JP7799404B2 - Information processing device, information processing system, control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a technology that, when a printing device receives information about a notification sent to a user by a server, displays content based on that information on the screen of the printing device.

In recent years, it has become common to display content such as advertisements obtained from a server on the screen of a terminal device, and similar content is now being displayed on the screen of an image processing device such as a multifunction printer (hereinafter referred to as "MFP").

In Patent Document 1, when toner runs out, information about the toner storage location is received from a server, including image data of a map of the storage location and image data of a QR code (registered trademark) representing the location on the map, and the map image and QR code image are displayed on the screen of the image processing device.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-188767

However, with Patent Document 1, there are concerns that the screen may not be displayed in the optimal layout depending on the type of notification. Furthermore, because the QR code image data is generated on the server, it is not possible to include individual parameter data for an information processing device such as a printer in the QR code.

In view of the above issues, one embodiment of the present invention aims to display a two-dimensional code image that includes data on individual parameters of an information processing device.

One embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device that displays a notification image based on notification information sent from an external device, and has a display control means that, based on notification type information included in the notification information, displays either a first screen that includes a button for displaying a notification image based on the notification information and a two-dimensional code image generated by the information processing device based on individual parameters of the information processing device, or a second screen that includes a notification image based on the notification information but does not include the button, and the display control means displays the first screen when the type information is information indicating the display of a two-dimensional code image, and displays the second screen when the type information is not information indicating the display of a two-dimensional code image .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to display a two-dimensional code image that includes data on individual parameters of an information processing device.

Information processing system configuration diagram MFP block diagram Service Management Server Block Diagram Service provider server block diagram A sequence diagram of a process for acquiring notification information and displaying a notification screen based on the notification information. Example response Notification screen display process flowchart Notification screen ("Image display" pattern) Notification screen (QR code display pattern) A sequence diagram of a process for acquiring notification information and displaying a notification screen based on the notification information. A table that stores the correspondence between the LCD size and the number of characters that can be expressed in a QR code. Notification screen display process flowchart A table that stores the relationship between the LCD size, the number of characters that can be expressed in a QR code, and the character string of the URL for displaying the QR code. A sequence diagram of a process for acquiring notification information and displaying a notification screen based on the notification information.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not unnecessarily limit the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of features described below are necessarily essential as solutions to the present disclosure. Furthermore, identical components will be described with the same reference numerals.

[First embodiment]
<System configuration>
1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system according to this embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes an MFP 100, a service management server 200, a service providing server group 400, and a communication network 300. The service providing server group 400 is a collective term for service providing servers that provide various services. In the example of FIG. 1, the service providing server group 400 includes a service A providing server 420 that provides service A, a service B providing server 430 that provides service B, and a service C providing server 440 that provides service C.

<System Overview>
An overview of the processing performed by the system of FIG. 1 will be described. First, examples of services provided by this system will be described. One example of a service is a firmware update service for the MFP 100. The firmware update service is a service that provides corrected firmware and updates the firmware of the MFP 100 when improvements are made to the firmware of the MFP 100 or when troubleshooting is performed. Another example of a service is a sales service for consumables such as ink for the MFP 100. Users of the MFP 100 can access a server that provides the service to order and purchase consumables. Another service is a print content provision service. Users of the MFP 100 can access a server that provides the service to download print content and print it.

Note that the services mentioned above are merely examples and are not limited to these. Any service related to the MFP 100 may be used.

In this system, content based on notification information (hereinafter referred to as "notification information") sent from these service providing servers to the user of MFP 100 is displayed on the GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen of MFP 100. Note that while in FIG. 1, MFP 100, service management server 200, and service providing server group 400 are connected via communication network 300, in this embodiment, MFP 100 receives notification information sent from service management server 200. In other words, please note that in this embodiment, MFP 100 does not receive notification information directly from each service providing server.

In this embodiment, by providing the service management server 200, for example, notification information sent to the MFP 100 from various service providing servers can be aggregated in the service management server 200. The service management server 200 then exchanges information with the service providing servers that provide various services, eliminating the need for the MFP 100 to exchange information directly with the service providing servers.

Information is sent and received between the service management server 200 and each service providing server when the conditions for use of each service are met. For example, one of the conditions for use is that a service registration process is carried out between the terminal device that read the QR code and each service providing server. When the conditions for use of a service are met, each service providing server sends and receives information to and from the service management server 200 and provides notification information. Each communication is controlled via HTTP, XMPP, or the like. Note that other protocols may also be used.

