JP4560246B2 - Printing apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printing apparatus that allows a user to browse information on the Internet and print the browsed information, and a control method and program thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An information providing service using display data described in a markup language such as compact HTML or HDML is provided as a service for a mobile terminal (mobile terminal) such as a mobile phone.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional method, the information displayed on the mobile terminal is simplified information, and the browsing software for browsing the display (hereinafter referred to as a browser) is also simple due to restrictions such as the memory of the device. It can only be done.
[0004]
For this reason, detailed information that can be browsed by a personal computer or the like, and content information that has been designed in detail, could not be viewed or obtained on these portable terminals. In addition, in order to obtain information by printing, when receiving information on a desired homepage by FAX, it is necessary to disconnect communication by the browser once and make a connection capable of FAX transmission / reception again. In addition, when using the Internet FAX, there is no choice but to exchange mails, and there is no cooperation between the Internet FAX service and the information providing service, so the operation is complicated and the necessary equipment is expensive. I did.
[0005]
In view of such a problem, the present invention adds a description of a hyperlink (for example, URL) to the print content to the display content for information provision (for example, HTML data), and the server also displays the print content. By converting the print data and markup language for printing, the printer can print. As a result, without using an expensive information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, printing is performed using a portable terminal such as a mobile phone, a FAX terminal, a printer that can be connected to a telephone, etc., and the user can obtain detailed information. Is.
[0006]
Furthermore, by enabling further description of hyperlinks to print contents using print data or a print-up macup language, it is possible to print linked data continuously. Thereby, in order to print a series of print contents, it is possible to omit a user from inputting a URL many times or acquiring a display content again and issuing a print instruction therefrom.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, one of the inventions according to the present application is a printing apparatus connected to a server apparatus via the Internet, and print data is transmitted to the server apparatus based on link information designated by a user. A first requesting unit for requesting, a first receiving unit for receiving, from the server device, an index part indicating an explanation for each page of the print data among the print data to be requested; an explanation of the index part; When a print instruction for a specific page among the corresponding pages is received, second request means for requesting the server device for the data portion of the print data corresponding to the page, and the data portion of the print data for the server Second receiving means for receiving from the apparatus, and printing means for executing printing based on the data portion of the print data received by the second receiving means An acquisition unit that acquires link information to other print data from the data portion of the print data received by the second reception unit; and when the execution of printing by the printing unit is completed, the acquisition unit acquires the link information Display means for displaying link information on a display section, wherein the first request means requests the server apparatus for print data based on at least one of the link information displayed on the display section. And
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A service system to which the present invention is applied is shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a telephone with a FAX function (hereinafter referred to as a FAX apparatus) compatible with this service. Reference numeral 102 denotes a public line network. Reference numeral 103 denotes a service server device that provides this service to a telephone. A storage unit 104 stores service contents provided by the service and accessible by the service server device 103. A print content storage unit 105 stores print content different from service content accessible by the service server device 103. Reference numeral 106 denotes a dedicated line to which the service server apparatus 103 is connected.
[0020]
The service content is a general term for various information provided by the service, and is information that is processed and displayed by a telephone that supports the service.
For example, HTML data described in HTML, image data such as JPEG format and BITMAP format, and text data in TEXT format. Further, the printing content is information for printing corresponding to the service content, and based on this, high-detail and beautiful printing can be performed. For example, data written in a markup language for printing. These print contents are converted into print data such as print data described in a print description language or a page description language or bitmap format image data, and used for print processing.
[0021]
A content server device 107 is connected to the dedicated line 106 and can communicate with the service server device 103. A service content storage unit 108 stores service content accessible by the content server device 107. Reference numeral 109 denotes a print content storage unit that stores print content accessible by the content server device. Reference numeral 111 denotes the Internet. Through the Internet 110, the service server device 103, the content server device 107, the Web server device 113, and the like can communicate with each other.
[0022]
Reference numeral 113 denotes a Web server device that provides service content corresponding to a home page so that a mobile terminal or a service-compatible telephone can browse the home page. Reference numeral 114 denotes a service content storage unit that stores service content accessible from the Web server device. A print content storage unit 115 stores print content accessible from the Web server device.
