Information processing device and program

Abstract

To prevent leakage of data synchronized with other information processors and make data related to synchronization usable even when an information processor is not connected to other information processors which perform synchronization processing.SOLUTION: A control unit 33 stores shared data X synchronized with a cloud server 20 as another information processor in a data storage unit 36. The control unit 33 makes the shared data X stored in the data storage unit 36 usable as long as the control unit is connected to at least one of preset connection destinations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus that acquires data stored in a virtual space and stores it in its own storage unit, and deletes the data stored in the storage unit when it is determined that the communication with another information processing apparatus is interrupted, thereby saving the storage capacity of the apparatus itself and enhancing the confidentiality of the data acquired from the virtual space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The information processing apparatus in the first embodiment comprises a processor and a storage unit, the processor being The data synchronized with other information processing devices is stored in the storage unit. As long as the device is connected to at least one of the pre-configured connection destinations, the data stored in the storage unit will be made available for use.

[0007] In the second embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the processor makes the data unavailable if it is unable to connect to any of the pre-configured destinations.

[0008] In the third embodiment of the information processing apparatus, in the second embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the processor makes the data unusable by deleting the data stored in the storage unit.

[0009] In the fourth embodiment of the information processing apparatus, in the second embodiment of the information processing apparatus, the processor makes the data stored in the storage unit unusable by making it inaccessible.

[0010] The fifth information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus that performs synchronization processing with data stored in the storage unit, in any one of the first to fourth information processing apparatuses, wherein one of a plurality of pre-configured connection destinations is another information processing apparatus.

[0011] The sixth aspect of the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus in the fifth aspect in which, among a plurality of pre-configured connection destinations, one of the connection destinations other than other information processing apparatuses that perform synchronization processing with the data stored in the storage unit is another information processing apparatus connected within the same network.

[0012] The information processing device of the seventh embodiment is an information processing device of the fifth embodiment in which one of a plurality of pre-configured connection destinations, other than other information processing devices that perform synchronization processing with the data stored in the storage unit, is another device located in the same physical environment.

[0013] The program of the eighth aspect includes the step of storing data that will be synchronized with other information processing devices in a storage unit, If connected to at least one of several pre-configured connection destinations, the step of making the data stored in the storage unit available; Have the computer execute it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the information processing device of the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent information leakage of data synchronized with other information processing devices, and to make the synchronized data available even when the device is not connected to other information processing devices that perform synchronization.

[0015] According to the second embodiment of the information processing device, if the information processing device that stores data for which synchronization processing is performed with other information processing devices is placed in an unreliable operating environment, it is possible to prevent the leakage of that data.

[0016] According to the third embodiment of the information processing device, if an information processing device that stores data for synchronization processing with other information processing devices is placed in an unreliable operating environment, the data related to synchronization can be deleted to prevent information leakage.

[0017] According to the information processing apparatus of the fourth aspect, when the information processing apparatus storing data for performing synchronization processing with another information processing apparatus is placed in an untrusted usage environment, it is possible to prevent information leakage by making the data related to synchronization inaccessible.

[0018] According to the information processing apparatus of the fifth aspect, when connected to another information processing apparatus that performs synchronization processing with data, the data can be made available.

[0019] According to the information processing apparatus of the sixth aspect, even when not connected to another information processing apparatus that performs synchronization processing with data, if the information processing apparatus storing the data is placed in a trusted usage environment, the data related to synchronization can be made available.

[0020] According to the information processing apparatus of the seventh aspect, even when not connected to another information processing apparatus that performs synchronization processing with data, if the information processing apparatus storing the data is placed in a trusted usage environment, the data related to synchronization can be made available.

