Patent Application
20250240378
The present disclosure relates to an information processing system, a method of controlling an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, a method of controlling an information processing apparatus, an electronic apparatus, a method of controlling an electronic apparatus, and a storage medium.
Heretofore, systems which transmit status information of an electronic apparatus to a server with its users' consent and provide services tailored to the electronic apparatus' status by analyzing the status information on the server have been widely used.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-019238 discloses a system which obtains consent to a permission for information transmission from the user of a multi-function peripheral and transmits its status information to servers to utilize it for services.
Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-162063 discloses a system which, at the time of a software update, asks the user for permission for information transmission again due to adding of a function or functions.
From a cost perspective, some electronic apparatuses only have small or simple displays. These apparatuses cannot provide sufficient display functionality to their users, and therefore cannot fully display an adequate explanation for a permission to gather user information. For this reason, there are cases where a permission setting cannot be configured on the electronic apparatuses themselves. In such a case, an information processing apparatus which is an external apparatus other than the electronic apparatus (e.g., a smartphone) is sometimes utilized as an alternative tool to accept an operation that indicates the user's consent to the content of the permission on the display of the external apparatus. In a case where communication needs to be performed that requires consent to the content of a permission for information transmission or in another similar case, the electronic apparatus provides guidance by presenting a display indicating that consent to the content of the permission is required by using an error notification or another similar means.
However, there is a possibility that even if the user is notified on the electronic apparatus that consent to the content of the permission is required, the user may not know how to perform an operation that indicates their consent.
An information processing system according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing system comprising an electronic apparatus and an information processing apparatus, in which the electronic apparatus has: a display control unit that, in response to the electronic apparatus accepting an operation for using a web service, checks permission information indicating whether a user has granted consent to a permission content and, in a case where the user has not granted consent, performs control so as to display a specific screen indicating that a permission for information transmission from the electronic apparatus is required; and a recording unit that records specific information indicating that the display control unit has displayed the specific screen, and the information processing apparatus has: a reception unit that receives state information indicating a state of the electronic apparatus; a control unit that, in a case where the state information contains the specific information, performs control so as to perform a predetermined process for allowing the user to perform an operation on the information processing apparatus, the operation indicating whether to grant consent to a content of the permission for information transmission from the electronic apparatus; and an acceptance unit that accepts the operation indicating whether to grant consent to the content of the permission.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
An embodiment of the present disclosure will be exemplarily described below with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that the constituent elements described in the present embodiment merely represent an exemplary form of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure only to those.
In the following, an embodiment using an image processing apparatus as an electronic apparatus will be described. In the present embodiment, a permission version is assigned to each permission statement in order to manage updates of permission statements. The configuration is such that a latest version covers previous versions, and in a case of requesting consent to a permission from a user, the latest version of its permission statement (permission content) will be used.
In the present embodiment, a permission for information gathering is divided into a service permission and an analysis permission. The service permission is a permission to transmit information that is necessary for providing services. The analysis permission is a permission to transmit information that is not essential for providing the services so that the service providers can use it for user analysis. Hence, the user's consent is requested separately for the service permission and the analysis permission.
The permission statement information management server 2 manages the latest permission versions of permission statements. In a case where a permission statement for users to consent to is changed due to addition of a function, revision of a law, or the like, the permission statement information management server 2 updates its latest permission version.
The permission statement update information management server 3 manages transmittable permission versions, which are permission versions required for information transmission, by country. The permission statement update information management server 3 also determines the country in which the image processing apparatus 100 is installed, and returns the transmittable permission version of each of the service permission and the analysis permission corresponding to that country. In a case where a permission statement that requires the user's consent is changed due to addition of a function, revision of a law, or the like, the permission statement update information management server 3 updates information of the transmittable permission version in the server.
