is permitted.

[0055] Let's return to Figure 4 for explanation. The display control unit 51 of the terminal device 5b displays the content registration screen (for example, the content registration screen 410) on the terminal device 5b. The operation reception unit 52 of the terminal device 5b accepts the content creator's selection operation on the content registration screen, as well as the operation of pressing the registration button (for example, the registration button 413). The fourth communication unit 50 of the terminal device 5b sends a message to the first communication unit 10 of the cloud service 1 requesting content registration. The message includes the content to be registered (content file) and information regarding the security of the content (content type, locations where output is permitted, and output devices, etc.).

[0056] Step S74: The registration unit 12 of Cloud Service 1 registers the received content with Cloud Service 1. The first setting unit 11 of Cloud Service 1 also sets information regarding the security of the received content (content type, locations where output is permitted, output devices, etc.) with Cloud Service 1.

[0057] Step S75: A user who outputs content logs in to the cloud service 1 by operating the terminal device 5c in order to output the content. For this purpose, the display control unit 51 of the terminal device 5c displays a login screen on the terminal device 5c. The operation reception unit 52 of the terminal device 5c accepts the user's input of authentication information (user ID and password, etc.) on the login screen. The fourth communication unit 50 of the terminal device 5c sends a message to the second communication unit 20 of the intermediary system 2 requesting login to the cloud service 1. The message includes the user's authentication information (user ID and password, etc.).

[0058] Step S76: The authentication unit 22 of the intermediary system 2 determines that user authentication is successful if it confirms that the received authentication information is included in the authentication information held by the authentication unit 22. Here, it is assumed that the authentication information sent by the user is correct and user authentication is successful.

[0059] Step S77: The second communication unit 20 of the intermediary system 2 transmits the received authentication information (user ID) and authentication result (success) to the first communication unit 10 of the cloud service 1. The user's login to the cloud service 1 is completed when the cloud service 1 accepts the user's login.

[0060] Step S78: The user requests content output by operating the terminal device 5c. The display control unit 51 of the terminal device 5c displays a screen on the terminal device 5c for requesting content output. The processing in this step from here on will be explained with reference to Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart relating to the content output request processing according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a content output request screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content output screen 440 shown in Figure 11 has an output content selection field 441, an output device selection field 442, and an output button 443. Details of these will be explained below along with the processing of each step in Figure 10.

[0061] Step S90: The operation reception unit 52 of the terminal device 5c receives an operation by the user to select the content file to be output in the output content selection field 441. In Figure 11, "content002.doc" is selected as the content file to be output.

[0062] Step S91: The operation reception unit 52 of the terminal device 5c receives the user's operation to select output device 3 in the output device selection field 442. In Figure 11, "Printer A" is selected as output device 3.

[0063] Step S92: The operation reception unit 52 of the terminal device 5c receives an operation by the user to press the output button 443, thereby confirming the content set on the content output screen 440. The fourth communication unit 50 of the terminal device 5c sends a message to the first communication unit 10 of the cloud service 1 requesting content output. The message includes information about the content to be output and the output device 3, as set on the content output screen 440. The message may also be sent via the second communication unit 20 of the intermediary system 2. Let's return to Figure 4 for further explanation.

[0064] Step S79: The first communication unit 10 of the cloud service 1 sends a message to the second communication unit 20 of the intermediary system 2 instructing content output based on the received message. The message includes the content to be output (content file), information regarding the security of the content to be output (content type, locations and output devices where output is permitted, etc.), and information regarding the output device 3 that will output the content.

[0065] Step S80: The decision unit 23 of the mediation system 2 determines whether or not to output the content based on the security information of the content to be output contained in the received message and the information of the output device 3.

[0066] For example, if a content type is set as information regarding the security of the content, the determination is made based on whether or not content of the set content type can be output at the specified location of the output device 3.

[0067] Furthermore, regarding content security information, if locations where output is permitted are set, the determination is made based on whether the installation location of the specified output device 3 is set to one of the permitted designated locations.