<Configuration of MFP>
2 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of an MFP 100 according to this embodiment. The MFP 100 is a type of information processing device to which this embodiment can be applied. The MFP 100 is also a type of electronic device. The MFP 100 according to this embodiment has information processing functions such as generating, storing, and transmitting device information including log information and status information. The MFP 100 also has an image recording function (image forming function) that forms an image on a recording medium using a recording control unit 113 and a recording unit 114, which will be described later.

The MFP 100 has a CPU 101, ROM 102, RAM 103, image memory 104, data conversion unit 105, reading control unit 106, reading unit 107, operation display unit 108, LCD 109, communication control unit 110, and resolution conversion unit 111. Furthermore, the MFP 100 has an encoding/decoding unit 112, recording control unit 113, recording unit 114, USB function control unit 115, USB host control unit 116, and bus 117.

The CPU 101 is a system control unit that controls the overall operation of the MFP 100. The ROM 102 is a non-volatile memory that stores fixed data such as control programs executed by the CPU 101, data tables, and an embedded operating system (hereinafter referred to as "OS"). In this embodiment, software execution control such as scheduling, task switching, and interrupt processing is performed under the management of the embedded OS stored in ROM 102 based on each control program stored in ROM 102. The ROM 102 stores information indicating whether or not device information will be provided to the outside (referred to as "permission information"). The RAM 103 is composed of SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) and other devices that require a backup power source, and power supply to the RAM 103 is guaranteed by a primary battery for data backup (not shown). The RAM 103 stores program control variables and the like. Image memory 104 is composed of devices such as DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and can store image data. A portion of image memory 104 is reserved as a work area for executing software processing. Data conversion unit 105 can analyze data written in page description language (PDL) and convert image data, such as by converting character data into CG (Computer Graphics).

The reading unit 107 optically reads the document using a CIS image sensor and converts it into an electrical image signal. The reading control unit 106 outputs high-resolution image data by performing various image processing such as binarization and halftoning on the image signal acquired by the reading unit 107. Note that the method of optically reading the document may be either a sheet reading control method in which the document is read using a fixed CIS image sensor, or a book reading control method in which the document fixed to a document table is read using a moving CIS image sensor.

The operation display unit 108 consists of the minimum necessary keys, such as numeric input keys, mode setting keys, a confirmation key, and a cancel key, as well as LEDs (light-emitting diodes) and a 7-segment display unit. The various keys listed here are implemented as keys displayed on the LCD 109, so-called soft keys, and can accept operations from the user. If no user operations are performed for a certain period of time, the LCD 109 switches the backlight of the LCD 109 OFF to reduce power consumption.

The communication control unit 110 controls communication between the MFP 100 and external devices via the communication network 300. Specifically, it connects to an Internet service provider and exchanges various data with the service management server 200. The communication control unit 110 can also determine the connection status of the MFP 100, such as whether the MFP 100 is connected to the Internet or only to a LAN. The connection between the communication control unit 110 and the communication network 300 is established using a known method such as HTTP or XMPP. The resolution conversion unit 111 performs resolution conversion, such as mutual conversion between millimeter-based image data and inch-based image data. The resolution conversion unit 111 can also enlarge or reduce image data. The encoding/decoding unit 112 performs encoding or decoding, and enlarges or reduces image data (uncompressed, MH, MR, MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) handled by the MFP 100. The recording control unit 113 performs various image processing such as smoothing, recording density correction, and color correction on the image data to be printed, converting it into high-definition image data, and outputs recording data based on this high-definition image data to the recording unit 114. The recording control unit 113 also periodically acquires status information about the recording unit 114. The recording unit 114 is composed of a laser beam printer, inkjet printer, or the like, and records (i.e., prints) an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the recording data generated by the recording control unit 113.

The USB function control unit 115 performs protocol control in accordance with the USB communication standard. The USB host control unit 116 is a control unit for communicating using the protocol defined by the USB communication standard. This USB communication standard is a standard for two-way, high-speed data communication, and stipulates that multiple hubs or functions (slaves) can be connected to one host (master). In other words, the USB host control unit 116 provides host functionality in USB communication. All components other than the reading unit 107 and LCD 109 are connected to each other via the bus 117.