In the web server 4, latest permission statements are recorded by country. Incidentally, while the permission statement information management server 2 and the permission statement update information management server 3 are separately illustrated as an example of the embodiment in
The data memory 103 stores program control variables and the like and is provided with various work buffer areas to be used in processing by the print engine 108. The communication control unit 104 controls data communication with an external entity through a communication line 130. The input interface 105 is an interface that accepts data inputs and operation instructions from the user and includes a physical keyboard and buttons, and the like. In the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 100 includes no touch panel (that is, the input interface 105 includes no touch panel). Incidentally, the configuration is not limited to one with no touch panel and may be such that the output interface 106 to be described below and the input interface 105 are configured as an integrated element, and this single element outputs screens and accepts user operations. The output interface 106 is an interface that performs control for the display unit 107 to display data and notify of the status of the image processing apparatus 100.
The display unit 107 includes light emitting diodes (LEDs), a liquid crystal display (LCD), and the like, and displays data and notifies of the status of the image processing apparatus 100. The user performs operations by operating keys such as an enter key, up-down keys, a cancel key, and a power key, which are hardware keys, while viewing contents displayed on the display unit 107.
The print engine 108 forms an image on a print medium, such as paper, by using a printing material, such as an ink, based on information saved in the data memory 103 and a received print job, and outputs the print result. The non-volatile memory 109 is a device such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The non-volatile memory 109 is mainly used to save data that needs to be retained even while power is not supplied to the image processing apparatus 100, such as setting values of the image processing apparatus 100.
The RAM 110 is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or the like that requires a backup power supply. The RAM 110 is also used as a main memory and a work area for the CPU 101 and functions as a reception buffer to temporarily save received print information. Moreover, the RAM 110 saves various information. The above constituent elements 101 to 106 and 108 to 110 are connected to one another through a CPU bus 120 managed by the CPU 101.
The image processing apparatus 100 is capable of communicating with the servers and a mobile terminal 200 illustrated in
The CPU 201 is a system control unit and comprehensively controls the mobile terminal 200. The program memory 202 stores control programs and a built-in operating system program to be executed by the CPU 201 and the like. The data memory 203 stores program control variable and the like and is provided with various work buffer areas. The communication control unit 204 controls data communication with an external entity through a communication line 230.
The input interface 205 is an interface that accepts data inputs and operation instructions from the user and includes a physical keyboard and buttons, a touch panel, and the like. Incidentally, the configuration may be such that the output interface 206 to be described below and the input interface 205 are configured as an integrated element, and this single element outputs screens and accepts user operations. The output interface 206 is an interface that performs control for the display unit 207 to display data and notify of the status of the mobile terminal 200.
The display unit 207 includes LEDs, an LCD, and the like, and displays data and notifies of the status of the mobile terminal 200. Incidentally, a software keyboard including keys such as number input keys, mode setting keys, an enter key, a cancel key, and a power key may be installed in the display unit 207 to accept user inputs via the display unit 207.
The non-volatile memory 209 is a device such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. The non-volatile memory 209 is mainly used to save data that needs to be retained even while power is not supplied to the mobile terminal 200, such as setting values of the mobile terminal 200.
The RAM 210 is a DRAM or the like that requires a backup power supply. The RAM 210 is also used as a main memory and a work area for the CPU 201 and functions as a transmission buffer to temporarily save information to be transmitted to the mobile terminal 200. Moreover, the RAM 210 saves various information. The above constituent elements are connected to one another through a CPU bus 220 managed by the CPU 201.
The mobile terminal 200 is capable of communicating with the servers and the image processing apparatus 100 illustrated in
In S401, the CPU 101 activates the image processing apparatus 100. In S402, the CPU 101 connects to a network via the communication control unit 104. In S403, based on information read out of the non-volatile memory 109 which indicates the consent status of the content of a permission for information transmission from the mobile terminal 200 (consent information), the CPU 101 determines whether consent has been granted to the permission content. The CPU 101 proceeds to S404 if determining that consent has been granted, and proceeds to S409 if determining that consent has not been granted. Note that, in the consent information, information corresponding to one of three values of “consented,” “not consented,” and “not yet consented” is recorded for the permission content. The value “consented” represents a situation where an operation indicating consent has been accepted from the user (the value has been accepted on an external apparatus). The value “not consented” represents a situation where an operation indicating a refusal to grant consent has been accepted from the user (the value has been accepted on the external apparatus). The value “not yet consented” represents a situation where neither an operation indicating consent nor an operation indicating a refusal to grant consent has been accepted from the user. If “consented” is recorded among these, the CPU 101 determines YES. If “not consented” or “not yet consented” is recorded, the CPU 101 determines NO.
