Information processing system, its control method, management server and program
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CANON KK
- Filing Date
- 2022-05-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-05
Smart Images
Figure 0007900948000001 
Figure 0007900948000002 
Figure 0007900948000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention mainly relates to an information processing system.
Background Art
[0002] Among services using networks such as the Internet, there are some in which an image recording device detects the remaining amount state of consumables in the image recording device and places an order for consumables when the remaining amount of the consumables becomes less than or equal to a predetermined amount (see Patent Document 1). In such a service, the image recording device connects to a relay server and transmits consumable information. A service provider server that provides the service registers the identification information of the image recording device that acquires the consumable information in the relay server, and the relay device provides the consumable information to the service provider server.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention is advantageous in improving the above-mentioned usability. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing an example hardware configuration for a printer management server. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing an example of a printer's hardware configuration. [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing the mode of transmission and reception of information or data in an information processing system. [Figure 5] Schematic diagram showing the mode of transmission and reception of information or data in an information processing system. [Figure 6] Schematic diagram showing the mode of transmission and reception of information or data in an information processing system. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing an example of a destination management table and a service management table. [Figure 8] Diagram showing an example of a service registration screen. [Figure 9] Diagram showing an example of a printer information transmission setting screen. [Figure 10] Schematic diagram showing an example of a destination management table.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Further, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.
[0010] <Configuration of Information Processing System> FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment. The information processing system 100 includes printer management servers 103 and 104, destination management servers 105 and 106, a database server 107, a service provider server 108, and a printer 101 which is an image recording device.
[0011] The printer management servers 103 and 104, the destination management servers 105 and 106, the database server 107, and the service provider server 108 are each connected to the Internet 110. The printer 101 can be connected to the Internet 110 via a router 102.
[0012] The printer management server 103 can transmit and receive information to and from the destination management server 105 via the Internet 110. The printer management server 104 can transmit and receive information to and from the destination management server 106 via the Internet 110. The destination management servers 105 and 106 can execute reading and writing of information to and from the database server 107 via the Internet 110.
[0013] Here, the number of the printer management servers 103 and 104 is assumed to be 2 here, but it may be 3 or more, and any number (2 or more) is acceptable. The same applies to the destination management servers 105 and 106. Although details will be described later, in this embodiment, even when the printer 101 is connected to any of the plurality of printer management servers, service registration from the service provider server 108 is enabled for the printer management server to which the printer 101 is connected.
[0014] The plurality of printer management servers 103 and 104 can be arranged in different regions (such as countries, states, prefectures, cities, etc.) from each other. The plurality of printer management servers 103 and 104 may be expressed as relay servers, relay devices, etc. respectively. Similarly, the plurality of destination management servers 105 and 106 can be arranged in different regions from each other. When the plurality of relay servers are arranged in different regions from each other, the corresponding management server may be arranged in the same or corresponding region. The plurality of destination management servers 105 and 106 may be expressed as management servers, management devices, etc. respectively. [[ID=eleven]]
[0015] Note that for these transmissions, receptions or communications, known protocols may be used, and HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport), etc. may be used. The same applies to the transmissions, receptions or communications of the printer 101.
[0016] The service provider server 108 can communicate with the connection management servers 105 and 106 via the Internet 110. In this embodiment, the service provider server 108 can provide a variety of services. Examples of services include delivery of consumables to the user's location, and awarding points based on the number of times the user performs printing. For example, the printer 101 periodically sends status information, including the number of pages printed and the amount of ink remaining, along with the printer's identification information (e.g., serial number), to the printer management servers 103 and 104. The printer management servers 103 and 104 send the information received from the printer 101 to the service provider server 108, depending on the services the printer 101 is subscribed to.
[0017] <Server Configuration> Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printer management server 103. The printer management server 103 includes a CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, storage device 204, operation unit 205, display unit 206, network communication unit 207, and network connection unit 208.
