Patent Publication Number: US-2017374162-A1

Title: Method and system for registering plurality of devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0080238, filed on Jun. 27, 2016, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosure relates to a method and system for registering a plurality of devices. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As a cloud service is used in increasingly varied fields, the number of users of the cloud service is also increasing. 
     A user may register his devices to a provider server of the cloud service to use the cloud service. Each device may be registered to the server by directly accessing the server via each device. However, when the number of the devices exceeds a certain number or the devices are located in different places, it may be time consuming and increase network traffic to acquire authentication of all of the devices. 
     An image forming apparatus, such as a printer, a scanner, a copy machine, a facsimile machine, or a multi-function printer, may be provided with a communication interface such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, near field communication (NFC), Bluetooth, Zigbee, infrared data association (IrDA) to connect to other devices. The image forming apparatus may upload to and download from a cloud server a document by accessing the cloud server through the communication interface. 
     Generally, an image forming apparatus that is used in an office, institution, or school may be managed by an administrator. The image forming apparatus may be registered to a cloud server by the administrator. The administrator may register the image forming apparatus to the server by directly accessing the server via the image forming apparatus. However, when the number of image forming apparatuses exceeds a certain number or the apparatuses are located in different places, it may be time consuming and increase network traffic to access the server via each device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Additional aspects and/or advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. 
     According to an example embodiment, a plurality of devices may be registered to a server simultaneously. 
     According to an example embodiment, a plurality of devices may be registered to a server through an intermediate device. 
     According to an example embodiment, a plurality of devices may be registered to a server through an intermediate device so that network traffic may be reduced. 
     Provided are a method, a system, and a computer-readable recording medium for registering a plurality of devices to a server. 
     According to an example embodiment, a computer-implemented method may include receiving, at a server, device information of a plurality of devices, the device information being collected by an intermediate device, receiving, at the server, administrator information, and registering the plurality of devices to the server based on the received administrator information and the received device information. 
     According to an example embodiment, the plurality of devices may be discovered by the intermediate device, and the device information may be collected by the intermediate device from the discovered plurality of devices. 
     According to an example embodiment, the computer-implemented method may further include transmitting a device search request to the intermediate device, and the plurality of devices may be discovered by the intermediate device receiving the transmitted device search request. 
     According to an example embodiment, the device information may be uploaded to the server by an administrator. 
     According to an example embodiment, the registering of the plurality of devices may include determining whether the plurality of devices are already registered to the server, and egistering to the server an unregistered device from among the plurality of devices based on the received administrator information and the received device information. 
     According to an example embodiment, the registering of the plurality of devices may include determining whether the plurality of devices are already registered to the server, and changing a registration status of a registered device from among the plurality of devices. 
     According to an example embodiment, the registering of the plurality of devices may include transmitting to the plurality of devices a registration request for registering the plurality of devices to the server based on the received administrator information and the received device information, receiving from the plurality of devices a registration response transmitted in response to the registration request, and registering the plurality of devices to the server based on the received registration response. 
     According to an example embodiment, at least one of the registration request and the registration response may be communicated by the intermediate device. 
     According to an example embodiment, a system may include a memory configured to store instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to receive device information, collected by an intermediate device, of a plurality of devices, receive administrator information, and register the plurality of devices to the system based on the received administrator information and the received device information. 
     According to an example embodiment, the processor may be further configured to execute the instructions to transmit a device search request to the intermediate device, and the plurality of devices may be discovered by the intermediate device in response to the intermediate device receiving the transmitted device search request. 
     According to an example embodiment, the processor may be further configured to execute the instructions to determine whether the plurality of devices are already registered to the system, and register to the system an unregistered device among the plurality of devices based on the received administrator information and the received device information. 
     According to an example embodiment, the processor may be further configured to execute the instructions to determine whether the plurality of devices are already registered to the system, and change a registration status of a registered device among the plurality of devices. 
     According to an example embodiment, the processor may be further configured to execute the instructions to transmit to the plurality of devices a registration request for registering the plurality of devices to the system based on the received administrator information and the received device information, receive from the plurality of devices a registration response transmitted in response to the registration request, and register the plurality of devices to the system based on the received registration response. 
