Composite service providing system

• US 8,682,967 B2
• Filed: 02/29/2012
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Otsuka, Naoki, Hibino, Masaaki, Fukazawa, Koshi
• Primary Examiner(s): SMARTH, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US13/408,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20120162685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 755 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1296 Printer job scheduling or printer resource handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A composite service providing system including a plurality of network electronic devices communicatively connected with each other. The plurality of network electronic devices includes electronic devices, each of which is capable of providing at least one service. A plurality of services provided by a plurality of electronic devices are combined to constitute a composite service. The composite service providing system further includes a composite service designating system that designates a composite service to be provided, an electronic device determining system that determines an electronic device that provides each of a plurality of services necessary for providing the composite service designated with the composite service designating system, and a controlling system that control the electronic devices determined by the electronic device determining system to provide the services so that the composite service designated by the designating system is provided.

Claims

1. A composite service providing system including:

a plurality of electronic devices which are communicatively interconnected, the plurality of electronic devices being independent of each other and including a first electronic device and a second electronic device, each of the first electronic device and the second electronic device being provided with a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to the first processor, wherein the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, cause the first processor to perform as an independent service execution system which is configured to execute at least one independent service from among a print service to print image data, a scan service to obtain image data by scanning an original, a storage service to store image data, and an image data transmission/reception service to transmit image data to a remote image data receiving device and to obtain image data by receiving the image data from a remote image data transmission device; and

a terminal device which is communicatively connected with the plurality of electronic devices, the terminal device including a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to the second processor,

wherein the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as;

a composite designating system configured to acquire a first user input designating one of a plurality of composite services which include a copy service, an image data storage service and an image data transfer service,

the copy service being performed as (i) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the second electronic device executes the print service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system,

the image data storage service being performed as (a) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (b) the second electronic device obtains image data from the first electronic device, and (c) the second electronic device executes the storage service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system, and

the image data transfer service being performed as (1) the first electronic device obtains the image data with the independent service execution system, (2) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (3) the second electronic device executes the image data transmission/reception service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system;

a user identifying system configured to acquire a second user input identifying a user;

a user identifying information receiving system configured to receive the user identifying information identifying the user which is transmitted by at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

an electronic device determining system configured to determine the first electronic device and the second electronic device necessary for providing the composite services designated by the first input acquired by the composite designating system,

wherein the electronic device determining system determines at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which broadcasts the user identifying information, identifying the same user as the user identified by the second user input and received by the user identifying information receiving system,

wherein the first electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system obtains the image data necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system using the independent service execution system,

wherein the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system obtains the image data which is necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system and obtained by the first electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system, and executes the independent service with respect to the obtained image data using the independent service execution system, and

wherein,

the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a usage condition designating system configured to acquire a third user input designating a usage condition of the composite service which is designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system, and

the electronic device determining system determines the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which is capable of operating in an operational condition for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system in the usage condition designated by the third user input acquired by the usage condition designating system.

2. The composite service providing system according to claim 1, wherein,

the first memory of the electronic device includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as an electronic device side user identifying system configured to acquire a fourth user input identifying a user, and

the electronic device determining system determines at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device among the electronics devices which is a source of the user identifying information received by the user identifying information receiving system and a source of the user identifying information identifying a user who is the same as the user identified by the second user input acquired by the user identifying system, when the user identifying information receiving system receives the user identifying information identifying a user identified by the fourth user input acquired by the electronics device side user identifying system after the composite designating system acquires the first user input and the user identifying system acquires the second user input.

3. The composite service providing system according to claim 1, wherein,

the first memory of one of the plurality of electronic devices includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as the composite designating system and the user identifying system, and

the electronic device determining system determines the electronic device including the first processor performed as the composite designating system which acquires the first user input and the user identifying system which acquires the second user input as the first electronic device and determines the second electronic device from among the other electronic devices, or determines the electronic device including the first processor performed as the composite designating system which acquires the first user input and the user identifying system which acquires the second user input as the second electronic device and determines the first electronic device from among the other electronic devices.

4. The composite service providing system according to claim 1, wherein,

the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a location obtaining system configured to obtain locations of electronic devices, and

the electronic device determining system determines the first electronic device and the second electronic device in accordance with a result obtained by the location obtaining system.