[0018] The CPU 201 (Central Processing Unit) controls each element of the printer management server 103. The RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 is used when the CPU 201 executes programs. The ROM (Read Only Memory) 203 stores the boot program required when the system starts up. The storage device 204 stores programs, parameters, or information executed by the CPU 201, and non-volatile memory such as magnetic disks or flash memory is used for the storage device 204. The operation unit 205 may use a known device capable of receiving user input, such as a keyboard or mouse. The display unit 206 may use, for example, a liquid crystal display, to display and present corresponding information to the user. The network communication unit 207 is connected to the internet 110 via the network connection unit 208, enabling communication with other elements. These are interconnected by the bus 210, enabling data transmission and reception.
[0019] The printer management server 104, connection management servers 105 and 106, database server 107, and service provider server 108 have the same hardware configuration as the printer management server 103, and their description is omitted here. In other embodiments, they may have different hardware configurations from the printer management server 103. Furthermore, each of the above-mentioned servers may be a server system composed of one or more servers. For example, multiple servers may work in cooperation with each other to function as one printer management server, one connection management server, one database server, and one service provider server.
[0020] <Printer Hardware Configuration> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of printer 101. Printer 101 includes a printer unit 301, a scanner unit 302, a memory card slot 303, a memory card 304, and an ink tank unit 315. Furthermore, printer 101 includes a CPU 305, program memory 306, work memory 307, display unit 308, operation unit 309, network communication unit 310, network connection unit 311, and flash memory 312.
[0021] The printer 101 records images using an inkjet method, but other recording methods such as electrophotography may also be used. Here, the printer 101, which is a multifunction device, is shown as an example of an image recording device, but the image recording device is not limited to a printer. For example, a copier, facsimile, etc. may be used as an image recording device, and a device without a scanner function may also be used.
[0022] In the printer 101, the printing function is implemented by the printer unit 301, the scanning function is implemented by the scanner unit 302, and the storage function is implemented by the memory card slot 303 and the memory card 304.
[0023] The printer unit 301 records (or may be described as printing) images onto a recording medium such as printing paper using an inkjet method, based on image data received from an external source, image data stored on the memory card 304, etc. Furthermore, the printer unit 301 can also manage ink information, including ink level information, and paper information, including the number of sheets of paper loaded.
[0024] The scanner unit 302 optically reads a document placed on the document glass (not shown) and converts the resulting electronic data into a predetermined file format. The resulting image data is then transmitted to an external device via a network or stored in a storage area (not shown) such as an HDD. When using the copy function, the image data obtained by scanning the document placed on the document glass by the scanner unit 302 is transferred to the printer unit 301, and the printer unit 301 records the image on a recording medium based on this image data.
[0025] The memory card 304, inserted into the memory card slot 303, stores the desired file data. The file data may be read and editable from an external device via a network. It is also possible to store file data on the memory card 304 in response to instructions from an external device.
[0026] The CPU 305 controls each element of the printer 101. The program memory 306 is composed of ROM or the like, and can store various program codes, applications 314 for communicating with the printer management server 103, etc. The work memory 307 is composed of RAM or the like, and can temporarily store image data etc. when a service is executed, and buffering is performed using the work memory 307. The display unit 308 uses a liquid crystal display or the like, and can display information according to the above functions. The operation unit 309 uses buttons etc., and can accept user input. The network communication unit 310 is connected to the router 106 via the network connection unit 311, thereby connecting the printer 101 to the internet 110. The flash memory 312 stores image data etc. received by the network communication unit 310. These are interconnected by the bus 313, enabling data transmission and reception.
[0027] <Printer Information Transmission Settings Screen> Figure 9 shows an example of a settings screen 900 displayed on the display unit 308 of the printer 101. The settings screen 900 includes an agreement button 901 for selecting "Agree" and a disagreement button 902 for selecting "Disagree". When the user presses the agreement button 901, the printer information transmission setting is enabled. The printer information transmission setting indicates the setting for periodically or in response to the fulfillment of predetermined conditions to transmit printer information from the printer 101 to an external source, including printer status information (e.g., information indicating the number of pages printed, ink level, etc.) and print information necessary for printing. The settings screen 900 may also be referred to as the printer information transmission setting screen 900, information transmission setting screen 900, etc.
[0028] ≪First Example≫ <Process to connect the printer to the printer management server and then register it as a service> Figure 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a series of processes performed from the time the printer 101 is connected to the printer management server 103 until the service provider server 108 receives printer information for the printer 101.