     According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the computer-implemented method. 
     According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable recording medium having thereon instructions, which when executed by a processor, may cause the processor to collect device information from a plurality of devices, and transmit to a server the device information and administrator information such that the plurality of devices are registered to the server. 
     According to an example embodiment, the instructions may further cause the processor to receive from the server a registration request, transmit the registration request to the plurality of devices, receive a registration response from the plurality of device, and transmit the registration response to the server such that the plurality of devices are registered to the server. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects and advantages will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a cloud service providing system according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a server and a plurality of devices, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a server, a plurality of devices, and an intermediate device, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of a method of registering a plurality of devices to a server by using an intermediate device, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates device information which is collected from a plurality of devices by an intermediate device. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates device information used for registering a plurality of devices to a server, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates graphic user interfaces (GUIs) for collecting device information and registering a plurality of devices. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a flowchart of a method of registering a plurality of devices to a server based on a registration status, according to an example embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates GUIs for registering a plurality of devices to a server based on a registration status, according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In this regard, the embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. In order to further clearly describe features of the embodiments, descriptions of other features that are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art are omitted herein. 
     In the specification, when an element is “connected” to another element, the elements may not only be “directly connected”, but may also be “electrically connected” via another element therebetween. It should be understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features or components. 
     In the disclosure, the electronic device may be a smartphone, tablet, personal digital assistant (PDA), media player, portable multimedia player, e-book reader, digital broadcast device, personal computer (PC), laptop computer, micro server, navigation device, MP 3  player, digital camera, mobile device, or image forming apparatus, but is not limited thereto. 
     In the specification, an “image forming job” may denote any one of various jobs (for example, printing, copying, scanning, and faxing) related to an image, such as forming of an image or generating/storing/transmitting of an image file, and a “job” may denote not only an image forming job, but may also denote a series of processes required to perform the image forming job. 
     Also, an “image forming apparatus” may denote any apparatus capable of performing an image forming job, such as a printer, a scanner, a fax machine, a multi-function printer (MFP), or a display apparatus. 
     A hard copy may denote an operation of printing an image on a printing paper. A soft copy may denote an operation of outputting an image on a display such as a television or monitor. 
     Also, “content” may denote any type of data that is a target of an image forming job, such as a picture, an image, or a document file. 
     Also, “print data” may denote data having a format printable by a printer. In this case, “content” may include content having a format printable by a printer. For example, printing content may denote that content having a print data format is printed. 
     Also, a “scan file” may denote a file generated by scanning an image by using a scanner. 
     Also, a “user” may denote a person who performs manipulation related to an image forming job by using an image forming apparatus or a device connected to the image forming apparatus wirelessly or via wires. Also, an “administrator” may denote a person who has authorization to access every function of the image forming apparatus. The administrator may be a user, and vice versa. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an example embodiment. The block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment will be described by further referring to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a cloud service providing system according to an example embodiment. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates components of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus  100  according to an embodiment may include an input and output unit  110 , a controller  120 , a communicator  130 , a memory  140 , and an image forming job performer  150 . The image forming apparatus  100  may be one of a plurality of devices which will be described later by referring to  FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 . Also, although not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the image forming apparatus  100  may further include a power supplier for supplying power to each component of the image forming apparatus  100 . 
     The input and output unit  110  may include an input unit for receiving, from a user, an input for performing an image forming job, and an output unit for displaying information, such as a result of performing an image forming job or a state of the image forming apparatus  100 . For example, the input and output unit  110  may include an operation panel for receiving a user input and a display panel for displaying a screen. 
     In detail, the input unit may include at least one of devices for receiving various types of user inputs, such as a keyboard, a physical button, a touch screen, a camera, and a microphone. Also, the output unit may include, for example, a display panel or a speaker. However, an embodiment is not limited thereto, and the input and output unit  110  may include at least one device supporting various inputs and outputs. 