[0023]
A FAX apparatus 101 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to a facsimile machine, but a portable terminal to which a printer can be connected, a mobile phone to which a printer can be connected, and other office automation equipment such as a copying machine, a multifunction machine, a laser beam printer, and an inkjet. It can also be applied to a printer.
[0024]
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of the FAX apparatus 101. In FIG. 11, 10 is a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the entire apparatus. Reference numeral 11 denotes a ROM for storing programs and data. A nonvolatile RAM 12 stores backup data such as personal data and a telephone directory. A storage unit (DRAM) 13 stores CPU work data (data being used when the CPU is executing processing), HTML data, display data, recording data, and the like. Note that the processing executed by the FAX apparatus 101 is controlled by the CPU 10 executing a program stored in the ROM 11 or the DRAM 13.
[0025]
Reference numeral 14 denotes an HTML conversion unit that analyzes HTML data received via the Internet, cuts the data into image data and text data, and converts the cut data into display data or recording data. The HTML conversion unit 14 analyzes the HTML data, acquires image data linked from the HTML data as necessary, and generates display data or recording data.
[0026]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a display unit that displays the contents of received data, the state of the apparatus, and the like. Reference numeral 16 denotes an operation unit including a numeric keypad. A communication unit 18 includes a modem for communicating with the outside via the telephone line 19. Here, the processing units are connected to each other via the system bus 20.
[0027]
Reference numeral 17 denotes a recording unit (printing unit) such as a printer that prints an image or text on a recording sheet based on the image data or text data. The recording unit (printing unit) is an ink jet printer, a laser beam printer, or the like. The recording unit (printing unit) may be detachable, and in that case, the recording unit (printing unit) is connected by a predetermined cable or wireless communication.
[0028]
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of the operation unit 16 of the present apparatus. The operation unit 16 includes a display unit 15 such as an LCD, a numeric keypad 50 for inputting a telephone number, a URL, and the like, a function key 51 that can activate function setting by pressing, a function key 52a used for multi-input, 52b, 52c, 52d, left / right / up / down arrow keys 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d used for moving the cursor of the display unit, and a set key 54 which is a setting input key. The display unit 15 actually corresponds to a dot matrix LCD.
[0029]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing software modules necessary for this service. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 200 denotes a software module group of the FAX apparatus 101. A communication module 201 communicates with the service server apparatus 103 via the public line network. A display module 202 displays the received service content on the display unit. Reference numeral 203 denotes a URL extraction module that extracts a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the storage location of the print content from the service content. By specifying this URL, the specified data can be acquired from the specified server device. A print instruction module 204 transmits the extracted URL to the server device in order to receive print data. Reference numeral 205 denotes a printing module that causes the printing unit to print received printing data. Reference numeral 231 denotes a public line network. A storage module 206 stores link information to other print data included in the print data.
[0030]
Reference numeral 210 denotes a software module group of the service server apparatus 103 that performs a service. 211 is a communication module for communicating with the server device (107 or 113) and the service-compatible terminal device via a public line, a dedicated line, or the Internet. A reception module 212 receives a request from the FAX apparatus 101. Reference numeral 213 denotes an acquisition module that acquires the requested print content. A conversion module 214 converts the acquired print content into print data. A transmission module 215 transmits the converted print data to the requested FAX apparatus 101. Reference numeral 232 denotes a dedicated line or the Internet.
[0031]
Reference numeral 220 denotes a software module group of the content server device 107 or the Web server device 113. A communication module 221 communicates with the service server device 103 via a dedicated line or communicates with the service server device 103 via the Internet. Reference numeral 222 denotes a receiving module that receives a content request. A transmission module 223 transmits the requested content.
[0032]
An operation flow when the service content is in the service server device 103 and the print content is in the content server device 107 in the system configured by the apparatus of FIG. 1 and the software module of FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing performed by the FAX apparatus 101, the service server apparatus 103, and the content server apparatus 107, respectively. The operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0033]
In FIG. 3, steps S301, S304, S305, S313, S314, S317, and S318 are executed by the FAX apparatus 101. Steps S302, S303, S306, S307, S310, S311, S312, S315, and S316 are executed by the service server device 103. Steps S308 and S309 are executed by the content server device 107.
