JP2000222160A - Device, system, and method for image output and computer-readable recording medium where program for making computer function for individual process of same method is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the time before target information is printed out and to improve the convenience by facilitating operation by obtaining image information having a corresponding file name from a corresponding device through a communication line according to the device- and file name at a storage location specified by address information. SOLUTION: A network printer 101 after being connected to a network 500 requests a server 102 managing a specified address to download homepage data. The server 102 outputs the homepage data at the downloading request. The outputted homepage data are downloaded sequentially to the network printer 101 and a print information expansion part 304 performs an expanding and coupling process, so that contents similar to the contents of the homepage displayed on a monitor are outputted on recording paper. Thus, the network printer 101 sends and receives image data directly to and from the server 102.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output apparatus, an image output system, an image output method, and a computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as each step of the method is recorded. An image output device for inputting image information via a line and outputting the input image information to recording paper; an image output device for transferring image information desired to be output to recording paper via a communication line from a host device to the image output device; The present invention relates to an image output system and an image output method for outputting image information to recording paper on the side.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the spread of information networks such as the Internet and intranets has never stopped, and their usefulness and convenience have been recognized by many people. In particular, when using the Internet, the user can obtain various information from around the world through text, images, and voices without having to understand the contents of the communication protocol and the operation of the viewing software. The acquisition of such information rarely depends on the type of browsing software (hereinafter referred to as a browser), and the necessary information can be easily obtained by specifying the address of the information or by clicking the link. it can.

The expansion of networks such as the Internet is largely due to the fact that high-performance personal computers and printers have been supplied at low cost.

[0004] Further, since the content of the obtained information is very substantial, in addition to the usage method of browsing all of the information on the screen while connected to the Internet, the information is displayed when the download is completed. There is also a growing number of uses where information is printed out and later viewed over time.

Here, as an example of outputting image information to be recorded on recording paper via a communication line, a system for printing out information on the Internet by a printer and a process up to printout will be described. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process from address designation to browsing contents being printed out and a system necessary for printing out browsing contents.

First, a user inputs an address of a homepage to be browsed through a keyboard (not shown) of the personal computer 901 (route 1). continue,
The personal computer 901 performs a connection process with the network 500, and requests the server 902 that manages the designated address to download file data corresponding to a home page (hereinafter referred to as home page data or image information) (route 2). ).

[0007] The server 902 outputs homepage data in response to a download request (route 3). The output home page data is sequentially downloaded to the personal computer 901 (route 4), and the browser and the OS perform expansion processing, combination processing, and the like, and display the data on the monitor 903 (route 5). After confirming the displayed homepage (route 6), the user issues a print command to the personal computer 901 (route 7).

The personal computer 901 converts the homepage data into data that can be output as an image similar to the screen displayed on the monitor 903 by the printer 904 (hereinafter, the converted data that can be output is referred to as converted print data). ), And outputs the converted print data to the printer 904 (route 8a). Also, the printer 904
Is connected to the network 500, the personal computer 901
The converted print data is output to the printer 904 (route 8b).

The printer 904 outputs the same contents and layout as those displayed on the monitor 903 on the recording paper based on the converted print data (route 9).

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-26973 discloses a "service agent for executing a web browser request".
A technology that efficiently implements the access function of the web browser by supporting D and making it easy for the client to access the database in the client is disclosed. This system is a technology for accessing a database of a web browser, and is intended to display data through a web browser on a computer.

[0011]

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional technique, for example, instead of surfing the Internet to search for necessary information, the address of a page to be printed is known in advance. Even if you want to print out the information without displaying it on the screen, such as when obtaining news information supplied in a fixed format or when receiving an e-mail, a computer must be used to print out the relevant information. It is necessary to operate the browser once each time to operate and to perform procedures such as processing for connecting to the network,
Unnecessary time is required to print out the target information, and it takes a long time to print out the information, and there is a problem that the work is complicated and troublesome.

In particular, since the amount of image data is larger than that of ordinary text data, if the number of data processing and data transfer steps increases, it takes time to print out the data, or the network becomes congested. If so, additional transfer time is required.