<Configuration of the service management server>
3 is a block diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the service management server 200 according to this embodiment. The service management server 200 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, an internal storage device 204, an external storage device 205, an operation unit 207, a display unit 208, and a communication unit 209.

The CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire service management server 200 in accordance with programs read from the ROM 202, RAM 203, internal storage device 204, or external storage medium 206 to the external storage device 205. The ROM 202 stores the CPU 201's control program, etc. The RAM 203 temporarily stores programs and various data, and by using the RAM 203, high-speed processing of the service management server 200 can be achieved. The internal storage device 204 stores an operating system, various application programs, various data, etc. Furthermore, application software for transmitting and receiving various control commands and data is installed in the internal storage device 204. The operation unit 207 is an input device such as a keyboard or mouse, and accepts instruction input from the operator of the service management server 200. The display unit 208 displays various information to the operator. The communication unit 209 is connected to the communication network 300 and connects to an internet service provider and communicates various data with the MFP 100 or each service providing server included in the service providing server group 400. Note that the connection to the communication network 300 is made using a known method such as HTTP or XMPP.

<Configuration of service providing server>
Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of each service providing server included in the service providing server group 400 in this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a service A providing server 420, a service B providing server 430, and a service C providing server 440. Each service providing server has a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an internal storage device 404, an external storage device 405, an operation unit 407, a display unit 408, and a communication unit 409.

The configuration other than the internal storage device 404 and communication unit 409 is the same as the configuration of the service management server 200 in Figure 3, so a description will be omitted. The internal storage device 404 stores an OS, various application programs, various data, etc. The internal storage device 404 also has installed therein application software for sending and receiving various control commands and data to the service management server 200. The communication unit 409 is connected to the communication network 300, and connects to an internet service provider and communicates various data with the service management server 200.

<Processing performed between MFP and service management server>
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of the processing performed between the MFP 100 and the service management server 200. As shown in FIG.

When an opportunity arises to inquire about whether or not a notification has been sent to the user (hereinafter referred to as an "inquiry opportunity"), the MFP 100 performs processing to inquire about notification information from the service management server 200 as a process for obtaining notification information. The opportunity to inquire about whether or not a notification has been sent occurs at a predetermined timing. For example, the inquiry may be made periodically after a certain period of time has elapsed, or may be made when the MFP 100 is started up.

In step S510, the MFP 100 sends a request to the service management server 200 to inquire about notification information. Note that hereafter, "Step S~" will be abbreviated to "S~".

In S520, the service management server 200 sends a response to the request sent in S510 to the MFP 100. This response includes data regarding the content to be notified to the user and type information indicating the type of notification.

In S530, the MFP 100 analyzes the response received in S520. The response analysis in this step obtains various data, such as the image URL indicating the storage location where the image data is saved, and the URL for displaying the QR code.

At S540, the MFP 100 updates the QR code display URL by adding the MFP 100's individual parameters (product serial number, MAC address) to the character string of the QR code display URL acquired at S530. The MFP 100's individual parameters are information that the MFP 100 has stored in advance in ROM 402 or the like without receiving them from the service management server 200. The MFP 100 then saves the updated QR code display URL. While the MFP 100's individual parameters are added in this embodiment, other information that the MFP 100 has stored in advance in ROM 402 or the like without receiving it from the service management server 200 may also be added. The QR code display URL generated here may be temporarily sent to the service management server 200, where it may be encrypted before being sent to the service management server 200. The encrypted QR code display URL may then be received by the MFP 100. By using this configuration, the information obtained by the terminal device by reading the QR code can be encrypted. The encrypted information can be decrypted by the terminal device, or by a service provider server or the like that receives the encrypted information from the terminal device.

In S550, the MFP 100 sends a request for image data (hereinafter referred to as an "image acquisition request") to the service management server 200. The request in this step is made by specifying the image URL acquired in S530.

In S560, the service management server 200, which received the request sent in S550, sends the image data to the MFP 100.

When the CPU 101 of the MFP 100 determines that it is time to display content based on the notification information, it determines the content to be displayed using a management table that associates the display timing with the content. The CPU 101 also determines the type of notification using the response type information, and displays the content via a GUI screen with a pattern corresponding to the determined type. This process will be described later.

<Response example>
Fig. 6 shows an example of the response sent by the service management server 200 to the MFP 100 in S520 of Fig. 5. This response is a text file written in JSON format, and the format of the response will be explained using Fig. 6.