[0034]
First, when the user gives an instruction to start a service, the FAX apparatus 101 performs a connection process to the service server apparatus 103, and then sends a request to the service server apparatus 103 to transmit service content (step S301). .
The service server apparatus 103 receives the transmission request from the FAX apparatus 101 (Step S302), acquires the service content from the service content storage unit 104, and transmits the service content to the FAX apparatus 101 (Step S303).
[0035]
The FAX apparatus 101 receives the service content and displays the content of the service content (step S304). At this time, the FAX apparatus 101 analyzes the service content and displays images and characters on the display unit according to the contents described therein.
[0036]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of display based on service content described in, for example, HTML. Reference numeral 401 denotes a display screen of the FAX apparatus 101. In 402, a text-format sentence is displayed. In 403, an image based on the image data is displayed.
[0037]
Reference numeral 404 denotes a link to another service content. Since the URL corresponding to 404 is specified for the service content, when the user selects or specifies 404, new service content is acquired based on the specified URL. For example, when there is a description as shown in FIG. 5, when 404 is selected or designated, service content “http://www.xxx.co.jp/next.html” is transmitted. The service server apparatus 103 is requested. And the process which displays the acquired content on a display part is performed.
[0038]
Reference numeral 405 denotes a link to print content. Since the URL corresponding to 405 is designated in the service content, when the user selects or designates 405, the content for printing is requested based on the designated URL and converted from the content for printing. Get print data. For example, FIGS. 6 and 7 are description examples showing links to print contents. In the case where there is a description as shown in FIG. 6, when 405 is selected or designated, a print content of “printto: //www.xxx.co.jp/print.html” is requested. Alternatively, when there is a description as shown in FIG. 7, a print content “http://www.xxx.co.jp/print.html” is requested.
[0039]
The FAX apparatus determines whether to request service content or print content according to the description. For example, in the case of FIG. 6, according to the description “printto”, it is determined that the link is to the print content, and the print content is requested. Further, in the case of FIG. 7, it is determined that the link is to the print content in accordance with the description “media =“ printto ”.
[0040]
When the user selects or designates a link in the display, the FAX apparatus determines whether the selected link or the selected URL is a link to print content. If the link is to the print content, the service server device 103 is requested for the designated print content (step S305).
[0041]
The link is selected or designated by the user by pressing the left / right / up / down arrow keys 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d to select the link indicating the link on the display screen of the display unit 15 and pressing the set key 54 to determine. For example, by pressing the left / right up / down arrow keys 53a, 53b, 53c, 53d, the link indicating the next link may be moved, and the set key 54 may be pressed to determine the link to be selected.
[0042]
At this time, a message such as “Is it OK to print?” May be issued to the user of the FAX apparatus 101 in order to confirm the will of printing again. If the link is to the service content, the process returns to step S301 to request the service server 103 for the service content.
[0043]
In addition to clicking on the link to the print content, the print content corresponding to the service content may be requested by pressing a print instruction button. In this case, when the print instruction button is pressed, an input screen for inputting the URL of the print content is displayed. The user inputs the URL of the print content on the input screen .
[0044]
When the FAX apparatus 101 requests print content, the service server apparatus 103 receives a print content transmission request (step S306), and determines that the requested print content exists in the content server apparatus 107. A request for print content is made to the content server apparatus 107 (step S307).
[0045]
The content server apparatus 103 receives the transmission request (step S308), reads out the requested print content from the print content storage unit 109, and transmits it (step S309).
[0046]
The service server apparatus 103 converts the received print content into print data that can be printed by the FAX apparatus (step S311). The converted print data is expressed in, for example, an XML (extensible Markup Language) format, and includes a page portion of the printed matter and an index portion to which a brief description for each page is added, and a data portion indicating the content of the printed matter. . These converted data may be described as a plurality of files.