[0029] Here, the series of processes can be executed by the CPUs of the printer 101, printer management server 103, connection destination management server 105, database server 107, and service provider server 108. That is, the series of processes can be performed by each CPU loading program code stored in memory onto RAM and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps shown in Figure 4 may be implemented by electronic circuits or hardware such as ASICs.
[0030] In step S401 (hereinafter simply referred to as "S401"; the same applies to other steps described later), the printer 101 detects that the user has enabled the printer information transmission setting on the settings screen 900.
[0031] In S402, printer 101 notifies the printer management server 103 of its printer connection and provides printer identification information. The printer identification information may be both the serial number and MAC address of printer 101, or either one of them, or it may be other information that can identify printer 101. Note that the printer connection notification may simply be referred to as a connection notification.
[0032] In S403, the printer management server 103 notifies the destination management server 105 of the printer connection and notifies it of the printer identification information of printer 101.
[0033] In S404, the connection management server 105 issues a connection registration instruction to the database server 107, which stores the association between the printer 101 and the printer management server 103.
[0034] In S405, the database server 107 associates the printer 101 with the printer management server 103 and registers this association in the database's connection destination management table 701. This registration may be referred to as the registration of the connected printer management server.
[0035] Here, Figure 7 shows examples of the connection destination management table 701 and the service management table 702 stored in the database of the database server 107. When the database server 107 receives a connection destination registration instruction from the connection destination management server 105, it associates the printer identification information with the information of the printer management server 103 to which the printer 101 is connected and registers it in the connection destination management table 701 shown in Figure 7(a). Also, when the database server 107 receives a service information registration instruction from the connection destination management server 105, it associates the printer identification information with the service name and registers it in the service management table 702 shown in Figure 7(b). Details will be described later.
[0036] Referring again to Figure 4, in S406, the connection management server 105 obtains the service registration information for printer 101 from the service management table 702. Note that at this point, printer 101 has not yet been registered as a service by the service provider server 108, so no processing is performed that would trigger a confirmation of service registration.
[0037] Here, Figure 8 shows an example of a registration screen 800, which is the screen displayed when a user registers printer 101 with a web service. The registration screen 800 includes a display field 804 for the printer identification information to be registered, a license agreement checkbox 803, and a registration button 802. The registration screen 800 may also be referred to as a service registration screen 800, a web service registration screen 800, etc.
[0038] Referring again to Figure 4, after S406, the user checks the checkbox 803 on the registration screen 800 and presses the registration button 802. In response, at S407, the service provider server 108 sends a service registration notification to the connection management server 105, notifying it of the printer identification information and Web service name of the printer 101.
[0039] In S408, the connection management server 105 issues a service registration instruction to the database server 107, which stores the printer identification information and the Web service name in association.
[0040] In S409, the database server 107 associates the printer 101 with the web service name and registers it in the database connection management table 702 of the database server 107.
[0041] In S410, the connection management server 105 obtains the connection information of the printer management server 103 to which the printer 101 is connected from the connection management table 701.
[0042] In S411, the connection management server 105 sends a service registration notification to the printer management server 103 to which the printer 101 is connected, notifying it of the printer identification information and Web service name of the printer 101. From this point onward, the printer management server 103 can notify the service provider server 108 of printer information from the printer 101.
[0043] In S412, printer 101 notifies printer management server 103 of printer information such as printer identification information and status information (for example, information indicating the number of pages printed, ink level, etc.).
[0044] In S413, the printer management server 103 notifies the service provider server 108 of printer information such as printer identification information and status information for printer 101.
[0045] Furthermore, the above sequence also applies when printer 101 replaces printer management server 103 and connects to printer management server 104.
[0046] According to this embodiment, even if the printer 101 is connected to any of the multiple printer management servers (for example, 103), the service provider server 108 can register the service with the printer management server 103 to which the printer 101 is connected. This allows the service provider server 108 to receive printer information for the printer 101. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the usability of the printer 101 can be improved when providing a variety of services for the printer 101.