5. The composite service providing system according to claim 1, wherein the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as:

a location obtaining system configured to obtain location information of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system; and

a location information notifying system configured to notify a location of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system in accordance with a result obtained by the location obtaining system.

6. The composite service providing system according to claim 1, wherein,

the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a progress notifying system configured to notify a progress in providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system, and

the first memory of each of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as an execution status information transmitting system configured to transmit execution status information representing an execution status of the service to the progress notifying system when each independent service execution system executes the independent service, and

the progress notifying system notifies the progress of the composite service in accordance with the execution status information transmitted from each of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system.

7. A composite service providing system including:

a plurality of electronic devices which are communicatively interconnected, the plurality of electronic devices being independent of each other and including a first electronic device and a second electronic device, each of the first electronic device and the second electronic device being provided with a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to the first processor, wherein the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, cause the first processor to perform as an independent service execution system which is configured to execute at least one independent service from among a print service to print image data, a scan service to obtain image data by scanning an original, a storage service to store image data, and an image data transmission/reception service to transmit image data to a remote image data receiving device and to obtain image data by receiving the image data from a remote image data transmission device; and

a terminal device which is communicatively connected with the plurality of electronic devices, the terminal device including a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to the second processor,

wherein the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as;

a composite designating system configured to acquire a first user input designating one of a plurality of composite services which include a copy service, an image data storage service and an image data transfer service,

the copy service being performed as (i) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the second electronic device executes the print service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system,

the image data storage service being performed as (a) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (b) the second electronic device obtains image data from the first electronic device, and (c) the second electronic device executes the storage service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system, and

the image data transfer service being performed as (1) the first electronic device obtains the image data with the independent service execution system, (2) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (3) the second electronic device executes the image data transmission/reception service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system;

a user identifying system configured to acquire a second user input identifying a user;

a user identifying information receiving system configured to receive the user identifying information identifying the user which is transmitted by at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

an electronic device determining system configured to determine the first electronic device and the second electronic device necessary for providing the composite services designated by the first input acquired by the composite designating system,

wherein the electronic device determining system determines at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which broadcasts the user identifying information, identifying the same user as the user identified by the second user input and received by the user identifying information receiving system,

wherein the first electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system obtains the image data necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system using the independent service execution system,

wherein the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system obtains the image data which is necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system and obtained by the first electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system, and executes the independent service with respect to the obtained image data using the independent service execution system, and ’

wherein the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a usage order notifying system configured to notify a predetermined order of execution of the independent services by the independent service execution system of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system.

8. An electronic device comprising a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to the first processor, wherein the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, cause the first processor to perform as an independent service execution system which is configured to execute at least one independent service from among a print service to print image data, a scan service to obtain image data by scanning an original, a storage service to store image data, and an image data transmission/reception service to transmit image data to a remote image data receiving device and obtain image data by receiving the image data from a remote image data transmission device,

the electronic device being used as a first electronic device or a second electronic device in a composite service providing system,

wherein the composite service providing system comprising:

a plurality of electronic devices which are communicatively interconnected, the plurality of electronic devices being independent of each other and including the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

a terminal device which is communicatively connected with the plurality of electronic devices, the terminal device including a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to the second processor,

wherein the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as;

a composite designating system configured to acquire a first user input designating one of a plurality of composite services which include a copy service, an image data storage service and an image data transfer service,

the copy service being performed as (i) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the second electronic device executes the print service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system,

the image data storage service being performed as (a) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (b) the second electronic device obtains image data from the first electronic device, and (c) the second electronic device executes the storage service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system, and

the image data transfer service being performed as (i) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the second electronic device executes the image data transmission/reception service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system;

a user identifying system configured to acquire a second user input identifying a user;

a user identifying information receiving system configured to receive the user identifying information identifying the user which is transmitted by at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

an electronic device determining system configured to determine the first electronic device and the second electronic device necessary for providing the composite services designated by the first input acquired by the composite designating system,

wherein the electronic device determining system determines at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which broadcast the user identifying information, identifying the same user as the user identified by the second user input and received by the user identifying information receiving system,

wherein the first electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system obtains the image data necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system using the independent service execution system,

wherein the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system obtains the image data which is necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system and obtained by the first electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system, and executes the independent service with respect to the obtained image data using the independent service execution system, and

wherein,

the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a usage condition designating system configured to acquire a third user input designating a usage condition of the composite service which is designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system, and

the electronic device determining system determines the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which is capable of operating in an operational condition for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system in the usage condition designated by the third user input acquired by the usage condition designating system.

9. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the first memory of the electronic device includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as the composite designating system, the user identifying system, and the electronic device determining system.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein,

the first memory of the electronic device includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as an electronic device side user identifying system configured to acquire a fourth user input identifying a user, and

the electronic device determining system determines at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronics devices which is a source of the user identifying information received by the user identifying information receiving system and a source of the user identifying information identifying a user who is the same as the user identified by the second user input acquired by the user identifying system, when the user identifying information receiving system receives the user identifying information identifying a user identified by the fourth user input acquired by the electronics device side user identifying system after the composite designating system acquires the first user input and the user identifying system acquires the second user input.

11. The electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the electronic device determining system determines the electronic device including the first processor performed as the composite designating system which acquires the first user input as the first electronic device and determines the second electronic device from among the other electronic devices, or determines the electronic device including the first processor performed as the composite designating system which acquires the first user input as the second electronic device and determines the first electronic device from among the other electronic devices.

12. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein,

the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a usage condition designating system configured to acquire a third user input designating a usage condition of the composite service which is designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system, and

the electronic device determining system determines the first electronic device and the second electronic device among the electronic devices which is capable of operating in an operational condition for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system in the usage condition designated by the third user input acquired by the usage condition designating system.

13. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein,

the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a location obtaining system configured to obtain locations of electronic devices included in the composite service providing system, and

the electronic device determining system determines the first electronic device and the second electronic device in accordance with a result obtained by the location obtaining system.

14. The electronic device according to claim 8,

wherein the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as:

a location obtaining system configured to obtain location information of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system; and

a location information notifying system configured to notify locations of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system in accordance with a result obtained by the location obtaining system.

15. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein,

the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a progress notifying system configured to notify a progress in providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system, and

the first memory of each of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as an execution status information transmitting system configured to transmit execution status information representing an execution status of the service to the progress notifying system when each independent service execution system executes the independent service, and

the progress notifying system notifies the progress of the composite service in accordance with the execution status information transmitted from each of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system.

16. An electronic device comprising a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to the first processor, wherein the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, cause the first processor to perform as an independent service execution system which is configured to execute at least one independent service from among a print service to print image data, a scan service to obtain image data by scanning an original, a storage service to store image data, and an image data transmission/reception service to transmit image data to a remote image data receiving device and obtain image data by receiving the image data from a remote image data transmission device,

the electronic device being used as a first electronic device or a second electronic device in a composite service providing system,

wherein the composite service providing system comprising:

a plurality of electronic devices which are communicatively interconnected, the plurality of electronic devices being independent of each other and including the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

a terminal device which is communicatively connected with the plurality of electronic devices, the terminal device including a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to the second processor,

wherein the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as;

a composite designating system configured to acquire a first user input designating one of a plurality of composite services which include a copy service, an image data storage service and an image data transfer service,

the copy service being performed as (i) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the second electronic device executes the print service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system,

the image data storage service being performed as (a) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (b) the second electronic device obtains image data from the first electronic device, and (c) the second electronic device executes the storage service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system, and

the image data transfer service being performed as (i) the first electronic device obtains the image data using the independent service execution system, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the second electronic device executes the image data transmission/reception service with respect to the image data using the independent service execution system;

a user identifying system configured to acquire a second user input identifying a user;

a user identifying information receiving system configured to receive the user identifying information identifying the user which is transmitted by at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

an electronic device determining system configured to determine the first electronic device and the second electronic device necessary for providing the composite services designated by the first input acquired by the composite designating system,

wherein the electronic device determining system determines at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which broadcast the user identifying information, identifying the same user as the user identified by the second user input and received by the user identifying information receiving system,

wherein the first electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system obtains the image data necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system using the independent service execution system,

wherein the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system obtains the image data which is necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input acquired by the composite designating system and obtained by the first electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system, and executes the independent service with respect to the obtained image data using the independent service execution system, and

wherein the second memory includes instructions which, when executed by the second processor, cause the second processor to perform as, or the first memory includes instructions which, when executed by the first processor, further cause the first processor to perform as a usage order notifying system configured to notify a predetermined order of execution of the independent services by the independent service execution system of the first electronic device and the second electronic device determined by the electronic device determining system.

