JP2002304314A - Application data file reference system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm (refer to) contents of various application data files even from a client computer not installable with applications corresponding to the various application data files. SOLUTION: In this system, an application selection part 114 and an application startup part 115 select and start an application corresponding to a reference request target application data file. A middle data generation part 116 generates a middle data file on the basis of the application data file sent from the started application. An image generation part 117 and an image form generation part 118 generate an image data file and a link file on the basis of specification of a display state and the middle data file, and controls the link file and the image data file such that the link file and the image data file become a response data file.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network system (a file server for storing document data) in which a client computer having a Web browser and a server computer are connected via the Internet / Intranet (Internet or Intranet). (A file server computer may also exist.) The present invention relates to an application data file reference method for referring to and outputting the contents of an application data file. Here, the application data means dependent data having a data format dependent on the application (application software).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information communication networks represented by the Internet have become widespread, and a social infrastructure capable of exchanging information (data exchange) on a worldwide scale is being constructed. It has become

[0003] Numerous hardware and software exist for data exchange in each country. As the digital data created there, there are many file format data depending on the application software used. Here, restrictions on data exchange based on differences in file formats cannot be ignored when data is exchanged via a network or electronic mail.

[0004] Also, Windows ("Windows"
s "is Microsoft Corporation of the United States
There are many basic software (operating system (hereinafter, referred to as “OS”)) as represented by the Internet / intranet (TCP / IP (Tran)).
Smmission Control Protocol
/ Internet Protocol (communication network) distributed on a database (WWW (WWW
URL (Uniform Resource) which is one of access information sources on an old Wide Web (Server) server
HTML (Hyp) specified by ce Locator
er Text Mark-up Language)
A Web browser (general-purpose Web browser) capable of displaying database resources including file format data) is installed.

However, the file format of the database resources distributed on the Internet / intranet (TCP / IP communication network) includes not only the HTML file format but also many other file formats.

Conventionally, in order to display data in these file formats (a file format other than the HTML file format), an application capable of displaying the data in the file format must be installed on the OS being used. Was.

[0007] Even when displaying the contents of a file attached to an e-mail or the like, each user who exchanges information by e-mail is required to exchange information between computers on which the same application is installed. Only the contents of the file could be seen.

[0008]

In the above-described conventional technique (file reference method), as described above, an application capable of displaying the file format of database resources distributed on the Internet / intranet is provided for each client computer for each OS. There was a problem that it was necessary to install it.

In this case, it is necessary to perform maintenance management by upgrading the version of the application. for that reason,
Even if the application is only for referencing or printing a file, it is necessary to purchase and install licenses for the number of client computers, which causes a problem that a large environment construction cost is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a client computer (Web browser function) that cannot install applications corresponding to various application data files without requiring complicated data management and file format conversion on the client computer side. Client computer with built-in.
DA (Personal Digital Assist)
tans), etc. (including general-purpose terminals) to check the contents of the various application data files (see)
An object of the present invention is to provide an application data file reference method that can be used. Further, in addition to the above, according to the present invention, after confirming the contents of the application data file, the contents can be output to an output device such as a facsimile device on the server computer side or various printers connected to the server computer. It is also intended to be.

[0011] The patent publication relating to the prior art for the application data file reference method of the present invention is similar to the present invention in that data exchange and file (data) reference / output in a network system are considered. JP-A-11-134229 ",
JP-A-11-15610 and JP-A-20-15
No. 00-112691.

The technology described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-134229 ("multilingual communication terminal device") is a technology in which dedicated file conversion converter software is installed on a data transmission side computer and can be recognized by each other. This is a technique for proposing a method of converting the data into a data format and attaching the data to an e-mail and transmitting the data (data exchange method).

[0013] However, this technique requires a file conversion converter software to be installed on a computer on the data transmission side and an OS for performing data exchange.
Is different from the present invention in that it is necessary to create and install file conversion converter software for each OS when the OS is different.

The technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-15610 ("printing system") proposes a system capable of printing various application data without requiring a file format conversion on the client computer side. Technology.

[0015] However, this technique is essentially different from the present invention in that when the application for printing is not installed on the client computer side, the file contents cannot be known without printing. .

Further, the above-mentioned JP-A-2000-11269 is described.
The technology described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1 (“Network printing system, network printer, and network printing method”) is a technology that proposes a method of displaying a preview screen reflecting printing performance.

However, this technique involves accessing a printer connected to a network to display a preview, making a preview dependent on the performance of the accessed printer, and supporting a file format such as an HTML file format. The present invention is essentially different from the present invention in that it is limited to the file format of each part.

[0018]

According to the present invention, there is provided an application data file reference system in a network system in which a group of client computers and a group of server computers are connected via the Internet / intranet. A file reference request for the application data file including any of the URL designation data is transmitted to the server computer, and an image of the content of the application data file is generated based on response data transmitted from the server computer in response to the file reference request. Web browser on a client computer that displays a file, and a file reference request transmitted from the client computer Receiving a data transceiver in the server computer that sends the response data to the client computer for the file reference request,
It is determined whether the link file / image data file corresponding to the file reference request received by the data transmission / reception unit is cached, and if cached, the link file / image data file is used as response data A cache checking unit in the server computer that performs control for analyzing the data, and analyzes the file reference request received by the data transmission / reception unit to determine whether the file reference request includes the application data file or the URL specification data. An instruction analysis unit in the server computer that performs determination and control for designating a display mode; and when the instruction analysis unit determines that the file reference request includes URL specification data, the URL specification is performed. U based on the data A data acquisition unit in the server computer for acquiring the application data file specified by L via the Internet / intranet, and an application data file received by the data transmission / reception unit / an application data file acquired by the data acquisition unit. An application selecting unit in the server computer for selecting a corresponding application; an application starting unit in the server computer for starting the application selected by the application selecting unit and passing the application data file to the application; The application data file passed from the application started by the application does not depend on the application but depends on the output device. An intermediate data creation unit in the server computer that converts the data into an intermediate data file consisting of intermediate data that is independent data, and an instruction specified by the instruction analysis unit based on the intermediate data file generated by the intermediate data creation unit. After being adapted to the display mode, an image data file composed of image data that is data in a format that can be displayed by the Web browser and a link file to the image data file are generated, and the link file / image data file is generated. An image conversion driver (image image creation unit and image form creation unit) in the server computer for caching in the storage device and sending the link file / image data file as response data to the data transmission / reception unit.