[0021] According to the program of the eighth aspect, while preventing information leakage of data for performing synchronization processing with another information processing apparatus, even when not connected to the information processing apparatus performing synchronization processing, the data related to synchronization can be made available.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing the system configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining a state in which various data are stored while performing synchronization processing between the cloud server 20 and the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10A according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a connection state management table stored in the table storage unit 35. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a trusted device table stored in the table storage unit 35. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a shared data management table stored in the table storage unit 35. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 10A in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart for explaining the details of the process of step S106 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing a state where only the image forming apparatus 10A and the image forming apparatus 10C are installed at the base A and the private house, respectively. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining a state where the shared data X in the cloud server 20 is deleted in the state shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 12] It is a diagram for explaining a state where the connection between the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10C and the cloud server 20 is interrupted in the state shown in FIG. 10. [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing a state where the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B are installed in the base A. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing a state where the image forming apparatus 10C and the beacon device 50 are installed in the private house. [Figure 15] It is a diagram for explaining a state where the beacon device 50 is recovered from the private house and the shared data X in the cloud server 20 is deleted in the state shown in FIG. 14.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 shows the system configuration of an information processing system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, one embodiment of the information processing system in this disclosure has a configuration in which two image forming machines 10A and 10B installed at site A and a cloud server 20 are connected via the internet 30. The image forming machines 10A and 10B are interconnected within site A via a network 40. The image forming machines 10A and 10B are so-called multifunction devices that have multiple functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and facsimile.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the cloud server 20 provides a service called digital shadow, which synchronizes and maintains various data such as configuration information, history information, status information, device information, and destination lists stored in physical devices connected via the Internet 30 with the physical devices. The service provided by the cloud server 20 will be described as service α.

[0027] Specifically, the cloud server 20 stores various data such as setting information, history information, status information, device information, and destination lists for the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B, while performing synchronization processing with the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B.

[0028] Such a service allows a terminal device managing a device to check the status of that device and manage its settings, even if it cannot directly connect to the device being managed. For example, let's consider the case where an external terminal device 60 tries to change the settings of the image forming apparatus 10A. First, the external terminal device 60 changes the settings of the image forming apparatus 10A in the cloud server 20. Then, when the image forming apparatus 10A performs a synchronization process with the cloud server 20, it obtains the updated settings and changes its own settings.

[0029] In other words, by using such a service, even if the external terminal device 60 cannot connect to the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B set up at base A, it will be able to check the status of the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B, update their configuration information, and perform other similar actions.

[0030] Furthermore, such services make it easier to manage shared data used in common by multiple devices, such as address lists. For example, an address list can be stored in a shared space on the cloud server 20, and when the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B perform synchronization processing with the cloud server 20, they synchronize the address list in their own devices with the address list stored in the shared space on the cloud server 20. In this way, simply updating the address list stored in the shared space on the cloud server 20 from the terminal device 60 will also update the address lists in the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10B.

[0031] Furthermore, confidential information such as address lists must be managed to prevent information leaks. For example, when disposing of the image forming apparatus 10A, the address list in the image forming apparatus 10A is deleted by deleting the address list in the cloud server 20 from the terminal device 60.

[0032] However, a problem arises if the image forming apparatus 10A loses its connection to the cloud server 20 before the data in the image forming apparatus 10A, which was synchronized with the data in the image forming apparatus 10A that was deleted from the cloud server 20, is deleted. Specifically, the data in the image forming apparatus that should have been deleted remains, potentially leading to information leakage. For example, if an employee who uses an image forming apparatus at their home to store customer information such as address lists leaves the company and disconnects their internet connection before leaving, the customer information will remain in the image forming apparatus. Also, if the customer information is not deleted when the image forming apparatus is relocated, there is a possibility of customer information leakage at the new location.

[0033] To prevent such data leaks, one option is to make data such as address lists related to synchronization unavailable if the image forming apparatus 10A loses its connection to the cloud server 20. However, if data related to synchronization becomes unavailable simply because the connection to the cloud server 20 is lost, such as in the case of a communication error, the usability of the data may be reduced. Specifically, if a network failure 40 within site A renders the address list unavailable and prevents fax transmission, etc., it would be inconvenient for users.

[0034] Therefore, in the information processing system of this embodiment, by performing the control described below, information leakage of data synchronized with other information processing devices is prevented, and even when the system is not connected to other information processing devices that perform synchronization, the data related to synchronization can be made available.

[0035] Next, Figure 3 shows the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10A in the information processing system of this embodiment. In the following description, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10A will be mainly described, but the image forming apparatus 10B and others have a similar configuration.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, the image forming apparatus 10A includes a CPU 11, memory 12, storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (IF) 14 for transmitting and receiving data to and from external devices via a network, a user interface (UI) device 15 including a touch panel or liquid crystal display and keyboard, a scan unit 16, and an image forming unit 17. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 18.

[0037] The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 10A by executing predetermined processes based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or storage device 13. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 is described as reading and executing a control program stored in the memory 12 or storage device 13, but it is not limited to this. This control program may be provided in the form of a computer-readable recording medium. For example, this program may be provided in the form of a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM recorded on an optical disc, or in the form of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or memory card recorded on a semiconductor memory. Alternatively, this control program may be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 14.

