JP2003173288A - Device for arranging information downloaded by browser - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem with downloading data: that, when one wants to store pages or data disclosed on the WWW for future use as his own data, a method of downloading information that constitutes the pages and storing it as a file to use it off-line later is employed, but this wastes resources because unnecessary data must also be printed and downloaded; and even if information is downloaded as digital data, it is inconvenient to use later and maintaining stored files is not easy since it is difficult to set formats or the like for storage. <P>SOLUTION: When data are downloaded from the WWW, pieces of information being downloaded are classified into components according to the attributes of images, text and the like, and only the necessary data can be freely selected on a screen and deformed into any formats for storage. The user is thus able to freely select only the necessary data and arrange and store them in any formats. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for browsing the World Wide Web (hereinafter abbreviated as WWW) and collecting information via a network such as the Internet. In particular, it relates to a device for selecting necessary information from WWW, shaping it in a free format, and storing it.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In some cases, users may want to save pages and data published on the WWW as their own data for later use. In that case, there is a method of printing the corresponding page on paper, or downloading the information that constitutes the page and saving it as a file, and then using it offline later. With this method, unnecessary data is printed and downloaded at the same time, which wastes resources such as paper and disk capacity. In addition, printing is inconvenient when it is desired to use it as electronic data later, and even when downloading the page information as electronic data, it was difficult to arrange the format when saving, so it is inconvenient for later use. Moreover, the saved files could not be fully maintained and managed.

As a conventional technique for processing the information when downloading the information from the WWW as electronic data, there are a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-242369 and a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-242620.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-242639 is provided with a proxy server for editing information or managing access between a user terminal and an HTTP server, and the WWW is accessed through the proxy server to manage the information in advance. Access to URLs specified by the user, WWW
Discloses a technique for automatically adding or deleting predetermined information to or from the information from.

Since this technique is intended to control the access of the user terminal to the HTTP server, the technique for allowing the user to freely select the information from the HTTP server, arrange the format, and save the information is not disclosed. Absent.

The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-242620 is a PIM (Person) that handles data in a predetermined format.
Data required for applications such as al Information Manager) is extracted from the WWW specified by the URL, converted into a predetermined format that matches the format of the address book, schedule, etc. and used, and an identifier unique to the WWW information And a technique for automating the extraction process by adding update date and time information.

[0007] This technique automatically extracts information limited to a specific application from a WWW specified in advance by a URL and passes the information to the application according to the data format of the application for use. Does not disclose a technique for freely selecting information from the WWW, formatting it, and saving it.

[0008]

When a WWW page is saved using a conventional browser, for example, in Netscape, the page is saved in the HTML name format, and in Microsoft Internet Explorer (Internet Explorer). The title of the page is saved as a file name. These are names given by the creator of the page or the system, and do not necessarily reflect the contents of the page, and the same title name may be given to multiple pages, so save it later. It confused users when trying to specify a filename. Therefore, when browsing later, there is a problem that it is impossible to immediately retrieve the necessary information because it is not known which is the necessary information.

Further, in the case of saving one copy of WWW page using a conventional browser, a necessary portion of information displayed on the page is selected by highlighting, etc., selected, copied and started separately. I was doing operations such as pasting in the application I had. Since it was not possible to directly edit the selected information, it took time and effort to retrieve multiple pieces of information separately.

Further, as described above, the file name cannot be arbitrarily determined, and since the file names are stored in the same folder as they are, there is a drawback that the files cannot be organized.
There has been a demand for a convenient way to organize saved files.

There has also been a demand for a means for selectively organizing files with low reference frequency depending on how much the stored files are referenced. Therefore, the present invention needs to be selected from the displayed contents while displaying the WWW information on the browser without using the proxy server as in the above-mentioned conventional technique or depending on a specific application. The purpose is to freely extract only the desired ones, format them into arbitrary formats, save them with appropriate file names, and maintain them.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus of the present invention has a WWW
When downloading data from a browser using, each information being downloaded is classified into constituent parts based on its image, text, etc. attributes, only the necessary data is freely selected, transformed into any format and saved. To be able to do. In this way, the user can freely select only necessary data and organize and save it in a free format.

As a method for the user to select necessary information, a method of specifying a range on the browser screen by using an input device such as a mouse or an electronic pen, or a case where the displayed screen is divided into blocks , There is a method of placing a cursor on a required block so that the block can be selected (it is possible to recognize that the block can be selected by raising the block or highlighting characters in the block). The user drags the information thus selected and drops it on the "information arrangement box (subwindow)" according to the present invention. The information transferred in this way can be changed to an arbitrary format by shaping the shape of the block of the information in the “information arrangement box”.

As described above, when extracting only the necessary information, formatting it in an arbitrary format and saving it as a file, the device of the present invention uses the saved file name according to the information such as the title, keyword, and headline of the downloaded page. Can display candidates. The user specifies the save file name by selecting from the displayed name candidates or by inputting an arbitrary name from the input device.