     The controller  120  controls overall operations of the image forming apparatus  100 , and may include a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU). The controller  120  may control other components included in the image forming apparatus  100  such that an operation corresponding to a user input received through the input and output unit  110  is performed. 
     For example, the controller  120  may execute a program stored in the memory  140 , read a file stored in the memory  140 , or store a new file in the memory  140 . 
     The communicator  130  may communicate with another device or a network in a wired or wireless manner. Accordingly, the communicator  130  may include a communication module supporting at least one of various wired and wireless communication methods. For example, the communication module may be in a form of a chipset or may be a sticker or a barcode (for example, a sticker including a near field communication (NFC) tag) including information required for communication. 
     Wireless communication may include, for example, at least one of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), W-Fi direct, Bluetooth, ultra wideband (UWB), and NFC. Wired communication may include, for example, at least one of universal serial bus (USB) and high definition multimedia interface (HDMI). 
     The communicator  130  may be connected to an external apparatus  200  provided outside the image forming apparatus  100  to transmit and receive a signal or data to and from the external apparatus  200 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , the image forming apparatus  100  is connected to the external apparatus  200  through the communicator  130 . The communicator  130  may transmit a signal or data received from the external apparatus  200  to the controller  120 , or transmit a signal or data generated by the controller  120  to the external apparatus  200 . For example, when the communicator  130  receives a print command signal or print data from the external apparatus  200 , the controller  120  may output the print data to the image forming job performer  150 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the external apparatus  200  may include an input and output unit  210 , a controller  220 , a communicator  230 , and a memory  240 . The external apparatus  200  may be an intermediate device which will be described later by referring to  FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 . The controller  220  may control an image forming job by executing a program stored in the memory  240  and transmitting a signal or data generated as a result of executing the program to the image forming apparatus  100  through the communicator  230 . The external apparatus  200  may be, for example, a smart phone, a tablet PC, a PC, an electronic device, a medical device, a camera, or a wearable device. 
     Meanwhile, the communicator  130  may be directly connected to a server  300  so as to transmit and receive a signal or data to and from the server  300 . The server  300  may be a server which will be described later by referring to  FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 . Also, the communicator  130  may be connected to the external apparatus  200  through the server  300 . In other words, the communicator  130  of the image forming apparatus  100  may transmit and receive a signal or data to and from the communicator  230  of the external apparatus  200  through the server  300 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , various types of data, such as a file or a program like an application, may be installed and stored in the memory  140 . The controller  120  may access the data stored in the memory  140  to use the data, or may store new data in the memory  140 . Also, the controller  120  may execute the program installed in the memory  140 . Also, the controller  120  may install an application, which is received from an external source through the communicator  130 , in the memory  140 . 
     The image forming job performer  150  may perform an image forming job, such as printing, scanning, or faxing. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a server and a plurality of devices, according to an example embodiment. 
     A plurality of devices  100  may be registered to a server  300 , and services provided by the server  300  may be used in the plurality of devices  100 . The server  300  may be a cloud server  300 , and may include a plurality of servers. 
     An administrator of the plurality of devices  100  may access the server  300  through each device  100   a,    100   b,  or  100   c  to register it to the server  300 . 
     When the number of the devices  100  which are managed by the administrator exceeds a certain number or the devices are located in different places, it may be time consuming and cause an increase in network traffic to access the server  300  at each of the devices  100 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a server, a plurality of devices, and an intermediate device, according to an example embodiment. 
     An administrator of the plurality of devices  100  may access the server  300  through an intermediate device  200  to register it to the server  300 . 
     The intermediate device  200  may be connected to the devices  100  through a network. The intermediate device  200  and the devices  100  may be connected to each other in a home network, and may form a network with each other based on digital living network alliance (DLNA). The intermediate device  200  and the devices  100  may be connected by a wireless or wired communication interface as described above. 
     The intermediate device  200  may search for the devices  100  which are connected to the intermediate device  200  via a network. The intermediate device  200  may search for the devices  100  communicating based on a certain protocol. For example, the devices  100  may communicate based on universal plug and play (UPnP), but are not limited thereto. 