Further, according to the above-mentioned conventional technique, image information to be output on a recording sheet is transferred from a host device to an image output device via a communication line such as a telephone line or a network cable, and the image output device side transmits the image information. In an image output system that outputs information to recording paper, image information must be output if you want to output information that changes from moment to moment on recording paper at regular intervals, or if you want to output information to recording paper every time the data content changes. In such a case, since the image information is transferred from the host device side each time and the image information is transferred and output to the recording paper each time, simply outputting (printing) to the recording paper requires a load on the entire system. There was a problem. For example, a problem occurs in that the performance of a host device (personal computer) that transmits a print request is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and when it is desired to print out without displaying a screen, it is possible to shorten the time required to print out the desired information and to simplify the operation. The purpose is to improve convenience.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and an entire system resulting from transferring an image information by controlling an image output device from a host device every time output of image information is necessary. To reduce the load on

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output apparatus, comprising: inputting image information via a communication line such as a telephone line or a network cable; And an address information inputting means for inputting address information for designating a device and a file name of a storage location where the image information is stored, and address information via the address information input means. Is input, based on the device and file name of the storage location specified by the address information, image information acquisition means for acquiring image information of the corresponding file name from the corresponding device via the communication line, Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper based on the image information obtained by the image information obtaining means.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the address information input means inputs the address information for designating the device / file name of the storage location where the image information is stored, and the address information is input via the address information input means. Is input, the image information obtaining means obtains the image information of the corresponding file name from the corresponding device via the communication line based on the device / file name of the storage location specified by the address information, and The forming unit forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image information acquired by the image information acquiring unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus, the address information input means is an operation panel provided on the apparatus main body.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus, the address information input means inputs the address information from a host device connected to the communication line via the communication line.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image output apparatus, the address information input means has a wireless communication function, and the address information is input from another apparatus having a wireless communication function by wireless communication using the wireless communication function. Is entered.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output system which transfers image information to be output to a recording sheet from a host device to an image output device via a communication line such as a telephone line or a network cable. In an image output system that outputs image information to a recording sheet, the host device transfers the image information that the user wants to output to the image output device instead of transferring the image information that the user wants to output. An address information transfer unit for transferring address information designating a file name to the image output device, wherein the image output device inputs the address information transferred from the address information transfer unit via the communication line; When address information is input via the address information input means and the address information input means,
The device at the storage location specified by the address information
An image information acquisition unit that acquires image information of a corresponding file name from a corresponding device via the communication line based on the file name, and an image on a recording sheet based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition unit. And an image forming means for forming the image.

That is, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the host device includes address information transfer means, and the address information transfer means specifies the device / file name of the storage location where the image information to be output is stored. To the image output device, the image output device includes an address information input unit, an image information acquisition unit, and an image formation unit, and the address information input unit transmits the address information transferred from the address information transfer unit via the communication line. When the address information is input via the address information input means, the image information acquisition means transmits the image information from the corresponding apparatus via the communication line based on the device / file name of the storage location designated by the address information. The image information of the corresponding file name is acquired, and the image forming unit records based on the image information acquired by the image information acquiring unit. To form an image on.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image output method, wherein image information to be output on a recording sheet is transferred from a host device to an image output device via a communication line such as a telephone line or a network cable. In the image output method for outputting image information to a recording sheet, instead of transferring the image information to be output from the host device to the image output device, a storage location and a file storing the image information to be output are stored. An address information transfer step of transferring address information to be specified from the host device to the image output device; and the communication line based on the address information transferred from the host device to the image output device in the address information transfer step. Image information obtaining step of reading the image information of the corresponding storage location and file into the image output device via Based on the image information acquired by the image information acquisition step, in which and an image forming step of forming an image on a recording sheet.

That is, in the invention according to claim 6, in the address information transfer step, address information for designating a storage location and a file in which image information to be output is stored is transferred from the host device to the image output device. The acquiring step reads the image information of the corresponding storage location and file into the image output device via the communication line based on the address information transferred from the host device to the image output device in the address information transfer step, and the image forming step And forming an image on a recording sheet based on the image information obtained in the image information obtaining step.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium in which a program for causing a computer to function as each step of the image output method according to the sixth aspect is recorded.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. In the first embodiment, a server that stores image information, a network printer that downloads image information from the server to form an image, and a host that transfers an address of the image information stored in the server to the network printer A system including a device (personal computer) and these servers, a network printer, and a host device will be described. First, an image forming process will be described, and then a network printer, a server, and a host device constituting the system will be described.