In S404, the CPU 101 obtains the transmittable permission version from the permission statement update information management server 3. In S405, the CPU 101 determines whether the obtained transmittable permission version is newer than the permission version to which the consent has been granted. The CPU 101 proceeds to S406 if determining that the obtained transmittable permission version is newer, and proceeds to S409 if determining that the obtained transmittable permission version is older.
In S406, determining that the permission needs to be updated, the CPU 101 performs control so as to display the notification of a permission requirement error illustrated in
In S407, the CPU 101 records information indicating that the occurrence of the permission requirement error has been notified in the RAM 110. This information is recorded as part of the state information obtained by the mobile terminal 200 in S507 in
In S409, the CPU 101 displays the initial screen illustrated in
In S410, the CPU 101 determines whether an operation indicating execution of a function that requires the permission for information transmission (requires consent to the permission content) (i.e., a function that uses the web services) has been performed. The CPU 101 proceeds to S411 if determining that an operation indicating execution of a function that requires the permission has been performed. Otherwise, the CPU 101 proceeds to S416. For example, in a case where a menu item 306, or “ISSUE REGISTRATION CODE,” in the menu screen illustrated in
In S411, based on the consent information on the permission read out of the non-volatile memory 109, the CPU 101 determines whether that a state indicating that consent to the permission content has been granted (“consented”) is recorded. If determining that “consented” is recorded, the CPU 101 proceeds to S415. Otherwise (“not consented” or “not yet consented”), the CPU 101 proceeds to S412. Incidentally, the processing may be performed such that the CPU 101 proceeds to S412 only in the case where “not yet consented” is recorded and, in the case where “not consented” is recorded, does not proceed to S412 to respond to the operation indicating execution of the function that requires the permission.
In S412, as in S406, the CPU 101 displays the permission requirement error illustrated in
In S413, as in S407, the CPU 101 records information indicating that the occurrence of the permission requirement error has been notified in the RAM 110. Note that this step may be omitted in a case where information indicating that an error indication has been presented (hereinafter “error indication information”) has already been recorded in S407. S414 is a similar process to S408, and description thereof is therefore omitted.
In S415, the CPU 101 executes the function for which an execution instruction was issued in S410 (the function that requires the permission). For example, the CPU 101 performs a process of downloading and printing an image saved on a cloud.
In S416, the CPU 101 determines whether the permission setting is received from the mobile terminal 200. The CPU 101 proceeds to S417 if determining that the permission setting is received. Otherwise, the CPU 101 proceeds to S418. In S416, the CPU 101 determines that the permission setting (information indicating the consent status, consent information) is received from the mobile terminal 200, for example, in a case where the mobile terminal 200 transmits consent information in the process of S806 or S811 in
In S417, the CPU 101 overwrites and saves the permission information recorded in the non-volatile memory 109 according to the content of the permission setting indicating the consent statuses of the service permission and the analysis permission received from the mobile terminal 200 (consent information). In this way, the consent status that is based on the operation representing consent to the permission content accepted on the mobile terminal 200 can be saved in the image processing apparatus 100.
In S418, the CPU 101 determines whether another event has occurred. The CPU 101 proceeds to S419 if determining that another event has occurred. Otherwise, the CPU 101 proceeds to S420. In S419, the CPU 101 executes a process suitable for the event determined to have occurred in S418. For example, in a case where the user issues an instruction to execute a function that can be executed without consent to the permission content for information transmission, such as printing or scanning, the CPU 101 performs the printing or scanning in accordance with the instruction.