[0047]
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the print data described above. Reference numeral 801 denotes HTML data described in HTML before conversion. Reference numerals 802 and 803 denote index portions of print data, which are expressed in the XML format. The index section describes the page structure of the printed matter and a simple explanation for each page.
[0048]
Reference numeral 804 denotes a data portion of print data, which is divided for each page. Similarly, reference numeral 805 denotes an example in which the data portion of the print data is divided for each page and for each band. In this way, more detailed division may be performed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the data portion is described in XHTML, and the FAX apparatus 101 can interpret the data described in XHTML and perform print processing. The data section only needs to be described in a data format that can be interpreted by the FAX apparatus 101 and can be printed, and may be described in other XML format data such as SVG.
[0049]
In step S311, after generating the print data as described above, the service server apparatus 103 first transmits an index part to the FAX apparatus 101 (step S312). The FAX apparatus 101 analyzes the index part and displays page information based on the analysis result.
[0050]
When printing is instructed, the FAX apparatus 101 transmits a print data portion transmission request to the service server apparatus 103 (step S314). At this time, if a predetermined page is designated, a request for transmitting the print data portion corresponding to the designated page is transmitted.
[0051]
The service server device 103 receives the transmission request (step S315), and returns a data part (step S316). The FAX apparatus 101 receives the data part and performs printing based on the print data (step S317).
[0052]
Further, the FAX apparatus 101 analyzes the received data part, extracts link information such as a URL contained therein, and stores it in a memory. When the printing performed in step S317 is completed, a list of the stored link information (such as the link destination print content title and link destination URL) is displayed on the display unit (step S319).
[0053]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of link information of print content. Reference numeral 901 denotes a data portion of print data. When a link tag appears in the data portion described in the XHTML format, it is determined that there is a linked print content, and the link character string and the link destination can be displayed so that a list can be displayed. Store the URL.
In FIG. 9, two print contents are linked in the descriptions 902 and 903.
[0054]
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a list of link information. Reference numeral 1001 denotes a screen of the FAX apparatus 101. Reference numeral 1002 denotes a dialog displayed when printing is completed.
As shown in the figure, when there is a link to the print content in addition to the print completion confirmation dialog, a list is displayed so that the user can select whether or not to print the link destination.
[0055]
The selection may be made by directly selecting the link destination using the arrow keys, or by assigning a number to each of the link information displayed in the list and selecting the number by the dial button of the FAX apparatus. good. A shortcut operation for printing instructions may be assigned. Furthermore, in the link portion of the print result, the assigned number may be printed as a balloon or a comment so that the same shortcut number can be transmitted to the FAX user.
[0056]
Therefore, the FAX apparatus 101 determines whether or not the user has selected any link destination on the screen of FIG. 10 (step S320). If one of the link destinations is selected, the process returns to step S305 to request print content at the selected link destination in order to perform further printing.
[0057]
In the above embodiment, after the index part is sent in step S312, the data part is sent in step S316. However, the index part and the data part may be simultaneously sent from the service server apparatus 103 to the FAX apparatus 101. In this case, the FAX apparatus 101 first receives the index part and the data part, and uses the contents of the index part. Based on this, the display of FIG. 10 is performed. Then, the data portion corresponding to the page designated by the user in the display of FIG. 10 is processed and printed.
[0058]
In the above embodiment, only one FAX apparatus has been described. However, other FAX apparatuses, mobile phones, and portable information terminals can communicate with the service server apparatus, and these execute the processing of FIG. By doing so, you can receive service.
[0059]
In the above embodiment, for example, when the content server device 107 has a conversion module, the service server device 103 does not receive a request for print content from the FAX device 101, but the content server device 107 directly receives the print content. It is also possible to receive the request. Similarly, if the Web server device 113 on the Internet has a conversion module, the Web server device 113 can receive it.
[0060]
The print content may be a home page described in HTML that can be viewed on a PC, or may be a document file described in XML format. In the conversion module, it is also possible to perform processing according to the device that performs printing, and information conversion may be performed without damaging the content information.