In the first embodiment, a network printer is used as an image output device.
It may be a facsimile machine or the like. In the following embodiments, the Internet is used as a network. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an independent network (intranet) or the like may be used.
Unless otherwise specified, a network is not limited as long as image information is transmitted and received, regardless of whether it is wired or wireless, and is connected to a small scale by a parallel cable as a local system as well as a network cable. Even if it is included in the network.

(Image Forming Process) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a process and a system from address designation by a user until image information is printed out by a network printer. First, the user inputs the address of the homepage to be browsed to the network printer 1.
01 is operated directly or through a host device (personal computer) (route 1). The network printer 101 is connected to the network 50
After performing the connection process with 0, a request for downloading the homepage data is made to the server 102 that manages the specified address (route 2). The server 102 outputs home page data in response to the download request (route 3). The output homepage data is sequentially downloaded to the network printer 101 (route 4), expanded and combined by a print information expansion unit described later, and the same contents as the homepage displayed on the monitor 903 in FIG. (Route 5).

As can be seen from this process, the network printer 101 (image output device) in the first embodiment transmits and receives image information directly from the server 102. Further, since the image output system according to the first embodiment has the network printer 101, the network printer 10
The transfer of image information to one is not required, and image formation is performed by transferring only address information. Note that route 1 corresponds to the address information transfer process, routes 2 to 4 correspond to the image information acquisition process, and route 5 corresponds to the image forming process.

(Configuration of Network Printer and Flow of Data Processing) Next, the configuration of the network printer 101 will be described. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of the network printer 101. Network printer 1
01 denotes a liquid crystal display unit 202 and a push switch group 2
03, a paper feed tray 204 for stacking a large number of recording papers, a paper discharge port 205 for discharging the recording paper on which image information is recorded, Network cable 2 to be used
06.

A push switch group 203 on the operation display unit 201 includes an alphabet key, a print request key,
A history key and the like are provided. Alphabet keys are used when inputting the address of a homepage. Since the homepage address is usually expressed in English alphabets, alphabet keys such as a computer keyboard may be provided. However, if the function keys are provided as appropriate, the alphabet can be input with several keys, so that the homepage address can be omitted. Leads to space.

A print request key is provided in the push switch group 203, and is used to start printing after inputting an address. With this key, you can connect to the network 500, download image information,
This can be a trigger for starting a series of operations such as printing. The history key calls an address input in the past. This key eliminates the need to enter alphabetical characters one by one. Also, the input address can be made easier for the user to understand using another index. For example, “www.rico”
h. co. jp / "is replaced with" Ricoh. "Alternatively, the key input operation may be replaced by a method of inputting an address by voice recognition.
03 corresponds to the address information input means.

The liquid crystal display unit 202 displays designated address information. In addition, the network 500
Also displays the communication status with. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of the liquid crystal display unit 202. For example, when the print request key is pressed, the “connection start” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202.
(See FIG. 3A). In addition, "downloading" while downloading homepage data
(Fig. 3b) During printing, "1/5 printing"
(FIG. 3c), when the printing is completed, "print completed" (FIG. 3)
d) etc. can be displayed. Additionally, "protocol processing", "dialing", "download complete"
"Do you want to enter another address?", "Connection completed", etc. can also be displayed. By performing such a detailed display, the user can grasp what state the network printer 101 is in.

In addition to the communication status and the printing status, a warning display such as a shortage of ink, out of paper, a paper jam, etc., and a method of releasing the warning can be displayed. Note that, in addition to the above-described liquid crystal display, a mode in which the status of the network printer 101 is notified by voice may be used.

Although not shown in the figure, the network printer 101 is a processing base used when internally receiving converted print data and outputting it to recording paper, similarly to a normal image output device (printer, facsimile). , An ink, a head or a drum, a power supply device and the like suitable for the printing method.

Next, the flow of data processing of the network printer 101 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of data processing of the network printer 101. The network printer 101 communicates with the server 102 via the network 500 and an operation display unit 301 for inputting, for example, address designation of the homepage by the user and various displays, and also receives an address from a host device (not shown). Communication unit 30 for receiving specified input
2, a storage unit 303 for storing homepage data on the server 102 received via the communication unit 302, a print information development unit 304 for performing various processes on the stored homepage data and developing the converted homepage data, Output unit 305 that outputs the expanded converted print data to recording paper
And a control unit 306 for controlling these units.
The operation display unit 301 in FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the operation display unit 201 in FIG. 2, and both are the same.