[0047] In this example, information is recorded in a database server 107 connected via the Internet 110. However, the embodiment is not limited to the embodiment exemplified here, and may also be configured to be connected via a local network. Furthermore, the connected management servers 105 and / or 106 may be recording devices having storage functions capable of acquiring and recording information.
[0048] ≪Second Example≫ In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the service provider server 108 registers the printer 101 after the printer 101 is connected to the printer management server 103. In contrast, in the second embodiment, it is also possible for the service provider server 108 to register the printer 101 before the printer 101 is connected to the printer management server 103.
[0049] <Processing performed when registering a printer as a service before connecting it to the printer management server> Figure 5 shows, similar to Figure 4, a series of processes from the registration of printer 101 by the service provider server 108 before connecting printer 101 to printer management server 103, to the service provider server 108 receiving printer information. This series of processes can be executed by the CPUs of printer 101, printer management server 103, connection destination management server 105, database server 107, and service provider server 108, similar to Figure 4.
[0050] For S501 to S503, the content is the same as for S407 to S409 in Figure 4 (see First Embodiment).
[0051] In S504, the connection management server 105 obtains the connection information of the printer management server 103 to which printer 101 is connected from the connection management table 701. At this point, printer 101 has not yet connected to printer management server 103, so no processing is performed that would trigger a check of the connected printer management server 103.
[0052] For S505 to S509, the content is the same as for S401 to S405 in Figure 4 (see First Embodiment).
[0053] In S510, the connection management server 105 obtains the service registration information for printer 101 from the service management table 702.
[0054] Steps S511 to S513 are the same as steps S411 to S413 in Figure 4 (see the first embodiment).
[0055] According to this embodiment, even if the service registration is performed by the service provider server 108 before the printer 101 is connected to the printer management server 103, the service provider server 108 can still receive printer information for the printer 101.
[0056] ≪Third Example≫ In the third embodiment, we show an example where, after the service provider server 108 has registered the printer 101 and is able to receive printer information for the printer 101 from the printer management server 103, the connection destination of the printer 101 is updated to the printer management server 104.
[0057] Figure 5 shows, similar to Figure 4, a series of processes from the registration of printer 101 by the service provider server 108 before connecting printer 101 to printer management server 103, to the service provider server 108 receiving printer information. This series of processes can be executed by the CPUs of printer 101, printer management server 103, connection destination management server 105, database server 107, and service provider server 108, similar to Figure 4.
[0058] Figure 6 shows a series of processes, similar to Figures 4 and 5, when printer 101 changes its connection destination from printer management server 103 to printer management server 104, and service provider server 108 receives printer information for printer 101 from printer management server 104. This series of processes can be executed by the CPUs of printer 101, printer management servers 103 and 104, connection destination management servers 105 and 106, database server 107, and service provider server 108, similar to Figure 4.
[0059] Steps S601 to S613 are the same as steps S401 to S413 in Figure 4 (see the first embodiment).
[0060] In S614, the printer 101 performs a firmware update. The firmware update can be performed by a method known to the printer 101. For example, if the latest firmware for the printer 101 is available on the firmware distribution server, the display unit 308 may indicate that an updated firmware is available. The user can then perform the update by making an operation input to the operation unit 309 in response to this display.
[0061] In the S615, once the firmware update described above is complete, the printer 101 notifies the printer management server 104 of the printer connection and notifies the printer identification information of the printer 101.
[0062] In S616, the printer management server 104 notifies the destination management server 106 of the printer connection and notifies it of the printer identification information of printer 101.
[0063] In S617, the connection management server 106 obtains the connection information of the printer management server 104 to which the printer 101 is connected from the connection management table 701.
[0064] In S618, the connection management server 106 issues a connection update instruction to the database server 107, which stores the association between the printer 101 and the printer management server 104.
[0065] In S619, the database server 107 changes or updates the connection destination management table 701, which stores the association between the printer 101 and the printer management server 103, to the connection destination management table 1001, which stores the association between the printer 101 and the printer management server 104.
[0066] Here, Figure 10 shows an example of a connection destination management table 1001 stored in the database of the database server 107. When the database server 107 receives a connection destination update instruction from the connection destination management server 105 or 106, it updates the information of the printer management server 103 or 104 associated with the printer 101.