[0038] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 10A realized by the execution of the control program described above.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the image forming apparatus 10A of this embodiment includes an operation input unit 31, a display unit 32, a control unit 33, a data transmission / reception unit 34, a table storage unit 35, and a data storage unit 36. Note that in the block diagram shown in Figure 4, functional blocks related to image forming processing, etc., are omitted.

[0040] The data transmission / reception unit 34 transmits and receives data with external devices such as the image forming apparatus 10B and the cloud server 20. The operation input unit 31 receives various operation information performed by the user. The display unit 32 is controlled by the control unit 33 and displays various information to the user.

[0041] The data storage unit 36 ​​stores various data, such as destination lists, which are synchronized with the cloud server 20. In the following explanation, shared data X will be used as an example of data synchronized with the cloud server 20.

[0042] The control unit 33 stores the shared data X acquired from the cloud server 20 via the data transmission / reception unit 34 in the data storage unit 36. It also performs a process to synchronize the shared data X in the data storage unit 36 ​​with the shared data X stored in the cloud server 20, for example, by periodically communicating with the cloud server 20. In other words, the control unit 33 stores the shared data X that is synchronized with the cloud server 20, which is another information processing device, in the data storage unit 36.

[0043] Furthermore, the table storage unit 35 stores a connection status management table, a trusted device table, and a shared data management table.

[0044] An example of a connection status management table stored in this table storage unit 35 is shown in Figure 5, an example of a trusted device table is shown in Figure 6, and an example of a shared data management table is shown in Figure 7.

[0045] The connection status management table is a table that shows a list of currently connected devices. In the example shown in Figure 5, the connected devices registered are service α, i.e., the cloud server 20, and the image forming apparatus 10B.

[0046] Furthermore, the trusted device table has multiple trusted devices registered as pre-configured connection destinations. Here, a trusted device is a device that can determine that the environment in which a certain device is located is a trustworthy environment. In other words, if a device can communicate with a trusted device, then that device can be determined to be in a trustworthy environment.

[0047] In the example of the trusted device table shown in Figure 6, multiple devices are registered in groups. In the example of the shared data management table shown in Figure 7, a primary provider and a trusted group are associated with each piece of shared data. Therefore, when a user performs an operation that references shared data X, the control unit 33 refers to the shared data management table shown in Figure 7 to confirm that the trusted group registered for shared data X is group 1. Then, the control unit 33 refers to the trusted device table shown in Figure 6 to understand that group 1 includes not only the image forming apparatus 10A but also the image forming apparatus 10B and service α (cloud server 20). Therefore, with respect to shared data X, the trusted devices for the image forming apparatus 10A are the image forming apparatus 10B and service α (cloud server 20).

[0048] The control unit 33 makes the shared data X stored in the data storage unit 36 ​​available as long as it is connected to at least one of the multiple connection destinations pre-configured as trusted devices. Specifically, the control unit 33 makes the shared data X stored in the data storage unit 36 ​​available as long as it is connected to either of the two connection destinations, the image forming apparatus 10B or service α (cloud server 20).

[0049] The control unit 33 determines whether the image forming apparatus 10A is currently connected to any other device by referring to the connection status data shown in Figure 5.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 33 makes the shared data X unavailable if it is unable to connect to any of the multiple connection destinations pre-configured as trusted devices.

[0051] For example, the control unit 33 may make the shared data X unavailable by deleting it from the data storage unit 36. Alternatively, the control unit 33 may make the shared data X unavailable by making it inaccessible from the data storage unit 36, for example, by locking it.

[0052] As explained above, with regard to the shared data X, one of the multiple connection destinations pre-configured as trusted devices is the cloud server 20, which performs synchronization processing with the shared data X stored in the data storage unit 36. Also, with regard to the shared data X, one of the multiple connection destinations pre-configured as trusted devices is the image forming apparatus 10B connected within the same network 40.

[0053] Alternatively, one of the pre-configured connection destinations, other than the cloud server 20 which performs synchronization processing with the shared data X stored in the data storage unit 36, can be another device located in the same physical environment, for example, on the same floor, in the same room, or in the same building.

[0054] Furthermore, in the shared data management table shown in Figure 7, the primary provider is registered for each piece of shared data. For example, service α, i.e., the cloud server 20, is registered as the primary provider of shared data X. If the image forming apparatus 10A is in an operation to access certain shared data and the apparatus is registered as the primary provider, the control unit 33 will allow access to that shared data regardless of the current connection status of the connected device registered as a trusted device.