Further, the application data file reference method of the present invention determines whether or not an intermediate data file is cached instead of / in addition to / in addition to each of the above components, If it is cached, a cache check unit in the server computer that controls the use of the intermediate data file, and a server that caches the generated intermediate data file on the server computer instead of the link file / image data file A driver selection in a server computer for selecting an appropriate driver as a destination of an intermediate data file from a group of image conversion drivers and output device drivers based on an intermediate data creation unit in the computer and a file reference request / output instruction data Department and Claire After confirming the contents of the application data file on the remote computer side, the intermediate data file generated and cached by the intermediate data generating unit is used based on the output instruction data from the client computer and the selection of the driver selecting unit. The output device driver in the server computer that controls the output device for outputting the confirmation content can also be configured.

It should be noted that the application data file reference method of the present invention is more generally used on the Internet /
In a network system in which a client computer group and a server computer group are connected via an intranet, a file reference request for referring to the contents of an application data file is transmitted to the server computer, and the server computer transmits the file reference request in response to the file reference request A web browser on the client computer that displays an image of the content of the application data file based on the response data received, and a file reference request transmitted from the client computer; A data transmitting / receiving unit in the server computer for transmitting to the client computer, and a request pair in the file reference request received by the data transmitting / receiving unit An application selection starter in the server computer for selecting and starting an application for the application data file, and an intermediate data file in the server computer for generating an intermediate data file based on the application data file passed from the application started by the application selection starter. An intermediate data creating unit, an image data file and a link file are generated based on the intermediate data file and the display mode specified by the intermediate data creating unit, and the data transmission / reception unit is used as the link file / image data file as response data. And an image conversion driver in the server computer to be sent to the server. Here, the above-described application data file referencing method cooperates with an output device driver (FAX driver and / or printer driver or the like) in the server computer to check the contents of the application data file on the client computer side. It is also possible to configure to output the confirmation content to an output device (FAX device and / or printer or the like) connected to the server computer.

Further, the application data file reference system of the present invention can be used in a network system in which a group of client computers and a group of server computers are connected via the Internet / intranet.
A file reference request for referring to the contents of the application data file is transmitted to the server computer, and an image of the contents of the application data file is displayed based on response data transmitted from the server computer in response to the file reference request. Assuming that a Web browser on the client computer exists, the server computer receives a file reference request transmitted from the client computer, and transmits response data to the file reference request to the client computer. Application selection for selecting and starting an application for an application data file to be requested in the file reference request received by the data transmission / reception unit A moving unit, an intermediate data creating unit that creates an intermediate data file based on an application data file passed from the application started by the application selection starting unit, and an intermediate data file created by the intermediate data creating unit and a display mode. It is also possible to realize an image data file and a link file based on the designation, and realize the program as a program for functioning as an image conversion driver that sends the link file / image data file as response data to the data transmission / reception unit.

[0022]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an application data file reference system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an application data file reference method according to the present embodiment includes a client computer 101 and a client computer 1.
04 and a storage device 107 for storing document data
(File server computer) 106 including a client computer 101 and a client computer 104 and an Internet / intranet (TCP / TCP) connecting a server computer group including the file server 106 and the server computer 109.
IP communication network) 108, WWW server and FT
P (File Transfer Protocol)
And a server computer 109 having a function as a server.

The client computer 101 is provided with, for example, a storage device 103 in which a plurality of application data files are stored.
02 is incorporated.

The Web browser 102 selects an application data file stored in the storage device 103 based on an instruction from the user, and stores the selected application data file in the Internet / intranet 1
By transferring the application data file to the server computer 109 via the server 08, the server computer 109 makes a file reference request to the server computer 109.

At this time, the client computer 10
1 is not limited to the application data file stored in the storage device 103 provided in the client computer 101, and can be directly selected from the client computer 101 by the file server ( An application data file stored in a storage device (such as the storage device 107) provided in the file server may be used as long as data in the file server 106 can be referred to.

The client computer 104 is an example of a client computer having no storage device in the client computer 104. The client computer 104 has a Web browser 105 incorporated therein.

The Web browser 105 specifies a storage location (URL) of an application data file on the Internet / intranet 108 in a predetermined format, and transfers data having the specified URL (URL specified data) to the server computer 109. Thus, a file reference request for the application data file is made to the server computer 109. The transmission of the file reference request to the server computer 109 by the transfer of the URL specification data is performed by the Web browser 102 in the client computer 101.
Can also be done.

The server computer 109 includes a data transmitting / receiving unit 110, a cache checking unit 111, an instruction analyzing unit 112, a data acquiring unit 113, an application selecting unit 114, an application starting unit 115, an intermediate data creating unit 116, , An image creation unit 117,
It is configured to include an image form creation unit 118, a storage device 119, and an application group 120 (application A, application B, application C,...). Here, an image conversion driver is configured by the image creation unit 117 and the image form creation unit 118.

The data transmission / reception section 110 is a section for realizing data transmission / reception between the Internet / intranet 108 and the server computer 109.

The cache checking unit 111 checks whether there has been a file reference request of the same content (a request for reference to the same application data file in the same display mode (image quality or the like)). If a file reference request having the same content has been received before, the identification information of the file data (combination of the link file and the image data file) cached in the storage device 119 on the server computer 109 (for example, the link file name) ) Is passed to the image form creation unit 118. If no file reference request having the same content has been received before, a process of passing the file reference request to the instruction analysis unit 112 is performed.

The instruction analyzer 112 is a part that analyzes and controls instructions and information input via the Internet / intranet 108. Here, when the file reference request input from the client computer 101/104 has a data format including an application data file, a process of cutting out the application data file portion and transferring the application data file to the application selection unit 114 is executed. .
If the input file reference request is in a data format including the URL specification data, a process of passing the URL specification data to the data acquisition unit 113 is executed.

The instruction analyzing unit 112 transmits the instruction of the display mode in the file reference request to the image conversion driver (the image image creating unit 117 and the image form creating unit 11).
The control issued in 8) is performed. This display mode is displayed in the client computer 1 in the format included in the file reference request.
Some are designated by 01/104 (user), others are preset.

The data acquisition section 113 issues a data acquisition request for an application data file specified by the URL to a file server (the file server 106 in FIG. 1) on the Internet / intranet 108 based on the URL designation data. Do.

