Information processing system, service providing system, and information processing method

0001The present invention relates to an information processing system, a service providing system, and an information processing method.

0002For example, a cloud system that provides an information processing service to a client device such as a smartphone via a network such as the Internet is known. When receiving a service from such a cloud system, the user first opens a service usage environment called a tenant on the server. Subsequently, the user introduces an application program (hereinafter, may be referred to as an application or an application) to be used in the opened tenant. As a result, the user can use the function of the application introduced in the tenant by using the client device.

<p num="0003"> By the way, in the conventional cloud service, when introducing an application to an already opened tenant, it is necessary to carry out a procedure to introduce each application individually. Therefore, when the user uses the functions provided by the plurality of applications, the procedure is very complicated.</p><p num="0004"> The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to easily introduce a plurality of application programs.</p>

<p num="0005"> The information processing system according to the present invention is an information processing system including a client device and a service providing system connected to the client device via a network in order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object. The service providing system has a tenant opening unit that executes an application program to open a tenant that provides an information processing service to the client device, and introduces the application program to the tenant to the client device. The client device has the application introduction unit for providing the information processing service and the mail transmission unit for transmitting the mail, and the client device causes the service providing system to acquire a package including at least one application program. The client device transmits an e-mail address and a tenant opening request to the service providing system, the tenant opening unit generates a usage registration screen in response to the tenant opening request, and the mail transmitting unit displays the usage registration screen on the usage registration screen. A usage registration email including a network address for access is sent to the email address, the tenant opening unit receives access to the usage registration screen from the information processing device, and the information processing device receives access to the usage registration screen from the information processing device via the usage registration screen. When the package identification information for identifying the package is acquired, the tenant is opened, and the application introduction unit introduces the at least one application program included in the package identified by the package identification information into the tenant. To do.</p>

<p num="0006"> According to the present invention, there is an effect that a plurality of application programs can be easily introduced.</p>

0007<figref num="1">FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to an embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the information processing system according to the embodiment.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system according to the embodiment.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the image forming apparatus.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow following FIG. 3 of the information processing system according to the embodiment.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the information processing device.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system according to the first modification.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing in the tenant opening system according to the first modification.</figref><figref num="9">FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system according to the second modification.</figref><figref num="10">FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing in the tenant opening system according to the second modification.</figref><figref num="11">FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system according to the third modification.</figref><figref num="12">FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing in the tenant opening system according to the third modification.</figref><figref num="13">FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system according to the fourth modification.</figref><figref num="14">FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system according to the fifth modification.</figref><figref num="15">FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the image forming apparatus according to the fifth modification.</figref><figref num="16">FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system according to the sixth modification.</figref><figref num="17">FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the image forming apparatus according to the sixth modification.</figref><figref num="18">FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the information processing apparatus according to the sixth modification.</figref><figref num="19">FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing processing in the image forming apparatus according to the sixth modification.</figref><figref num="20">FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of one server device constituting the cloud system.</figref><figref num="21">FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.</figref>

0008Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

0009FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system 10 according to an embodiment. The information processing system 10 includes an image forming device 20, an information processing device 30, and a cloud system 40. The image forming apparatus 20, the information processing apparatus 30, and the cloud system 40 are connected via a network such as the Internet.

0010The image forming apparatus 20 is an example of a client apparatus that receives a service from the cloud system 40. The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image forming unit 22, a first communication unit 24, and a first information processing unit 26.

0011The image forming unit 22 includes at least one such as a scanner or a printer. The image forming unit 22 reads an image from a medium such as paper to generate image data, or prints an image corresponding to the image data on the medium. The first communication unit 24 transmits / receives information to / from other devices via the network.

0012The first information processing unit 26 executes a browser program on the operating system and accesses the cloud system 40 by the browser program. The first information processing unit 26 accepts user operations on the browser program. The first information processing unit 26 transmits information to the cloud system 40 in response to an operation received from the user on the browser program, and displays the information acquired from the cloud system 40. Further, the first information processing unit 26 receives the service provided by the cloud system 40 via the browser program. In addition, the first information processing unit 26 controls the image forming function according to the operation received from the user on the browser program.

0013The information processing device 30 is a computer having a processor, and has a second communication unit 34 and a second information processing unit 36. The second communication unit 34 transmits / receives information to / from other devices via the network. The second information processing unit 36 executes a browser program on the operating system and accesses the cloud system 40 by the browser program. The second information processing unit 36 accepts user operations on the browser program. The second information processing unit 36 transmits information to the cloud system 40 in response to an operation received from the user on the browser program, and displays the information acquired from the cloud system 40.

0014The cloud system 40 is an example of a service providing system that provides an information processing service to a device or the like on a network. In the present embodiment, the cloud system 40 provides a cloud service to the image forming apparatus 20. The cloud system 40 is realized by one or more computers (for example, a server). That is, it may be realized by one computer, or it may be realized by being distributed to a plurality of computers.