In S420, the CPU 101 determines whether an event by which the power should be turned off has occurred. If an event by which the power should be turned off has occurred, such as the power key 301 being pressed or no operation being performed for a predetermined time, the CPU 101 terminates the processing of
In S501, the CPU 201 launches the predetermined application program. In S502, the CPU 201 reads out consent information (consent setting) indicating the consent statuses of the service permission and the analysis permission recorded in the non-volatile memory 209. If consent has been granted to either permission, the CPU 101 proceeds to S503. Otherwise, the CPU 201 proceeds to S506. In this consent information too, like the consent information in the image processing apparatus 100 described above, one of three values of “consented,” “not consented,” and “not yet consented” is given for each permission content.
In S503, the CPU 201 obtains the latest permission statement version from the permission statement information management server 2 via the communication control unit 204. The information to be obtained at this time may be the transmittable permission version that is obtained from the permission statement update information management server 3. In S504, the CPU 201 compares the version information obtained in S503 with the permission version of the permission content to which consent has been granted (the target permission content recorded as “consented”) in the consent information recorded in the non-volatile memory 209. If determining that the version information obtained in S503 is newer than the permission version of the permission content to which consent has been granted, the CPU 201 proceeds to S505. Otherwise, the CPU 201 proceeds to S506.
In S505, the CPU 201 performs a permission acceptance screen process. The permission acceptance screen process will be described later using
In S506, the CPU 201 connects to the image processing apparatus 100 by wireless communication or wired communication via the communication control unit 204. In S507, the CPU 201 receives and obtains state information transmitted from the connected image processing apparatus 100.
In S508, the CPU 201 determines whether the obtained state information of the image processing apparatus 100 contains information indicating that the occurrence of a permission requirement error has been notified. The CPU 201 proceeds to S510 if information indicating that the occurrence of a permission requirement error has been notified is contained, and proceeds to S509 if not contained. In a case where error indication information has been recorded in the state information in the process of S407 or S413 by the image processing apparatus 100 described earlier, state information containing the error indication information is obtained in S507. In the case where error indication information is contained in the state information obtained in S507, it is determined in S508 that a permission requirement error has occurred. In sum, the determination in S508 determines whether the information received from the image processing apparatus 100 contains information indicating that a display indicating a need for consent to the permission content for information transmission (the display in
In S510, the CPU 201 displays the initial screen with an error notification in the state display region 601 as illustrated in
In S511, the CPU 201 determines whether an operation of selecting the state display region 601 with the error notification has been performed. If determining that an operation of touching the state display region 601 displaying the error notification to select it has been performed, the CPU 201 proceeds to S512. Otherwise, the CPU 201 proceeds to S519.
In S512, the CPU 201 displays a screen for selecting whether to display guidance for a handling method as illustrated in
In S513, the CPU 201 determines whether the user has touched the “YES” button displayed in the dialog 603 (whether the user has performed an operation indicating display of a guide for a handling method). If determining that the “YES” button is touched, the CPU 201 proceeds to S514. Otherwise (“NO” is selected), the CPU 201 proceeds to S516.
In S515, the CPU 201 determines whether the user has performed an operation of returning from the state where the guide in
In S516, the CPU 201 displays a printer detail screen indicating details of the image processing apparatus 100 as illustrated in
In S518, the CPU 201 performs a permission acceptance screen process. The permission acceptance screen process will be described later using
In S519, the CPU 201 determines whether a touch operation has been performed on the state display region 601. If determining that the state display region 601 has been touched, the CPU 201 proceeds to S516. Otherwise, the CPU 201 proceeds to S520.
In S520, the CPU 201 determines whether another operational event has occurred. The CPU 201 proceeds to S521 if determining that another operational event has occurred. Otherwise, the CPU 201 proceeds to S522. In S521, the CPU 201 executes a process suitable for the event. For example, the CPU 201 performs a process of transmitting a print job to the image processing apparatus 100 and causing it to perform printing.