[0061]
The program and related data according to the present invention are stored in a floppy disk (FD) or CD-ROM, and are supplied to the computer from there. Another object of the present invention is to supply a computer with a storage medium in which program codes (for example, program codes corresponding to the steps in FIG. 3) of software (control program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are recorded. The computer device (for example, the CPU 10) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.
[0062]
As a method of supplying the software and data to a computer, a method of storing the software and data in a floppy disk FD and supplying it to a computer main body (via a floppy disk drive or the like) is general. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0063]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, etc. are used in addition to a floppy disk and a hard disk. Can do. Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included. Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to browse and obtain contents that can only be obtained from a personal computer using a FAX apparatus installed in a home. Further, the print data converted from the print content is composed of an index part and a data part, and the contents of various contents can be supplied as a list by the index part, and the user obtains only necessary information. It becomes possible.
[0065]
In addition, it is possible to provide users with not only content that is supposed to be displayed on the Internet but also content specialized for printing purposes, and the user must wait for delivery of leaflets, coupons, etc. Even such prints are readily available.
[0066]
In particular, by enabling further description of hyperlinks to print contents using print data or a print-up mac-up language, the linked data can be continuously printed. As a result, in order to print a series of contents for printing, it is possible to omit a user from inputting a URL many times or acquiring a display content again and issuing a print instruction from the user. Makes it easy to instruct the relevant data to be printed continuously.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system that provides a service.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing software modules necessary for a service.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a FAX apparatus, a service server apparatus, and a content server apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of display based on service content described in HTML.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a link of service content.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a print content link;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a description example of a print content link;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating print data.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data portion.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a list of link information.
FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a FAX apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an operation unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 FAX apparatus 102 Public network 103 Service server apparatus 104 Service content storage part 105 Print content storage part 106 Private line 107 Content server apparatus 108 Service content storage part 109 Print content storage part 110 Internet 111 Internet 112 Internet 113 Web server Device 114 Service content storage unit 115 Print content storage unit

Claims (4)

A printing device connected to a server device via the Internet,
First request means for requesting print data to the server device based on link information designated by a user;
First receiving means for receiving, from the server device , an index portion indicating a description for each page of the print data among the print data to be requested ;
A second requesting unit that requests the server device for a data part of the print data corresponding to the page when receiving a print instruction for a specific page among the pages corresponding to the description of the index part;
Second receiving means for receiving a data portion of the print data from the server device;
Printing means for executing printing based on the data portion of the print data received by the second receiving means;
Obtaining means for obtaining link information to other print data from the data portion of the print data received by the second receiving means;
A display unit that displays the link information acquired by the acquisition unit on a display unit when execution of printing by the printing unit is completed ;
The first request unit further requests the server device for print data based on at least one of the link information displayed on the display unit. The print data, according to claim 1 Symbol placement of the printing apparatus, wherein the one that was generated by converting the print content acquired in accordance with the link information by the server device. A method for controlling a printing apparatus connected to a server apparatus via the Internet,
Requesting print data to the server device based on link information specified by a user;
A step of receiving, from the server device , an index portion indicating a description of each page of the print data among the print data to be requested ;
When receiving a print instruction for a specific page among the pages corresponding to the description of the index portion, requesting the server device for a data portion of the print data corresponding to the page;
Receiving a data portion of the print data from the server device;
Executing printing based on the data portion of the received print data;
Obtaining link information to other print data from the data portion of the received print data;
When the execution of the printing is completed, displaying the acquired link information on a display unit ;
And a step of requesting the server device for print data based on at least one of the link information displayed on the display unit . In a computer for realizing a printing device connected to the server device via the Internet,
Requesting print data to the server device based on link information specified by a user;
A step of receiving, from the server device , an index portion indicating a description of each page of the print data among the print data to be requested ;
When receiving a print instruction for a specific page among the pages corresponding to the description of the index portion, requesting the server device for a data portion of the print data corresponding to the page;
Receiving a data portion of the print data from the server device;
Executing printing based on the data portion of the received print data;
Obtaining link information to other print data from the data portion of the received print data;
When the execution of the printing is completed, displaying the acquired link information on a display unit;
A program for executing a step of requesting print data to the server device based on at least one of the link information displayed on the display unit .

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