Patent ID: 8046427
Filing Date: 2011-10-25
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A network system, comprising: a directory server configured to provide service definition information explaining a function of a service provided through a network, the service definition information including in a single file both main information, output when a service is used, and a plurality of pieces of auxiliary information, each piece of auxiliary information includes outputting unit designation information designating an outputting unit suitable for outputting the piece of auxiliary information; and a multi-function terminal device configured to receive, for use, the service definition information provided by the directory server, the multi-function terminal device being provided with a plurality of outputting units of different types corresponding respectively to the plurality of pieces of auxiliary information, the directory server including: a server communication unit configured to communicate with the multi-function terminal device; a service definition information storing unit configured to relate the main information to the plurality of pieces of the auxiliary information and store the main information and the plurality of pieces of the auxiliary information as the service definition information; and a service definition information transmission control unit retrieving the service definition information from the service definition information storing unit and transmitting the retrieved service definition information to the multi-function terminal device through the server communication unit, and the multi-function terminal device including: a terminal communication unit configured to communicate with the directory server; the plurality of outputting units configured to perform an output operation in accordance with information; an instruction receiving unit configured to receive an instruction input by a user; and an output control unit configured such that, (a) when the output control unit receives the service definition information from the directory server through the terminal communication unit, the output control unit controls a predetermined outputting unit of the plurality of outputting units of different types to output the main information contained in the received service definition information, and (b) when the instruction receiving unit receives a specific instruction by the user after the output control unit has received the service definition information, the output control unit selects a specific outputting unit from among the plurality of outputting units of different types on the basis of the specific instruction, and further selects a specific piece of auxiliary information from among the plurality of pieces of auxiliary information with reference to the plurality of pieces of outputting unit designating information included in the plurality of pieces of auxiliary information, the selected specific piece of auxiliary information including the outputting unit designating information designating the selected specific outputting unit, in order to cause the selected specific outputting unit to output the selected specific piece of auxiliary information contained in the received service definition information.