[0055] In the above explanation, access to shared data X was permitted if the device was connected to at least one of the pre-registered destinations. However, if there are many more destinations pre-registered as trusted devices, it is also possible to allow access to shared data X if the device is connected to at least two destinations, or at least three destinations, or at least a set number of destinations.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 33 performs data synchronization processing when the connection status with an external device changes. Specifically, when the number of devices registered in the connection status management table shown in Figure 5 changes, the control unit 33 checks the connection status with multiple destinations pre-configured as trusted devices, and if it is confirmed that a connection is established with at least one destination, it retains the shared data. The control unit 33 then checks the connection status with multiple destinations pre-configured as trusted devices, and if it is not connected to any destination, it deletes the shared data or makes it inaccessible.

[0057] Furthermore, if the newly connected destination is the cloud server 20, the control unit 33 performs synchronization processing between the shared data stored in the cloud server 20 and the shared data stored in the data storage unit 36.

[0058] Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10A in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0059] First, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10A will be explained with reference to the flowcharts in Figures 8 and 9.

[0060] The control unit 33 checks the connection status with external devices via the data transmission / reception unit 34 and updates the connection status management table shown in Figure 5. In step S101, the control unit 33 determines whether the connection status has changed by referring to the connection status management table. If it determines in step S101 that the connection status has changed, the control unit 33 checks the connection status with multiple destinations set as trusted devices in step S102.

[0061] Furthermore, even if the connection status does not change, the control unit 33 periodically performs synchronization processing of shared data stored in the data storage unit 36 ​​with the cloud server 20 at predetermined intervals.

[0062] Then, in step S102, if it is confirmed that the device is not connected to any of the multiple destinations set as trusted devices, the control unit 33 locks or deletes the shared data in step S103.

[0063] Then, in step S102, if a connection is confirmed with one of the multiple connection destinations set as a trusted device, the control unit 33 determines in step S104 whether the shared data is locked or deleted.

[0064] If, in step S104, the control unit 33 determines that the shared data is locked or has been deleted, in step S105, it unlocks the shared data or retrieves it again from the cloud server 20.

[0065] Furthermore, if step S104 determines that the shared data is neither locked nor deleted, the control unit 33 executes an update process for the shared data in step S106.

[0066] Next, the details of the process in step S106 shown in the flowchart of Figure 8 will be explained with reference to the flowchart of Figure 9.

[0067] First, in step S201, the control unit 33 determines whether or not it is connected to the cloud server 20.

[0068] If the control unit 33 determines in step S201 that it is connected to the cloud server 20, in step S202, it obtains update information for shared data from the cloud server 20.

[0069] Then, in step S203, the control unit 33 determines whether or not the shared data stored in the data storage unit 36 ​​has been updated based on the acquired update information.

[0070] If the control unit 33 determines in step S203 that the shared data has been updated, in step S204, it performs a synchronization process between the updated shared data and the shared data in the cloud server 20 to update the shared data stored in the data storage unit 36.

[0071] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S201 that there is no connection to the cloud server 20, and if it is determined in step S203 that the shared data has not been updated, the control unit 33 terminates the process.

[0072] Next, the operation of the information processing system of this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to Figures 10 to 15.

[0073] First, Figure 10 shows the case where only image forming apparatus 10A and image forming apparatus 10C are installed at base A and a private residence, respectively. In Figure 10, it is assumed that shared data X, such as an address list, is stored in image forming apparatus 10A and image forming apparatus 10C, and that it is synchronized with the shared data X in the cloud server 20.

[0074] In this case, we will explain the case where the shared data X in the cloud server 20 is deleted, as shown in Figure 11. In this case, the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10C are connected to the cloud server 20 and periodically perform synchronization processing with the cloud server 20, so the shared data X in the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10C is also deleted when the synchronization processing is performed. By performing such processing, it is possible to prevent information leakage of the address list stored in the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10C, for example, when the image forming apparatuses 10A and 10C are disposed of, or when an employee who was using the address list in the image forming apparatus 10C at their home leaves the company.

