Device management system, device management apparatus, communication device, and control methods therefor, and storage medium

A device management system including the device management apparatus and a plurality of communication devices capable of communicating with the device management apparatus via the network stores destination information received from a first communication device and first identification information corresponding to the first communication device in association with address information, transmits the address information according to the destination information, transmits screen information to a second communication device in response to access from the second communication device using the address information, stores, when it receives service-related information input according to the screen information from the second communication device, the service-related information in association with second identification information for uniquely specifying the service-related information and the first identification information corresponding to the address information, and notifies the first communication device of the second identification information stored in association with the first identification information.

BACKGROUND

Field

Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a technique for a user to perform setting relating to a communication device using a device management apparatus on a network.

Description of the Related Art

As discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-195307, when a terminal of a user transmits a mail address to a server, the server temporarily registers the mail address, transmits a mail describing a registration format to the temporarily registered mail address. When the server receives information input according to the registration format from the terminal of the user, the server stores the mail address in association with the received information, and thus formally registers the mail address. When the terminal of the user inputs the mail address formally registered, the server provides a corresponding service.

However, the terminal of the user needs to previously input various types of information according to the registration format until the mail address is formally registered, which takes much time and labor. The user cannot use the service using a communication device until input of the various types of information is completed.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present invention are generally directed to a device management apparatus on a network capable of performing setting relating to a communication device quickly in a smaller number of procedures and allowing the communication device to use a service on the network according to the setting.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a device management system that manages a plurality of communication devices, includes a device management apparatus, and a plurality of communication devices including a first communication device and a second communication device capable of communicating with the device management apparatus via a network, wherein the device management apparatus and the communication devices includes a first receiving unit configured to receive destination information and first identification information corresponding to the first communication device from the first communication device, a first storage unit configured to store address information used for access via the network in association with the first identification information, a first transmission unit configured to transmit the address information according to the destination information, a second transmission unit configured to transmit screen information to the second communication device in response to access from the second communication device using the address information, a second receiving unit configured to receive service-related information input according to the screen information from the second communication device, a second storage unit configured to store the service-related information in association with second identification information for uniquely specifying the service-related information and the first identification information corresponding to the address information, and a notification unit configured to notify the first communication device of the second identification information stored in association with the first identification information.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various exemplary embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, components described in the exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative, and are not seen to be limiting.

An example of a configuration of a device management system in a first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to a block diagram ofFIG. 1. A first communication device101and a second communication device102can communicate with a device management apparatus103via a network104. In the present exemplary embodiment, to make the first communication device101cooperate with a user serving as a service user, the first communication device101and the second communication device102, which is operated by the user, communicate with the device management apparatus103. The user who operates the second communication device102may operate the first communication device101, or another user may operate the first communication device101. The first communication device101and the second communication device102establish communication with the device management apparatus103using a protocol such as a HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and acquire page information described in a language such as a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) or an Extensible Markup Language (XML), analyze the acquired page information, and display various types of data based on an analysis result. Each of the first communication device101and the second communication device102may be any device if it has a communication function, and is implemented by a digital camera, a smartphone, a tablet, or a personal computer, for example. The device management apparatus103is implemented by a server computer, for example. The device management apparatus103may be implemented by a single server computer or may be implemented by distributing its functions among a plurality of server computers, as needed. While a case where the first communication device101is a digital camera and the second communication device102is a smartphone will be described below as an example in the present exemplary embodiment, the present exemplary embodiment can similarly be implemented when the first communication device101and the second communication device102are respectively other devices.

In the present exemplary embodiment, when the first communication device101and the second communication device102are desired to cooperate with each other, a mail address, which can be received by the second communication device102, is input to the first communication device101. When the first communication device101notifies the device management apparatus103of the mail address, the device management apparatus103transmits an e-mail describing a setting uniform resource locator (URL) to the mail address. The setting URL is address information used to access the device management apparatus103or an external web server when setting relating to the first communication device101is performed. The second communication device102displays the e-mail according to an operation by the user, and accesses the above-mentioned web server via the network104according to the described setting URL. If not only the mail address but also a password is first input to the first communication device101, access authentication to the web server can also be performed using the password by associating the password with the setting URL. The device management apparatus103stores, for each setting URL, i.e., for each combination of the first communication device101and the mail address, setting relating to the first communication device101set on the web server corresponding to the setting URL in a storage device234. Details of the present exemplary embodiment will be described below.