Here, in general, the URL, that is, the data format indicating the file storage location on the Internet / intranet is “http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx/abc”.
/japanese/test.doc "or the like, which is a data format that specifies the protocol name, server address, and file name. In this format, a file (data) acquisition request is issued to a file server on the Internet / intranet. Then, if the specified file exists on the file server of the server address described in the specified URL, the file is transferred to the request source.

The data acquisition unit 113 performs a process of transferring the acquired application data file to the application selection unit 114 via the instruction analysis unit 112.

The application selecting unit 114 determines the type (file format) of the sent application data file, and determines the application corresponding to the acquired application data file (the application on which the application data in the application data file depends). Is present in the application group 120. If such an application exists, the application is selected and sent to the application activation unit 115.

Here, as a method of determining the type of the application data file, for example, a process of determining the type of the application based on the last character (extension) of the file name of the application data file is performed. For example, if the extension is “.DOC”, the application is determined to be application A, and if the extension is “.XLS”, the application is determined to be application B. In the case of such a determination method, the association between the application and the extension needs to match the association between the application data file and the extension. It should be noted that other determination methods can be adopted as long as the transferred application data file can be associated with the applications in the application group 120.

The application activating unit 115 executes a process of automatically activating the selected application based on the selection result of the application selecting unit 114.

The intermediate data creating unit 116 receives an application data file from the application started by the application starting unit 115, and converts the application data in the application data file into intermediate data that is data in an intermediate format independent of the application. Then, an intermediate data file including such an intermediate data group is created. Here, the intermediate data is data that does not depend on the application and data that does not depend on the output device (device).

The image creation unit 117 converts the intermediate data file created by the intermediate data creation unit 116 into an image data file (image data group). In other words, the image creation unit 117 determines that the intermediate data creation unit 1
16 to the Internet /
Web browser 102/10 on the intranet 108
5 converts the image data into recognizable image data (image data of each page representing an image of each page (Web page)).

The OS of the server computer 109
Provides an application with a module responsible for a part related to graphics (graphics interface). For example, as the OS of the server computer 109, Microsoft's MS-Win
If dows is used, a graphics device interface (GDI) module is provided for the application. The GDI module is provided to an application as a graphic interface that does not depend on an output device such as a printer or a display device defined in advance for device driver development. The GDI module provides a device driver interface (DDI) defined in advance for device driver development to the device driver (the device driver designs a corresponding device according to the DDI). The GDI module has a role of converting a GDI function call in a device-independent format into a GDI function call in a device-dependent format (the GDI function call slightly differs depending on the OS version). The image creation unit 117 uses such an OS
As a premise, the function of DDI, the function of command analysis, and the function of generating image data based on command analysis are realized.

The image form creation unit 118 uses the image form creation unit 117 in the form format specified by the display mode instruction content from the Web browsers 102/105 (a default form format can be adopted). Form data of each page having information for displaying an image of the image data of each page in the created image data file in a predetermined form and link information between each page and another page ( For example, a link file including an HTML file of each page) is created, and file data, which is a set of the link file and the image data file, is stored in the storage device 119 as cache data.

The link file (form data)
Is, for example, W3C (World Wide Web)
HTM standardized by Consortium)
L style sheet (CSSL1: Cascading)
Style Sheet Level 1) and XML
(EXtensible Markup Langua
ge) style sheet (XSL: eXtensible)
e Style Language). The display position and the like of the image to be displayed can be described by the style sheet. By using an HTML or XML style sheet, the contents of a file can be easily checked from a client computer having a Web browser function.

Further, the image form creation unit 118 transfers the link file / image data file (file data) as response data to the client computer 101/104 which has issued the file reference request via the data transmission / reception unit 110. (If the cache check unit 111 notifies the user that the link file / image data file has already been cached, the link file / image data file is taken out of the storage device 119, and it is used as response data. Do). It should be noted that the response data may be identification information of the link file / image data file itself instead of the link file / image data file itself (this is because the client computer can cache the link file / image data file, Link files and image data files are appropriately stored on the server computer 1 based on the information.
This is because it is also possible to transfer the data from the client computer 09 to the client computer 101/104.

Here, the image image creating unit 117 and the image form creating unit 118, which are image conversion drivers,
In the above processing, the specification contents of the display mode (image quality (screen resolution, screen size, presence / absence of compression, etc.), file format, form format (including display method and layout), etc.) from the instruction analysis unit 112 are set as parameters As a result, an image data file and a link file corresponding to the specified image quality and file format are created.

The "file format" specified above
As a file format of an image format that can be displayed on a Web browser, for example, GIF (Graphic
s Interchange Format) and JPE
G (Joint Photographic Expe
rts Group).

Regarding the designation of "presence / absence of compression", when a compression process is performed, generally, when displaying a high-resolution color image, image data is compressed based on JPEG, When displaying a color image or a black and white image of a resolution, the image data is compressed based on the GIF.

Client computer 101/104
By transmitting a display mode instruction from the Web browsers 102/105 to the server computer 109 together with the application data file and the URL designation data, the user can obtain a layout that is easy to view when the Web browsers 102/105 display the data. Also, a link file / image data file can be created so as to have an appropriate size when printing from the web browser 102/105 to a printer connected to the client computer 101/104.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing of the application data file reference method according to the present embodiment. This processing includes an application data file selection step S101 and a preview method selection step S1.
02, a file reference requesting step S103, a cache determining step S104, a data receiving method determining step S105, an application data file obtaining step S106, and an error message creating step S106.
107, a corresponding application installation presence / absence determination step S108, an application data file application start unit transfer step S109, an application start step S110, an intermediate data file generation step S111, an image data file generation step S112, and a link file generation step S1.
13 and error message display instruction step S114
And a response data transmission step S115 and a response data display step S116.

FIG. 3 shows the client computer 101.
Web browser 102/1 incorporated in / 104
It is a figure showing the example of the user interface screen of 05.

In this user interface screen, an address designation section 301 for inputting a URL or the like is provided.
And a display unit 302 for displaying a Web page.

The user operates the W of the server computer 109.
When using an web page, a URL for specifying a desired web page is input to the address specification unit 301. Thereby, the Internet / intranet 10
The desired Web page is transferred from the server computer 109 to the client computer 101/104 via the server computer 109 via the server 8 and the Web page is displayed on the display unit 302.

FIG. 4 shows that “the user selects an application data file stored in the storage device 103 in the client computer 101 by using the web browser 102 on the client computer 101,
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a specific example of a user interface screen when an "operation for giving a display instruction (file reference request) for the preview screen" is performed.

