Communication system

A server comprising:

• a first list generating unit, which is adapted to generate a parameter list that includes registered function parameters concerning the functions provided to an image processing device;
• a designation request unit, which is adapted to transmit a designation request command for a service providing parameter to be designated to the image processing device along with the parameter list generated by the first list generating unit, the service providing parameter for receiving the service from the server;
• and
• a service provision executing unit, which is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device by implementing the function provided to the image processing device based on the designation request command and the service providing parameter designated by a user among the function parameters in the parameter list.

A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer system to execute processes to function as an image processing system,

• the image processing system including:
• an image processing device having at least one of a reading function to capture an image and generate image data representing the image and an image forming function to form an image represented by image data;
• and
• a service providing device adapted to provide a service concerning at least one of the image data generated by the function provided to the image processing device and the image data representing the image to be formed in response to a request from the image processing device,
• wherein the image processing device includes:
• a parameter designating unit that is adapted to allow a user to designate a function parameter as a service providing parameter for receiving the service from the service providing device, among a plurality of function parameters depending on functions provided to the image processing device;
• a service request unit that is adapted to request the service providing device for the service;
• and
• a function implementation unit that is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit, and
• wherein the service providing device is provided with a service provision executing unit that is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device after receiving the request from the service request unit.

A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer system to execute processes to function as an image processing device,

• the image processing device having at least one of a reading function to capture an image and generate image data representing the image and an image forming function to form an image represented by image data,
• wherein a parameter designation unit is adapted to allow a user to designate a function parameter as a service providing parameter, which is required for receiving a service from a server, the server providing the service concerning at least one of image data generated by a function provided to the image processing device and image data representing an image to be formed, among a plurality of function parameters depending on functions provided to the image processing device,
• wherein a service request unit is adapted to request the server for the service,
• wherein a function implementation unit is adapted to implement the function of the image processing device based on the service providing parameter designated by the parameter designating unit when the service is being provided by the server being requested from the service request unit.

A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer system to execute processes to function as a server,

• the server including:
• a first list generating unit, which is adapted to generate a parameter list that includes registered function parameters concerning the functions provided to a image processing device;
• a designation request unit, which is adapted to transmit a designation request command for a service providing parameter to be designated to the image processing device along with the parameter list generated by the first list generating unit, the service providing parameter for receiving the service from the server;
• and
• a service provision executing unit, which is adapted to execute a process to provide the service to the image processing device by implementing the function provided to the image processing device based on the designation request command and the service providing parameter designated by a user among the function parameters in the parameter list.

A communication system, comprising:

• a server that is adapted to provide a plurality of services;
• and
• a client device that is adapted to have a communication unit to communicate with the server and to receive the services provided by the server by communicating with the server,
• wherein the server is provided with a receiving unit, which is adapted to receive an inquiry signal concerning the services transmitted from the client device, and a replying unit, which is adapted to generate reply information concerning a service when the receiving unit receives the inquiry signal and to transmit a response signal including reply information to the client device, based on identifying information included in the inquiry signal,
• wherein the client device includes:
• a storage unit, in which information indicating timing to inquire for each service to be received by the client device among the plurality of services provided by the server is stored;
• a timing judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an appropriate timing to transmit the inquiry signal for each service occurs based on the information indicating the timing to inquire for each service;
• an inquiring unit, which is adapted to generate the inquiry signal, the inquiry signal storing the identifying information of the service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server;
• and
• a receiving unit adapted to receive the response signal transmitted from the server to the client device in response to the inquiry signal,
• wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate converged inquiry information as the identifying information of the service to be inquired when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals, the converged inquiry information collectively describing the identifying information of the plurality of services and to transmit the inquiry signal including the converged inquiry signal to the server.

A communication system comprising:

• a storage unit, in which information indicating timing to inquire for each service to be received by the communication unit among the plurality of services provided by the server is stored;
• a timing judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an appropriate timing to transmit the inquiry signal for each service occurs based on the information indicating the timing to inquire for each service;
• an inquiring unit, which is adapted to generate the inquiry signal, the inquiry signal storing the identifying information of the service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal as the identifying information of the service to be inquired and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server;
• and
• a receiving unit adapted to receive the response signal transmitted from the server to the communication unit in response to the inquiry signal, and
• wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate converged inquiry information as the identifying information of the service to be inquired when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals, the converged inquiry information collectively describing the identifying information of the plurality of services and to transmit the inquiry signal including the converged inquiry signal to the server.

A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions that cause a computer system to execute processes to function as a communication system,

• the communication system comprising:
• a server that is adapted to provide a plurality of types of services;
• and
• a client device that is adapted to have a communication unit communicate with the server and to receive the services provided by the server by communicating with the server,
• wherein the server is provided with a receiving unit, which is adapted to receive an inquiry signal concerning the services transmitted from the client device, and a replying unit, which is adapted to generate reply information concerning a service when the receiving unit receives the inquiry signal and to transmit a response signal including reply information to the client device, based on identifying information included in the inquiry signal,
• wherein the client device includes:
• a storage unit, in which information indicating timing to inquire for each service to be received by the client device among the plurality of services provided by the server is stored;
• a timing judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an appropriate timing to transmit the inquiry signal for each service occurs based on the information indicating the timing to inquire for each service;
• an inquiring unit, which is adapted to generate the inquiry signal, the inquiry signal storing the identifying information of the service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal as the identifying information of the service to be inquired and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server;
• and
• a receiving unit adapted to receive the response signal transmitted from the server to the client device in response to the inquiry signal,
• wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate converged inquiry information as the identifying information of the service to be inquired when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals, the converged inquiry information collectively describing the identifying information of the plurality of services and to transmit the inquiry signal including the converged inquiry signal to the server.

A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions that cause a computer system to function as a communication system,

• wherein the communication system includes:
• a storage unit, in which information indicating timing to inquire for each service to be received by the communication unit among the plurality of services provided by the server is stored;
• a timing judging unit, which is adapted to judge when an appropriate timing to transmit the inquiry signal for each service occurs based on the information indicating the timing to inquire for each service;
• an inquiring unit, which is adapted to generate the inquiry signal, the inquiry signal storing the identifying information of the service that is determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signal as the identifying information of the service to be inquired and to transmit the inquiry signal to the server;
• and
• a receiving unit adapted to receive the response signal transmitted from the server to the communication unit in response to the inquiry signal, and wherein the inquiring unit is adapted to generate converged inquiry information as the identifying information of the service to be inquired when a plurality of services are determined to be at the appropriate timing for transmitting the inquiry signals, the converged inquiry information collectively describing the identifying information of the plurality of services and to transmit the inquiry signal including the converged inquiry signal to the server.