An information processing apparatus constituting the server computer serving as the device management apparatus103or the smartphone serving as the second communication device102will be descried with reference to a block diagram ofFIG. 2. Each of the device management apparatus103and the second communication device102may be implemented by a single information processing apparatus, or may be implemented by distributing its functions among a plurality of information processing apparatuses, as needed. If each of the device management apparatus103and the second communication device102includes a plurality of information processing apparatuses, the information processing apparatuses are connected to one another via a local area network (LAN) so that they can communicate with one another. InFIG. 2, control units201and231respectively control the entire second communication device102and the entire device management apparatus103, and are each a central processing unit (CPU). Each of read only memories (ROMs)202and233stores a program and a parameter that need not be changed. Each of random access memories (RAMs)203and233temporarily stores a program and data to be supplied from an external apparatus. Storage devices204and234are hard disk drives (HDDs) respectively fixed to and installed in the second communication device102and the device management apparatus103. Alternatively, each of the storage devices204and234is a solid-state drive (SSD) including a flash memory or a hybrid drive or a memory card simultaneously using a hard disk and a flash memory. Each of the storage devices204and234stores a program such as an operating system (OS). Each of input interfaces205and235receives an operation by the user, and is connected to an input device such as a pointing device, a keyboard, or a touch panel for inputting data. Bit move units (BMUs)206and236control data transfer, respectively, between memories (e.g., between video RAMs207and237and the other memories) and between the memory and input/output (I/O) devices (e.g., network interfaces209and239), for example. Video RAMs (VRAMs)207and237draw images to be respectively displayed on display units211and241. The images generated by the VRAMs207and237are respectively transmitted to the display units211and241according to a predetermined definition. Thus, the display units211and241display the images. The network interfaces209and239are connected to the network104. System buses212and242respectively connect the units201to209and the units231to239to be communicable with one another.

An imaging apparatus constituting the digital camera serving as the first communication device101will be described with reference to a block diagram ofFIG. 3. The first communication device101may be implemented by a single imaging apparatus, or may be implemented by being connected to an external device, as needed, and distributing its functions therebetween. An imaging lens301includes a focus lens. A shutter302has a diaphragm function. An imaging unit303includes a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device for converting an optical image into an electric signal. An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter304converts an analog signal output from the imaging unit303into a digital signal. A barrier305covers the imaging lens301, to prevent an imaging system including the imaging lens301, the shutter302, and the imaging unit303from being made dirty and damaged. An image processing unit306performs predetermined pixel interpolation, resize processing such as reduction, and color conversion processing for image data from the A/D converter304or image data from a memory control unit307. The image processing unit306performs predetermined calculation processing using image data obtained by imaging, and a system control unit308performs exposure control and range finding control based on a calculation result. The image data output from the A/D converter304is written into a memory309via the image processing unit306and the memory control unit307or via only the memory control unit307. The memory309stores image data obtained by the imaging unit303and converted into digital data by the A/D converter304and image data to be displayed on a display unit310. The memory309has a sufficient storage capacity to store a predetermined number of still images, a moving image in a predetermined period of time, and a voice. The memory309is also used as a memory for image display (a video memory). A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter311converts image data for image display stored in the memory309into an analog signal and supplies the analog signal to the display unit310. Thus, the display unit310displays the image data for display, which has been written into the memory309, via the D/A converter311. The display unit310performs display corresponding to the analog signal from the D/A converter311on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). A nonvolatile memory312is an electrically erasable and recordable memory, and includes an electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM). The nonvolatile memory312stores a constant for operating the system control unit308and a control program such as a program for performing processing to be described below. The system control unit308controls an entire user device110. The system control unit308executes the program stored in the nonvolatile memory312, to implement processing of the user device110. A system memory313includes a RAM. The constant or a variable for operating the system control unit308and the program read out of the nonvolatile memory312are loaded into the system memory313. A mode changing switch314, a first shutter switch315, a second shutter switch316, and an operation unit317are operation means for inputting various types of operation instructions to the system control unit308. The mode changing switch314switches an operation mode of the system control unit308into any one of a still image recording mode, a moving image recording mode, and a reproduction mode. The first shutter switch315is turned on while a shutter button provided in the first communication device101is being operated, i.e., is half-pressed (instructed to prepare imaging), to generate a first shutter switch signal SW1. The second shutter switch316is turned on when the operation of the shutter button is completed, i.e., is full-pressed (instructed to perform imaging), to generate a second shutter switch signal SW2. The system control unit308starts a series of imaging processing operations performed since a signal was read out of the imaging unit303in response to the second shutter switch signal SW2until image data is written into a recording medium325. Operation members in the operation unit317are assigned functions, as needed, for each scene by selectively operating various functional icons displayed on the display unit310, respectively, to function as various function buttons. The function buttons include a confirmation button, an end button, a return button, an image advancing button, a jump button, a refinement button, and an attribute change button. When a menu button is pressed, for example, various settable menu screens are displayed on the display unit310. The user can intuitively perform various types of setting using the menu screens displayed on the display unit310, a four-direction button, and a SET button. A controller wheel318is an operation member, which is operable to rotate, included in the operation unit317, and is used when a selection item is indicated together with the direction button. The system control unit308controls each of components in the first communication device101based on a pulse signal. The system control unit308can determine an angle at which the controller wheel318is operated to rotate and how many times the controller wheel318rotates in response to the pulse signal. The controller wheel318may be any operation member if it can detect a rotation operation. A controller ring319is a rotation operation member included in the operation unit317, and is operable to rotate on an optical axis around a lens barrel. For example, the controller ring319is operated, to generate an electrical pulse signal according to a rotation amount (operation amount). The system control unit308controls each of the components in the first communication device101based on the pulse signal. When a function switching button in the controller ring319included in the operation unit317is pressed, a menu screen capable of changing a function to be assigned to the controller ring319is displayed on the display unit310. The controller ring319and the controller wheel318are used to select a normal mode item and change a value. A power switch320is switched between power-on and power-off. A power source control unit321includes a battery detection circuit, a direct current-direct current (DC-DC) converter, and a switch circuit for switching a block to be energized. The power source control unit321detects whether a battery is mounted, the type of the battery, and a remaining battery capacity, controls the DC-DC converter based on a detection result and an instruction from the system control unit308, and supplies a required voltage to each of the components including the recording medium325for a required period. A power source unit322includes a primary battery such as an alkali battery or a lithium battery, a secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery, and a lithium (Li) battery, and an alternating current (AC) adaptor. A communication unit323transmits an image stored in the recording medium325to the external device. An interface324is an interface with the recording medium325. The recording medium325includes a semiconductor memory and a magnetic disk. A network interface (I/F)326is controlled by the system control unit308, to communicate with the external device via the network104.