Figure 6(a) shows a response to notification information about an important firmware update.

The key "url" indicates the URL of the image file to be notified to the user, and takes a URL string as its value. In S550 of Figure 5, a request is sent specifying this URL string.

The key "type" indicates the type of notification and can take either "normal" or "qr" as its value. The example in Figure 6(a) shows the "normal" case.

The key "qr_url" indicates the URL for generating the QR code to be displayed on the GUI screen (notification screen, described below; see Figure 9), and takes a URL string as its value. In the example of Figure 6(a), "qr_url" does not actually contain a URL string and is left empty.

The key "timing" indicates the timing for displaying content based on the notification information, and takes either "startup" or "jobend" as its value. In the example shown in Figure 6(a), the value of "timing" is "startup," so the MFP 100 displays content based on the notification information when startup is complete.

Figure 6(b) shows the response regarding notification information for the ink purchasing site. Keys such as "url" are the same as in Figure 6(a).

In the example of Figure 6 (b), the value of "type" is "qr". In this case, as shown in the figure, a URL string is entered in "qr_url", and in S540 of Figure 5, individual parameters of the MFP 100 are added to this URL string. The individual parameters added are, for example, the product serial number "123456789" and the MAC address "11-22-33-44-55-66". In this case, the URL string would be "https://shop.com/ink_sale.html/?mdl=123456789&adr=11-22-33-44-55-66".

Also, in the example of Figure 6(b), the value of "timing" is "jobend," so the MFP 100 displays content based on the notification information when the printing process is completed.

<Notification screen display process>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the process executed by the MFP 100 when the notification screen is displayed in S570 (see FIG. 5) described above.

In S710, CPU 101 determines whether the notification information indicates a normal image display pattern. A normal image display pattern is a pattern in which a notification image is displayed that does not have an area for displaying a QR code generated by MFP 100. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S720. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false (i.e., the notification information does not indicate a normal image display pattern), the process proceeds to S730. Specifically, in this step, the value of the key "type" that indicates the type of notification in the response is used, and if this value is "normal", the notification information is determined to indicate a normal image display pattern. On the other hand, if the value of the key "type" is "qr", the notification information is determined to indicate a QR code display pattern. A QR code display pattern is a pattern in which a notification image is displayed that has an area for displaying a QR code generated by MFP 100.

In S720, the CPU 101 functions as a display control means and displays a notification screen corresponding to the image display pattern. This notification screen is created based on the image data acquired in S560 of Figure 5. Note that the notification screen displayed in this step has a close button. Details of the notification screen displayed in this step will be described later using Figure 8.

In S730, the CPU 101 functions as a display control means and displays a notification screen corresponding to the QR code display pattern. This notification screen is created based on the image data acquired in S560 of Figure 5. The notification screen displayed in this step has a close button and a QR code button. Details of the notification screen displayed in this step will be described later using Figure 9.

At S740, the CPU 101 detects the pressing of the QR code button (see Figure 9) on the notification screen displayed at S730.

In S750, the CPU 101 acquires the QR code display URL saved in S540 of FIG. 5 and converts the acquired QR code display URL into a QR code, thereby generating a QR code corresponding to the QR code display URL. Note that the timing of generating the QR code is not limited to this timing; for example, this process may be executed before detecting that the QR code button has been pressed.

In S760, the CPU 101 displays a notification screen containing the QR code image generated in S750 (see Figure 9).

In S770, the CPU 101 determines whether the close button on the notification screen has been pressed. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S780; if the determination result is false, the process waits until the close button is pressed.

At S780, the CPU 101 closes (hides) the notification screen displayed on the LCD 109.

<Notification screen>
The GUI screen that displays content based on notification information will be described below with reference to Figures 8 and 9. In this specification, the GUI screen that displays content based on notification information will be referred to as a "notification screen."

