Service retrieval method

Abstract

In an information processing system connected to a network, a retrieving condition is automatically set based on the status of an information processing apparatus when retrieving a service on the network and service retrieval is conducted based on the retrieving condition. The retrieval result is displayed such that a user can recognize the result. Accordingly, retrieval and use of a service on the network can be facilitated.

1 . A method for retrieving and providing services on a network, the method comprising:
 detecting a status of an information processing apparatus;   retrieving at least one service provider on the network using a retrieving condition based on the detected status of the information processing apparatus; and   displaying a service provided by the retrieved service provider on a display device.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the information processing apparatus includes at least one of a user interface apparatus, a scanner for reading a document, a storage apparatus for storing electronic data, a printer for printing an image, and an external interface. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein if the information processing apparatus is the scanner, the method further comprises determining whether the document is set on the scanner. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein a service provided by the scanner is retrieved when it is determined that the document is set on the scanner. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein a service provided by the scanner and based on a feature of the document is retrieved when it is determined that the document is set on the scanner. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the feature of the document includes at least a paper size of the document, type of the document, and a color of an image on the document. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the service provided by the scanner includes at least one of a print service for printing image information obtained by the scanner, a storage service for storing image information obtained by the scanner, and a sending service for sending image information obtained by the scanner through the network. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein if it is determined that the document is not set on the scanner, non-scanner related services are retrieved. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the non-scanner related services include a service for printing image information stored in a storage apparatus. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein if the information processing apparatus is the external interface, a determination is made whether another apparatus connects to the external interface. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising determining what type of apparatus the other apparatus is. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein if the other apparatus is determined to be a digital camera, a service for storing data in the digital camera in a storage apparatus or a service for printing the data in the digital camera is retrieved. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the information processing apparatus is the printer, and wherein a print service is retrieved if an error status in the printer is detected. 
   
   
       14 . A computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable process steps, the computer-executable process steps causing a computer to execute the method of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       15 . An information processing system including an image processing apparatus and connected to a network, the information processing system comprising:
 a detecting unit configured to detect a status of the information processing apparatus;   a retrieving unit configured to retrieve at least one service provider on the network using a retrieving condition based on the status of the information processing apparatus; and   an output unit configured to output a service provided by the service provider retrieved by the retrieving unit to a display device.