A screen displayed on the display unit310in the first communication device101will be described with reference toFIG. 4. The user performs a selection operation by operating the operation unit317for the first communication device101. The operation unit317may be a cross key. Alternatively, a touch panel may be provided on the display unit310and operated.

The first communication device101displays a mail address input screen401illustrated inFIG. 4Aon the display unit310upon receiving a predetermined operation by the user. The first communication device101displays a password input screen421illustrated inFIG. 4Bon the display unit310when the user inputs a mail address into an input column402and selects an OK button403. The first communication device101transmits, when the user inputs a password into an input column422and selects an OK button423, the mail address and the password to the device management apparatus103.

The device management apparatus103transmits an e-mail describing a setting URL to the mail address when it has received the mail address and the password from the first communication device101. When the device management apparatus103has transmitted the mail address, the first communication device101displays a message screen431as illustrated inFIG. 4Con the display unit310. Then, the first communication device101displays a completion notification screen441as illustrated inFIG. 4Don the display unit310. An icon442is displayed on the completion notification screen441.

When cancel buttons404and424are selected inFIGS. 4A and 4B, the processing is cancelled.

Processing in the first communication device101and the device management apparatus103will be described with reference to flowcharts illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B. An operation of the first communication device101is implemented when the system control unit308executes a control program stored in the nonvolatile memory312and controls each of modules, described above, according to the control program. An operation of the management apparatus103is implemented when the control unit231executes a control program stored in the ROM232or the storage device234and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program. The same is true for flowcharts illustrated inFIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C, described below.

The system control unit308in the first communication device101starts setting request processing in response to a predetermined operation by the user. In step S601, the system control unit308displays the mail address input screen401on the display unit310, and inputs a mail address as destination information in response to an input operation by the user. In step S602, the system control unit308refers to the nonvolatile memory312, and determines whether a management ID is retained. If the management ID has not been retained (NO in step S602), then in step S603, the system control unit308transmits a request to acquire the management ID to the device management apparatus103. The management ID is identification information for the device management apparatus103to uniquely identify the first communication device101.

In step S604, the control unit231in the device management apparatus103receives the request to acquire the management ID from the first communication device101. In step S605, the control unit231newly generates a unique management ID. In step S606, the control unit231transmits the management ID to the first communication device101.

