JPH11328057A - Internet terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an internet terminal equipment which can efficiently store picture data, which is acquired through the internet, in a limited information storage area of a storage means. SOLUTION: A communication part 7 acquires data related to an information service through the internet, and a storage management part 17 receives it to analyze the classification of a picture form used in picture data and the size of picture data or the number of used colors out of data acquired by the communication part 7. The picture form and the size of picture data or the number of used colors obtained by this analysis are judged on whether the current picture form used in picture data is suitable or not. If the result of this judgement indicates that the current picture form is not suitable, the current picture form is converted into another picture form suitable for picture data, and picture data after this form conversion is stored in an information storage area of an acquired data storage part 15.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage means which is used when using an information service including a Web page search / browsing service provided via the Internet and has an information storage area for storing data relating to the information service. The present invention relates to an Internet terminal device configured and provided,
When storing image data containing an image acquired via the Internet in the information storage area of the storage unit, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, the image data is limited. Internet terminal device that can utilize the information storage area as effectively as possible.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, an Internet terminal device used for using an information service including a Web page search / browsing service provided via the Internet has rapidly spread.

[0003] The Internet terminal device is provided with storage means such as a hard disk storage device having an information storage area in which data relating to an information service is stored.

According to this Internet terminal device, image data obtained via the Internet can be sequentially stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage means in response to a request of an information service user. The information service user can use the image data acquired via the Internet for use such as browsing as necessary even after the Internet connection is disconnected.

[0005]

However, in the above-described conventional Internet terminal device, the image data obtained via the Internet is stored in the format as it is regardless of the type of the image format. Is stored sequentially in a predetermined information storage area, that is, for example, when image data using the GIF format is obtained despite the JPEG format being suitable, or vice versa. In the case where image data using the JPEG format is acquired despite that the GIF format is suitable, the acquired image data is to be stored and stored while maintaining the image format. Since the acquired image data has not been sufficiently suppressed in redundancy, as the frequency of storing and accumulating such image data increases, As a result of occupying a significant percentage of the real information storage area, it has inherent problems to be solved that say it is difficult to store accumulates a large number of image data in the information storage area.

[0006] In this regard, an important point in selecting a storage format of image data distributed on a network such as the Internet is that redundancy of image data is sufficiently suppressed.

Here, when referring to the storage format of image data distributed on the Internet, mainly the GI
F (Graphics Interchange Fo)
rmat) format or JPEG (Joint Photo)
(Operative Experts Group) format exists.

[0008] Of the image formats described above, the GIF format is
Compuserv, a US operator of commercial PC communications
e, which is an image format developed by Company e and is suitable for storing image data having a relatively small file size and a small number of colors, whereas the JPEG format is compatible with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) This is a still image storage format jointly compiled by the Telephone Advisory Agency (CCITT: currently ITU-T), and its compression ratio is high, so it has a relatively large file size and uses many colors, such as photographs. Suitable for storing data.

However, even if image data using the GIF format is suitable for storage in the JPEG format, there is a WWW (World Wide Web) browser that cannot decode the image data in the JPEG format. On the other hand, the storage format of image data is unified on the Internet. For example, even if image data is suitable for storage in GIF format, image data using JPEG format rarely exists. The GIF format and the JPEG format are mixedly used on the Internet as a result, since they are not operated in a typical manner and are left to the judgment of the origin of the image data.

Therefore, when image data acquired via the Internet is stored in an information storage area of the storage means, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, limited The development of a new technology that can make the best use of the information storage area as much as possible has been awaited among those concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when image data is obtained via the Internet, the type of image format used for the obtained image data and the size of the image data Or, by judging the number of colors used and referring to the image format obtained by the analysis and the size of the image data or the number of colors used, to judge the suitability of the current image format used for the acquired image data. As a result of this propriety determination, when it is determined that the current image format is not suitable, the current image format is converted to an image format suitable for the acquired image data, and after this format conversion By storing the image data in the information storage area of the storage means, the image data obtained via the Internet is stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage means. In order to use the limited information storage area as efficiently as possible, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, It is an object to provide a terminal device.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is used when using an information service including a Web page search / browsing service provided via the Internet. An internet terminal device comprising a storage unit having an information storage area in which the data is stored, wherein the data acquisition unit acquires data related to the information service via the Internet, and the data acquisition unit acquires the data. Of the data obtained, the type of image format used for the image data containing the image, and the size or the number of colors used of the image data are analyzed, and the image format obtained by the analysis, and the By referring to the size or the number of colors used, it is determined whether or not the current image format used for the image data is appropriate. When the determination is made that the current image format is not suitable, the current image format is converted to an image format suitable for the image data, and the image data after the format conversion is performed. Storage management means for storing the information in an information storage area of the storage means,
The gist of the present invention is that it is provided with:

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the data acquisition means acquires data relating to the information service via the Internet, and in response thereto, the storage management means, among the data acquired by the data acquisition means, By analyzing the type of image format used for the image data, and the size or the number of colors used of the image data, and referring to the image format and the size or the number of colors used of the image data obtained by this analysis, the image Performs a propriety determination on the propriety of the current image format used for the data, and, as a result of the propriety determination, when it is determined that the current image format is not suitable, the current image format is changed to the image data. The image data after the format conversion is stored in the information storage area of the storage means. When storing data in the information storage area of the storage means, the limited information storage area is used as effectively as possible, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data. It is possible to obtain an Internet terminal device in which an efficient data storage management environment is obtained.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, when the storage management means determines that the current image format is suitable as a result of the determination, the storage management means stores the image data in the current image format. The main point is to store and accumulate in the information storage area of the storage means while maintaining the above.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage management means keeps the image data in the current image format when it is determined that the current image format is suitable. Since the state is stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage means, therefore, similar to the first aspect of the present invention,
When storing image data acquired via the Internet in the information storage area of the storage means, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, the limited information storage area It is possible to obtain an Internet terminal device in which an efficient data storage management environment that can be used as effectively as possible is constructed.

Further, the invention of claim 3 is characterized in that the type of image format used for the image data includes a GIF format or a JPEG format.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the type of image format used for the image data is GIF format or JPE
It is assumed to include the G format.

Further, in the invention according to a fourth aspect, when the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is a GIF format, the storage management means refers to the size and the number of colors used of the image data. By doing so, when both the size of the image data and the number of colors used exceed the first and second threshold values respectively set in advance, the current image used for the image data The gist is to judge that the format is not suitable.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the storage management means is configured to change the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis to GIF.
In the case of the format, by referring to the size of the image data and the number of colors used, both the size of the image data and the number of colors used are set to the first and second threshold values respectively set in advance. If it exceeds, it is determined that the current image format used for the image data is not suitable. Therefore, when the image format is the GIF format, the size of the image data is relatively large, and On the condition that the number of colors used is relatively large, for example, the conversion from the GIF format to the JPEG format can be appropriately performed. As a result, similarly to the invention of claim 1, the image data acquired via the Internet can be obtained. Is stored in the information storage area of the storage means, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, as much as possible of the limited information storage area. Efficiently used and may efficient data storage management environment can be obtained internet terminal built.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is a JPEG format, the storage management means refers to the size of the image data. When the size of the image data does not exceed the third threshold value set in advance, the gist is to judge that the current image format used for the image data is not suitable.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the storage management means is configured to determine whether the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is JPE.
In the case of the G format, by referring to the size of the image data, when the size of the image data does not exceed the third threshold value set in advance, the current image used in the image data is used. Therefore, when the image format is the JPEG format, the conversion from the JPEG format to the GIF format is appropriately performed on condition that the size of the image data is relatively small. As a result, similar to the first aspect of the present invention, image data obtained via the Internet can be
When storing and storing in the information storage area of the storage means, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, efficient use of the limited information storage area as efficiently as possible is possible. It is possible to obtain an Internet terminal device in which a simple data storage management environment is constructed.

Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the storage management means, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is compressed as compared with the size of the image data before the format conversion, The gist is that the converted image data is stored in an information storage area of the storage unit.