0015The cloud system 40 has a service providing unit 42, a tenant opening system 44, and an application market 46.

0016The service providing unit 42 executes the application program installed in the tenant after the tenant is opened. Then, the service providing unit 42 provides a service realized by the executed application program to the client device on the network such as the image forming device 20.

0017The tenant opening system 44 opens a tenant in the service providing unit 42 in response to a request from a client device on the network such as the image forming device 20. Further, the tenant opening system 44 registers a user who uses the opened tenant and introduces an application program to the opened tenant in response to a request from a client device on the network such as the image forming device 20.

0018The application market 46 downloads an application program to be introduced into the tenant from another server or the like in response to a request from a client device on the network such as the image forming apparatus 20.

0019FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functional block of the information processing system 10 according to the embodiment.

0020The image forming apparatus 20 includes an application control unit 52 and a first display unit 54. The application market 46 of the cloud system 40 has an application download unit 56. The tenant opening system 44 of the cloud system 40 has a tenant opening unit 58, a tenant management unit 60, a user management unit 62, an application introduction unit 64, and an email transmission unit 66. The information processing device 30 includes a mail receiving unit 68 and a second display unit 70.

0021The application control unit 52 executes processing for various requests for using the application program in response to an operation from the user. The first display unit 54 displays a screen (screen data) acquired from the cloud system 40.

0022The application download unit 56 downloads the application program to be introduced into the tenant from another server or the like in response to the request from the image forming apparatus 20.

0023The tenant opening department 58 opens a tenant in the service providing department 42. The tenant executes an application program to provide an information processing service to the image forming apparatus 20. For example, the tenant opening unit 58 executes a process for opening a tenant in response to a request from the image forming device 20 and the information processing device 30. Further, the tenant opening unit 58 executes a process for registering a user in response to a request from the image forming apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 30.

0024The tenant management unit 60 manages the opened tenants. The user management unit 62 manages the registered users.

0025The application introduction unit 64 introduces the application program to the opened tenant and causes the tenant to provide the service to the image forming apparatus 20. The mail transmission unit 66 transmits a mail.

0026The mail receiving unit 68 receives the mail. The second display unit 70 displays the mail received by the mail receiving unit 68 and the screen (screen data) acquired from the cloud system 40.

0027FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the image forming apparatus 20.

0028When a new tenant is opened and a plurality of application programs are introduced into the opened tenant, the information processing system 10 starts processing from S11 in FIG.

0029First, the user performs an operation of requesting the image forming apparatus 20 to download the package (S11). For example, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a package / application list screen as shown in A of FIG. For example, the user selects a package that he / she wants to introduce to the tenant from the packages displayed on the package / application list screen of A in FIG.

0030Here, the package contains at least one application program. In this example, the package contains a plurality of application programs. Package identification information is assigned to the package. The image forming apparatus 20 and the cloud system 40 can identify the application program included in the package by the package identification information.

0031Subsequently, the application control unit 52 transmits the download request to the application market 46 when the user performs an operation requesting the download (S12). For example, when a package is selected on the package / application list screen of A in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a package / application detail screen in which an install button is displayed, as shown in B of FIG. The application control unit 52 sends a download request to the application market 46 when the install button displayed on the package / application details screen of FIG. 4B is pressed by the user.

0032When the application download unit 56 acquires the download request from the image forming apparatus 20, the application download unit 56 downloads a plurality of application programs included in the requested package from another server or the like. When the download of the application program is completed, the application download unit 56 sends a download completion notification including the package identification information to the image forming apparatus 20 (S13). When the application control unit 52 obtains the download completion notification, the application control unit 52 notifies the user that the download is completed (S14). As shown in S11 to S14 above, the image forming apparatus 20 causes the cloud system 40 to acquire a package including at least one application program.

0033Subsequently, the user performs an operation of requesting the image forming apparatus 20 to use the package (S15). When the download of the package is completed, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a home screen including an installation shortcut icon instructing the installation of the downloaded package as shown in C of FIG. For example, the user selects the installation shortcut icon on the home screen shown in C in FIG.

0034For example, when the installation shortcut icon is selected on the home screen of C in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 20 displays the login screen shown in D of FIG.

0035Subsequently, when the operation for requesting the use of the package is performed, the application control unit 52 transmits the tenant opening request including the package identification information to the tenant opening system 44 (S16). On the login screen of D in FIG. 4, a tenant opening request button for requesting tenant opening is displayed. For example, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the tenant opening request to the tenant opening system 44 when the tenant opening request button is pressed on the login screen D of FIG.

0036When the tenant opening unit 58 obtains the tenant opening request from the image forming device 20, it transmits the terms of use screen and the e-mail address input screen to the image forming device 20 (S17). Subsequently, the application control unit 52 displays the acquired terms of use screen and the e-mail address input screen on the first display unit 54 (S18, S19, S20).