When the file reference button 403 is clicked, a hierarchical structure list of files that can be referenced from the client computer 101 is displayed. When an application data file whose preview screen is to be viewed is selected from the file hierarchical structure list, the file path designating section 4
02 is the file path. The corresponding application list unit 406 includes the server computer 109.
A file format (file type) that can display a preview screen by using a URL and a corresponding application name are described. Further, a preview button 404 as a “button for giving a display instruction for each page” and a “button for giving a display instruction so that an overview of the entire application data file can be understood” are provided for each method of realizing the display of the preview screen. And a thumbnail button 405 as "."

In the user interface screen shown in FIG. 4, it is also possible to add a button for instructing a display mode (a button for instructing the screen size and layout of the preview screen). is there. That is, the user interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example, and its layout can be freely changed.

FIG. 5 shows that “the user operates the Web browser 102/10 on the client computer 101/104.
5 using the Internet / Intranet 108
Operation of Selecting the Above Application Data File (Application Data File Stored in Storage Device 107 in File Server 106) by Specifying URL and Giving Display Instruction (File Reference Request) of Its Preview Screen ” FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of a user interface screen of FIG.

The URL designating section 502 receives (designates) a URL indicating the storage location (address) of the application data file on the Internet / intranet 108. In addition, a corresponding application list unit 505 for displaying a list of applications that the file server 106 can support is provided. Further, for each method of realizing the display of the preview screen, a preview button 503 as a “button for giving a display instruction for each page” and a button for giving a display instruction so that an overview of the entire application data file can be understood. And a thumbnail button 504 as "."

In the user interface screen shown in FIG. 5, it is also possible to add a button for instructing the display mode (button for instructing the screen size and layout of the preview screen). is there. That is, the user interface screen shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and its layout can be freely changed.

FIG. 6 shows the client computer 101.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout in a case where a preview screen of an application data file (application data file specified by a file reference request) is displayed by the Web browser 102/105 in / 104. This layout example shows an example where the preview screen is displayed one page at a time.

In this layout, the image 602 includes
The image of the image data of each page of the preview screen is embedded. Also, image data in a link format is prepared. When the previous page button 603 is clicked with a mouse or the like, the previous page is displayed, and when the next page button 604 is clicked with a mouse or the like, the next page is displayed. You. In this manner, by providing a link so that image data for each page can be displayed, detailed information for each page can be confirmed.

FIG. 7 shows the client computer 101.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating another example of a layout in a case where a preview screen of an application data file (application data file specified by a file reference request) is displayed by a Web browser 102/105 in / 104. This layout example shows an example in which a thumbnail-designated preview screen is displayed.

In this layout, the first image 702 to the sixth image 707 corresponding to each page are simultaneously displayed. Note that the first image 702 to the sixth image 70
By clicking the portion 7 with a mouse or the like, the layout can be changed so that a detailed screen as shown in FIG. 6 can be displayed.

Next, the overall operation of the application data file reference method according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, an operation in the case where the user of the client computer 101 activates the Web browser 102 and makes a file reference request (display instruction of a preview screen) of an application data file will be described.

First, the user starts the Web browser 102 on the client computer 101.

Then, the Web browser 102 displays a user interface screen as shown in FIG.

When the user uses a desired Web page of the server computer 109 (here, a Web page for making a file reference request of an application data file), the user specifies the Web page of the server computer 109 in the address designation unit 301. Is input, and a transmission instruction is issued.

As a result, the client computer 1
01, the Web page of the server computer 109 is transferred via the Internet / intranet 108, and the screen of the Web page (the interface screen shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5) is displayed.

Here, the case where the interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed and the case where the interface screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed will be sequentially described below.

First, the case where the interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed will be described. The interface screen illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example of a screen used when an application data file whose contents are to be displayed is stored in the storage device 103 provided in the client computer 101, as described above. .

First, an application data file to be previewed (referenced) is selected as follows (step S101 in FIG. 2).

That is, the user clicks the file reference button 403 on the interface screen with a mouse or the like.

Then, the client computer 101
A list of the application data files that can be referenced from is displayed.

When the user selects an application data file whose preview screen is desired to be viewed from the hierarchical structure list of the application data file, the file path is described (displayed) in the file path designation section 402. Thereby, “selection of application data file” in step S101 is realized.

Next, the user selects a preview method by clicking a button (preview button 404 or thumbnail button 405) corresponding to the preview method to be displayed with a mouse or the like (step S10).
2). Here, by selecting the preview method in step S102, "display mode instruction" that matches the preview method is performed. Note that, by changing the content of the user interface screen or the like, the “selection of preview method” is performed at the timing of step S102.
Other display modes may be instructed.

As a result, a file reference request for the application data file selected in step S101 is sent to the server computer 109 via the Internet / intranet 108 (step S103). That is, the content of the application data file is HTTP (Hyper Text T).
transfer protocol) and sent to the server computer 109. Further, an instruction of a display mode regarding the preview of the application data file is transmitted as accompanying information.
As described above, as the “display mode”, image quality (screen resolution, screen size, presence / absence of compression, and the like), file format, form format, and the like can be considered. At the time of the file reference request, all or a part of the display mode may not necessarily be instructed. If there is no such instruction, the display mode depends on preset contents (default values).

The data transmission / reception unit 110 in the server computer 109 receives the transmitted file reference request, and expands received data such as an application data file on a memory (not shown).

The cache checking unit 111 responds to a file reference request having the same content before (when a file reference request for the same application data file in the same display mode is sent). It is determined (confirmed) whether or not the link file / image data file (combination of the link file and the image data file) is cached (step S10).
4).

The cache checking unit 111 determines in step S1
If it is determined that the link file / image data file is cached in 04, the identification information (for example, link file name) of the cached link file / image data file is stored in the image form creation unit 118. Pass to.

On the other hand, if the cache checking unit 111 determines in step S104 that “the link file / image data file is not cached”, the received data expanded on the memory (the interface shown in FIG. 4) When the screen is used, the data transmitting / receiving unit 1
10 is passed to the instruction analysis unit 112.

The instruction analyzing unit 112 analyzes the received data and determines whether the received data includes the application data file or the URL designation data (analyzes and determines the data receiving method).
(Step S105).