According to the present invention, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before the format conversion, the storage management means may store the image data after the format conversion. Since the data is stored and accumulated in the information storage area of the storage means, therefore, by referring to the size of the image data before and after the format conversion, it is appropriately determined whether or not to store the image data after the format conversion. And
According to this determination result, the appropriate one of the image data before and after the format conversion can be stored and stored. As a result, the image data obtained via the Internet can be The efficiency with which the limited information storage area can be used as efficiently as possible, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, when storing and storing the information in the information storage area of the storage means. Internet terminal device in which an efficient data storage management environment is constructed can be obtained.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is not compressed as compared with the size of the image data before the format conversion, The gist is that the image data before conversion is stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage unit while maintaining the current image format.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is not compressed as compared with the size of the image data before the format conversion,
The image data before the format conversion is stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage unit while maintaining the current image format.Therefore, by referring to the size of the image data before and after the format conversion, It is possible to appropriately determine whether or not the image data should be stored, and according to the result of the determination, it is possible to store and store an appropriate one of the image data before and after the format conversion. Similar to the first aspect, when storing image data acquired via the Internet in an information storage area of the storage means, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, It is possible to obtain an Internet terminal device in which an efficient data storage management environment capable of utilizing a limited information storage area as effectively as possible is constructed.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the Internet terminal device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the periphery of the Internet terminal device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are operation flowcharts of the Internet terminal device.

Internet terminal device 1 according to the present invention
Is used when using an information service including a Web page search / browsing service or an e-mail distribution service provided through the Internet 5, as shown in FIG.

Specifically, the Internet terminal device 1
Is, for example, a plurality of WWW servers 3a, 3b, 3c,.
Image data containing the image stored in each of
HTML (Hypertext)
The HTML data described in the Markup Language (Markup Language) format is transmitted to the Internet 5 and an analog line or ISDN (Integrated Service).
es Digital Network) It is used when obtaining the information via a public network such as a line, or when distributing an electronic mail related to the terminal device 1 itself. When an analog line is used as a public network in the Internet terminal device 1, connection to the Internet 5 is performed via a modem (not shown), while when an ISDN line is used as a public network. Is connected to the Internet 5 via a terminal adapter (not shown).

The image data targeted in the present invention is
For example, GIF (GraphicsInterchan)
ge Format) format or JPEG (Joint)
Photographic Experts Grou
p) Image data having an image format suitable for data exchange on the Internet 5, such as a format.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the Internet terminal device 1 transmits a communication unit 7 functioning as a data acquisition unit, a decryption unit 9, and various data such as Web page data and control data. Data bus 10, operation input unit 11, cache memory 13, and acquired data storage unit 15 functioning as storage means.
, A storage management unit 17 functioning as a storage management unit, a display unit 19 and a display control unit 21.

The communication unit 7 transmits communication control data relating to a connection service to the Internet 5 or use of an information service in accordance with an operation input using the operation input unit 11.
While having a data exchange function for exchanging data with a provider (not shown) that provides a connection service to the Internet 5, data relating to information services, such as image data, HTML data, and e-mail messages, using the operation input unit 11 Or when an operation for acquiring data including a file attached to an e-mail is performed, data relating to an information service according to the acquisition operation is transmitted to the Internet 5.
It has a data acquisition function to acquire data via the Internet.

The decryption unit 9 has a data decryption function for decrypting data obtained by using the communication unit 7.

The operation input unit 11 is used when performing an operation input relating to use of a connection service to the Internet 5 or use of an information service. Specifically, the operation input unit 11 includes, for example, a keyboard, An input device according to any one or a combination of a mouse, an infrared-sensitive slide pad, a trackball, a joystick, and a touch panel can be appropriately used. Here, the user of the information service is configured to be able to access the Internet 5 for a necessary time as necessary by performing an operation input of a predetermined procedure using the operation input unit 11.

The cache memory 13 has a cache function of temporarily storing data acquired using the communication unit 7. As the cache memory 13, for example, an information storage medium such as a RAM can be appropriately used.

The acquired data storage unit 15 has an information storage area for storing data relating to information services, for example, image data and HTML data. As the acquired data storage unit 15, an information storage medium such as a hard disk storage device or a magneto-optical storage device can be appropriately used.

The storage management unit 17 analyzes the type of image format used for the image data, the size of the image data, or the number of colors used among the data obtained by using the communication unit 7, and obtains the data by this analysis. The appropriateness of the current image format used for the image data is determined by referring to the image format and the size of the image data or the number of colors used, and as a result of the appropriateness determination, the current image format is determined. Is determined to be inappropriate, the current image format is converted to an image format suitable for the image data, and the image data after the format conversion is stored in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current image format is suitable as a result of the suitability determination, the acquired data storage unit 15 stores the image data while maintaining the current image format. It has a storage management function to store accumulated in the information storage area.