In step S607, the system control unit308acquires the management ID from the device management apparatus103. In step S608, the system control unit308displays the password input screen421as illustrated inFIG. 4Bon the display unit310, and inputs a password in response to an input operation by the user. In step S609, the system control unit308transmits the mail address input in step S601, the management ID received in step S607, and the password, which has been input in step S608, to the device management apparatus103.

In step S610, the control unit231receives the mail address, the management ID, and the password from the first communication device101. The control unit231searches a table in the storage device234, described below, for a management ID501that matches the received mail address, management ID, and password. If there is no management ID501that matches the received management ID, then in step S611, the control unit231generates a unique setting URL corresponding to the management ID. In step S612, the control unit231stores the management ID and the password, which have been received in step S610, in the storage device234in association with the setting URL that has been generated in step S611. The storage device234stores a table510as illustrated inFIG. 5Aincluding a plurality of records each having the management ID501, a setting URL502, and a password503associated with one another.

In step S613, the control unit231generates an e-mail describing the setting URL, which has been generated in step S611, in its text. In step S614, the control unit231transmits the generated e-mail to the mail address that has been received in step S610.

In step S615, the system control unit308stores the management ID, which has been received in step S607, and the mail address, which has been transmitted in step S609, in the nonvolatile memory312. The nonvolatile memory312stores a table520as illustrated inFIG. 5Bincluding a plurality of records each having a management521and a mail address522associated with each other.

On the other hand, if the management ID has already been stored in the nonvolatile memory312(YES in step S602), then in step S616, the system control unit308determines whether the mail address is also stored in the nonvolatile memory312. If the mail address has also been stored in the nonvolatile memory312(YES in step S616), then in step S617, the system control unit308determines whether the mail address, which has been input in step S601, is the same as the mail address that has already been stored in the nonvolatile memory312. If the mail addresses are the same (YES in step S617), the system control unit308performs password change processing, described below. If the mail addresses differ from each other (NO in step S617), then in step S618, the system control unit308displays an owner change confirmation screen461illustrated inFIG. 4Eon the display unit310, and determines whether the user who operates the first communication device101is changed according to a selection operation by the user. If a YES button462is selected, the system control unit308determines that the user is changed (YES in step S618), and the processing proceeds to step S603. If a NO button463is selected, the system control unit308determines that the user is not changed (NO in step S618), and the processing ends.

The system control unit308displays a password change confirmation screen471as illustrated inFIG. 4Fon the display unit310, and determines whether the password associated with the setting URL corresponding to the first communication device101is changed according to a selection operation by the user. If a YES button472is selected, the system control unit308determines that the password is changed (YES in step S701), and the processing proceeds to step S702. In step S702, the system control unit308inputs a new password according to an input operation by the user. In step S703, the system control unit308transmits the management ID and the mail address, which are stored in the nonvolatile memory312, and the new password, which has been input in step S702, to the device management apparatus103.

In step S731, the control unit231receives the management ID, the mail address, and the new password from the first communication device101. In step S732, the control unit231changes the password503associated with the management ID501, which matches the received management ID, in the table510in the storage device234into a new password and stores the new password. In step S733, the control unit231reads out the setting URL502associated with the management ID501, and the processing proceeds to step S613.

On the other hand, if a NO button473is selected, the system control unit308determines that the password is not changed (No in step S701), and the processing proceeds to step S704. In step S704, the control unit231transmits the management ID and the mail address, which are stored in the nonvolatile memory312, to the device management apparatus103.

In step S741, the control unit231receives the management ID and the mail address from the first communication device101. In step S742, the control unit231reads out the setting URL502stored in association with the management ID501in the table510in the storage device234. Thus, the user can receive the same setting URL again even when the second communication device102has lost the setting URL previously received.

An operation for setting a content of a service to be used in the first communication device101by the second communication device102for the device management apparatus103will be described below with reference toFIG. 8.

An operation of the second communication device102is implemented when the control unit201executes a control program stored in the storage device204or the ROM202and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program. An operation of the device management apparatus103is implemented when the control unit231executes a control program stored in the storage device234or the ROM232and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program.