[0075] Furthermore, the case where the connection between the image forming apparatus 10A, 10C and the cloud server 20 is interrupted will be explained with reference to Figure 12. In this case, the image forming apparatus 10A, 10C cannot confirm a connection with one of the connection destinations registered as a trusted device, and therefore makes the stored shared data X unavailable or deletes it. By performing this process, even if the image forming apparatus 10A, 10C is moved somewhere, such as when it is stolen, it is possible to prevent the leakage of information from the destination list stored in the image forming apparatus 10A, 10C. However, as shown in Figure 12, even if only an unintended communication failure occurs between the image forming apparatus 10A, 10C and the cloud server 20, the destination list may become unavailable or be deleted, which may be inconvenient for the user.

[0076] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, for example, even if the connection between the image forming apparatus 10A and the cloud server 20 is interrupted, if the connection between the image forming apparatus 10B is confirmed, the image forming apparatus 10A will be able to use the shared data X. In other words, since the image forming apparatus 10A is connected to the image forming apparatus 10B, the image forming apparatus 10A is in a reliable environment at site A, and even if the shared data X is made available, the possibility of information leakage is low.

[0077] Furthermore, in situations where employees are teleworking from their homes, it may be difficult to install trusted devices in their homes. Also, the equipment used by the employee may be the user's personal property. Therefore, as shown in Figure 14, when a user is using a personally owned image forming machine 10C at their home and needs to access shared data such as address lists, a beacon device 50 is provided separately for installation at the user's home. The beacon device 50 connects to the image forming machine 10C via wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). The image forming machine 10C then registers this beacon device 50 as a trusted device.

[0078] In this way, even if the connection between the image forming apparatus 10C installed in a private home and the cloud server 20 is interrupted, if the image forming apparatus 10C can confirm its connection with the beacon device 50, the shared data X will be made available.

[0079] Furthermore, the beacon device 50 is just one example of other devices present in the same physical environment, and the image forming apparatus 10A determines that the physical environment in which this beacon device 50 exists is a reliable environment.

[0080] When this employee leaves the company, as shown in Figure 15, the shared data X in the cloud server 20 is deleted, and the beacon device 50 is retrieved from the employee's home. Then, when the image forming apparatus 10C connects to the cloud server 20, it will delete the shared data X in its own device in synchronization with the deleted shared data X in the cloud server 20, because the shared data X in the cloud server 20 has been deleted.

[0081] Furthermore, even if the user of this private residence does not maliciously connect to the cloud server 20, the image forming apparatus 10C will delete the shared data X stored within its own device because the beacon device 50 has been recovered and no connection with any trusted device can be confirmed.

[0082] As a result, even if the image forming apparatus 10C is privately owned and cannot be recovered, the contents of the address list will not be leaked.

[0083] In each of the embodiments described above, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0084] Furthermore, the processor operations in each of the above embodiments may not be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor operations is not limited to the order described in each of the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0085] [Differentiation] In the above embodiment, the case in which the present disclosure is applied to an image forming apparatus was described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and can be similarly applied to various information processing devices such as personal computers, tablet terminals, and mobile terminals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 10A~10C Image forming device 11 CPU 12 memory 13 Storage device 14. Communication Interface 15. User Interface Device 16 scan units 17 Image forming unit 18 Control bus 20 Cloud Servers 30 Internet 31 Operation Input Section 32 Display section 33 Control Unit 34 Data transmission / reception unit 35 Table Storage Unit 36 Data Storage Unit 40 Networks 50 Beacon devices 60 Terminal devices

Claims

1. It comprises a processor and a memory unit, The aforementioned processor, The data synchronized with other information processing devices is stored in the storage unit. As long as the device is connected to at least one of the pre-configured connection destinations, the data stored in the storage unit will be made available for use. Information processing device.

2. The processor makes the data unavailable if it cannot connect to any of the pre-configured destinations. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor makes the data stored in the storage unit unusable by deleting the data stored in the storage unit.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processor makes the data stored in the storage unit unreachable, thereby rendering the data unusable.

5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein one of a plurality of pre-configured connection destinations is another information processing apparatus that performs synchronization processing with the data stored in the storage unit.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one of the pre-configured multiple connection destinations, other than other information processing apparatuses that perform synchronization processing with the data stored in the storage unit, is another information processing apparatus connected within the same network.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one of the pre-configured multiple connection destinations, other than other information processing apparatuses that perform synchronization processing with the data stored in the storage unit, is another device located in the same physical environment.

8. The steps include storing data in a storage unit for synchronization processing with other information processing devices, If connected to at least one of a set of pre-configured connection destinations, the step of making the data stored in the storage unit available; A program that causes a computer to execute something.

Images