Therefore, when the image data acquired via the Internet 5 is stored in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data. In addition, it is possible to obtain the Internet terminal device 1 in which an efficient data storage management environment that can effectively use the limited information storage area as much as possible is obtained.

When the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is the GIF format, the storage management unit 17 refers to the size of the image data and the number of colors to be used to determine the size and usage of the image data. When both of the number of colors exceed the first and second threshold values respectively set in advance, a determination is made that the current image format used for the image data is not suitable. It is said.

Therefore, when the image format is the JPEG format, for example, the conversion from the JPEG format to the GIF format can be appropriately performed on condition that the size of the image data is relatively small.

When the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is the JPEG format, the storage management unit 17 sets the size of the image data in advance by referring to the size of the image data. If the third threshold is not exceeded, it is determined that the current image format used for the image data is not suitable.

Therefore, when the image format is the JPEG format, for example, the conversion from the JPEG format to the GIF format can be appropriately performed on condition that the size of the image data is relatively small.

Further, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before the format conversion, the storage management unit 17 stores the image data after the format conversion into the storage unit. On the other hand, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is not compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before the format conversion, the image data before the format conversion is stored in the information storage area of the current image. The format is maintained and stored in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15.

Therefore, by referring to the size of the image data before and after the format conversion, it is determined whether or not the image data after the format conversion should be stored. Based on the determination result, the size of the image data before and after the format conversion is determined. The appropriate image data can be stored.

The display control unit 21 has a data display control function of displaying the acquired data on the display screen of the display unit 19 when the data relating to the information service is acquired using the communication unit 7. It is configured.

Next, regarding the operation of the Internet terminal device 1 configured as described above, the W
An example in which image data is obtained via the Internet 5 by using the web page search and browse service will be described with reference to the operation flowcharts shown in FIGS.

First, in step S1 shown in FIG.
When the user of the information service performs a dial-up connection operation by performing an input operation on the operation input unit 11, the communication unit 7 executes a predetermined dial-up connection process to connect to the Internet 5 via the provider. Connection will be established.

In step S2, the Internet 5
After the connection to is established, when the user of the information service performs the input operation of the operation input unit 11 to perform the operation of acquiring the web page data, specifically, the input operation of the operation input unit 11 URL (Universal Res
domain name (URL) used for accessing a browse destination Web page existing on the Internet 5 registered and set in accordance with the source locator (standard).
Is input through the Internet 5, the communication unit 7 receives and acquires the image data included in the Web page stored in the designated WWW server 3 via the Internet 5, and sends the acquired image data to the decryption unit 9. Transfer to In response to this, the decryption unit 9 performs the data decryption function, decrypts the acquired image data, and transfers the decrypted image data to the display control unit 21 and the cache memory 13 via the data bus 10. I do.

In step S2, upon receiving the image data decoded by the decoding unit 9, the display control unit 21 stores the obtained image data in a display memory (not shown) such as a video RAM incorporated therein. While the map is developed and the developed image data is displayed on the display screen of the display unit 19, the cache memory 13 temporarily stores the acquired image data in its own information storage area.

Next, in step S3, the storage management unit 17 monitors the input operation status using the operation input unit 11 so that the information service user executes an input operation to save the image data. Is determined.

Here, when new data is acquired by using the communication unit 7, the cache memory 13 releases its own information storage area in order to store the newly acquired data, If the user wants to save certain image data obtained using the communication unit 7, the user needs to perform an input operation using the operation input unit 11. Thus, in step S3, it is determined whether or not an input operation to save the image data has been performed by the information service user.

If the result of determination in step S3 is that an input operation to save image data has not been performed, the storage management unit 17 terminates all processing flows.

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S3, when an input operation to save the image data is performed, in step S4, the storage management unit 17 determines the type of the image format of the image data acquired in step S2. Is analyzed.

Next, in step S5, based on the type of image format of the image data analyzed in step S4, the storage management unit 17 determines whether the image format of the image data acquired in step S2 is a GIF format or An image format determination process is performed to determine which image format belongs to the JPEG format.