In step S801, the control unit201in the second communication device102starts a web browser, to access the device management apparatus103via the network104based on a setting URL. In step S802, the control unit231in the device management apparatus103transmits screen information for displaying a password input screen to the second communication device102in response to the access from the second communication device102, and requests a password. In step S803, the second communication device102receives the screen information from the device management apparatus103, displays the password input screen on the display unit211, and transmits the password, which has been input by the user, to the device management apparatus103according to the display. In step S804, the device management apparatus103receives the password from the second communication device102, refers to the table510stored in the storage device234, and collates the received password with a password corresponding to the setting URL that has been used for the access in step S801. If the received password matches the password corresponding to the setting URL as a result of the collation (YES in step S804), then in step S805, the device management apparatus103transmits screen information for displaying a service setting screen to the second communication device102, and permits the second communication device102to input the screen information for displaying the service setting information. In step S806, the control unit201receives the screen information for displaying the service setting screen from the device management apparatus103. In step S807, the control unit201displays the service setting screen on the display unit211. In step S808, the control unit201inputs service-related information relating to service setting in response to an operation by the user. In step S809, the control unit201transmits the input service-related information to the device management apparatus103. The service-related information includes a name for uniquely identifying another site serving as a transfer destination of an image of the first communication device101and account information in the site, or a mail address.

In step S810, the control unit231receives the service-related information from the second communication device102. In step S811, the control unit231stores the received service-related information in the storage device234in association with a service use ID. The service use ID is identification information for uniquely specifying service-related information about the user, and is stored in the storage device234in association with a management ID corresponding to the setting URL that has been used for the access in step S801.

On the other hand, if the received password does not match the password corresponding to the setting URL as a result of the collation (NO in step S804), the processing returns to step S802. In step S802, the control unit231requests a password of the second communication device102again. The number of times an erroneous password has been continuously received is counted. If the counted number of times reaches a predetermined number of times, the processing may end.

On the service setting screen, the control unit231can not only input the new service-related information but also update existing service-related information.

Service setting processing in the first communication device101and the device management apparatus103will be described below with reference toFIG. 9. An operation of the first communication device101is implemented when the system control unit308executes a control program stored in the nonvolatile memory312and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program. An operation of the device management apparatus103is implemented when the control unit231executes a control program stored in the storage device234or the ROM232and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program.

First, in step S901, the system control unit308in the first communication device101reads out a management ID from the nonvolatile memory312in response to an operation for selecting the icon442on the completion notification screen441illustrated inFIG. 4D, and transmits the read management ID to the device management apparatus103. In step S902, the control unit231in the device management apparatus103receives the management ID from the first communication device101. In step S903, the control unit231searches for the service use ID stored in the storage device234in association with the management ID. In step S904, the control unit231generates a list of service use IDs according to a search result. In step S905, the control unit231transmits the list of service use IDs to the first communication device101. In step S906, the system control unit308receives the list of service use IDs from the device management apparatus103. In step S907, the system control unit308displays icons corresponding to the service use IDs as a list on the display unit310.

The icons displayed as a list are marks corresponding to a content of service setting associated with the service use IDs. When the first communication device101uploads an image to the device management apparatus103, for example, the service use ID corresponding to the icon selected by the user is also transmitted. Thus, the device management apparatus103transfers the uploaded image to another apparatus according to the service setting associated with the service use ID.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where the device management apparatus103generates the unique management ID in step S605has been described. In another exemplary embodiment, the first communication device101may generate the unique management ID instead of the device management apparatus103. Thus, processing for transmitting and receiving the management ID between the first communication device101and the device management apparatus103can be omitted. When the first communication device101generates the management ID, the first communication device101acquires or previously stores information representing a rule for generating the unique management ID, and generates the management ID according to the information.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where the first communication device101retains the mail address, which has been transmitted in step S609, in step S615has been described. In another exemplary embodiment, the device management apparatus103may retain the mail address, which has been received in step S610, instead of the first communication device101. In this case, the device management apparatus103stores a table530as illustrated inFIG. 5C, further storing a mail address534in association with the management ID501in the storage device234. The device management apparatus103also performs the determination processing in steps S616and S617, transmits a determination result to the first communication device101, and performs the subsequent processing according to the determination result instead of the first communication device101. Processing for transmitting and receiving the mail address between the first communication device101and the device management apparatus103can be omitted in steps S703, S731, S704, and S741. On the other hand, the device management apparatus103also reads out the mail address from the storage device234in steps S733and S742.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where the device management apparatus103generates the mail in step S613, and transmits the mail to the mail address in step S614has been described. In another exemplary embodiment, the first communication device101may generate and transmit the mail instead of the device management apparatus103. In this case, the first communication device101receives the setting URL, which has been generated in step S611, from the device management apparatus103, generates an e-mail describing the received setting URL in its text, and transmits the generated e-mail to the mail address that has been input in step S601. The processing for transmitting and receiving the mail address between the first communication device101and the device management apparatus103can be omitted in steps S609, S610, S703, S731, S704, and S742.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where the device management apparatus103generates the mail in step S613and transmits the mail to the mail address in step S614has been described. In another exemplary embodiment, the device management apparatus103may notify the first communication device101of the setting URL without generating and transmitting the mail describing the setting URL. In this case, the processing for generating the mail in step S613and transmitting the mail to the mail address in step S614can be omitted. The device management apparatus103transmits the setting URL, which has been generated in step S611, to the first communication device101. The first communication device101displays the received setting URL on the display unit310. Thus, the user accesses the web server for performing setting relating to the first communication device101using a desired device based on the displayed setting URL.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a case where a user can set, when the user owns a plurality of mail addresses, the plurality of mail addresses in association with one management ID and receive a unique setting URL associated with the management ID using the mail addresses will be described. Description of similar processing to that in the first exemplary embodiment is not repeated, and processing specific to the present exemplary embodiment will be specifically described.