0037Subsequently, the user performs an operation of agreeing to the terms of use displayed on the terms of use screen and an operation of inputting an e-mail address (S21). When the first display unit 54 accepts the operation of agreeing to the terms of use and the operation of inputting the e-mail address, the first display unit 54 transmits the input e-mail address and the package identification information to the tenant opening system 44 (S22).

0038For example, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a terms of use screen as shown in E of FIG. 4 and accepts an operation of agreeing to the usage standards. Further, the image forming apparatus 20 displays an e-mail address input screen as shown in F of FIG. 4 when an operation that agrees to the terms of use is performed. Then, when the send button is pressed after the e-mail address is input to the e-mail address input screen shown in F of FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the e-mail address and the package identification information to the tenant opening system 44. As shown in S15 to S22 above, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits a tenant opening request including an e-mail address and package identification information to the tenant opening system 44.

0039Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 receives the tenant opening request from the image forming apparatus 20. The tenant opening unit 58 generates a usage registration screen in response to a tenant opening request. Then, the tenant opening unit 58 stores the usage registration screen so that it can be accessed from the device on the network in correspondence with the package identification information. Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 gives an email transmission request to the email transmission unit 66 (S23). The e-mail transmission request includes the e-mail address entered by the user and the network address for accessing the generated usage registration screen. Subsequently, the mail transmission unit 66 sends a usage registration email including a network address for accessing the usage registration screen to the email address (S24).

0040Subsequently, the mail sending unit 66 notifies the tenant opening unit 58 that the transmission of the usage registration email has been completed (S25). Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 transmits the mail transmission completion screen to the image forming apparatus 20 (S26). Then, the first display unit 54 displays the mail transmission completion screen (S27). For example, the first display unit 54 displays the mail transmission completion screen as shown in G in FIG.

0041FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow following FIG. 3 of the information processing system 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the information processing device 30.

0042The information processing system 10 executes the process from S31 of FIG. 5 following the process of FIG.

0043The user performs an operation to confirm the usage registration mail to the information processing device 30 (S31). When the user confirms the usage registration email, the email receiving unit 68 receives the usage registration email and causes the second display unit 70 to display the content of the usage registration email (S32, S33, S34). For example, the information processing device 30 displays a usage registration email as shown in H of FIG. The usage registration email shown in H of FIG. 6 includes a network address (for example, a URL) for accessing the usage registration screen generated by the tenant establishment system 44 in the text.

0044Subsequently, the user activates the browser program executed by the information processing device 30 to access the network address included in the usage registration email. Then, the user inputs the package identification information on the screen displayed on the information processing device 30, and also causes the tenant opening system 44 to send the usage registration request (S35). When the operation for transmitting the usage registration request is performed, the second display unit 70 transmits the tenant opening request including the input package identification information to the tenant opening system 44 (S36).

0045When the tenant opening unit 58 acquires the tenant opening request including the package identification information, the tenant opening unit 58 transmits the usage registration screen to the information processing device 30 (S37). Subsequently, the second display unit 70 displays the acquired usage registration screen (S38, S39).

0046The user inputs user information on the user registration screen (S40). For example, the user inputs an ID, a password, and the like as user information. After the user information is input to the user registration screen, the information processing device 30 displays a confirmation screen for confirming the application program to be used, for example, as shown in I of FIG. When the user confirms the application program to be used, the second display unit 70 transmits the input user information to the tenant opening system 44 (S41).

0047The tenant opening unit 58 opens a tenant if the entered user information is valid (S42, S43). Then, the tenant opening department 58 registers the tenant ID and the like that identify the opened tenant in the tenant management department 60. As shown in S35 to S43, the tenant opening unit 58 opens a tenant when it receives access to the usage registration screen from the information processing device 30 and acquires package identification information from the information processing device 30 via the usage registration screen. ..

0048Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 registers the user ID and the like that identify the user who uses the tenant in the user management unit 62 based on the input user information (S44, S45). In this way, the tenant opening unit 58 registers the user based on the information acquired from the information processing device 30 via the usage registration screen. As a result, the tenant opening unit 58 can provide the information processing service to the image forming apparatus 20 operated by the registered user.

0049Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 gives a package introduction instruction including the tenant ID and the package identification information to the application introduction unit 64 (S46). Upon receiving the package introduction instruction, the application introduction unit 64 introduces a plurality of application programs included in the package identified by the package identification information to the tenant identified by the tenant ID (S47). For example, the application introduction unit 64 installs a plurality of application programs included in the package in the opened tenant. When the introduction of the application program is completed, the application introduction unit 64 notifies the tenant opening department 58 that the introduction is completed (S48).

0050Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 gives an email transmission request including registration information to the email transmission unit 66 (S49). The registration information includes the registered e-mail address and the like. Upon receiving the e-mail transmission request, the e-mail transmission unit 66 sends a registration completion e-mail indicating that the package registration is completed to the registered e-mail address (S50). When the mail sending unit 66 sends the registration completion mail, it notifies the tenant opening department 58 that the registration completion mail has been sent (S51).