As a result of the image format determination in step S5, when the storage management unit 17 determines that the image format of the image data obtained in step S2 is the GIF format, the storage management unit 17 performs the following GIF processing in step S6 and subsequent steps. While the image processing is sequentially executed, when it is determined that the image format of the image data acquired in step S2 is the JPEG format, the JPEG image processing of step S21 and subsequent steps described later is sequentially executed.

That is, in step S6, the storage management unit 17 analyzes the size Gs of the acquired image data and the number Gc of colors used.

Note that the analysis of the image data size Gs in step S6 can be realized by analyzing the file size when the acquired image data is developed into a bitmap.
The analysis of c can be realized by analyzing the number of colors used when the acquired image data is developed into a bitmap.

Further, the analysis of the image data size Gs in step S6 can be realized by analyzing the file size of the acquired image data in the image format, and the analysis of the number of colors Gc used in step S6. Can also be realized by analyzing the number of colors used in the image format of the acquired image data.

In step S7, the storage management unit 17 refers to the size Gs and the number of colors Gc of the image data analyzed in step S6 to determine the current image format used for the image data. The propriety judgment regarding propriety is executed. Specifically, the storage management unit 17 refers to the image data size Gs and the number of used colors Gc analyzed in step S6, so that both the size Gs of the image data and the number of used colors Gc are determined in advance. By judging whether or not the first and second threshold values t1 and t2 respectively set for each of them are exceeded, an appropriateness determination regarding the appropriateness of the current image format used for the image data is executed. .

The first threshold value t1 is an image size threshold value at the time of converting the image format of the image data from the GIF format to the JPEG format.
Is a threshold value for the number of colors used when the image format of the image data is converted from the GIF format to the JPEG format. These first and second threshold values t1,
t2 is set to an appropriate value in advance.

As a result of the propriety determination in step S7, when at least one of the image data size Gs and the number of used colors Gc does not exceed the first and second threshold values t1 and t2, ie, When it is determined that the current image format used for the image data is suitable, in step S8, the storage management unit 17 converts the image data acquired in step S2 into a GIF that is the current image format. With the format maintained, the data is stored in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15.

On the other hand, as a result of the propriety determination in step S7, when both the size Gs of the image data and the number of colors Gc used exceed the first and second threshold values t1 and t2, that is, When it is determined that the current image format used for the data is not suitable, in step S9, the storage management unit 17 converts the current GIF format image data into an image format suitable for the image data. That is, a format conversion process for converting to the JPEG format is executed.

Next, in step S10, the storage management unit 17 performs a compression determination process regarding whether or not the size of the image data after format conversion is compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before format conversion. Execute.

If the size of the image data after the format conversion is not compressed as compared with the size of the image data before the format conversion as a result of the compression determination processing in step S10, the storage management unit 17 determines that the format conversion Assuming that the image data is not suitable for the image format of the image data, the flow of processing is jumped to step S8, and the processing of step S8 described above is executed.

On the other hand, as a result of the compression determination processing in step S10, if the size of the image data after format conversion is compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before format conversion, in step S11, the storage management unit 17 Considers that this format conversion is suitable for the image format of the image data,
The image data after the format conversion into the PEG format is stored and accumulated in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15, and the entire processing flow is terminated.

On the other hand, as a result of the image format determination in step S5, when it is determined that the image format of the image data acquired in step S2 is the JPEG format, in step S21 shown in FIG. 17 analyzes the size Gs of the acquired image data.

Further, in step S22, the storage management unit 17 refers to the size Gs of the image data analyzed in step S21 to determine whether or not the current image format used for the image data is appropriate. Execute.
Specifically, the storage management unit 17 refers to the size Gs of the image data analyzed in step S21 to determine whether the size Gs of the image data exceeds a third threshold value t3 set in advance. By determining whether or not
Appropriateness determination is performed on the suitability of the current image format used for the image data.

The third threshold value t3 is an image size threshold value when the image format of the image data is converted from the JPEG format to the GIF format. The third threshold value t3 is It is set to an appropriate value in advance.

As a result of the suitability determination in step S22, when the size Gs of the image data exceeds the third threshold value t3, that is, determination that the current image format used for the image data is suitable. Is given, step S
In 23, the storage management unit 17 stores the image data acquired in step S2 in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15 while maintaining the current image format of the JPEG format.