The communication unit 302 establishes a connection protocol with the server 102 via the network 500, transmits a request for downloading homepage data, and receives homepage data from the server 102 under the control of the control unit 306. Also, an input for address designation from a host device (personal computer) is received.
Note that the communication unit 302 uses T if an ISDN connection is made.
A, DSU, and a telephone line, etc., if it is connected using a normal telephone line, it consists of a modem and a telephone line, and if it is connected by wireless, it consists of an antenna, a transmitting device, a receiving device, etc. In the case of a LAN connection, a network card, a LAN cable and the like are used, and hardware according to the connection form is used. still,
The communication unit 302 corresponds to an address information input unit and an image information acquisition unit. Address designation by a host device (not shown) corresponds to the information transfer means.

The storage unit 303 stores homepage data received via the network 500, and also stores translation data and conversion output data described later. Since these need only be stored during energization, inexpensive SRA
M and DRAM can be used. On the other hand, the storage unit 30
3. If the downloaded homepage data is stored for a certain period of time or the homepage address information is stored, it is necessary to use a hard disk, a flash memory, or the like that stores the information even when the power is turned off. is there. Note that the storage unit 303 plays a role similar to a so-called spooler in storing converted output data.

The print information developing unit 304 is provided in the storage unit 30
3. The home page data downloaded in step 3 is developed so that it can be output on recording paper. The data downloaded from the network 500 includes data of a hypertext file and data of an image file addressed in the hypertext file. The print information developing unit 304 first converts the downloaded data into translation data described below. That is, the print information developing unit 304 analyzes the downloaded hypertext file and determines the layout of the homepage, the font of the character, the size of the character, the color of the character, the position of the image, and the like. After that, the print information developing unit 304 sequentially develops the file while downloading the image file specified on the hypertext, and outputs the file to the storage unit 303 as translation data.

Although the output translation data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 303, the print information development unit 304 subsequently converts the translation data into converted print data so that the output data can be output by the output unit 305. This is a process conventionally performed by the OS and the printer driver of the personal computer. In addition, the print information developing unit 304 performs output processing control in accordance with settings such as the size and type of recording paper and the output resolution.

In the above, for convenience of explanation, the processing of translation data and the processing of converted print data have been described separately.
This does not hinder the processing of generating the converted print data from the homepage data immediately by putting them together. In this case, since the translation data does not need to be stored in the storage unit 303, the processing time is improved.

If the downloaded image file exceeds the resolution of the network printer, the print information developing unit 304
It is also possible to reduce the image data capacity to a resolution that can be output in step (1). Here, if the resolution is reduced, the capacity of the translation data is reduced, leading to a reduction in the processing time of the data conversion into the converted print data and a reduction in the output operation time on the recording paper in the output unit 305. The value of use is improved.

Also, the print information developing unit 304 uses the JAVA
An object-oriented language such as A can be handled. J
If AVA can be handled, image data according to the resolution of the network printer 101 can be received by bidirectional communication with the server 102, and a small amount of download data is required, so that image output time on recording paper is dramatically increased. Thus, an image output system which is shortened is realized.

The output unit 305 outputs the converted print data processed by the print information developing unit to recording paper. Inkjet system, laser printer system,
A sublimation type method and the like can be cited, but a laser printer method is suitable for increasing the resolution, and an ink jet method is suitable for making it portable.

The control section 306 controls each section. In addition, the homepage data downloaded as described below is compared with the homepage data stored in the storage unit 303 before the download is performed. Further, as will be described later, it also controls a timer (not shown). The control unit 306 includes a CPU and the like. However, the print information developing unit 304 may include a dedicated processing chip separate from the CPU for the purpose of performing translation data conversion and high-speed processing of the converted print data to reduce the load on the CPU.

Further, since the network printer 101 has the storage unit 303, the OS for the network printer 101 can be installed by software. The OS controls an address information transfer step, an image information acquisition step, and an image formation step. This OS is recorded on a recording medium readable not only by the network printer 101 but also by the host device and the server 102. Advantages of installing this OS on the server 102 and the network printer 101 include, for example,
In two-way communication with the server 102, it is possible to construct a system capable of efficiently reducing the amount of image data according to the resolution of the network printer 101. It is also possible to interpret a newly developed image compression format and the like.