Figure 8 shows an example of a notification screen displayed on the LCD 109 of the MFP 100 when S710 in Figure 7 is determined to be YES. As shown, the notification screen 800 has, as display elements, a notification image 801 obtained from the server and a close button 802. When the close button 802 is pressed, the notification screen 800 is hidden. Furthermore, when the screen shown in Figure 8 is displayed, the MFP 100 does not generate a QR code. Furthermore, the screen shown in Figure 8 does not include a QR code generated by the MFP 100 or a button for displaying the QR code. Note that the screen shown in Figure 8 may also include other buttons. Specifically, for example, the screen shown in Figure 8 is a notification screen that notifies the user of content related to a web application program (hereinafter referred to as a web application) that can be used by the MFP 100. Note that web applications that can be used by MFP 100 are, for example, web applications that can provide image content or document content to MFP 100 and cause MFP 100 to print the image content or document content. Specific examples of content related to web applications that can be used by MFP 100 include content notifying the user that new web applications that can be used by MFP 100 have been added, and content encouraging the user to use the web application. The notification screen may also include a button for launching the web application notified on the notification screen.

Note that screens that do not include a QR code generated by MFP 100 or a button for displaying the QR code are not limited to those described above. For example, they may be notification screens that prompt the user to update the firmware of MFP 100, or notification screens that advertise the recording materials (ink or toner) or recording media (paper) used by MFP 100 for printing (image formation).

9 shows an example of a notification screen displayed on the LCD 109 of the MFP 100 when S710 in FIG. 7 is determined to be NO. As shown, the notification screen 900 has, as display elements, an image 901 acquired from the server, a close button 902, and a QR code button 903. When the QR code button 903 is pressed, the screen transitions to a notification screen 910 displaying a QR code image 911. In this embodiment, the notification screen having the QR code button 903 as shown in FIG. 9 is specifically, for example, a screen related to a printing service provided by a service providing server. The printing service is, for example, a service that allows the user of the MFP 100 to accumulate points that can be used depending on the number of sheets of paper printed by the MFP 100. The service becomes available by, for example, executing a registration process for using the printing service between a terminal device such as a smartphone owned by the user and the service providing server. Therefore, for example, the screen related to the printing service may be a screen that prompts the user to use the printing service, a screen that prompts the user to execute the registration process for using the printing service, or the like. In this embodiment, the notification screen 900 does not include the QR code image 911 itself, but it may also include the QR code image 911 itself without including the QR code button 903.

In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the GUI screen displays a QR code image, but the two-dimensional code image displayed on the GUI screen is not limited to a QR code image. Other two-dimensional code images, such as a barcode image, may also be displayed.

Furthermore, although buttons have been used as an example of elements for switching the display of a GUI screen, such elements are not limited to buttons. GUI screens may be designed using other elements such as check boxes and radio buttons.

After the notification screen 910 is displayed, a terminal device with a photographing function photographs and acquires a QR code. The terminal device then analyzes the QR code and acquires various information, including the MFP 100's individual parameters. In this embodiment, a registration process for using the print service is performed between the terminal device and the service providing server, and the various information acquired from the QR code is used in the registration process. Specifically, the terminal device accesses the service providing server using a URL included in the information acquired from the QR code. The terminal device then transmits its own individual parameters and the MFP 100's individual parameters to the service providing server. This completes registration for the print service using the MFP 100. Since the terminal device has acquired the MFP 100's individual parameters by reading the QR code, it can easily acquire the MFP 100's individual parameters without having to input the MFP 100's individual parameters from the user. In other words, this embodiment improves usability in registering for the print service using the MFP 100. In the above description, the information for generating the QR code and the QR code generation are generated by the MFP 100. However, depending on the content of the notification information, the information for generating the QR code and the QR code generation may be generated by a device other than the MFP 100. For example, a QR code button 903 may be included in a notification screen advertising a recording material (ink or toner) or recording medium (paper) used by the MFP 100 for printing (image formation). Information obtained by reading the QR code displayed on such a notification screen is used to access the sales page for the advertised recording material or recording medium. In such a case, individual parameters of the MFP 100 do not need to be included in the QR code, and therefore the information for generating the QR code and the QR code generation may be generated by a device other than the MFP 100. Furthermore, the notification screen displayed in such a case may include the QR code button 903, an image 901 including a QR code, or a QR code as a separate component from the QR code button 903 and the image 901.

Second Embodiment
In the first embodiment, the MFP 100 adds individual parameters to the URL character string for displaying a QR code. In contrast, in this embodiment, the MFP 100 does not add individual parameters, but the service management server 200 adds individual parameters to the URL character string for displaying a QR code. Note that, in the following, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same content as in the above embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted as appropriate, and differences from the above embodiment will be mainly described.

<Processing performed between MFP and service management server>
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the processing performed between the MFP 100 and the service management server 200 when the service management server 200 adds individual parameters.