[0067] Referring again to Figure 6, in S620, the connection management server 106 obtains the service registration information for the printer 101 from the service management table 702.
[0068] In S621, the connection management server 106 sends a service registration notification to the printer management server 104, notifying it of the printer identification information and Web service name of printer 101.
[0069] In S622, the connection management server 106 sends a service deletion notification to the printer management server 103, which was obtained in S617, and notifies the printer management server 103 of the deletion of the printer identification information and web service name of printer 101.
[0070] Steps S623 to S624 are the same as steps S412 to S413 in Figure 4 (see the first embodiment).
[0071] In this embodiment, the printer 101 is connected to the printer management server 103, and after service registration from the service provider server 108 is completed, the connection destination of the printer 101 is changed to the printer management server 104. According to this embodiment, even in such a case, the service provider server 108 can receive printer information from the printer management server 104.
[0072] Here, the connection destination of printer 101 is changed from printer management server 103 to printer management server 104 by a firmware update, but the update of the printer 101's connection destination may be performed by other known methods. For example, a connection destination update instruction may be sent to printer 101 from printer management server 103, and in response, printer 101 may change its connection destination to printer management server 104. Alternatively, printer 101 may detect that the location of printer 101 itself has changed, and in response, printer 101 may update its connection destination.
[0073] (program) The present invention may be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by a process in which one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. For example, the present invention may be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.
[0074] (others) In the above explanation, for the sake of ease of understanding, each element has been given a name related to its function. However, each element is not limited to having the content described in the embodiment as its primary function, but may also have it as a secondary function. Therefore, each element is not strictly limited to its expression, and its expression can be replaced with a similar expression. For example, "server" may be expressed as "information management device," "information processing device," etc. Similarly, the expression "apparatus" may be replaced with "unit," "component, piece," "member," "structure," "assembly," etc., or may be omitted.
[0075] (Summary of the embodiments) Some features of the embodiment can be summarized as follows: [1] Image recording device and Multiple relay servers that manage status information transmitted from the image recording device via the network, Multiple management servers corresponding to the aforementioned multiple relay servers, each of which registers service information with the corresponding relay server, A database server that stores information from the aforementioned multiple management servers, An information processing system comprising, Each of the aforementioned management servers is: A receiving means that receives a connection notification including identification information of the image recording device from a corresponding relay server, A storage instruction means that, upon receiving the aforementioned connection notification, instructs the database server to store the corresponding relay server in association with the image recording device, A transmission means that, upon receiving a service registration from a service provider server that provides services based on the status information, transmits the service registration information to a relay server stored in association with the image recording device in the database server, including An information processing system characterized by the following: [2] If the relay server to which the image recording device is connected is changed, the receiving means receives a connection notification from the changed relay server, and the storage instruction means instructs the database server to store the changed relay server in association with the image recording device. The information processing system described in [1] above, characterized in that [3] The aforementioned relay servers are located in different regions, and the corresponding management servers are located in the corresponding regions. The information processing system described in [1] above, characterized in that [4] The image recording device is a printer capable of recording using an inkjet method. An information processing system according to any one of the above [1] to [3], characterized by the following: [5] The services provided by the service provider server include the delivery of consumables for the image recording device to the user's location. The information processing system described in [4] above, characterized in that [6] The services provided by the service provider server include awarding points based on the number of times the user of the image recording device performs printing on the image recording device. The information processing system described in [4] above, characterized in that [7] The relay server, the management server, and the service provider server are a server system comprised of one or more servers. The information processing system described in [1] above, characterized in that [8] Image recording device and Multiple relay servers that manage status information transmitted from the image recording device via the network, A service provider server that provides services based on the aforementioned status information, Multiple management servers corresponding to the aforementioned multiple relay servers, each of which registers service information with the corresponding relay server, A database server that stores information from the aforementioned multiple management servers, A control method for an information processing system comprising: In each of the aforementioned management servers, The steps include receiving a connection notification from a corresponding relay server, which includes identification information of the image recording device, The steps include: when the aforementioned connection notification is received, instructing the database server to store the corresponding relay server in association with the image recording device; When a service registration is received from the service provider server, the database server sends the service registration information to the relay server stored in association with the image recording device. including A control method for an information processing system characterized by the following: [9] A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the control method described in [8] above.