(Configuration of Host Device and Server) Next, the configuration of the host device and server will be described. FIG.
5A shows the configuration of a host device (personal computer), and FIG. 5B shows the configuration of a server. Host device 40
Reference numeral 0 denotes a communication unit 401 for specifying an address to the network printer 101; an operation input unit including a keyboard and a mouse for performing input operations; and a storage unit including a hard disk device and a memory for storing and storing various files and data. A monitor output unit for outputting various processing results to a monitor, and a control unit for controlling the entire host device including a processing unit including a CPU and the like. The host device 400 used in the first embodiment merely specifies an address to the network printer 101 via the communication unit 401, and the host device downloads image information and processes the image information as in the related art. Then, since the processing of transferring the data to the printer is released, the performance of the entire image output system is improved.

The server 102 is a network printer 1
The communication unit includes a communication unit that receives a request for downloading image information from the server 01 and outputs the requested image information, a storage unit that stores the requested image information, and a processing unit that controls the entire server 102. . An OS that controls the address information transfer step, the image information acquisition step, and the image formation step
Is the storage unit in the host device 400 and the server 102
Installed in the storage unit.

Next, a flow in which the network printer 101 prints out the homepage data will be described. FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing a flow of an image forming operation of the network printer 101. The user operates the operation display unit 20
The user inputs the address of the homepage to be printed out through step 1 (step S601). This address input is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202. Subsequently, the control unit 30
6 analyzes the designated address, and performs connection processing to the server 102 that manages the address via the communication unit 302 (step S602). At this time, the liquid crystal display unit 20
2 displays “Connection is being established”.

When the connection is established, the control unit 306 makes a download request for the homepage data on the server 102 corresponding to the designated address (step S60).
3), download the file (step S
604). At this time, “DOWNLOADING” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202. Note that the downloaded homepage data is sequentially stored in the storage unit 303.

Next, the control unit 306 determines whether the download has been completed (step S605). If the download has not been completed, step S604 follows.
Return to and continue the download. When the download is completed, the print information developing unit 304 converts the homepage data stored in the storage unit 303 into converted print data that can be output on recording paper through a process of translating data (step S606). The converted print data is transferred to the storage unit 303, and “wait” of the control unit 306 is released.

Subsequently, the liquid crystal display unit 202 displays "print start" (step S607), and the output unit 305
The converted print data is sequentially output on recording paper to form an image (step S608). When all the converted output data has been output on the recording paper, "print completed" is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202 (step S609), and the printout operation ends.

The network printer 101 according to the first embodiment does not require transfer of image information from the host device, and includes an operation display unit 301 (address information input unit) and a communication unit 302 (image information acquisition unit, address information input unit). ) And the output unit 305 (image forming means) independently obtain the image information from the server 102, so that the image information can be output to the recording paper in a short time. Further, in the image output system including the network printer 101, the host device, and the server 102, regarding the image forming operation, since the host device transfers only the address information, the processing capacity during the image forming operation is not reduced, and the performance of the entire system is reduced. Is improved. Further, since the network printer 101 is provided with the operation display unit 201, address designation and other printout operations can be easily performed without a special input device such as a personal computer or a keyboard.

Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, a network printer having a wireless communication function will be described. FIG. 7 is an external view of a network printer including a communication unit capable of wireless connection. Network printer 70
1 is a liquid crystal display unit 702 and a push switch group 703
, An antenna 704 for performing wireless communication, and a power supply unit 705. Since the network printer 701 has a wireless function, it is highly portable, and it is assumed that various technologies related to miniaturization and space saving have been introduced. In the network printer 701 according to the second embodiment, the network printer 101 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified.
Only the parts different from the above will be described.

The liquid crystal display unit 702 and the push switch group 703 perform the same functions as the liquid crystal display unit 202 and the push switch group 203 of the network printer 101 according to the first embodiment. If the voice recognition means is used, the push switch group 203 and the liquid crystal display 20
2 can be omitted, so that further space saving can be achieved.