In S522, the CPU 201 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the process of S507 was performed last. If determining that the predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 201 proceeds to S507 and obtains the state information from the image processing apparatus 100 again. In other words, the printer link application regularly obtains the state information from the image processing apparatus 100 and determines whether to make an error notification. If determining in S522 that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the CPU 201 proceeds to S523.
In S523, the CPU 201 determines whether an event by which the printer link application should be turned off (closed or terminated) has occurred. If determining that an event by which the application should be turned off has not occurred, the CPU 201 returns to S509 and repeats the processing. If an event by which the application should be turned off has occurred, the CPU 201 terminates the processing of
In S801, upon transitioning to a permission consent screen requesting consent to the permission in response to a user operation or the like on the mobile terminal 200, the CPU 201 displays the screen on the display unit 207.
A checkbox 701 at the top is an operation item for accepting an operation of granting consent to the permission statement of the service permission. Performing an operation of checking the checkbox 701 and touching an OK button 705 will grant consent to the service permission. A checkbox 702 in the middle is an operation item for accepting an operation of granting consent to the permission statement of the analysis permission. Performing an operation of checking the checkbox 702 and touching the OK button 705 will grant consent to the analysis permission. A checkbox 703 at the bottom is an operation item for accepting an operation of granting consent to the permission statement of the permission to provide guide information. The permission to provide guide information is a permission to send push notifications to the mobile terminal 200 (smartphone) in which the application has been installed. The permission is therefore not relevant to the printer itself (image processing apparatus 100), and whether the checkbox 703 is checked or not does not affect the printer. Check all 704 is an operation item for accepting an instruction to check all of the three checkboxes described above.
In S802, the CPU 201 accepts inputs on consent from the user on the permission consent screen illustrated in
In S803, in response to the user selecting “OK” in
In S804, the CPU 201 obtains ability information of the image processing apparatus 100 via communication with the image processing apparatus 100 using the communication control unit 204. The ability information refers to information for communicating functions (abilities) of the image processing apparatus 100 to external terminals that communicate with the image processing apparatus 100. The ability information in the present embodiment includes whether the purpose-specific permissions are supported or not and whether a subscription service is supported or not.
In a case where the purpose-specific permissions are supported, it indicates that the image processing apparatus 100 has an ability to record the consent statuses of the contents of multiple types of permissions including two permissions which are the service permission and the analysis permission. In a case where the purpose-specific permissions are not supported, it indicates that the image processing apparatus 100 does not have the ability to record the consent statuses of multiple types of permission contents and is only able to record the consent status of one type of permission content. That is, in the case where the purpose-specific permissions are not supported, the image processing apparatus 100 will not be able to record the consent statuses of the two types of permissions being the service permission and the analysis permission. Note that the purpose-specific permissions are assumed to be not supported in a case where information indicating that the purpose-specific permissions are not supported is not obtained from the ability information or information indicating that the purpose-specific permissions are not supported is obtained from the ability information.
Also, in a case where the subscription service is supported, it indicates that the image processing apparatus 100 has an ability to use the subscription service, which will be described later. Whether the image processing apparatus 100 has actually subscribed to and is using the subscription service is not taken into consideration. That is, even in the case where the subscription service is supported, it is impossible to determine from this information whether the image processing apparatus 100 has actually subscribed to and is using the subscription service or has not subscribed to and therefore is not using the subscription service. Also, in a case where the subscription service is not supported, it indicates that the image processing apparatus 100 does not have the ability to use the subscription service, which will be described later. In the case where the subscription service is not supported, it is apparent that the user neither has subscribed to nor is using a subscription service using this printer (image processing apparatus 100). Note that the subscription service is assumed to be not supported in a case where information indicating that the subscription service is supported is not obtained from the ability information or information indicating that the subscription service is not supported is obtained from the ability information.