0051Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 transmits a registration completion screen indicating that the package registration is completed to the information processing device 30 (S52). Subsequently, the second display unit 70 displays the registration completion screen acquired from the tenant opening system 44 (S53, S54). For example, the information processing device 30 displays a registration completion screen as shown in J of FIG.

0052Subsequently, the user performs an operation of confirming the registration completion mail to the information processing device 30 (S55). When the user confirms the registration completion email, the email receiving unit 68 receives the registration completion email and causes the second display unit 70 to display the content of the registration completion email (S56, S57, S58). For example, the information processing device 30 displays a registration completion email as shown in K in FIG. The registration completion email shown in K in Fig. 6 includes the URL for accessing the screen for making the necessary settings for using the application program in the text.

0053Then, when the processing of S58 is completed, the information processing system 10 opens a tenant and ends the processing of introducing a plurality of application programs into the opened tenant.

0054As described above, the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment opens the tenant and introduces the application program included in the package by performing the operation for causing the tenant opening system 44 to acquire the package from the image forming apparatus 20. Is executed in a batch. As a result, according to the information processing system 10 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of application programs can be easily introduced to the tenant.

0055(Modification example) Hereinafter, a plurality of modified examples of this embodiment will be described. In the description of the modified example, the description of the same configuration and processing as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 will be omitted unless necessary.

0056(1st modification) FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system 10 according to the first modification. In the first modification, the information processing system 10 executes the process according to the flow shown in FIG.

0057The information processing system 10 according to the first modification executes the same processing as that shown in FIG. 3 from S11 to S22. Following S22, the tenant opening department 58 checks the registration status of the e-mail address (S61). If the e-mail address is not registered in the tenant opening unit 58, the information processing system 10 executes the same processing as that shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.

0058If the e-mail address is registered, the tenant opening unit 58 gives an e-mail transmission request including information indicating that the e-mail address is registered to the e-mail transmission unit 66 (S62).

0059When receiving an e-mail transmission request containing information indicating that the e-mail address has been registered, the e-mail transmission unit 66 sends an e-mail that cannot be registered for use to the e-mail address instead of the registration e-mail (S63, S64). Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 transmits the mail transmission completion screen to the image forming apparatus 20 (S26). Then, the first display unit 54 displays the mail transmission completion screen (S27). The information processing system 10 ends this sequence when the processing of S27 is completed.

0060FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing in the tenant opening system 44 according to the first modification. In the first modification, when the tenant opening system 44 receives the e-mail address input by the user, the tenant opening system 44 performs the process shown in FIG.

0061First, in S65, the tenant opening department 58 checks the registration status of the entered e-mail address. Subsequently, in S66, the tenant opening department 58 determines whether or not the e-mail address has already been registered. If it is not registered (No of S66), in S67, the tenant opening department 58 creates a usage registration email. If it has already been registered (Yes in S66), in S68, the tenant opening department 58 creates a usage registration non-registration email.

0062Then, following S67 or S68, in S69, the mail transmission unit 66 sends a usage registration mail or a usage registration non-registration mail to the input mail address.

0063The information processing system 10 according to the first modification can prevent the information processing system 10 from being registered multiple times using the same e-mail address. As a result, according to the information processing system 10 according to the first modification, it is possible to prevent accidental re-registration after the expiration date.

0064(Second modification) FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system 10 according to the second modification. In the second modification, the information processing system 10 executes the process according to the flow shown in FIG.

0065The information processing system 10 according to the second modification executes the same processes as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 from S11 to S36. In this modification, the tenant opening unit 58 sets an expiration date on the usage registration screen when the usage registration screen is generated in response to the tenant opening request from the image forming apparatus 20. For example, the tenant opening department 58 sets an expiration date of 1 hour from the current time or an expiration date of 24 hours from the current time.

0066Following S36, the tenant opening department 58 checks the expiration date of the usage registration screen when it obtains a tenant opening request (S71). Then, if the expiration date has not expired, the tenant opening unit 58 sends a usage registration screen to the information processing device 30 and continues the subsequent processing. That is, when the information processing system 10 has not expired, the information processing system 10 executes the same processing as that shown in FIG.

0067On the other hand, when the expiration date has expired, the tenant opening unit 58 transmits an expiration date screen indicating that the expiration date has expired to the information processing device 30 (S72). When the second display unit 70 acquires the expired screen, the second display unit 70 displays the acquired expired screen (S73, S74). The tenant opening department 58 will prohibit access to the usage registration screen thereafter. Then, when the processing of S74 is completed, the information processing system 10 ends this sequence.

0068FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing in the tenant opening system 44 according to the second modification. In the second modification, when the tenant opening system 44 acquires the tenant opening request from the information processing device 30, the tenant opening system 44 performs the processing shown in FIG.

0069First, in S75, the tenant opening department 58 checks the expiration date of the usage registration screen. Subsequently, in S76, the tenant opening department 58 determines whether or not the expiration date has expired. If the expiration date has not expired (No in S76), in S77, the tenant opening department 58 creates a usage registration screen. If the expiration date has expired (Yes in S76), in S78, the tenant opening department 58 creates an expiration date screen.