The antenna 704 is connected to the communication unit 3 in FIG.
02 is a part of a communication unit having a wireless communication function in addition to the processing performed in step S02. The communication unit of the network printer 701
It performs various protocol processing and protocol control for performing wireless communication. For the communication unit of the network printer 701, for example, an existing communication protocol such as PHS and hardware for performing the protocol processing can be used. Thereby, size and weight can be reduced.
Further, since the network printer 701 has a wireless function, address information can be input from a host device (mobile personal computer) also having a wireless function, and a wireless image output system can be constructed.

The power supply unit 705 uses a secondary battery in order to secure the advantage of using wireless connection, that is, the function as a mobile printer. Network printer 70
1 uses a lithium ion battery. still,
The use of the lithium polymer battery increases the degree of freedom in forming the housing shape, and makes it possible to provide a mobile printer that is further downsized.

The network printer 701 employs an ink-jet method as an image forming means, so that the size of the housing is reduced. This is because the laser printing method requires a drum, and the apparatus becomes larger than the ink jet method.

Since the network printer 701 is reduced in size and weight and communicates with the network 500 by radio, it can be used as a PDA. Generally, the existing PDA has a two-dimensional screen, so that miniaturization improves portability, but at the same time deteriorates visibility.
Since the network printer 701 has a one-dimensional shape as shown in FIG. 7, both portability and visibility are good. For example, if the network printer 701 is capable of outputting B5 paper, the diagonal of B5 paper is equivalent to about 14 inches. The above screen display can be easily obtained outdoors.

The network printer 701 according to the second embodiment can form an image by itself and has a wireless communication function, so that it is highly portable and can acquire address information by wireless communication. The image output system according to the second embodiment includes a host device (such as a mobile computer) having a wireless communication function and a network printer having a wireless communication function, so that an image output system that performs wireless communication can be constructed.

Embodiment 3 In the third embodiment, a description will be given of a network printer that forms an image when homepage data is updated. That is, a network printer that compares the homepage data downloaded by the control unit 306 with the homepage data stored in the storage unit 303 before the download will be described. The network printer according to the third embodiment has the same configuration as the network printer 101 according to the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. The names and citation numbers of the respective units are the same as those of the network printer 101 according to the first embodiment. Use

FIG. 8 shows that when the homepage is updated,
5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a network printer that prints out homepage data.
The user inputs an address of a homepage to be printed out through the operation display unit 201 (step S80).
1). This address input is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202. Subsequently, the control unit 306 analyzes the specified address, and performs a connection process to the server 102 that manages the address via the communication unit 302 (step S802).
At this time, a message “Connection is being established” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202.

When the connection is established, the control unit 306 makes a download request for homepage data on the server 102 corresponding to the designated address (step S80).
3), sequentially download the homepage data (step S504). At this time, “DOWNLOADING” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202. Note that the downloaded homepage data is sequentially stored in the storage unit 303.

Next, the control unit 306 determines whether the download has been completed (step S805). If the download has not been completed, the process returns to step S804 to continue the download. At the end of the download, the control unit 306 compares the downloaded homepage data with the homepage data before the download stored in the storage unit 303 and determines whether the data content has been updated (step S806). ).

If it has been updated, the print information control unit 3
In step S807, the homepage data stored in the storage unit 303 is converted into converted print data that can be output on recording paper through processing of the translated data. The converted print data is transferred to the storage unit 303, and is stored in the control unit 30.
Release "wait" of 6.

Subsequently, the liquid crystal display unit 202 displays "print start" (step S808), and the output unit 305
The converted print data is sequentially output on recording paper to form an image (step S809). When all the converted output data has been output on the recording paper, "print completed" is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202 (step S810), and the printout is completed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S806 that the data has not been updated, a message indicating whether or not to print out is displayed through the liquid crystal display unit 202, and an instruction is waited for (step S811). If the printout is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S807. If the printout is not to be performed, the image output operation ends.

Here, the presence / absence of the update is determined at the time when the download of the homepage data is completed. An output system can be constructed, and in step S804, whether or not there is an update can be checked from the property data. Also, if you want to print out even if it has not been updated,
By using the homepage data stored in the storage unit 303, image information can be output in a shorter time than downloading the same data again.