Processing in a first communication device101and a device management apparatus103will be described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 10. An operation of the first communication device101is implemented when a system control unit308executes a control program stored in a nonvolatile memory312and controls each of modules, described above, according to the control program. An operation of the device management apparatus103is implemented when a control unit231executes a control program stored in a ROM232or a storage device234and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program.

The system control unit308in the first communication device101starts processing for requesting setting in response to a predetermined operation by a user, to display a mail address input screen401on a display unit310. The system control unit308performs processing in steps S601to S603, described above. The control unit231in the device management apparatus103performs processing in steps S604to S606. The system control unit308then performs processing in steps S607to S609, and the control unit231performs processing in steps S610to S614.

In step S1015, the system control unit308stores a management ID, which has been received in step S607, in the nonvolatile memory312.

On the other hand, if a management ID has already been stored in the nonvolatile memory312(YES in step S602), then in step S1016, the system control unit308transmits the management ID, which has been read out of the nonvolatile memory312, and the mail address, which has been input in step S601, to the device management apparatus103. In step S1017, the control unit231receives the management ID and the mail address from the first communication device101. In step S1018, a table520stored in the storage device234is searched for a set of the management ID and the mail address. In step S1019, the control unit231transmits a search result to the first communication device101.

In step S1020, the system control unit308determines whether the set of the management ID and the mail address, which have been transmitted in step S1016, has already existed in the storage device234based on the search result that has been received from the device management apparatus103. If the set of the management ID and the mail address has existed, the system control unit308determines that the set of the management ID and the mail address has already been set (YES in step S1020), and the processing proceeds to step S701. On the other hand, if the set of the management ID and the mail address has not existed, the system control unit308determines that the set of the management ID and the mail address has not yet been set (NO in step S1020), and the processing proceeds to step S1021. In step S1021, the system control unit308displays an owner change confirmation screen461illustrated inFIG. 4Eon the display unit310, and determines whether a user (owner) of the first communication device101is changed according to a selection operation by the user. If a YES button462is selected, the system control unit308determines that the user is changed (YES in step S1021), and the processing proceeds to step S603. If a NO button463is selected, the system control unit308determines that the user is not changed (No in step S1021), and the processing ends.

Processing in a second communication device102and the device management apparatus103will be described below with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 11. An operation of the second communication device102is implemented when a control unit201executes a control program stored in a storage device204and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program. An operation of the device management apparatus103is implemented when the control unit231executes the control program stored in the ROM232or the storage device234, and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program.

In step S1101, the control unit201in the second communication device102receives an e-mail, which has been transmitted in step S614, from the device management apparatus103. In step S1102, the control unit201inputs a setting URL described in the e-mail into a web browser program, and accesses the device management apparatus103, which is specified by the setting URL, or an external web server via a network104, to issue a request to change setting.

In step S1103, the control unit231in the device management apparatus103receives the request to change setting from the second communication device102. In step S1104, the control unit231searches a table510stored in the storage device234, to acquire a management ID501corresponding to the setting URL used for the access. In step S1105, the control unit231returns a password input screen to the second communication device102.

In step S1106, the control unit201receives the password input screen from the device management apparatus103, and displays the received password input screen on a display unit211. In step S1107, the control unit201transmits a password, which has been input to the password input screen, to the device management apparatus103in response to an operation by the user.

In step S1108, the control unit231receives the password from the second communication device102. In step S1109, the control unit231collates the received password with a password503associated with the management ID501, which has been acquired in step S1104, stored in the table510. If the received password matches the password503as a result of the collation, the control unit231determines that the received password is correct (YES in step S1109), and the processing proceeds to step S1110. In step S1110, the control unit231transmits screen information for displaying a mail address setting screen1301illustrated inFIG. 13to the second communication device102.