On the other hand, as a result of the propriety determination in step S22,
When the size Gs of the image data does not exceed the third threshold value t3, that is, when it is determined that the current image format used for the image data is not suitable,
In step S24, the storage management unit 17 determines that the current J
A format conversion process for converting PEG image data into an image format suitable for the image data, that is, a GIF format is executed.

Next, in step S25, the storage management unit 17 performs a compression determination process regarding whether or not the size of the image data after format conversion is compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before format conversion. Execute.

If the size of the image data after the format conversion is not compressed as compared with the size of the image data before the format conversion as a result of the compression determination processing in step S25, the storage management unit 17 determines that the format conversion Assuming that the image data is not suitable for the image format of the image data, the flow of processing is jumped to step S23, and the processing of step S23 described above is executed.

On the other hand, as a result of the compression determination processing in step S25, when the size of the image data after format conversion is compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before format conversion, in step S26, the storage management unit 17 Considers that this format conversion is suitable for the image format of the image data,
The image data after the format conversion into the IF format is stored and accumulated in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15, and the flow of all the processes is terminated.

As described above, according to the Internet terminal device 1 of the present invention, the communication unit 7 acquires data related to the information service via the Internet 5 and receives the data, and the storage management unit 17 receives the data. The type of the image format used for the image data, the size of the image data or the number of colors used is analyzed among the data acquired by the communication unit 7, and the image format and the size of the image data obtained by the analysis are analyzed. Or, by referring to the number of colors used, determine the suitability of the current image format used for the image data,
As a result of this propriety judgment, when it is determined that the current image format is not suitable, the current image format is converted into an image format suitable for the image data, and the image data after the format conversion is obtained. Since the image data acquired through the Internet 5 is stored and stored in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15, the acquired image data is stored in the information storage area of the data storage unit 15. Regardless of the type of image format used, it is possible to obtain an Internet terminal device in which an efficient data storage management environment capable of effectively utilizing a limited information storage area as much as possible is obtained.

Further, according to the Internet terminal device 1 of the present invention, when the storage management unit 17 determines that the current image format is suitable as a result of the determination on the suitability, the storage management unit 17 converts the image data into the current image format. Is stored in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15 in a state where the image format is maintained. Therefore, the image data acquired via the Internet 5 is stored in the information storage area of the acquired data storage unit 15. When storing, an efficient data storage management environment has been constructed that can utilize the limited information storage area as effectively as possible, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data. An Internet terminal device can be obtained.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified in other forms by appropriately changing the technical idea described in the claims without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say, it can be implemented in

[0077]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the data acquisition means acquires data relating to an information service via the Internet, and upon receiving the data, the storage management means: Among the data acquired by the data acquisition means, the type of image format used for the image data,
Analyze the size of the image data or the number of colors used, and refer to the image format obtained by this analysis and the size or the number of colors used of the image data to determine whether the current image format used for the image data is appropriate. If the result of the suitability determination is that the current image format is not suitable, the current image format is converted to an image format suitable for the image data, and this format conversion is performed. Since the subsequent image data is stored and accumulated in the information storage area of the storage means, therefore, when the image data obtained via the Internet is stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage means, Regardless of the type of image format used, an Internet with an efficient data storage management environment that can effectively utilize the limited information storage area as much as possible. It can be obtained terminal device.