When the interface screen shown in FIG. 4 is used, instruction analysis unit 112 determines in step S 105 that “the received data includes an application data file”, and application selecting unit 114
To the application data file. In addition,
The instruction analysis unit 112 may execute the content specified by the user in the file reference request or the server computer 109 in advance.
The display format (image quality, etc.) is specified by an image conversion driver (image
17 and the image form creation unit 118).

Second, a case where the interface screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed will be described. As described above, the interface screen shown in FIG. 5 displays an application data file whose contents are to be displayed on the Internet /
5 is an example of a screen used when stored in the storage device 107 in the file server 106 connected to the intranet 108.

Incidentally, the process using the interface screen is a process that can be used also in a client computer (for example, the client computer 104) realized by a portable terminal or the like having no storage device.

The user selects the application data file to be previewed (referenced) by inputting the address (URL) of the application data file on the Internet / intranet 108 into the URL designation section 502 (step S101).

Next, the user selects a preview method by clicking a button (preview button 503 or thumbnail button 504) corresponding to the preview method to be displayed with a mouse or the like (step S10).
2).

Then, the U specified in step S101
The file reference request for the application data file specified by the RL is sent to the server computer 109 via the Internet / intranet 108.
(Step S103). That is, the UR
Data indicating L (URL designation data) is transmitted to the server computer 109 based on HTTP, and an instruction of a display mode regarding a preview is transmitted as accompanying information. At this time, a frequently used URL can be registered in the server computer 109 in advance.

The data transmitting / receiving unit 110 in the server computer 109 receives the transmitted file reference request, and expands the received data such as the URL designation data on the memory.

The cache checking unit 111 determines (confirms) whether there has been a file reference request having the same content before and the link file / image data file corresponding to the file reference request is cached (step S104). ).

The cache checking unit 111 determines in step S1
If it is determined that the link file / image data file is cached in 04, the identification information (for example, link file name) of the cached link file / image data file is stored in the image form creation unit 118. Pass to.

On the other hand, if the cache checking unit 111 determines in step S104 that “the link file / image data file is not cached”, the received data (the interface shown in FIG. 5) When the screen is used, the data transmitting / receiving unit 1
10) to the instruction analysis unit 112.

The instruction analyzing unit 112 analyzes the received data and determines whether the received data includes the application data file or the URL specifying data (analyzes and determines the data receiving method).
(Step S105).

When the interface screen shown in FIG. 5 is used, the instruction analysis unit 112 determines in step S 105 that “the received data includes the URL specification data”, and the data acquisition unit 113 transmits the URL specification data to the data acquisition unit 113. To transfer.

The data acquisition unit 113 issues a data request instruction (an acquisition request instruction for an application data file specified by the URL) to the file server 106 based on HTTP according to the acquired URL specification data, and By receiving a response to the request command from the file server 106, an application data file specified by the specified URL is obtained (step S106).

At this time, the data acquisition unit 113
If the acquisition of the application data file of the specified URL fails, for example, the application data file corresponding to the RL does not exist, an error message corresponding to the HTTP response ID (IDentification) is created (step S107). An error message is returned as an HTTP response (response data) to the client computer 101 that has instructed the display of the preview screen (step S11).
4 and S115). As a result, an error message is displayed by the Web browser 102 of the client computer 101 which has issued the file reference request (display instruction of the preview screen) (step S116).

On the other hand, when the acquisition of the application data file of the specified URL is successful, the data acquisition unit 113 passes the acquired application data file to the application selection unit 114 via the instruction analysis unit 112.

Next, the operation after the application selecting unit 114 acquires the application data file by the above series of processing will be described.

The application selecting section 114 determines (confirms) whether or not a corresponding application (an application corresponding to the application data file) is installed in the server computer 109.
(Step S108).

If the application selecting unit 114 determines in step S108 that "the corresponding application is not installed in the server computer 109", it creates an error message (step S10).
7), file reference request (display instruction of preview screen)
An error message is returned as response data to the client computer 101 that has performed (step S
114 and S115).

On the other hand, the application selecting unit 114
If it is determined in step S108 that the corresponding application is installed in the server computer 109, the transferred application data file and the corresponding application are transferred to the application starting unit 115 (step S109).

Then, the application starting unit 115
Starts the corresponding application (step S1).
10) Pass the application data file to the corresponding application.

The activated corresponding application stores the application data file in the intermediate data creating unit 1.
Pass to 16.

The intermediate data generator 116 generates an intermediate data file (intermediate data group) independent of the application based on the application data file (step S111).

The image creating section 117 is based on the intermediate data file created by the intermediate data creating section 116, and includes an image data file (image data having an image image of each page) of each page based on the intermediate data file. Group) is generated (step S112). In this case, the image / image creation unit 117 sends the instruction analysis unit 1
Based on the contents of the display mode designated from step 12, each image data conforming to the screen resolution, screen size (display size), file format, etc. designated for each page is created.

The image form creation section 118 is a link file (link file having form data of each page) for an image data file composed of a group of image data for each page created by the image image creation section 117.
Is created in accordance with the designated format (form format) (step S113), and the link file and the image data file are sent to the data transmitting / receiving unit 110.

When the link file and the image data file corresponding to the file reference request are cached in the storage device 119, the image form creation unit 1
18 acquires a link file / image data file from the storage device 119 based on the identification information (for example, link file name) of the cache target passed from the cache checking unit 111, and transmits / receives the link file / image data file. To the unit 110.

Incidentally, in the file generation processing by the image conversion driver (image image creation unit 117 and image form creation unit 118) as described above, the instruction analysis unit 11
From 2, the image quality (screen resolution,
An image data file and a link file are generated so as to be adapted to the image quality and the like by receiving, as a parameter, an instruction of a display mode such as a screen size and the presence or absence of compression), a file format and a form format.

The data transmitting / receiving unit 110 returns Web data indicating the link file / image data file to the client computer 101 as response data (step S115).

The client computer 101 receives the link file / image data file as response data. Accordingly, the Web browser 102 in the client computer 101 displays a preview screen based on the link file / image data file (Step S116).

Here, the client computer 101
Is specifically displayed in the mode shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. 7 according to the preview method selected in step S102.

The link file / image data file created as described above is cached in the storage device 119 of the server computer 109. Therefore, when a file reference request (preview screen display instruction) having the same content is made again, the preview screen can be displayed by the cache data.