[10] A management server corresponding to each of multiple relay servers capable of managing status information transmitted from an image recording device over a network, A receiving means that receives a connection notification including identification information of the image recording device from a corresponding relay server, A storage instruction means that, upon receiving the aforementioned connection notification, instructs a predetermined database server to store the corresponding relay server in association with the image recording device, A transmission means that, upon receiving a service registration from a service provider server that provides services based on the status information, transmits the service registration information to a relay server stored in association with the image recording device in the database server, including A management server characterized by the following features.
[11] A program that causes a computer to execute each of the management server methods described in
[10] above.
[0076] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0077] 101: Image recording device (printer), 103 and 104: Printer management server (relay server), 105 and 106: Connection destination management server (management server), 107: Database server, 108: Service provider server.
Claims
1. Image recording device and Multiple relay servers that manage status information transmitted from the image recording device via the network, Multiple management servers corresponding to the multiple relay servers, each of which registers information about the image recording device for providing services based on the status information to the corresponding relay server, A database server that stores information from the aforementioned multiple management servers, An information processing system comprising, Each of the aforementioned management servers is: A receiving means that receives a connection notification including identification information of the image recording device from a corresponding relay server, A storage instruction means that, upon receiving the aforementioned connection notification, instructs the database server to store the corresponding relay server in association with the image recording device, A transmission means that, upon receiving a service registration from a service provider server that provides the service based on the status information, transmits information indicating the service registration to a relay server stored in association with the image recording device in the database server, Includes, If the relay server to which the image recording device is connected is changed, the receiving means receives a connection notification from the changed relay server, and the storage instruction means instructs the database server to store the changed relay server in association with the image recording device. An information processing system characterized by the following:
2. The aforementioned relay servers are located in different regions, and the corresponding management servers are located in the corresponding regions. The information processing system according to feature 1.
3. The image recording device is a printer capable of recording using an inkjet method. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described above.
4. The services provided by the service provider server include the delivery of consumables for the image recording device to the user's location. The information processing system according to feature 3.
5. The services provided by the service provider server include awarding points based on the number of times the user of the image recording device performs printing on the image recording device. The information processing system according to feature 3.
6. The relay server, the management server, and the service provider server are a server system comprised of one or more servers. The information processing system according to feature 1.
7. Image recording device and Multiple relay servers that manage status information transmitted from the image recording device via the network, A service provider server that provides services based on the aforementioned status information, Multiple management servers corresponding to the multiple relay servers, each of which registers information about the image recording device for providing the service based on the status information to the corresponding relay server, A database server that stores information from the aforementioned multiple management servers, A control method for an information processing system comprising: In each of the aforementioned management servers, The steps include receiving a connection notification from a corresponding relay server, which includes identification information of the image recording device, The steps include: when the aforementioned connection notification is received, instructing the database server to store the corresponding relay server in association with the image recording device; When a service registration is received from the service provider server, the database server transmits information indicating the service registration to a relay server stored in association with the image recording device; Includes, If the relay server to which the image recording device is connected is changed, in the receiving step, a connection notification is received from the changed relay server, and in the instruction step, an instruction is given to the database server to store the changed relay server in association with the image recording device. A control method for an information processing system characterized by the following:
8. A program that causes a computer to perform each step of the control method described in claim 7.
9. A management server corresponding to each of multiple relay servers capable of managing status information transmitted from an image recording device over a network, A receiving means that receives a connection notification including identification information of the image recording device from a corresponding relay server, A storage instruction means that, upon receiving the aforementioned connection notification, instructs a predetermined database server to store the corresponding relay server in association with the image recording device, A transmission means that, upon receiving a service registration from a service provider server that provides services based on the status information, transmits information indicating the service registration to a relay server stored in association with the image recording device in the database server, Includes, If the relay server to which the image recording device is connected is changed, the receiving means receives a connection notification from the changed relay server, and the storage instruction means instructs the database server to store the changed relay server in association with the image recording device. A management server characterized by the following features.
10. A program that causes a computer to execute each of the means of the management server described in claim 9.