In step S1111, the control unit201determines whether the screen information has been received from the device management apparatus103. If the screen information has been received (YES in step S1111), then in step S1112, the control unit201displays a setting screen on the display unit211. In step S1113, the control unit201transmits an additional mail address, which has been input to the setting screen in response to an operation by the user, to the device management apparatus103.

In step S1114, the control unit231receives the additional mail address from the second communication device102. In step S1115, the control unit231stores the additional mail address in the table510in association with the management ID501that has been acquired in step S1104, and the processing ends.

On the other hand, if the password, which has been received in step S1108, and the password503, which is stored in the table510in association with the management ID501, do not match each other, the control unit231determines that the password is erroneous (No in step S1109), and the processing proceeds to step S1116. In step S1116, the control unit231returns an error screen to the device management apparatus103, and the processing ends. If the control unit201receives not the setting screen but the error screen from the device management apparatus103(NO in step S1111), then in step S1117, the control unit201displays the error screen on the display unit211, and the processing ends.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a case where the additional mail address is stored in association with the management ID has been described. Further, the user performs a predetermined operation on the setting screen, to input a request to change or delete the existing mail address and enable the device management apparatus103to change or delete the mail address.

The e-mail may be transmitted to not only the mail address, which has been received in step S614, but also another mail address that has been set in association with the management ID.

As described above, the plurality of mail addresses can be set in association with the management ID. Accordingly, the e-mail describing the setting URL corresponding to the management ID is transmitted to a plurality of mail addresses desired by the user. The user can perform setting relating to the first communication device101using a plurality of devices corresponding to the mail addresses.

While a case where the device management apparatus103transmits the e-mail to the mail address associated with the management ID has been described above, the first communication device101may transmit the e-mail instead of the device management apparatus103. This case will be described with reference toFIG. 12. An operation of the first communication device101is implemented when the system control unit308executes a control program stored in the nonvolatile memory312and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program. An operation of the device management apparatus103is implemented when the control unit231executes a control program stored in the ROM232or the storage device234and controls each of the modules, described above, according to the control program.

The system control unit308performs the processing in step S601and S602. If the management ID has been retained (YES in step S602), then in step S1201, the system control unit308compares the mail address, which has been input in step S601, with the mail address that is stored in the nonvolatile memory312, and determines whether the mail addresses are the same. If the mail addresses differ from each other (NO in step S1201), then in step S1202, the system control unit308determines whether the owner is changed in response to an operation by the user. If the owner is not changed (NO in step S1202), then in step S1203, the system control unit308determines whether a mail address is added in response to an operation by the user. If the mail address is added (YES in step S1203), then in step S1204, the system control unit308inputs a password in response to an operation by the user, and transmits the input password to the device management apparatus103. In step S1205, the system control unit308receives an authentication result of the password from the device management apparatus103, and determines whether the password is correct. If the password is correct (YES in step S1205), then in step S1206, the system control unit308additionally retains the mail address, which has been input in step S601, to and in the nonvolatile memory312. In such a manner, the system control unit308stores one or more mail addresses as a list in the nonvolatile memory312.

If the owner is changed (YES in step S1202), then in step S1211, the system control unit308transmits a request to acquire a management ID, together with the password that has been input in response to the operation by the user, to the device management apparatus103. The device management apparatus103generates a unique management ID and a unique setting URL, and transmits the management ID and the setting URL to the first communication device101. In step S1212, the system control unit308acquires the management ID and the setting URL from the device management apparatus103. In step S1213, the system control unit308stores the management ID and the setting URL, together with the password, in the nonvolatile memory312. In step S1214, the system control unit308erases the existing mail address from the nonvolatile memory312. In step S1215, the system control unit308newly stores the mail address, which has been input in step S601, in the nonvolatile memory312.

In step S1207, the system control unit308generates an e-mail describing the setting URL that has been acquired in step S1212. In step S1208, the system control unit308transmits the e-mail to one or more mail addresses, which have been stored in the nonvolatile memory312, in association with the management ID that has been acquired in step S1212.

If the mail address, which has been input in step S601, is the same as the mail address that has been stored in the nonvolatile memory312(YES in step S1201), and the password is changed (YES in step S701), then in step S702, the system control unit308inputs a new password in response to an operation by the user. In step S703, the system control unit308transmits the management ID and the password to the device management apparatus103, and the processing proceeds to step S1207. The mail address is not transmitted in step S703. If the password is not changed (NO in step S701), the processing in step S704is not performed, and the processing proceeds to step S1207.