0070Then, following S77 or S78, in S79, the tenant opening unit 58 returns the created screen to the information processing device 30.

0071The information processing system 10 according to such a second modification sets an expiration date on the usage registration screen. As a result, the information processing system 10 can restrict access to the tenant opening system 44 and improve security.

0072(Third variant) FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system 10 according to the third modification. In the third modification, the information processing system 10 executes the process according to the flow shown in FIG.

0073The information processing system 10 according to the third modification executes the same processes as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 from S11 to S36.

0074Following S36, when the tenant opening unit 58 acquires the tenant opening request including the package identification information from the information processing device 30, whether or not at least one application program included in the package identified by the package identification information can be used. Check (S81). For example, the tenant opening department 58 checks whether the application program has been provided or the application program has not been made public. Then, the tenant opening unit 58 opens a tenant if it is available, and continues the subsequent processing. That is, the information processing system 10 executes the same processing as that shown in FIG. 5 when it is available.

0075On the other hand, if the tenant opening unit 58 is not available, the tenant opening unit 58 transmits a package unavailability notification screen indicating that the package cannot be used without opening the tenant to the information processing device 30 (S82). When the second display unit 70 acquires the package unavailability notification screen, it displays the acquired package unavailability notification screen (S83, S84). The tenant opening department 58 will prohibit access to the usage registration screen thereafter. Then, when the processing of S84 is completed, the information processing system 10 ends this sequence.

0076FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the processing in the tenant opening system 44 according to the third modification. In the third modification, when the tenant opening system 44 acquires the tenant opening request from the information processing device 30, the tenant opening system 44 performs the processing shown in FIG.

0077First, in S85, the tenant opening department 58 checks the availability of the application program. Subsequently, in S86, the tenant opening department 58 determines whether or not it can be used. If it is available (Yes in S86), in S87, the tenant opening department 58 creates a usage registration screen. If it is not available (No in S86), in S88, the tenant opening department 58 creates a package unavailability notification screen.

0078Then, following S87 or S88, in S89, the tenant opening unit 58 returns the created screen to the information processing device 30.

0079In the information processing system 10 according to the third modification, at least one application program included in the package cannot be used or is not disclosed between the time the package is downloaded and the time when the user is registered for use. In such a case, it is possible to prevent unnecessary tenant creation and unnecessary user registration. As a result, the information processing system 10 according to the third modification can effectively utilize the resources. In addition, the information processing system 10 according to the third modification can prevent the e-mail address from being registered at another time and becoming unavailable at another time.

0080(Fourth modification) FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system 10 according to the fourth modification. In the fourth modification, the information processing system 10 executes the process according to the flow shown in FIG.

0081The information processing system 10 according to the fourth modification executes the same processes as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 from S11 to S48.

0082Following S48, the tenant opening unit 58 transmits an additional user registration screen for registering additional users to the information processing device 30 after the application program is introduced to the tenant (S91). Subsequently, the second display unit 70 displays the acquired additional user registration screen (S92, S93).

0083When the additional user registration screen is displayed, the user performs an operation of inputting additional user information regarding the additional user on the additional user registration screen (S94). For example, the user inputs an ID or the like of the additional user as the additional user information. When the operation for inputting the additional user information is completed, the second display unit 70 transmits the input additional user information to the tenant opening system 44 (S95).

0084Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 registers the user ID and the like of the additional user in the user management unit 62 based on the input additional user information (S96, S97). In this way, the tenant opening unit 58 registers the additional user based on the information acquired from the information processing device 30 via the additional user registration screen. As a result, the tenant opening unit 58 can provide the information processing service to the image forming apparatus 20 operated by the registered additional user.

0085Subsequently, the tenant opening unit 58 gives an email transmission request including registration information regarding the additional user to the email transmission unit 66 (S98). Upon receiving the e-mail transmission request, the e-mail transmission unit 66 sends a registration completion e-mail to the registered e-mail address (S99). When the mail sending unit 66 sends the registration completion mail, it notifies the tenant opening department 58 that the registration completion mail has been sent (S100).

0086After that, the tenant opening unit 58 executes the same process as S52 and later in FIG. The information processing system 10 may register a plurality of additional users by repeatedly executing the processes S91 to S100 after S100.

0087The information processing system 10 according to the fourth modification registers additional users when the tenant is opened and the application program is introduced. As a result, the information processing system 10 according to the fourth modification can register a plurality of users in the tenant by a simple procedure.

0088(Fifth variant) FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system 10 according to the fifth modification. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the image forming apparatus 20 according to the fifth modification.

0089In the fifth modification, the information processing system 10 executes the process according to the flow shown in FIG. In the fifth modification, the tenant opening system 44 has tenants opened in advance in response to requests from the image forming apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 30. However, the application program has not been installed in the opened tenant.