[0068] Furthermore, if information regarding content security specifies the type of output device 3 that is permitted for output, the system will determine whether the specified output device 3 is an output device 3 of the permitted type.

[0069] Furthermore, the decision unit 23 of the mediation system 2 transitions the process to step S81 if the result of its decision (decision result) can be output, and to step S83 otherwise.

[0070] Step S81: The second communication unit 20 of the mediation system 2 sends a message to the third communication unit 30 of the output device 3 instructing it to output content. The message includes the content to be output (content file). The output unit 31 of the output device 3 outputs the content based on the received message. For example, if the output device 3 is a multifunction printer or a printer, it prints the content; if it is a display or projector, it displays the content.

[0071] Step S82: After the content output is complete, the second communication unit 20 of the mediation system 2 sends a message to the fourth communication unit 50 of the terminal device 5c notifying it of the completion of content output. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a content output completion notification screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content output completion notification screen 450 shown in Figure 12 displays a message indicating that the content output has been completed. Let's return to Figure 4 for further explanation.

[0072] Step S83: The second communication unit 20 of the mediation system 2 sends a message to the fourth communication unit 50 of the terminal device 5c notifying that content output is not possible. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a content output impossible notification screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. The content output impossible notification screen 460 shown in Figure 13 displays a message indicating that content output is not possible and prompting the user to check the security settings of the content.

[0073] Through the above processing, the information processing system 6 can determine whether or not to output the content based on the content output location and security information.

[0074] <Variation> A modified version of the first embodiment will now be described. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence relating to content output processing with default settings according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this sequence, the administrator of cloud service 1 registers the default settings (which may also be called default settings) of information regarding content security that are set when content is registered to cloud service 1. Here, the differences from the processing in the sequence diagram shown in Figure 4 will be explained. First, after the processing of steps S71 to S72 shown in Figure 4 is executed, the following processing is executed.

[0075] Step S87: The administrator of Cloud Service 1 registers default settings for content security information by operating terminal device 5a. The registration method is the same as the three registration methods shown in step 73 of Figure 4, and sets the content security information to be used as the default setting (content type, locations where output is permitted, and output devices, etc.). To this end, the display control unit 51 of terminal device 5a displays a screen for registering the default settings on terminal device 5a. The operation reception unit 52 of terminal device 5a accepts input operations related to the settings from the administrator. The fourth communication unit 50 of terminal device 5a sends a message to the first communication unit 10 of Cloud Service 1 requesting the setting of the default content settings. The message includes information about the default content settings to be set.

[0076] Step S88: The first setting unit 11 of cloud service 1 sets the default settings for the received content to cloud service 1.

[0077] Step S73': The content creator registers the content with the cloud service 1 by operating the terminal device 5b, but can omit (skip) the setting of information regarding the security of the content. If the setting is omitted, the message requesting the registration of the content sent to the cloud service 1 will not include information regarding the security of the content. The process when the setting is not omitted is the same as the process in step S73 of Figure 4.

[0078] Step S74': If the setting of information regarding the security of the content is omitted in step S73', the first setting unit 11 of the cloud service 1 sets the default setting as the information regarding the security of the received content to the cloud service 1. The process when the setting is not omitted in step S73' is the same as the process in step S74 of Figure 4.

[0079] The subsequent steps S75 to S86 are the same as the process shown in Figure 4.

[0080] As the above process demonstrates, the information processing system 6 allows content creators to omit setting content security information when registering content by pre-registering default settings for content security information in the cloud service 1.

[0081] Although several embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited in any way to these embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0082] For example, the example of the functional block configuration diagram in Figure 3 is divided according to its main function in order to facilitate understanding of the processing performed by the information processing device 4, which constitutes the information processing system 6, cloud service 1, intermediary system 2, and terminal device 5. The present invention is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of those units. The processing in the information processing device 4, which constitutes the information processing system 6, cloud service 1, intermediary system 2, and terminal device 5, can be further divided into more processing units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, it is possible to divide the processing units so that each unit contains even more processing.