By the way, in the configuration and operation of the present embodiment, the file reference request is limited to the one including the application data file (in this case, the data acquisition unit 113 becomes unnecessary),
The present invention can be simplified by making the file reference request include only the URL designation data (this is also applicable to the second embodiment described later). Here, in the case where the present invention is realized by such simplification, the “judgment of the data receiving method” in step S105 by the instruction analysis unit 112 becomes unnecessary.

(2) Second embodiment

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an application data file reference system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, an application data file reference method according to the present embodiment includes a client computer 801 and a client computer 8.
04 and a storage device 807 for storing document data
Server (file server computer) 806 including a client computer 801 and a client computer 804, and an internet / intranet (TCP / TCP) connecting a server computer group including the file server 806 and the server computer 809.
IP communication network) 808, WWW server and FT
Server computer 809 having a function as a P server
It is comprised including.

The client computer 801 is provided with, for example, a storage device 803 in which a plurality of application data files are stored.
02 is incorporated.

The client computer 804 has W
An web browser 805 is incorporated.

Here, the components denoted by reference numerals 101 to 108 in FIG. 1 and the components denoted by reference numerals 801 to 808 in FIG. 8 are the same.

The server computer 809 includes a data transmitting / receiving unit 810, a cache checking unit 811, an instruction analyzing unit 812, a data acquiring unit 813, an application selecting unit 814, an application starting unit 815, an intermediate data creating unit 816, , An image creation unit 817,
An image form creation unit 818, a storage device 819, an application group 820 (application A, application B, application C,...), A driver selection unit 821, a FAX driver 822, a printer driver 823, and a printer driver 824. It is comprised including. Here, the image conversion unit 817 and the image form generation unit 818 constitute an image conversion driver. Further, the server computer 809 includes:
A facsimile device 825, a printer (printing device) 826,
The printer 827 is connected.

Intermediate data creating section 8 in the present embodiment
16 saves the created intermediate data file in the storage device 819 as cache data. By doing so, the intermediate data file is stored in the image conversion driver (image image creation unit 817 and image form creation unit 81).
8), the FAX driver 822 and the printer drivers 823 and 824 are used as data in a data format that can be commonly interpreted.

The driver selecting section 821 stores the data in the storage device 819.
Select a driver that performs processing using the intermediate data file in the file. That is, the driver selecting unit 821 is a part that causes the intermediate data file stored in the storage device 819 to be interpreted by the specified driver. By selecting various drivers, the Web browser 802/80
5 can be converted to an image format that can be displayed, output to the printer drivers 823 and 824, and output to the FAX driver 822.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the application data file reference method according to the present embodiment. This processing includes an application data file selection step S201 and a preview method selection step S2
02, a file reference requesting step S203, a cache determining step S204, a data receiving method determining step S205, an application data file obtaining step S206, and an error message creating step S206.
207, a corresponding application installation presence / absence determination step S208, an application data file application start unit transfer step S209, an application start step S210, an intermediate data file generation step S211, an image data file generation step S212, and a link file generation step S2.
13 and an error message display instruction step S214
, A response data transmission step S215, a response data display step S216, an output device selection determination step S217, and a FAX number input step S218.
, An output instruction data transmission step S219, an output device driver selection step S220, and a data output step S221.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the "preview user interface screen for selecting an output device (output device)" displayed in the response data display step S216 in FIG.

This screen has the same address designation section 1001, image 1002, previous page button 1003, and next page button 1003 as the address designation section 601, image 602, previous page button 603, and next page button 604 in the preview screen shown in FIG. It has a page button 1004, and further includes a FAX number designation unit 1005 and an output device designation unit 1006.

Next, the overall operation of the application data file reference method according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

Here, the operation of the application data file reference method according to the present embodiment is different from the operation of the application data file reference method according to the first embodiment described above, focusing on FIGS. 8 and FIG. 9 will be described.

Steps S201 to S2 in FIG.
The processing of step S16 is the same as the processing of steps S101 to S116 in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment.
However, specific processing (operation) is performed in the following points a to c.

A. If the cache check unit 811 determines in step S204 that “the link file / image data file is cached”, the identification information of the cached link file / image data file (eg, link file name ) Is passed to the driver selection unit 821.

B. The intermediate data file generated by the intermediate data creation unit 816 in step S211 is stored in the storage device 819 as cache data.

C. In the generation of the image data file in step S212 and the generation of the link file in step S213, based on the recognition that the client computer 801 has made a request to refer to the application data file, the driver selecting unit 821 uses the image conversion driver ( The image creation unit 817 and the image form creation unit 818) are activated.

In step S216, when the preview / user interface screen (see FIG. 10) is displayed based on the link file / image data file as the response data, the following processing is performed. The data of the page portion on the displayed screen is printed or FA-printed on the server computer 809 side.
X output is possible.

The user of the client computer 801 issues a preview /
Output device designation section 10 on user interface screen
Based on the input to 06, an output device is selected (step S217).

If a facsimile apparatus is selected in step S217, the facsimile number on the telephone line is further designated (input) by inputting to the facsimile number designation section 1005 (step S218).

When the printer is selected in step S217 or when the input in step S218 is completed, the output instruction data including the designation of the selected output device is transmitted from the client computer 801 to the server computer 809 via the Internet / intranet 808. (Step S219).

The data transmission / reception section 810 in the server computer 809 receives the output instruction data and sends it to the driver selection section 821.

The driver selecting section 821 selects an output device driver based on the information indicating the output device specified by the output instruction data, and selects the corresponding application data file (current reference / output target) in the storage device 819. Is transmitted to the output device driver (FAX driver 822, printer driver 823, or printer driver 824) specified by the above selection result (step S221).

As a result, the output device driver becomes
The output of the data of a predetermined page (print output or FAX output) is performed by the corresponding output device (FAX device 825, printer 826, or printer 827).

In this way, the client computers 801/804 (users)
09, in cooperation with the output device driver, after confirming (referencing) the contents of the application data file,
Transmission and output instructions can be given to the FAX device 825 and the printers 826 and 827.

(3) Third Embodiment

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an application data file reference system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, the application data file reference method according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different from the application data file reference method according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The difference is that a data file reference processing program 1100 is provided.