In a third exemplary embodiment, a case where a device management apparatus103manages, when the device management apparatus103can store a plurality of mail addresses in association with one management ID, whether each of the mail addresses is used will be described with reference toFIGS. 10 and 11. Description of similar processing to that in the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment is not repeated, and processing specific to the present exemplary embodiment will be specifically described.

In the present exemplary embodiment, a control unit231in the device management apparatus103generates a setting URL in step S611(FIG. 10), and then adds an argument corresponding to a mail address, which has been received in step S610, to the generated setting URL.

The control unit231adds, when the control unit231receives an additional mail address in step S1114, an argument corresponding to the additional mail address to the setting URL. Therefore, in step S614(FIG. 10), for example, an e-mail describing “http://www.xxx.yyy.zz/1” is transmitted to the mail address that has been received in step S610(FIG. 10). An e-mail describing “http://www.xxx.yyy.zz/2” is transmitted to the additional mail address that has been received in step S1114. Accordingly, the device management apparatus103specifies, based on an argument added to the setting URL used for access when the device management apparatus103receives a request to change setting in step S1103, the corresponding mail address, and stores information indicating that the mail address is used in a table520. In the table520, information indicating that the mail address is not used is stored as an initial value during registration of the mail address.

The control unit231transmits a setting screen1301, as illustrated inFIG. 13, capable of inputting setting relating to all mail addresses associated with the management ID, which has been acquired in step S1104, to the second communication device102in step S1110. For each of the mail addresses, information indicating whether the mail address is used is displayed on the setting screen1301. The second communication device102selects any one of the mail addresses displayed on the setting screen1301, and requests the device management apparatus103to delete information about the selected mail address from the table520and retransmit the setting URL to the selected mail address. The device management apparatus103deletes the information about the designated mail address from a storage device234and transmits an e-mail describing the setting URL corresponding to the designated mail address to the mail address according to the request from the second communication device102.

The control unit231in the device management apparatus103searches the table520for a set of the management ID and the mail address that have been received from the first communication device101in step S1108. As a result of the search, if there is a record having the set of the management ID and the mail address, the control unit231also acquires the information indicating whether the mail address is used, and transmits the acquired information, included in the search result, to the first communication device101in step S1019.

A system control unit308in a first communication device101further determines, if the system control unit308determines that the set of the management ID and the mail address has already been set in step S1020based on the search result that has been received from the device management apparatus103, whether the mail address is used. If the mail address, which has been input in step S601(FIG. 10), has been used, the processing proceeds to step S701. On the other hand, if the mail address, which has been input in step S601, has not been used, the system control unit308selects whether the mail address, which has not been used, may be used according to an operation by the user. If the mail address, which has not been used, may be used, the processing proceeds to step S701. Otherwise, the processing ends. If the mail address, which has not been used, may be used, the e-mail may be transmitted to not only the mail address, which has been input in step S601(FIG. 10), but also another mail address that has been stored in association with the management ID. Thus, the possibility that the user reads the e-mail is enhanced.

InFIG. 5B, a mail address is further stored in association with the date and time when the mail address has been stored. If a predetermined period of time has not elapsed from the date and time, a case where information indicating whether the mail address is used indicates that the mail address has not been used may be handled similarly to a case where the information indicates that the mail address has been used.

The control unit231in the device management apparatus103may periodically refer to the table520, and automatically delete data about a mail address indicating that the mail address has not been used even if a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the date and time. Thus, a mail address, which has been erroneously input due to an input error, can be prevented from remaining stored.

As described above, the user can easily grasp, when a user has a plurality of mail addresses and can store the mail addresses in the device management apparatus103, whether each of the mail addresses has been used, and easily manage the mail addresses.

The above-described exemplary embodiments can be implemented by performing the following processing, i.e., processing for supplying software (a program) to a system or an apparatus via a network or each of various types of storage media, reading out the program by a computer (or a CPU or a microprocessor (MPU)) in the system or the apparatus, and executing the program.

The functions in the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment are implemented not only when the computer executes a read program code but also when an OS operating on the computer performs a part or the whole of actual processing based on indication of the program code, for example. Further, a case where the functions in the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments are implemented by the following processing is also included. First, the program code read out of the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, a CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part of the whole of the actual processing based on the indication of the program code.

According to the present disclosure, the device management apparatus on the network can perform setting relating to the communication device quickly in a smaller number of procedures, and the communication device can use a service on the network according to the setting.

Other Embodiments

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that these exemplary embodiments are not seen to be limiting. 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. 2013-182076 filed Sep. 3, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.