0090First, the user performs an operation of requesting the image forming apparatus 20 to download the package (S111). For example, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a package / application list screen as shown in A of FIG. For example, the user selects a package that he / she wants to introduce to the tenant from the packages displayed on the package / application list screen of A in FIG.

0091Subsequently, the application control unit 52 transmits the download request to the application market 46 when the user performs an operation requesting the download (S112). For example, when a package is selected on the package / application list screen of FIG. 15A, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a package / application detail screen in which an install button is displayed, as shown in FIG. The application control unit 52 sends a download request to the application market 46 when the install button displayed on the package / application details screen of FIG. 15B is pressed by the user.

0092When the application download unit 56 acquires the download request from the image forming apparatus 20, the application download unit 56 downloads a plurality of application programs included in the requested package from another server or the like. When the download of the application program is completed, the application download unit 56 transmits a download completion notification including the package identification information to the image forming apparatus 20 (S113). When the application control unit 52 obtains the download completion notification, the application control unit 52 notifies the user that the download is completed (S114).

0093Subsequently, the user performs an operation of requesting login to the image forming apparatus 20 (S115). When the download of the package is completed, the image forming apparatus 20 displays a home screen including an installation shortcut icon instructing the installation of the downloaded package as shown in C of FIG. For example, the user selects the installation shortcut icon on the home screen shown in C in FIG.

0094For example, when the installation shortcut icon is selected on the home screen of C in FIG. 15, the image forming apparatus 20 displays the login screen shown in D of FIG. The user enters the user ID and password on the login screen of D in FIG. 15 and presses the login button. The image forming apparatus 20 accepts a login request when the login button is pressed on the login screen of D in FIG.

0095Subsequently, the application control unit 52 transmits a user authentication request to the tenant opening system 44 when an operation requesting login is performed (S116). When the user management unit 62 receives the user authentication request from the image forming apparatus 20, the user management unit 62 authenticates the user. The user management unit 62 transmits the result of user authentication to the image forming apparatus 20 (S117). Then, the application control unit 52 notifies the user of the user authentication result (S118).

0096Subsequently, the user performs an operation of requesting the image forming apparatus 20 to use the package (S119). When the operation requesting the use of the package is performed, the application control unit 52 checks the status whether the application program included in the package is installed (S120). If the application program included in the package is installed, the application control unit 52 notifies the user that the application program is installed. If the application program is installed, the information processing system 10 ends this sequence.

0097If the application control unit 52 is not installed, the application control unit 52 displays a registration confirmation screen for confirming whether or not to install the package on the first display unit 54 (S121, S122, S123). For example, the image forming apparatus 20 displays the registration confirmation screen shown in L of FIG.

0098Subsequently, the user performs an operation of requesting the image forming apparatus 20 to register the package (S124). When the operation requesting the registration of the package is performed, the first display unit 54 transmits the package registration request including the package identification information to the tenant opening system 44 (S125). For example, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits a package registration request when the registration button on the registration confirmation screen of L in FIG. 15 is pressed.

0099When the tenant management unit 60 acquires the package registration request from the image forming apparatus 20, it checks whether at least one application program included in the package identified by the package identification information can be used (S126). If it is not available, the tenant management unit 60 returns the package unavailability notification screen to the image forming apparatus 20 and ends the process. That is, if not available, the information processing system 10 ends this sequence.

0100If available, the tenant management unit 60 subsequently gives the application installation unit 64 a package installation instruction including the tenant ID and package identification information (S127). Upon receiving the package introduction instruction, the application introduction unit 64 introduces a plurality of application programs included in the package identified by the package identification information to the tenant identified by the tenant ID. For example, the application introduction unit 64 installs a plurality of application programs included in the package in the tenant. When the introduction of the application program is completed, the application introduction unit 64 notifies the tenant management unit 60 that the introduction is completed (S128).

0101Subsequently, the tenant management unit 60 gives an email transmission request including registration information to the email transmission unit 66 (S129). Upon receiving the e-mail transmission request, the e-mail transmission unit 66 sends a registration completion e-mail indicating that the package registration is completed to the registered e-mail address (S130). When the mail sending unit 66 sends the registration completion mail, it notifies the tenant management unit 60 that the registration completion mail has been sent (S131).

0102Subsequently, the tenant management unit 60 transmits the registration completion screen to the image forming apparatus 20 (S132). Subsequently, the first display unit 54 displays the registration completion screen acquired from the tenant opening system 44 (S133, S134).

0103Subsequently, the user performs an operation of confirming the registration completion mail to the information processing device 30 (S135). When the user confirms the registration completion email, the email receiving unit 68 receives the registration completion email and causes the second display unit 70 to display the content of the registration completion email (S136).

0104Then, when the processing of S136 is completed, the information processing system 10 ends the processing of introducing a plurality of application programs into the opened tenant.