Network Printer 10 of Third Embodiment
1 judges whether or not the homepage data is updated, and outputs image information when the homepage data is updated, so that the recording paper is not wasted. In addition, when an image is output without being updated, new download is not performed using data stored in the storage unit 303, so that rapid image formation can be performed. Further, in the image output system according to the third embodiment, there is no image processing burden on the host device and the image information acquisition burden on the network printer 101 is reduced, so that the processing performance as a whole system is further improved.

Embodiment 4 In the fourth embodiment, a description will be given of a network printer that prints out homepage data at regular intervals. That is, the control unit 3
A network printer 06 controls a timer and forms an image at a predetermined time interval or at a predetermined time. still,
The network printer according to the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the network printer 101 according to the first embodiment, unless otherwise specified.
Use the same as above.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of the operation of the network printer 101 for forming an image at predetermined time intervals or at predetermined time. The control unit 306 determines whether a preset printout time has come (step S901). If it is not time to print out, the process returns to step S901, and this loop is repeated. The time is, for example, a time for setting a timing for browsing news distributed at a certain time, and is a time interval used when checking a mail at a certain time.

If it is determined in step S901 that it is time to perform printout, the control unit 304 reads an address stored in the storage unit 303 in advance (step S902). Subsequently, the control unit 306 analyzes the specified address, and performs connection processing to the server 102 that manages the address via the communication unit 302 (step S903). At this time, a message “Connection is being established” is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202.

When the connection is established, the control unit 306 makes a download request for file / data on the server 102 corresponding to the specified address (step S904).
Download the file data (step S
905). At this time, “DOWNLOADING” is displayed on the operation display unit 202. Note that the downloaded file data is sequentially stored in the storage unit 303.

Next, the control unit 306 determines whether the download has been completed (step S906). If the download has not been completed, the process returns to step S905 to continue the download.

When the download is completed, the print information control unit 304 converts the file data stored in the storage unit 303 into converted print data that can be output on recording paper (step S907). The converted print data is transferred to the storage unit 303, and the waiting of the control unit 306 is released.

Subsequently, the liquid crystal display unit 202 displays "print start" (step S908), and the output unit 305
The converted print data is sequentially output on recording paper to form an image (step S909). When all the converted output data has been output on the recording paper, "print completed" is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 202 (step S910), and the printout is completed.

Network Printer 10 of Fourth Embodiment
1 prints out at regular time intervals, so that, for example, a mail arrived in the middle of the night can be obtained in a state of being printed out in the morning, thereby contributing to effective use of the user's time. In the image output system according to the fourth embodiment, since the network printer 101 independently obtains image information, the image forming operation is performed even when the power of the host device is turned off, for example, at night. , Less burden on the system.

[0078]

As described above, in the image output device of the present invention (claim 1), the address information input means inputs the address information for designating the device / file name of the storage location where the image information is stored. Then, when the address information is input via the address information input means, the image information acquisition means transmits the corresponding information via the communication line based on the device / file name of the storage location designated by the address information. When the image information of the corresponding file name is acquired and the image forming unit forms an image on the recording paper based on the image information acquired by the image information acquiring unit, the image forming unit is used to print out the image without displaying the screen. Can be shortened, and the convenience can be improved by simplifying the operation. Further, the load on the entire system caused by transferring the image information by controlling the image output device from the host device every time the image information is required to be output can be reduced.

Further, the image output device of the present invention (Claim 2)
Since the address information input means is an operation panel provided on the apparatus main body, address designation and other printout operations can be easily performed without a special input device such as a personal computer or a keyboard. It is possible to improve user convenience.

An image output apparatus according to the present invention (claim 3)
Since the address information input means inputs address information from a host device connected to the communication line via the communication line, the user operates the nearest host device to specify the address, An image forming operation (output to recording paper) can be performed even in a place separated from the user.

Further, the image output apparatus of the present invention (claim 4)
Since the address information input means has a wireless communication function and inputs the address information from another device having a wireless communication function by wireless communication using the wireless communication function, An image forming operation can be performed using the function. When the host device has a wireless function, a wireless image output system can be constructed.