Further, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the storage management means converts the image data to the current image format when it is determined that the current image format is suitable as a result of the determination of the suitability. Since the image data acquired via the Internet is stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage means, the information is stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage means. In addition, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, an Internet terminal device in which an efficient data storage management environment capable of effectively utilizing a limited information storage area as much as possible is constructed. Can be obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is the GIF format, the storage management means refers to the size of the image data and the number of colors used. When both the size of the image data and the number of colors used exceed the first and second threshold values respectively set in advance, the current image format used for the image data is suitable. Therefore, when the image format is the GIF format, the size of the image data is relatively large, and
Provided that the number of colors used is relatively large, for example, GIF
Format can be properly converted to the JPEG format. As a result, similar to the first aspect of the present invention, when the image data acquired via the Internet is stored in the information storage area of the storage means, Regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, an Internet terminal device in which an efficient data storage management environment capable of effectively utilizing a limited information storage area as much as possible is constructed. Obtainable.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, when the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is the JPEG format, the storage management means refers to the size of the image data, and When the size of the data does not exceed the third threshold value set in advance, it is determined that the current image format used for the image data is not suitable. In the case of, the conversion from, for example, the JPEG format to the GIF format can be appropriately performed on the condition that the size of the image data is relatively small.
When the image data acquired via the Internet is stored and stored in the information storage area of the storage means, regardless of the type of the image format used for the acquired image data, similarly to the invention of the third aspect, It is possible to obtain an Internet terminal device in which an efficient data storage management environment capable of utilizing the information storage area as effectively as possible is constructed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is compressed as compared with the size of the image data before the format conversion, Is stored in the information storage area of the storage means. Therefore, by referring to the size of the image data before and after the format conversion, it is appropriate to determine whether the image data after the format conversion should be stored and stored. According to the result of the determination, the appropriate one of the image data before and after the format conversion can be stored and accumulated, and as a result, similar to the invention of claim 1, the image data obtained via the Internet can be obtained. When storing the obtained image data in the information storage area of the storage means, regardless of the type of image format used for the acquired image data, limited information Efficient data storage management environment that can as much as possible effective use of 憶領 region can be obtained internet terminal built.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is not compressed as compared with the size of the image data before the format conversion, Is stored in the information storage area of the storage means while maintaining the current image format.Therefore, by referring to the size of the image data before and after the format conversion, the image data after the format conversion can be stored. It is possible to appropriately determine whether or not to store and accumulate, and in accordance with the result of the judgment, an appropriate one of the image data before and after the format conversion can be stored and accumulated. As a result, the invention according to claim 1 Similarly to the above, when storing image data acquired via the Internet in the information storage area of the storage means, the type of image format used for the acquired image data is used. Regardless of the exhibits the excellent effect that efficient data storage management environment that can as much as possible effective use of information storage area limited can be obtained internet terminal built.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block configuration diagram around an Internet terminal device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the Internet terminal device.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the present Internet terminal device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Internet terminal device 3a, 3b, 3c ... WWW server 5 Internet 7 Communication part (data acquisition means) 9 Decryption part 10 Data bus 11 Operation input part 13 Cache memory 15 Acquisition data storage part (storage means) 17 Storage management part (Storage Management Unit) 19 Display Unit 21 Display Control Unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Web provided via the Internet
An Internet terminal device, which is used when using an information service including a b-page search and browse service and includes storage means having an information storage area in which data relating to the information service is stored, wherein the Internet terminal device includes: A data acquisition unit for acquiring data relating to the information service, and of the data acquired by the data acquisition unit, a type of an image format used for image data containing an image,
The current image used for the image data by analyzing the size or the number of colors used for the image data and referring to the image format obtained by the analysis and the size or the number of colors used for the image data Performs a pass / fail decision on the suitability of the format, and, as a result of the pass / fail decision, when it is determined that the current image format is not suitable, converts the current image format into an image format suitable for the image data. An internet terminal device comprising: a storage management unit for storing the image data after the format conversion in an information storage area of the storage unit. 2. The storage management unit according to claim 2, wherein, as a result of the determination as to whether or not the image data is appropriate, the storage management unit stores the image data in a state where the current image format is maintained. 2. The Internet terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the information is stored in an information storage area of the means. 3. The Internet terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the type of image format used for the image data includes a GIF format or a JPEG format. 4. The storage management means, wherein the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is G
In the case of the IF format, by referring to the size of the image data and the number of colors used, both the size of the image data and the number of colors used are set in advance to the first one.
4. The Internet terminal according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made that the current image format used for the image data is not suitable when each of the values exceeds the second threshold value. apparatus. 5. The storage management means, wherein the image format of the image data obtained by the analysis is J
In the case of the PEG format, by referring to the size of the image data, if the size of the image data does not exceed the third threshold value set in advance, the image data is used for the image data. 4. The Internet terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a determination is made that the current image format is not suitable. 6. The storage management means, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before the format conversion, 6. The Internet terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the information is stored in an information storage area of the storage unit. 7. The storage management unit, when the size of the image data after the format conversion is not compressed in comparison with the size of the image data before the format conversion, 6. The Internet terminal device according to claim 1, wherein a current image format is maintained and stored in an information storage area of the storage unit.