The application data file reference processing program 1100 is read by the server computer 109, and controls the operation of the server computer 109 by the data transmitting / receiving unit 110, the cache checking unit 111, the instruction analyzing unit 112, the data obtaining unit 113, and the application selecting unit 114. , An application activation unit 115, an intermediate data creation unit 116, an image image creation unit 117, and an image form creation unit 118. Operation of server computer 109 under control of application data file reference processing program 1100 (storage device 119)
Data transmitting / receiving unit 110 and cache checking unit 11 on the assumption that the
1, instruction analysis unit 112, data acquisition unit 113, application selection unit 114, application activation unit 11
5, intermediate data creating unit 116, image image creating unit 11
7, and the operation of the image form creation unit 118)
Data transmission / reception unit 110, cache check unit 111, instruction analysis unit 112, data acquisition unit 11 in the embodiment
3. The operations are exactly the same as those of the application selecting unit 114, the application activating unit 115, the intermediate data creating unit 116, the image image creating unit 117, and the image form creating unit 118, and thus the detailed description is omitted.

(4) Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the application data file reference system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the application data file reference method according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is different from the application data file reference method according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. The difference is that a data file reference processing program 1200 is provided.

The application data file reference processing program 1200 is read by the server computer 809, and performs the operation of the server computer 809 on the data transmission / reception section 810, cache confirmation section 811, instruction analysis section 812, data acquisition section 813, application selection section 814. , An application starter 815, an intermediate data generator 816, an image image generator 817, an image form generator 818, a driver selector 821, a FAX driver 822, a printer driver 823, and a printer driver 824. The operation of the server computer 809 under the control of the application data file reference processing program 1200 (the data transmitting / receiving unit 810, the cache checking unit 811, the instruction analyzing unit 812, and the data obtaining unit 813 on the assumption that the storage device 819 and the application group 820 exist). , An application selecting section 814, an application starting section 815, an intermediate data creating section 816, an image image creating section 817, an image form creating section 818, a driver selecting section 821, a FAX driver 822, a printer driver 823, and a printer driver 824). , A data transmitting / receiving unit 810, a cache checking unit 811, an instruction analyzing unit 812, a data obtaining unit 812, an application selecting unit 814, an application starting unit 815, and a second embodiment The operations are the same as those of the inter-data creation unit 816, the image creation unit 817, the image form creation unit 818, the driver selection unit 821, the FAX driver 822, the printer driver 823, and the printer driver 824. .

[0149]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are produced.

The first effect is that it is not necessary to install an application on a client computer only to check the contents of data, which leads to a reduction in ownership cost and introduction cost.

The reason for this effect is that there is no need to install the application on the client computer, and it is not necessary to purchase the application license for the number of client computers.

The second effect is that even if the Web browser operates even from an OS client (a personal computer, a portable terminal, a PDA, or the like) in which the application to be used does not operate, a file (application data file) on the Internet / intranet can be used. This means that it is possible to provide an environment where the contents and the contents of the file attached to the e-mail can be referred to.

The reason why such an effect occurs is that a designated URL or a file transferred to a server computer can be converted into a layout or an image file format that can be displayed by a Web browser on a client computer on the server computer. It is.

A third effect is that the contents of the application data file can be displayed in a desired display mode (image quality, file format, layout, color / monochrome, etc.) on the Web browser. This means that an environment in which a print layout can be created from a browser can be provided.

The reason why such an effect occurs is that the server computer can perform a conversion process for obtaining a desired display mode.

The fourth effect is that, in cooperation with the output device driver, after the user confirms the contents of the application data file on the client computer side,
That is, the contents can be output to an output device such as a fax device or a printer on the server computer side.

The reason why such an effect occurs is that the application data file is converted into an intermediate data file that can be interpreted by various drivers on the OS and stored, so that the application data file can be used by utilizing the intermediate data file. Can be output to a facsimile apparatus, a printer, or the like.

As described above, according to the present invention, in a network (Internet / Intranet) environment composed of a client computer and a server computer, various applications are collectively managed on the server computer, and a file is transmitted from the client computer using HTTP. Or the Internet /
By converting the application data file into a file format that can be displayed by a Web browser on the client computer on the server computer by a method of specifying a URL on the intranet, it is not necessary to install various applications on the client computer, and the Web The content of the application data file can be confirmed only by the browser. Also, by cooperating with the output device driver, F
It is possible to instruct the AX device or various printers to output the confirmation contents.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an application data file reference method according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing of an application data file reference method shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific example of a user interface screen in the client computer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a specific example of a user interface screen in the client computer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of a user interface screen in the client computer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of a preview screen on the client computer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a preview screen on the client computer in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an application data file reference method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of the application data file reference method shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a preview user interface screen on the client computer in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an application data file reference method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an application data file reference method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

101, 104, 801, 804 Client computer 102, 105, 802, 805 Web browser 103, 107, 119, 803, 807, 819 Storage device 106, 806 File server 108, 808 Internet / Intranet 109, 809 Server computer 110, 810 Data transmission / reception unit 111, 811 Cache confirmation unit 112, 812 Instruction analysis unit 113, 813 Data acquisition unit 114, 814 Application selection unit 115, 815 Application activation unit 116, 816 Intermediate data creation unit 117, 817 Image image creation unit 118, 818 Image form creation unit 120, 820 Application group 821 Driver selection unit 822 FAX driver 823, 824 Printer driver 825 F X device 826 and 827 the printer 1100 and 1200 the application data file reference processing program

Claims (14)