     In an example embodiment, the intermediate device  200  may search a network for the devices  100  which are connected to the intermediate device  200 . The intermediate device  200  may search the network by broadcasting. For example, the intermediate device  200  may transmit a ping or any message to addresses available on the network to search for the devices  100  which respond to the transmitted ping or message. In an example embodiment, the intermediate device  200  may search a certain subnet of the network for the devices  100 . The intermediate device  200  may search the subnet by broadcasting. 
     In an example embodiment, the intermediate device  200  may search the network by performing an internet protocol (IP) range search. 
     The intermediate device  200  may collect device information from the devices  100  which are found by the intermediate device  200 . The device information collected from the devices  100  will be described later by referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     The server  300  may register the devices  100  to the server in response to receiving the device information of the devices  100  collected by the intermediate device  200 . Therefore, network traffic between the devices  100  and the server may be reduced according to an example embodiment. An administrator of the devices  100  may collectively register the devices  100  to the server without accessing the server at each of the devices  100 . 
     In an example embodiment, the server  300  may transmit to the intermediate device  200  a device search request. The intermediate device  200  may search for the devices  100  in response to the device search request. The device search request may be transmitted from the server  300  to the intermediate device  200  by an administrator. For example, the administrator may access the server  300  via the intermediate device  200  to cause the server  300  to transmit the device search request to the intermediate device  200 . The administrator may access the server  300  via a device other than the intermediate device  200  to cause the server  300  to transmit the device search request to the intermediate device  200 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of a method of registering a plurality of devices to a server by using an intermediate device, according to an example embodiment. 
     A method  500  of registering a plurality of devices to a server may include receiving device information of the plurality of devices at the server in operation  510 , receiving administrator information at the server in operation  520 , and registering the plurality of devices to the server based on the device information and the administrator information in operation  530 . 
     In operation  510 , the server may receive device information of the plurality of devices. The server may include a plurality of servers. 
     The device information of the plurality of devices may be collected through an intermediate device. The device information of the plurality of devices may be created by collecting a piece of device information from each of the plurality of devices. 
     In an example embodiment, the device information may be transmitted from the intermediate device to the server. For example, the intermediate device may search for the plurality of devices which are connected to the intermediate device, collect the device information from the plurality of devices, and transmit the device information to the server. 
     In an example embodiment, the device information may be transmitted to the server from a device other than the intermediate device. For example, the device information collected by the intermediate device may be stored in a recording medium, or transmitted to another device, and the other device may transmit the device information to the server. When a first intermediate device collects device information from a first plurality of devices which are connected to the first intermediate device via a first network and a second intermediate device collects device information from a second plurality of devices which are connected to the second intermediate device via a second network, the first intermediate device may transmit the device information of the first plurality of devices to the second intermediate device. Therefore, the first plurality of devices and the second plurality of devices may be collectively registered to the server by transmitting the device information of the first and second plurality of devices from the second intermediate device to the server. 
     In an example embodiment, the server may receive device information via a communication interface of the server or another server. 
     In operation  520 , the server may receive administrator information. 
     The administrator information may be used to identify an administrator managing the plurality devices. The administrator information may include information about an ID, password, or biological information of the administrator, but is not limited thereto. 
     In an example embodiment, the administrator information may be input at the intermediate device, and then transmitted from the intermediate device to the server. 
     In an example embodiment, the administrator information may be input at a device other than the intermediate device, and then transmitted from the other device to the server. When a first intermediate device collects device information from a first plurality of devices which are connected to the first intermediate device via a first network and a second intermediate device collects device information from a second plurality of devices which are connected to the second intermediate device via a second network, the first intermediate device may transmit the device information of the first plurality of devices to the second intermediate device. Therefore, the first plurality of devices and the second plurality of devices may be collectively registered to the server by transmitting the device information of the first and second plurality of devices and the administrator information from the second intermediate device to the server. 
     In an example embodiment, the server may receive administrator information via a communication interface of the server or another server. 
     In operation  530 , the server may register the plurality of devices to the server based on the device information and the administrator information. 