When the time comes to make an inquiry, the MFP 100 performs a process to obtain notification information by querying the service management server 200 for notification information.

In S1010, the MFP 100 sends a request to the service management server 200 to inquire about notification information. The request sent in this step includes the MFP 100's individual parameters (product serial number, MAC address). For example, "123456789" is added as the product serial number, and "11-22-33-44-55-66" is added as the MAC address.

In S1020, the service management server 200, which received the inquiry request sent in S1010, adds individual parameters to the URL string for displaying the QR code. As a result of this step, the URL string will look like this: "https://shop.com/ink_sale.html/?mdl=123456789&adr=11-22-33-44-55-66".

In this way, in this embodiment, the service management server 200 adds individual parameters to the URL. This allows the MFP 100 to store the QR code display URL string as is in the recording unit 114 when performing response analysis in the subsequent step S530.

[Third embodiment]
In the first embodiment, if the determination in S710 is NO, the URL character string obtained from the service management server 200 for displaying a QR code and to which individual parameters of the MFP 100 have been added is converted into a QR code in S750. However, depending on the size of the LCD 109, there are restrictions on the amount of information that can be converted into a QR code, and therefore conversion may not be possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, a process will be described that takes into account the number of characters that can be converted based on the size of the LCD 109.

<Relationship between LCD size and number of characters that can be expressed in a QR code>
11 is a table that holds the correspondence between the size of the LCD 109 and the number of characters (binary) that can be represented by a QR code. In the example of Fig. 11, there are two sizes of the LCD 109 of the MFP 100: "160 x 160" and "QVGA." The number of characters that can be represented is determined for each type: 106 for "160 x 160" and 251 for "QVGA."

A string of characters exceeding the maximum number of characters that can be represented cannot be converted into a QR code. Therefore, in such a case, even if you press the QR code button 903 to transition to a screen that displays the QR code, the QR code image 911 shown in Figure 9 will not be displayed.

<Notification screen display process>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the notification screen display process according to this embodiment. This display process includes a process for changing the GUI screen to be displayed based on the length of the URL string for displaying the QR code, in order to prevent the problem of the QR code image not being displayed.

In S710, the CPU 101 determines whether the notification information indicates a normal image display pattern. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S720. On the other hand, if the determination result in this step is false (the notification information does not indicate a normal image display pattern, i.e., indicates a QR code display pattern), the process proceeds to S1210.

In S1210, the CPU 101 determines whether a QR code can be created based on the URL string for displaying the QR code. If the determination result in this step is true, the process proceeds to S730; if the determination result is false, the process proceeds to S720.

Explaining the determination process of S1210 in more detail, first, CPU 101 obtains the URL character string for displaying the QR code saved in S540, and then obtains the number of characters that can be represented corresponding to the size of LCD 109 by referencing a table such as that shown in FIG. 11. CPU 101 then determines whether the length of the URL character string for displaying the QR code is equal to or less than the number of characters that can be represented corresponding to the size of LCD 109. If the length of the URL character string for displaying the QR code is equal to or less than the number of characters that can be represented corresponding to the size of LCD 109, it is possible to create a QR code, but if the length exceeds the number of characters that can be represented, it is not possible to create a QR code.

If the determination result in S1210 is false (i.e., if a QR code cannot be created), in S720, as in the first embodiment, the CPU 101 displays a notification screen corresponding to the image display pattern. In this case, a notification screen without a QR code button, as shown in FIG. 8, is displayed as a GUI screen for displaying the image obtained from the service management server 200.

If the determination result in S1210 is true (i.e., if a QR code can be created), similar to the first embodiment, in S730, the CPU 101 displays a notification screen corresponding to the QR code display pattern. In this case, a notification screen is displayed that includes an image acquired from the server and a QR code button, as shown in FIG. 9.

[Fourth embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the MFP 100 performs processing that takes into consideration the number of characters that can be represented depending on the size of the LCD 109. However, the service management server 200 may determine the number of characters in the URL character string depending on the size of the LCD 109.

<Relationship between LCD size and number of characters that can be expressed in a QR code>
In this embodiment, the service management server 200 manages in advance the number of characters that can be displayed according to the size of the LCD 109 and the corresponding URL character string for displaying the QR code using a table such as that shown in FIG.