17. A composite service providing method in a composite service providing system including a plurality of electronic devices which are communicatively interconnected, the plurality of electronic devices being independent of each other and including a first electronic device and a second electronic device, each of the first electronic device and the second electronic device being provided with an independent service execution system which is configured to execute at least one independent service from among a print service to print image data, a scan service to obtain image data by scanning an original, a storage service to store image data, and an image data transmission/reception service to transmit image data to a remote image data receiving device and to obtain image data by receiving the image data from a remote image data transmission device, the method including steps of :

acquiring a first user input designating one of a plurality of composite services which include a copy service, an image data storage service and an image data transfer service,

the copy service being performed as (i) the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the independent service execution system provided to the second electronic device executes the print service with respect to the image data,

the image data storage service being performed as (a) the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, (b) the second electronic device obtains image data from the first electronic device, and (c) the independent service execution system provided to the second electronic device executes the storage service with respect to the image data, and

the image data transfer service being performed as (i) the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the independent service execution system provided to the second electronic device executes the image data transmission/reception service with respect to the image data;

acquiring a second user input identifying a user;

receiving the user identifying information identifying the user which is transmitted by at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

determining the first electronic device and the second electronic device respectively provided with the independent service execution systems necessary for providing the composite services designated by the first input,

wherein the determining step determines at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which broadcasts the user identifying information, identifying the same user as the user identified by the second user input and received by the receiving step,

wherein the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device determined by the determining step obtains the image data necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input,

wherein the independent service execution system provided to the second electronic device determined by the determining step obtains the image data which is necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input and obtained by the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device determined by the determining step, and executes the independent service with respect to the obtained image data, and

wherein,

the method further includes a step of acquiring a third user input designating a usage condition of the composite service which is designated by the first user input, and

the determining step determines the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which is capable of operating in an operational condition for providing the composite service designated by the first user input in the usage condition designated by the third user input.

18. A non-transitory computer readable medium to store computer readable instructions to cause an electronic device, which is provided with an independent service execution system which is configured to execute at least one independent service from among a print service to print image data, a scan service to obtain image data by scanning an original, a storage service to store image data, and an image data transmission/reception service to transmit image data to a remote image data receiving device and to obtain image data by receiving the image data from a remote image data transmission device and is used as a first electronic device or a second electronic device in a composite service providing system including a plurality of electronic devices which are communicatively interconnected and independent of each other, to execute steps of:

acquiring a first user input designating one of a plurality of composite services which include a copy service, an image data storage service and an image data transfer service,

the copy service being performed as (i) the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the independent service execution system provided to the second electronic device executes the print service with respect to the image data,

the image data storage service being performed as (a) the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, (b) the second electronic device obtains image data from the first electronic device, and (c) the independent service execution system provided to the second electronic device executes the storage service with respect to the image data, and

the image data transfer service being performed as (i) the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device obtains the image data, (ii) the second electronic device obtains the image data from the first electronic device, and (iii) the independent service execution system provided to the second electronic device executes the image data transmission/reception service with respect to the image data;

acquiring a second user input identifying a user;

receiving the user identifying information identifying the user which is transmitted by at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device; and

determining the first electronic device and the second electronic device respectively provided with the independent service execution systems necessary for providing the composite services designated by the first input,

wherein the determining step determines at least one of the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which broadcasts the user identifying information, identifying the same user as the user identified by the second user input and received by the receiving step,

wherein the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device determined by the determining step obtains the image data necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input,

wherein the independent service execution system provided to the second electronic device determined by the determining step obtains the image data which is necessary for providing the composite service designated by the first user input and obtained by the independent service execution system provided to the first electronic device determined by the determining step, and executes the independent service with respect to the obtained image data, and

wherein,

the steps further include a step of acquiring a third user input designating a usage condition of the composite service which is designated by the first user input, and

the determining step determines the first electronic device and the second electronic device from among the electronic devices which is capable of operating in an operational condition for providing the composite service designated by the first user input in the usage condition designated by the third user input.