     The server may create registration information of the plurality of devices to register the plurality of devices to the server. 
     In an example embodiment, the registration information of the plurality of devices may be stored in a database of the server so that registration of the plurality of devices to the server may be completed. In an example embodiment, the stored registration information may be transmitted from the server to the plurality of devices. A registration result may be displayed on each of the plurality of devices based on the registration information transmitted from the server. According to an example embodiment, the plurality of devices may be collectively registered to the server without accessing the server at each of the plurality of devices. 
     In an example embodiment, the created registration information may be transmitted from the server to the plurality of devices via the intermediate device. The registration information transmitted may include a registration request for registering the plurality of devices to the server. The plurality of devices may transmit a registration response to the server in response to receiving the registration request. The server may store the registration information of the plurality of devices in a database of the server in response to receiving registration responses from the plurality of devices so that registration of the plurality of devices to the server may be completed. Devices that respond to the registration request may be registered to the server. Therefore, devices that are capable of communicating with the server may be registered to the server. 
     In an example embodiment, each of the plurality of devices may include an agent for displaying a registration result, receiving a registration request, and transmitting a registration response in response to the registration request. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates device information which is collected from a plurality of devices by an intermediate device. 
     Device information of a plurality of devices may be collected by an intermediate device. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , device information  600   a,    600   b  and  600   c  may be transmitted from devices  100   a,    100   b,  and  100   c  to an intermediate device  200 . In an example embodiment, the devices  100   a,    100   b,  and  100   c  may transmit their device information  600   a,    600   b,  and  600   c  to the intermediate device  200  in response to a search by the intermediate device  200 . 
     The device information  600   a,    600   b,  and  600   c  may be used to identify the devices  100   a,    100   b,  and  100   c.  The device information  600   a,    600   b,  and  600   c  may include information about device names, IDs, serial numbers, security IDs, media access control (MAC) addresses, universally unique identifiers (UUIDs) of the devices  100   a,    100   b,  and  100   c.    
     In an example embodiment, each of the devices  100   a,    100   b,  and  100   c  may include an agent for responding to a search of the intermediate device  200 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates device information used for registering a plurality of devices to a server, according to an example embodiment. 
     The device information  600   a,    600   b,  and  600   c  collected by the intermediate device  200  may be combined together by the intermediate device  200 . The combined device information  700  may be transmitted from the intermediate device to the server as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     In an example embodiment, the combined device information  700  may be transmitted to the server  300  from a device other than the intermediate device  200 . For example, the device information collected by the intermediate device  200  may be stored in a recording medium, or transmitted to another device, and the other device may transmit the device information to the server  300 . When a first intermediate device collects device information from a first plurality of devices which are connected to the first intermediate device via a first network and a second intermediate device collects device information from a second plurality of devices which are connected to the second intermediate device via a second network, the first intermediate device may transmit the device information of the first plurality of devices to the second intermediate device. Therefore, the first plurality of devices and the second plurality of devices may be collectively registered to the server  300  by transmitting the device information of the first and second plurality of devices and the administrator information from the second intermediate device to the server  300 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates graphic user interfaces (GUIs) for collecting device information and registering a plurality of devices. 
     In an example embodiment, the server may transmit to the intermediate device a device search request. The intermediate device may search for the devices in response to the device search request. The device search request may be transmitted from the server to the intermediate device by an administrator. For example, the administrator may access the server via the intermediate device to cause the server to transmit the device search request to the intermediate device. The administrator may access the server via a device other than the intermediate device to cause the server to transmit the device search request to the intermediate device. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a user interface (UI)  810 A for selecting an intermediate device to which is to be transmitted, from the server, the device search request, may be provided to the administrator. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the device search request may be transmitted to an intermediate device of “Samsung R4/10.88.XXX.XXX.” 
     In an example embodiment, the device information of the plurality of devices may be collected by the intermediate device, and may be generated by combining device information of each device. Referring to  FIG. 8 , a UI  810 B for uploading the device information to the server may be provided to the administrator. 