In S805, the CPU 201 determines whether the purpose-specific permission is supported based on the ability information obtained from the image processing apparatus 100. If the image processing apparatus 100 supports the purpose-specific permissions, the CPU 201 proceeds to S806. If the image processing apparatus 100 does not support the purpose-specific permissions, the CPU 201 proceeds to S807.
In S806, the CPU 201 communicates with the image processing apparatus 100 via the communication control unit 204 to transmit the consent information of the purpose-specific permissions held in S803 to the image processing apparatus 100. Since the image processing apparatus 100 supports the purpose-specific permissions, it can interpret the received purpose-specific permissions. The consent information on the purpose-specific permissions to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100 includes the consent information on the service permission and the analysis permission and their permission version. Note that the consent information on the permission to present guides to the user described in connection with S802 is not necessary for the image processing apparatus 100 but may be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100. In S806, the CPU 201 transmits the consent status of the service permission (the information indicating “CONSENTED” in the example of
If the image processing apparatus 100 does not support the purpose-specific permissions, the mobile terminal 200 performs a process of converting the consent statuses into the transmission permission. Specifically, the mobile terminal 200 performs a process of converting the consent statuses of the purpose-specific permissions as illustrated in
In S807, the CPU 201 determines whether the subscription service is supported in the ability information obtained from the image processing apparatus 100. The CPU 201 proceeds to S808 if the image processing apparatus 100 supports the subscription service, and proceeds to S809 if the image processing apparatus 100 does not support the subscription service.
The subscription service refers to a service that allows printing up to a maximum number of pages each month for a fixed fee. The fixed monthly fee for using the subscription service covers the costs of printing agents (inks or toners) and the like. As long as printing remains within the maximum number of pages, there will be no additional charges for the printing agents. This means that, in a case where the printing agents (inks or toners) run low before reaching the maximum number of pages, the printing agents can be ordered at no extra cost. Using the subscription service inevitably requires transmitting the number of printed pages to the server that provides the subscription service. The transmission of information indicating the number of printed pages corresponds to the transmission of information that is transmitted in the case where consent is granted to the analysis permission. A user or a printer (image processing apparatus) that has subscribed to use the subscription service must have granted consent to permission equivalent to the analysis permission at the time of signing up for the subscription service. Specifically, the user must have granted consent to transmission of the number of printed pages as transmission of information required to use the subscription service. For this reason, in a case where the subscription service is already being used (or subscribed to), it is considered unnecessary to obtain consent to the analysis permission again. In fact, the user may accidentally perform an operation of refusing to grant consent to the analysis permission. This will lead to a situation where the user cannot use the subscription service which they have signed up for.
In S808, the CPU 201 selects a conversion table 1 illustrated in
In S809, on the other hand, the CPU 201 selects a conversion table 2 illustrated in
In S810, the CPU 201 converts the consent information of the purpose-specific permissions into the consent information of the transmission permission by using the conversion table 1 or 2.
In S811, the CPU 201 communicates with the image processing apparatus 100 via the communication control unit 204 to transmit the consent information of the transmission permission obtained in S810 and the version information held in S803 to the image processing apparatus 100. The consent information of the purpose-specific permissions is converted into the consent information of the transmission permission based on whether the subscription service is supported or not for the following reason. First, for the conversion from the purpose-specific permissions into the transmission permission to be handled in a more rigorous manner, it is advantageous to grant consent to the transmission permission in a case where consent is obtained for all of the purpose-specific permissions. That is, it is usually advantageous to use the conversion table 2 illustrated in
Note that, in the present embodiment, the conversion table to be used is selected based on whether the subscription service is selected or not, but the criterion for selecting the conversion table is not limited to whether the subscription service is supported or not. In a case where consent to the service permission is included as a requirement for using the image processing apparatus 100, the consent can also be a condition for selecting the conversion table 1 other than the subscription service.