In the image output system according to the present invention, the host device has an address information transfer means, and the address information transfer means has a device / file name of a storage location storing image information to be output. Is transferred to the image output device, the image output device includes an address information input unit, an image information acquisition unit, and an image forming unit, and the address information input unit is transferred from the address information transfer unit via a communication line. Enter the address information provided,
When the image information obtaining means receives the address information through the address information input means, the corresponding file is transmitted from the corresponding device via the communication line based on the device / file name of the storage location specified by the address information. Name is obtained, and the image forming means forms an image on a recording sheet based on the image information obtained by the image information obtaining means. The time until the information is printed out can be shortened, and the operation can be simplified to improve the convenience. Further, the load on the entire system caused by transferring the image information by controlling the image output device from the host device every time the image information is required to be output can be reduced.

An image output method according to the present invention (claim 6)
The address information transfer step transfers, from the host device to the image output apparatus, address information designating a storage location and a file where the image information to be output is stored, and the image information obtaining step performs the address information transfer step. Based on the address information transferred to the image output device, the image information of the corresponding storage location and file is read into the image output device via the communication line, and the image forming process converts the image information obtained in the image information obtaining process into the image information. If you want to print out without displaying the screen, you can shorten the time required to print out the desired information and simplify the work to improve the convenience. Can be planned. Further, the load on the entire system caused by transferring the image information by controlling the image output device from the host device every time the image information is required to be output can be reduced.

Further, the computer readable recording medium of the present invention (claim 7) records a program for causing a computer to function as each step of the image output method. If you want to print out without performing it, you can reduce the time required to print out the desired information,
In addition, the work can be simplified and the convenience can be improved. Further, the load on the entire system caused by transferring the image information by controlling the image output device from the host device every time the image information is required to be output can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a process and a system from address designation to printing of image information by a network printer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of the network printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a display example of a liquid crystal display unit of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of data processing of the network printer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a host device (personal computer) and a server according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an image forming operation of the network printer according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an external view of a network printer including a communication unit capable of wireless connection according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a network printer that detects an update of a homepage and prints out homepage data according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of an operation of a network printer that forms an image at a predetermined fixed time interval or a predetermined fixed time according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a conventional system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 701 Network printer 102 Server 301 Operation display unit 302 Communication unit 303 Storage unit 304 Print information development unit 305 Output unit 306 Control unit 500 Network 704 Antenna 901 Personal computer 903 Monitor 904 Printer

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image output device for inputting image information via a communication line such as a telephone line or a network cable and outputting the input image information on a recording sheet, wherein: a device at a storage location where the image information is stored An address information inputting means for inputting address information for designating a file name; and when the address information is input via the address information inputting means, a device and a file name of a storage location designated by the address information Based on the image information obtained by the image information obtaining means, the image information obtaining means for obtaining the image information of the corresponding file name from the corresponding device via the communication line,
An image output apparatus, comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet. 2. The image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said address information input means is an operation panel provided on the apparatus main body. 3. An image output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said address information input means inputs said address information from a host device connected to said communication line via said communication line. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the address information input unit has a wireless communication function, and inputs the address information from another device having a wireless communication function by wireless communication using the wireless communication function. The image output device according to claim 1. 5. An image information to be output on a recording paper is transferred from a host device to an image output device via a communication line such as a telephone line or a network cable, and the image information is output to the recording paper on the image output device side. In the image output system, the host device may include, instead of transferring the image information to be output to the image output device, address information that specifies a device / file name of a storage location where the image information to be output is stored. Address information transfer means for transferring the address information transferred from the address information transfer means via the communication line, the address information input means for inputting the address information transferred from the address information transfer means via the communication line, When address information is input via the information input means, a device at a storage location specified by the address information Based on the file name, the image information acquisition means for acquiring image information of the corresponding file name from the appropriate device via the communication line, based on the acquired image information by the image information acquiring means,
An image output system, comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet. 6. Transferring image information to be output to a recording paper from a host device to an image output device via a communication line such as a telephone line or a network cable, and outputting the image information to the recording paper on the image output device side. In the image output method, in place of transferring the image information to be output from the host device to the image output device, address information for specifying a storage location and a file where the image information to be output is stored is stored in the host device. An address information transfer step of transferring from the host device to the image output apparatus in the address information transfer step, and a corresponding storage location and file via the communication line. Reading the image information into the image output device, and obtaining the image information in the image information obtaining step Based on the image information,
An image forming method, comprising: an image forming step of forming an image on a recording sheet. 7. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as each step of the image output method according to claim 6 is recorded.