     The device information may have a certain format such as comma-separated values (CSV), tab-separated values (TSV), space-separated values (SSV), and a spreadsheet, but is not limited thereto. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the administrator may upload device information of “C:\Local\DeviceList.csv” to the server. The device information may be stored in a local folder of a device of the administrator. The device of the administrator may be the intermediate device, but is not limited thereto, and may be a device other than the intermediate device. 
     In an example embodiment, a UI for selecting a method of registration may be provided to the administrator, and may be displayed on the intermediate device, or a device other than the intermediate device. For example, whether to use device information which is pre-generated by combining device information of each device, or further to search for a device by transmitting the device search request to the intermediate device may be provided as methods of registration. 
     A UI  820  for selecting at least one device among the plurality of devices may be provided to the administrator based on the device information. Referring to  FIG. 8 , devices of “M4370LX” and “C8750ND” connected to the intermediate device of “Samsung R4/10.88.XXX.XXX” may be selected. 
     In an example embodiment, the administrator may insert a group ID for the selected devices. Therefore, the administrator may manage the plurality of devices in one or more groups. 
     After at least one device is selected to be registered to the server, a UI  830  for inputting the administrator information may be provided to the administrator. Referring to  FIG. 8 , a ID of “Samsung” and a password of “XXXXXXX” may be input as the administrator information. The group ID may be editable in the UI  830 . 
     The server may register the devices of “M4370LX” and “C8750ND” to the server based on the device information and the administrator information. A UI  840  for displaying a registration result may be provided to the administrator. The UIs  810 A,  810 B,  820 ,  830 , and  840  may be displayed on the intermediate device or a device other than the intermediate device. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a flowchart of a method of registering a plurality of devices to a server based on a registration status, according to an example embodiment. The flowchart of  FIG. 9  will be described below by further referring to  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates GUIs for registering a plurality of devices to a server based on a registration status, according to an example embodiment. 
     In operation  910 , the server may determine whether the plurality of devices are already registered to the server before registering them to the server. 
     In operation  920 , the server may register an unregistered device to the server. 
     In operation  930 , the server may receive an input from the administrator to change a registration status of a registered device. 
     In operation  940 , the server may register the registered device again in response to receiving the input to change the registration status in operation  930 . Therefore, a group to which the registered device belongs may be changed. 
     A UI  1010  for selecting at least one device among the plurality of devices may be provided to the administrator based on the device information. Referring to  FIG. 10 , a device of “M4370LX” may be a registered device belonging to a group of “SEC A”, and a device of “C8650ND” may be an unregistered device. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , a UI  1020  for inputting a group ID and administrator information may be provided to the administrator, and may be displayed on the intermediate device and/or a device other than the intermediate device. Referring to  FIG. 10 , the unregistered device of “C8650ND” and the registered device “M4370LX” may be registered to the server as a group of “SEC B” 
       FIG. 10  is illustrated as both the unregistered device and the registered device being selected to be registered to the server, but either one of them may be selected to be registered, or none of them may be registered by selecting a cancel menu. 
     When both the unregistered device and the registered device are selected to be registered to the server as a group of “SEC B”, only the unregistered device may be registered to the server since the registered device already belongs to the group of “SEC B.” 
       FIG. 10  is illustrated as the registered device being shown in the UI  1010 , but the registered deice may not be displayed in the UI  1010  according to an embodiment. Therefore, the administrator may register an unregistered device to the server efficiently. 
     The embodiments described above may be embodied as computer-readable codes on a computer-readable recording medium storing commands and data executable by a computer. The computer-readable recording medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. At least one of the commands and the data may be stored in a form of a program code, and may perform an operation by generating a program module when executed by a processor. 
     Examples of non-transitory computer-readable recording media include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), optical recording media (e.g., CD-ROMs, or DVDs), memories included in a server accessible through a network, etc. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may be at least one of the memory  140  of the image forming apparatus  100  or a memory of the input and output unit  110  that is configured as an independent control system. Alternatively, the non-transitory computer-readable recording medium may be the memory  240  included in the external apparatus  200  connected to the image forming apparatus  100  through a network. 
     Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.