0105The information processing system 10 according to the fifth modification can perform an operation for causing the tenant opening system 44 to acquire the package from the image forming apparatus 20 even after the tenant is opened. As a result, according to the information processing system 10 according to the fifth modification, the image forming apparatus 20 can be operated to easily introduce a plurality of application programs into the tenant.

0106(6th variant) FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram showing a processing flow of the information processing system 10 according to the sixth modification. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the image forming apparatus 20 according to the sixth modification. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the information processing apparatus 30 according to the sixth modification.

0107In the sixth modification, the information processing system 10 executes the process according to the flow shown in FIG. In the sixth modification, the tenant opening system 44 has tenants opened in advance in response to requests from the image forming apparatus 20 and the information processing apparatus 30. However, the application program has not been installed in the opened tenant.

0108First, the information processing system 10 according to the sixth modification executes the same processing as S111 to S118 shown in FIG.

0109Following S118, the user performs an operation requesting the image forming apparatus 20 to use the package (S141). When the operation requesting the use of the package is performed, the application control unit 52 checks the status whether the application program included in the package is installed (S142). If the application program included in the package is installed, the application control unit 52 notifies the user that the application program is installed. If the application program is installed, the information processing system 10 ends this sequence.

0110If the application control unit 52 is not installed, the application control unit 52 sends a package usage request including the package identification information to the tenant opening system 44 (S143). When the tenant management unit 60 acquires the package usage request, the tenant management unit 60 sends an e-mail address confirmation screen to the image forming apparatus 20 (S144). Subsequently, the first display unit 54 displays the acquired e-mail address confirmation screen (S145, S146, S147).

0111The user confirms the e-mail address on the e-mail address confirmation screen. When the e-mail address is confirmed, the first display unit 54 displays the e-mail transmission approval screen. For example, the image forming apparatus 20 displays an email transmission approval screen as shown in M of FIG.

0112Subsequently, the user performs an operation of approving the e-mail transmission on the e-mail transmission approval screen (S148). When the first display unit 54 accepts the operation of approving the e-mail transmission on the e-mail transmission approval screen, the first display unit 54 transmits the e-mail transmission approval information including the registered e-mail address to the tenant opening system 44 (S149). For example, the image forming apparatus 20 transmits the mail transmission approval information when the send button on the mail transmission approval screen of FIG. 17M is pressed.

0113Subsequently, the tenant management unit 60 receives the mail transmission approval information from the image forming apparatus 20. The tenant management unit 60 generates a package registration screen according to the email transmission approval information. Then, the tenant management unit 60 saves the package registration screen so that it can be accessed from the device on the network in correspondence with the package identification information. Subsequently, the tenant management unit 60 gives an email transmission request to the email transmission unit 66 (S150). The email transmission request includes the registered email address and the network address for accessing the generated package registration screen. Subsequently, the mail transmission unit 66 sends a package installation mail including a network address for accessing the package registration screen to the mail address (S151).

0114Subsequently, the mail sending unit 66 notifies the tenant management unit 60 that the transmission of the package installation mail is completed (S152). Subsequently, the tenant management unit 60 transmits the mail transmission completion screen to the image forming apparatus 20 (S153). Then, the first display unit 54 displays the mail transmission completion screen (S154). For example, the first display unit 54 displays the mail transmission completion screen as shown in N in FIG.

0115Subsequently, the user performs an operation of confirming the package installation mail to the information processing device 30 (S155). When the user confirms the package installation mail, the mail receiving unit 68 receives the package installation mail and causes the second display unit 70 to display the contents of the package installation mail (S156, S157, S158). For example, the information processing device 30 displays a package installation mail as shown in O in FIG. The package installation email shown in O in FIG. 18 includes the URL for accessing the package registration screen in the text.

0116Subsequently, the user starts a browser program executed by the information processing device 30 to access the network address included in the package installation mail. Then, the user inputs the package identification information on the screen displayed on the information processing device 30, and also causes the tenant opening system 44 to send the package registration request (S159).

0117When the operation to send the package registration request is performed, the second display unit 70 sends the package registration request including the input package identification information to the tenant opening system 44 (S160). For example, the information processing device 30 displays a confirmation screen for confirming the application program to be used, as shown in P of FIG. The information processing device 30 transmits a package registration request when the registration button is pressed on the confirmation screen shown in FIG.

0118When the tenant management unit 60 acquires the package registration request from the information processing device 30, it checks whether at least one application program included in the package identified by the package identification information can be used (S161). If it is not available, the tenant management unit 60 returns the package unavailability notification screen to the information processing device 30 and ends the process. That is, if not available, the information processing system 10 ends this sequence.

0119If available, the tenant management unit 60 subsequently gives the application installation unit 64 a package installation instruction including the tenant ID and package identification information (S162). Upon receiving the package introduction instruction, the application introduction unit 64 introduces a plurality of application programs included in the package identified by the package identification information to the tenant identified by the tenant ID. For example, the application introduction unit 64 installs a plurality of application programs included in the package in the tenant. When the introduction of the application program is completed, the application introduction unit 64 notifies the tenant management unit 60 that the introduction is completed (S163).

