Service retrieval apparatus having automatic change function for retrieval conditions and method therefor

A system including a plurality of service retrieval apparatuses which provide a retrieval service for retrieving a service provided by a server connected to a network in response to a request from a client and returning a result of the retrieval, the system comprising:

• a memory storing a service information database of service information including address information and installation position information of the server and attribute information of at least a print service or a scan service provided by the server;
• a memory storing a service retrieval apparatus database that, when the network is divided into a plurality of sub-networks, the service retrieval apparatus database contains address information and installation position information of a service retrieval apparatus with each sub-network included in a retrieval range;
• and a computer configured to function as:
• a retrieval range setting unit that, by retrieving the service retrieval apparatus database based upon inputted retrieval conditions, the retrieval range setting unit specifies one or more service retrieval apparatuses conforming to the retrieval conditions and sets sub-networks, which correspond to the specified service retrieval apparatuses, as a retrieval range for the request;
• a retrieval unit that executes a first retrieval over the network for a service according to the set retrieval range for the request;
• a retrieval result judgment unit that judges whether or not a result of the first retrieval satisfies judgment criteria set in advance;
• and
• a retrieval result output unit that outputs the result which is judged to satisfy the judgment criteria, wherein judging to satisfy the judgment criteria comprises:
• when it is judged that a number of one or more services included in the result of the first retrieval does not reach a lower limit number set as the judgment criteria, the retrieval unit performs a second retrieval that changes a geographic area which is wider in search, the geographic area being an area in which a server providing a service is located, and the retrieval unit performs the second retrieval, wherein:
• the retrieval unit retrieves a first service location included in a first geographic area in the first retrieval,
• the retrieval unit retrieves a second service location included in a second geographic area, which is wider in distance and different from the geographic area searched in the first retrieval, in the second retrieval, and
• the service locations being locations searchable on the network and identifying the services, and
• when it is judged that a number of one or more services included in the result of the first retrieval has exceeded an upper limit number set as the judgment criteria, the retrieval unit performs a second retrieval that changes a geographic area which is narrower in search, the geographic area being an area in which a server providing a service is located, and the retrieval unit performs the second retrieval, wherein:
• the retrieval unit retrieves a first service location included in a first geographic area in the first retrieval,
• the retrieval unit retrieves in a second retrieval a second service location included in a second geographic area which is narrower in distance and different from the geographic area searched in the first retrieval;
• and
• the service locations being locations searchable on the network and identifying the services.

A service retrieval method, performed by a computer, which retrieves a service provided by a server connected to a network in response to a request from a client and returns a result of the retrieval, the method comprising:

• setting a retrieval condition in response to a request of the client;
• performing a first retrieval over the network for at least a print service or a scan service based upon the retrieval condition;
• judging whether or not a result of the first retrieval satisfies judgment criteria set in advance;
• returning the result of the retrieval which is judged to satisfy the judgment criteria to the client;
• and
• wherein judging to satisfy the judgment criteria comprises:
• when it is judged that a number of one or more services included in the result of the first retrieval does not reach a lower limit number set as the judgment criteria, performing a second retrieval that changes a geographic area which is wider in search, the geographic area being an area in which a server providing a service is located, wherein:
• the first retrieval retrieves a first service location included in a first geographic area in the first retneval,
• the second retrieval retrieves a second service location included in a second geographic area, which is wider in distance and different from the geographic area searched in the first retrieval, in the second retrieval;
• and
• the service locations being locations searchable on the network and identifying the services;
• and
• when it is judged that a number of one or more services included in the result of the first retrieval exceeds an upper limit set as the judgment criteria, performing a second retrieval that changes a geographic area which is narrower in search, the geographic area being an area in which a server providing a service is located, wherein:
• the first retrieval retrieves a first service location included in a first geographic area in the first retrieval,
• the second retrieval retrieves a second service location included in a second geographic area, which is narrower in distance and different from the geographic area searched in the first retrieval, in the second retrievaL and
• the service locations being locations searchable on the network and identifying the services.

A service retrieval apparatus which provides a retrieval service for retrieving a service provided by a server connected to a network in response to a search request from a client and returning a result of the retrieval, the apparatus comprising:

• a computer configured to function as:
• a retrieval unit that sets a retrieval condition with respect to a retrieval range according to the search request from the client and performs a first retrieval for at least a print service or a scan service based upon the set retrieval condition, the retrieval range indicating a sub-network of the network subjected to the first retrieval;
• a retrieval result judgment unit that judges whether or not a result of the first retrieval satisfies judgment criteria set in advance;
• and
• a retrieval result output unit that outputs the result which is judged to satisfy the judgment criteria,
• wherein judging to satisfy the judgment criteria comprises:
• when it is judged that a number of one or more services included in the result of the first retrieval has not reached a lower limit number set as the judgment criteria, the retrieval unit performs a second retrieval that changes a geographic area which is a wider search, the geographic area being an area in which a server providing a service is located, and the retrieval unit performs the second retrieval, wherein:
• the retrieval unit retrieves a first service location included in a first geographic area in the first retrieval,
• the retrieval unit retrieves in a second retrieval a second service location included in a second geographic area which is wider in distance and different from the geographic area searched in the first retrieval;
• and
• the service locations being locations searchable on the network and identifying the services;
• and
• when it is judged that a number of one or more services included in the result of the first retrieval has exceeded an upper limit number set as the judgment criteria, the retrieval unit performs a second retrieval that changes a geographic area which is narrower in search, the geographic area being an area in which a server providing a service is located, and the retrieval unit performs the second retrieval, wherein:
• the retrieval unit retrieves a first service location included in a first geographic area in the first retrieval,
• the retrieval unit retrieves in a second retrieval a second service location included in a second geographic area which is narrower in distance and different from the geographic area searched in the first retrieva;
• and
• the service locations being locations searchable on the network and identifying the services.