In the example of Figure 13, there are two sizes of LCD 109 of MFP 100: "160 x 160" and "QVGA", and the corresponding number of characters that can be represented (binary) and URL string for displaying the QR code are stored for each. When the size of LCD 109 is "160 x 160", the number of characters that can be represented is 106, and a URL string of 106 characters or less corresponding to that number of characters is used. When the size of LCD 109 is "QVGA", the number of characters that can be represented is 251, and a URL string of 251 characters or less corresponding to that number of characters is used.

<Processing performed between MFP and service management server>
FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of the processing performed between the MFP 100 and the service management server 200. As shown in FIG.

In S1410, the MFP 100 sends a request to the service management server 200 to inquire about notification information. The request sent in this step includes data about the size of the LCD 109.

In S1420, the MFP 100 selects a character string for the URL to display the QR code that corresponds to the size of the LCD 109 by referencing the table shown in FIG. 12. For example, if the size of the LCD 109 is "160 x 160", the number of characters that can be expressed is 106, so "https://shop.com/ink_sale.html/" is selected. The URL selected in this step is included in the response sent in the subsequent S520. Note that the URL character string stored in the table in FIG. 13 has a length that is sufficient to accommodate individual parameters so that the maximum number of characters that can be expressed is not exceeded even if individual parameters are added.

The processing after S1420 is the same as in the first embodiment (see Figure 5).

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

100 MFPs
101 CPU
800 Notification screen 900 Notification screen 903 QR code button 911 QR code image

Claims (17)

An information processing device that displays a notification image based on notification information transmitted from an external device,
a display control means for displaying, based on notification type information included in the notification information, either a first screen including a button for displaying a notification image based on the notification information and a two-dimensional code image generated by the information processing device based on individual parameters of the information processing device, or a second screen including the notification image based on the notification information but not including the button ;
the display control means displays the first screen when the type information is information indicating the display of a two-dimensional code image, and displays the second screen when the type information is not information indicating the display of a two-dimensional code image.
1. An information processing device comprising: The two-dimensional code image is a QR code (registered trademark) image.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The notification information includes an image URL indicating a storage location where the image data is stored in the external device, a URL for displaying the two-dimensional code image, and the type information.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer. an updating means for updating the URL for displaying the two-dimensional code image by adding an individual parameter of the information processing device to the URL for displaying the two-dimensional code image;
a storage means for storing the updated URL for displaying the two-dimensional code image;
Further comprising:
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, the external device has an updating means for updating the URL for displaying the two-dimensional code image by adding an individual parameter of the information processing device to the URL for displaying the two-dimensional code image,
The notification information includes a URL for displaying the two-dimensional code image updated by the update means.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, The individual parameters are a product serial number and a MAC address.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer. a transmitting means for transmitting a request for an image to the external device;
a receiving means for receiving the image data as a response to the request;
and
The request includes the image URL.
6. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein: The method further includes a first determination means for determining whether the type information indicates the display of a two-dimensional code image.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, The method further includes a second determination means for determining whether or not a two-dimensional code image can be created based on the updated two-dimensional code image display URL.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, the second determination means makes a determination based on the length of the character string of the updated two-dimensional code image display URL;
10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, the display control means displays the first screen when the first determination means determines that the type information indicates the display of a two-dimensional code image, and displays the second screen when the first determination means determines that the type information does not indicate the display of a two-dimensional code image.
11. The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the information processing device is a computer. the first screen has an image based on the image data and the button,
the second screen has an image based on the image data;
12. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the information processing device is a computer. The method further comprises a conversion means for converting the updated URL for displaying a two-dimensional code image into a two-dimensional code image when the button is pressed,
the display control means displays the two-dimensional code image acquired by the conversion means.
13. The information processing device according to claim 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 . further comprising a display means for displaying the first screen or the second screen,
the external device has a selection means for selecting a URL for displaying a two-dimensional code image based on the size of the display means;
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, the information processing device is a printer,
15. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer. A control method for an information processing device that displays a notification image based on notification information transmitted from an external device, comprising:
a display step of displaying, based on notification type information included in the notification information, either a first screen including a button for displaying a notification image based on the notification information and a two-dimensional code image generated by the information processing device based on individual parameters of the information processing device, or a second screen including the notification image based on the notification information but not including the button;
In the display step, if the type information is information indicating the display of a two-dimensional code image, the first screen is displayed, and if the type information is not information indicating the display of a two-dimensional code image, the second screen is displayed.
A control method comprising: A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 16 .