0120Subsequently, the tenant management unit 60 transmits the registration completion screen to the information processing device 30 (S164). Subsequently, the second display unit 70 displays the registration completion screen acquired from the tenant opening system 44 (S165, S166). For example, the information processing device 30 displays a registration completion screen as shown in Q of FIG.

0121Further, the tenant management unit 60 may give an e-mail transmission request including registration information to the e-mail transmission unit 66. Upon receiving the e-mail transmission request, the e-mail transmission unit 66 sends a registration completion e-mail to the registered e-mail address. For example, the information processing device 30 transmits a registration completion email as shown in R of FIG.

0122Then, when the processing of S166 is completed, the information processing system 10 ends the processing of introducing a plurality of application programs into the opened tenant.

0123FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing processing in the image forming apparatus 20 according to the sixth modification. In the sixth modification, when the image forming apparatus 20 receives an operation requesting the use of the package from the user, the image forming apparatus 20 may execute the process shown in FIG.

0124First, in S171, the application control unit 52 checks the installation status of the application program included in the package. Subsequently, in S172, the application control unit 52 determines whether or not the application program included in the package has been installed. If it is already installed (Yes in S172), proceed to S175.

0125If it is not installed (No in S172), the app control unit 52 creates a package installation email (S173). Subsequently, the application control unit 52 sends the created package installation email to the registered email address (S174). When the application control unit 52 finishes the processing of S174, the processing proceeds to S175.

0126In S175, the application control unit 52 displays a screen to the effect that the package installation mail has been sent on the first display unit 54.

0127The information processing system 10 according to the sixth modification can perform an operation for causing the tenant opening system 44 to acquire the package from the information processing device 30 even after the tenant is opened. As a result, according to the information processing system 10 according to the sixth modification, the information processing device 30 can be operated to easily introduce a plurality of application programs into the tenant.

0128(Hardware configuration) FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of one server device 100 constituting the cloud system 40.

0129The cloud system 40 includes one or more server devices 100. Each server device 100 has, for example, a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. The server device 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, a storage device 103, and a network I / F 104.

0130The processor 101 has one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units) and the like. The memory 102 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The storage device 103 has an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like. The network I / F104 exchanges information with other devices via the network. Such a server device 100 can provide a service to the image forming device 20 by the processor 101 executing an operating system, an application program, or the like stored in advance in the storage device 103.

0131The program executed by the tenant establishment system 44 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format and can be recorded by a computer such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. Recorded on a medium and provided. Further, the program executed by the tenant opening system 44 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network. Further, the program executed by the tenant opening system 44 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the program of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided by incorporating it into a ROM or the like in advance.

0132The program for making the server device 100 function as the tenant opening system 44 includes a tenant opening module, a tenant management module, a user management module, an application introduction module, and a mail transmission module. In the server device 100, each module is loaded on the main storage device by the processor 101 reading a program from a storage medium (storage device 103, etc.) and executing the program, and the processor 101 has the tenant opening unit 58, the tenant management unit 60, and the like. It functions as a user management unit 62, an application introduction unit 64, and an email transmission unit 66. The tenant opening unit 58, the tenant management unit 60, the user management unit 62, the application introduction unit 64, and the mail transmission unit 66 may be partially or completely realized by hardware other than the processor.

0133FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, a storage device 203, a network I / F 204, a device I / F 205, an operation display unit 206, a scanner 207, and a printer 208.

0134Processor 201 has one or more CPUs and the like. The memory 202 includes RAM, ROM, and the like. The storage device 203 has an HDD or the like. The network I / F 204 exchanges information with other devices via the network. The device I / F 205 is an interface with the operation display unit 206. The operation display unit 206 is an input / output device such as a touch panel.

0135The scanner 207 reads characters and images printed on paper or the like and converts them into data. The printer 208 prints characters, images, and the like corresponding to the data on paper and the like. The image forming apparatus 20 may be configured to include only one of the scanner 207 and the printer 208.

0136The processor 201 controls the scanner 207 and the printer 208 in response to a user operation on the operation display unit 206. Processor 201 executes a browser program on the operating program. Then, the processor 201 provides a user interface for operating the scanner 207 and the printer 208 by executing the processor 201 on the browser program. In addition, the processor 201 communicates with the cloud system 40 on the browser program.

0137Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in a variety of other embodiments.

013810 Information processing system 20 Image forming device 22 Image forming part 24 1st Communication Department 26 1st Information Processing Department 30 Information processing equipment 34 2nd Communication Department 36 2nd Information Processing Department 40 cloud system 42 Service Provision Department 44 Tenant opening system 46 Application Market 52 App control unit 54 1st display 56 App download section 58 Tenant Opening Department 60 Tenant Management Department 62 User Management Department 64 App introduction 66 Email sender 68 Mail receiver 70 2nd display

<p num="0139"><patcit num="1"><text>Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-091115</text></patcit></p>