[Claims] In a network system in which a group of client computers and a group of server computers are connected via the Internet / intranet, a file reference request for referring to the contents of an application data file is transmitted to the server computer, and the file reference request is transmitted. A Web browser on the client computer that displays an image of the contents of the application data file based on response data transmitted from the server computer, and a file reference request transmitted from the client computer, A data transmitting / receiving unit in the server computer for transmitting response data to the reference request to the client computer; and a file received by the data transmitting / receiving unit. An application selecting and activating unit in the server computer for selecting and starting an application for the application data file to be requested in the file reference request; and an intermediate data file based on the application data file passed from the application started by the application selecting and activating unit. An intermediate data generating unit in the generating server computer, and an image data file and a link file are generated based on the specification of the intermediate data file and the display mode generated by the intermediate data generating unit, and the link file / image data file is returned as a response. An application data file reference method, comprising: an image conversion driver in a server computer that sends data as data to the data transmission / reception unit. 2. In cooperation with an output device driver in a server computer, after confirming the contents of an application data file on a client computer side, the confirmation contents are output to an output device connected to the server computer. 2. The application data file reference system according to claim 1, wherein: 3. In a network system in which a group of client computers and a group of server computers are connected via the Internet / intranet, a file for the application data file including any of the application data file itself and URL specification data for the application data file A Web browser on a client computer that transmits a reference request to the server computer and displays an image of the content of the application data file based on response data transmitted from the server computer in response to the file reference request; Receives the transmitted file reference request and sends response data to the file reference request to the client. A data transmission / reception unit in the server computer for transmitting to the client computer, and determining whether or not a link file / image data file corresponding to the file reference request received by the data transmission / reception unit is cached. A cache check unit in the server computer that controls the use of the link file / image data file as response data, and a file reference request received by the data transmission / reception unit are analyzed. An instruction analyzing unit in the server computer for determining whether the file includes the data file or the URL specifying data, and performing control for specifying a display mode; including Is determined, the data acquisition unit in the server computer that acquires the application data file specified by the URL based on the URL designation data via the Internet / intranet, and the data transmission / reception unit receives the data. Application data file /
An application selection unit in a server computer for selecting an application corresponding to the application data file acquired by the data acquisition unit, and a server that starts the application selected by the application selection unit and passes the application data file to the application An application starting unit in the computer and an application data file passed from the application started by the application starting unit are converted into an intermediate data file including intermediate data that is independent data independent of an application and independent of an output device. An intermediate data creating unit in the server computer to execute, and the instruction analyzing unit based on the intermediate data file created by the intermediate data creating unit. It is in on which to fit the display mode is to generate a link file for the image data file and the image data file consisting of image data is data of a format that can be viewed in a Web browser,
An application data file, comprising: an image conversion driver in a server computer that caches the link file / image data file in a storage device and sends the link file / image data file as response data to the data transmission / reception unit. Reference method. 4. The application data file reference method according to claim 3, wherein the file reference request includes only the application data file and the data acquisition unit is unnecessary. 5. The application data file reference method according to claim 3, wherein the file reference request includes only the URL designation data. 6. A server computer which determines whether or not an intermediate data file is cached in place of a link file / image data file and, if cached, controls the use of the intermediate data file in a server computer. A cache confirming unit, an intermediate data creating unit in the server computer for caching the generated intermediate data file on the server computer instead of the link file / image data file,
A driver selection unit in a server computer for selecting an appropriate driver as a destination of an intermediate data file from a group of image conversion drivers and output device drivers based on output instruction data, and contents of an application data file on a client computer side After the confirmation of the above, based on the output instruction data from the client computer and the selection of the driver selection unit, using the intermediate data file generated and cached by the intermediate data creation unit to output the confirmation contents 6. The application data file reference system according to claim 3, further comprising the output device driver in a server computer for controlling the output device. 7. The application data file reference method according to claim 6, wherein a facsimile driver exists as an output device driver. 8. The application data file reference method according to claim 6, wherein a printer driver exists as an output device driver. 9. The application data file reference method according to claim 6, wherein a facsimile driver and a printer driver exist as output device drivers. 10. The method for generating a link file, comprising:
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an ML style sheet / XML style sheet is used. Item 9. The application data file reference method according to Item 9. 11. A method according to claim 1, wherein a display mode including image quality can be specified by a user from a client computer. An application data file referencing method according to claim 7, claim 8, claim 9, or claim 10. 12. In a network system in which a group of client computers and a group of server computers are connected via the Internet / intranet, a file reference request for referring to the contents of an application data file is transmitted to the server computer, and the file reference request is transmitted. Assuming that there is a Web browser on the client computer that displays an image of the content of the application data file based on the response data transmitted from the server computer, A data transmission / reception unit for receiving an incoming file reference request and transmitting response data to the file reference request to the client computer; An application selection starting unit that selects and starts an application corresponding to the application data file to be requested in the file reference request received by the receiving unit; and an intermediate data file based on the application data file passed from the application started by the application selection starting unit. Generating an image data file and a link file based on the specification of the intermediate data file and the display mode generated by the intermediate data generating unit, and using the link file / image data file as response data. A program for functioning as an image conversion driver sent to the data transmitting / receiving unit. 13. In a network system in which a group of client computers and a group of server computers are connected via the Internet / intranet, a file for the application data file including any of the application data file itself and URL designation data for the application data file Sends a referral request to the server computer,
Assuming that there is a Web browser on the client computer that displays an image of the content of the application data file based on response data transmitted from the server computer in response to the file reference request, the server computer is connected to the client computer. And a link file / image data file corresponding to the file reference request received by the data transmission / reception unit, which receives the file reference request transmitted from the server and transmits response data to the file reference request to the client computer. Determines whether or not is cached, and if cached, a cache that controls to use the link file / image data file as response data And a control unit for analyzing the file reference request received by the data transmitting / receiving unit, determining whether the file reference request includes the application data file or the URL specification data, and controlling the display mode. If the instruction analyzing unit determines that the file reference request includes the URL specifying data, the instruction analyzing unit
A data acquisition unit that acquires an application data file specified by the URL based on the L designation data via the Internet / intranet; an application data file received by the data transmission / reception unit / application data acquired by the data acquisition unit An application selection unit for selecting an application corresponding to the file, an application activation unit that activates the application selected by the application selection unit, and transfers the application data file to the application, and an application that is activated by the application activation unit. Of intermediate application data files, which are independent data independent of applications and independent of output devices. An intermediate data creation unit for converting the data into a data file, and a display mode specified by the instruction analysis unit based on the intermediate data file generated by the intermediate data creation unit, and then displayed on the Web browser. Generates an image data file composed of image data that is data in a format that can be generated and a link file for the image data file, caches the link file / image data file in a storage device, and stores the link file / image data file in response data. A program for functioning as an image conversion driver sent to the data transmitting / receiving unit. 14. The server computer may determine whether an intermediate data file is cached instead of a link file / image data file in place of / in addition to the function described in claim 13, and determine whether the intermediate data file is cached. A cache checking unit for controlling the use of the intermediate data file, an intermediate data generating unit for caching the generated intermediate data file on the server computer instead of the link file / image data file, a file reference request / output instruction A driver selection unit that selects an appropriate driver as a destination of the intermediate data file from the image conversion driver and the output device driver group based on the data, and a client computer that confirms the contents of the application data file, Compilation Based on the output instruction data from the computer and the selection of the driver selection unit, the output device for outputting the confirmation content is controlled using the intermediate data file generated and cached by the intermediate data generation unit. 14. The program according to claim 13, which is caused to function as the output device driver.