Also, instead of selecting the conversion table to be used based on a condition, the conversion may be done based always on one of the conversion tables. Specifically, the processing may proceed to S808 without performing the process in S807.
Alternatively, the processing may proceed to S809 without performing the process in S807.
Also, in the present embodiment, the ability information of the image processing apparatus 100 is obtained in S804 and then the consent statuses of the purpose-specific permissions (the consent statuses of multiple types of permissions) or the consent status of the transmission permission (a single consent status) is transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100. However, obtaining the ability information is not necessarily essential. For example, the obtaining of the ability information of the image processing apparatus 100 may be omitted, and both the consent statuses of the purpose-specific permissions and the consent status of the transmission permission converted from the purpose-specific permissions may be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100. In sum, it is possible to employ an approach that leaves it up to the image processing apparatus 100 to determine how to reflect and set each piece of permission information transmitted.
As described above, the present embodiment improves user friendliness in a case where it is necessary to grant consent to the content of a permission on an electronic apparatus. Specifically, in a case where the image processing apparatus 100 (electronic apparatus) notifies that consent to the content of a permission is required (error indication), the mobile terminal 200 (an information processing apparatus as an external apparatus for the electronic apparatus) obtains state information indicating that the need for consent to the permission content has been displayed on the image processing apparatus 100. In response to obtaining the state information indicating that the need for consent to the permission content has been displayed on the image processing apparatus 100, the mobile terminal 200 performs a display process of suggesting an operation procedure for the user to perform an operation of granting consent to the permission content and a process of displaying the permission acceptance screen on the mobile terminal 200. In this way, it is easier for the user to recognize how to operate the mobile terminal 200, which is an external apparatus, to perform an operation that indicates consent after the need for consent to the permission content is displayed on the image processing apparatus 100.
Note that, in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 200 determines whether to update the permission version and configures the permission setting before connecting to the image processing apparatus 100. This permission setting is a setting on a permission for information transmission to the service providing server group 1 from the mobile terminal 200, and does not necessarily have to be transmitted to the image processing apparatus 100.
Note that, in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 200 obtains the latest permission version only after the application is launched, but may obtain it immediately before configuring the permission setting.
Note that, in the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 200 directly obtains the state information of the image processing apparatus 100, but the information may be communicated through an external server such as one in the service providing server group 1.
Note that each of the above various types of control described to be performed by the CPUs may be performed by a single piece of hardware, or the processing may be distributed and shared by multiple pieces of hardware (e.g., multiple processors or circuits) to control the whole apparatus.
Also, while the present disclosure has been described in detail based on its preferred embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific embodiments and encompasses various forms without departing from the gist of this disclosure. Further, each of the above embodiments is merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the embodiments can be combined as appropriate.
Also, the above embodiments have been described based on an example case where the present disclosure is applied to a mobile terminal and an image processing apparatus, but the present disclosure is not limited to this example. The electronic apparatus is not limited to the above image processing apparatus 100, and the present disclosure is applicable to any electronic apparatus that requires its user's consent to the content of a permission for information transmission from the electronic apparatus. For example, as such an electronic apparatus, an image output apparatus that transmits information on its user's viewing habit or the like to a server, such as a television set, may be employed. Moreover, the present disclosure is applicable to smart speakers (audio speakers), music players, game consoles, electronic book readers, smartwatches, home appliances, IoT terminals, mobility devices such as automobiles, and so on that transmit the contents of conversations with their users and the like to servers. Also, as the information processing apparatus, any apparatuses can be employed as long as they are capable of performing a process of obtaining information from the electronic apparatus and allowing the user to perform an operation of granting consent to the content of a permission for information transmission. For example, smartphones, tablet terminals, PCs, and the like can be employed.
Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computer executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a ‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or that includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by the computer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out and executing the computer executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). The computer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network of separate computers or separate processors to read out and execute the computer executable instructions. The computer executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like
While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-006729, filed Jan. 19, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference wherein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-006729 | Jan 2024 | JP | national |