[0083] Furthermore, each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Hereinafter, "processing circuit" as used herein includes processors programmed to execute each function by software, such as processors implemented by electronic circuits, as well as devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each of the functions described above.

[0084] Furthermore, the described apparatus represents only one of several computing environments for carrying out the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the information processing system 6, cloud service 1, intermediary system 2, and information processing device 4 include multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster. The multiple computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including networks and shared memory, and to perform the processing disclosed herein.

[0085] Furthermore, the first communication unit 10, the second communication unit 20, the third communication unit 30, and the fourth communication unit 50 may simply be called communication units, and the order in which they are designated as first, second, third, and fourth may be changed as long as they can be clearly distinguished. The same applies to the first setting unit 11 and the second setting unit 21. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1. Cloud Services 2. Intermediary System 3. Output device 4. Information Processing Device 5, 5a, 5b, 5c terminal equipment 6. Information Processing Systems 7. Communication Network 8. Remote Network 10. First Communications Department 11. First Setting Section 12 Registration Department 20 Second Communications Department 21. Second Setting Section 22 Authentication Department 23 Judgment Department 30 Third Communications Department 31 Output section 50. 4th Communications Department 51 Display Control Unit 52 Operation reception unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0087] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-206152

Claims

1. A registration unit for registering content to be output from the output device, A first setting unit sets setting information including the content type related to the security of the content set by the first user, or information regarding the location where the output of the content is permitted. A first communication unit receives a first message instructing the output of the content from a terminal device operated by a second user, and transmits a second message including the setting information instructing the output of the content to the intermediary system. An information processing device having, A second setting unit for setting the installation location of the output device, A second communication unit that receives the second message from the information processing device, A determination unit that determines whether the output device can output the content based on information regarding the installation location of the output device and the content type, or based on information regarding the installation location of the output device and locations where the output of the content is permitted, An intermediary system having, A third communication unit that receives a third message from the intermediary system instructing the output of the aforementioned content, An output unit that performs the output of the aforementioned content, An output device having, An information processing system having, The second communication unit of the mediating system transmits the third message to the output device if the determination result of the determination unit is outputtable. The output unit of the output device executes the output of the content based on the third message. Information processing system.

2. The first setting unit, if the first user does not set the security information, sets the pre-configured default settings as the security information. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. An information processing method performed by an information processing device, A registration step to register the content to be output from the output device, A first setting step involves setting configuration information including the content type related to the security of the content set by the first user, or information about the locations where the output of the content is permitted. A first communication step includes receiving a first message instructing the output of the content from a terminal device operated by a second user, and transmitting a second message including the setting information instructing the output of the content to the intermediary system, A second setting step involves setting the installation location of the output device, A second communication step of receiving the second message from the information processing device, A determination step of determining whether the output device can output the content based on information regarding the installation location of the output device and the content type, or based on information regarding the installation location of the output device and locations where the output of the content is permitted, A third communication step in which a third message instructing the output of the aforementioned content is received from the intermediary system, An output step that performs the output of the aforementioned content, An information processing method having, The second communication step, if the determination result of the determination step is outputtable, transmits the third message to the output device. The output step performs the output of the content based on the third message. Information processing methods.

4. In an information processing device, A registration step to register the content to be output from the output device. A first setting step involves setting configuration information including the content type related to the security of the content set by the first user, or information about the locations where the output of the content is permitted. A first communication step includes receiving a first message instructing the output of the content from a terminal device operated by a second user, and transmitting a second message including the setting information instructing the output of the content to the intermediary system, A second setting step of setting the installation location of the output device, A second communication step in which the second message is received from the information processing device, A determination step of determining whether the output device can output the content based on information regarding the installation location of the output device and the content type, or based on information regarding the installation location of the output device and locations where the output of the content is permitted. A third communication step in which a third message instructing the output of the aforementioned content is received from the intermediary system, Output step that performs output of the aforementioned content, A program that executes, The second communication step, if the determination result of the determination step is outputtable, transmits the third message to the output device. The output step performs the output of the content based on the third message. program.

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