Further, the selected information is classified into "long-term storage type" and "temporary storage type" according to user's designation,
By setting an expiration date for "temporary save type", files whose expiration date has expired are automatically moved to "Organize Box", and files that have expired can be selectively or automatically Can be erased. Also,
A “long-term storage type” file is provided with a reference counter with a time stamp, and a function that does not access for a long time is provided with a function such as distinguishing by changing the icon color of the file. Try to move to "Organize Box". In this way, the user can easily manage the files.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, description will be made on the assumption that the WWW page is described in HTML. XML has been established as a WWW description language in addition to HTML, and it should be interpreted that the present invention also includes this.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system (100) in which the present invention may be implemented. The computer device (100) includes a CPU (101), a RAM (102),
Display device (103), communication control device (104) such as modem and router, input device (1) such as mouse and keyboard
05), an external storage device (10) including a flexible disk device, a hard disk device, a CD-ROM device, etc.
It consists of 6). The computer device (100) is connected to a network (107) such as the Internet via a communication control device (104). The device of the present invention is
WW stored in this computer device and its storage device
It is realized as W browser and software for realizing each function. The device of the present invention may be functionally implemented as a plug-in of an existing browser or may be implemented as a new integrated browser.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the function of the apparatus according to the present invention for displaying the WWW, selecting and designating a necessary area from the WWW, shaping, saving, and maintaining the area. Wi
OS (21) such as Windows (R) or UNIX (R)
The following functions are realized under 0). A data selection function including a browser function (220) for displaying a WWW page, a function (231) for selecting an arbitrary area in the displayed page, and a function (232) for transferring data in the selected area to a subwindow (232) 230), a sub-window position function for managing the size and display position of the sub-window (2
41) and a data shaping function (240) including a function (242) for shaping / classifying the data received in the subwindow and a function (243) for saving the shaped data, “temporary storage type” data whose storage period has expired The function of moving the “long-term storage type” data that has not been referred to for a long time to the organization box and selectively or automatically deleting it (251) and the icon of the “long-term storage type” data that has not been referred to for a long time. There is a cleanup function (250) including a color changing function (252).

Next, the operation of each of these functions will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Browser Function (FIG. 2, 220) The user first activates the browser function according to the present invention on each device (301). The user searches the WWW page by using the started browser function, or WWW
The URL is designated and opened (302).

Up to this point, the function of the existing browser is the same, and the user can freely enjoy so-called internet surfing. When the user finds the information that he / she wants to save as his / her own data for later use, the device according to the present invention displays the page and performs the selection mode while performing the operation of activating the data selective saving function provided in the browser function according to the present invention. It becomes (303). This operation may be performed by clicking the button of the function displayed on the browser or inputting a special command. Upon entering the data selection function (FIG. 2, 230) selection mode, it automatically checks (304) whether the page has been previously saved.

If the page has been previously saved and there is a saved file, it is designated whether to newly save or add to the existing saved page (305). In the case of additional update, the save page is opened (306).

If the page has never been saved before, or if a new save is specified in the specification (305), a sub window opens (307). As shown in FIG. 5, the sub-window is opened at a position on the WWW page display screen (500) where it does not interfere with the area selection (501), and should be moved so as not to interfere with the selection as the selection position moves. You can

Here, the information of the HEAD portion of the page is transferred to the sub window (308). Then, the user selects the area (image / document) to save (30
9), transfer to the subwindow (310). As a method of designating the area to be saved, a method of displaying a transparent designated frame in the selection mode to facilitate selection, a method of highlighting the selected area, a method of raising the selected area, or the like can be used. The selected and transferred area is displayed in the sub window. The selection and transfer operations above (311) are repeated until the selection of the storage area is completed.

Here, when the apparatus of the present invention extracts the data selected by the user for transfer to the sub-window, it is roughly divided into images and documents, and basically HTML.
Transfer in a format that preserves the format. By doing so, it is possible to easily format the transferred image and document into an arbitrary format, which will be described later in detail. When the selection of the storage area of the data shaping function (240 in FIG. 2) is completed, the user moves the mouse cursor to the sub window (312). Then, the sub-window expands to facilitate the shaping operation (31
3). The user performs a shaping process of the data displayed in the sub window (314). This process is shown in Figure 4.
Will be described later with reference to.

When the data shaping process is completed, the user saves the data as a file. If the file is newly saved (315), a file name is designated (316).
Here, selection candidates can be displayed from the information of the page displayed in WWW as the save file name or the document in the area selected by the user.

For example, the title of the page indicated by <TITLE></TITLE>, the keyword included in the selected area among the keywords indicated by <META> HTTP-EQUIV = "keyword">, <H
1></H1>,<H2></H2> ,. ． The headings and words with high frequency of appearance included in the selected document indicated by are automatically extracted and displayed as candidates. The user can specify the file name semi-automatically by selecting from the selection candidates displayed in this way, but if the displayed candidate is inappropriate, it is possible to input and specify an arbitrary name.

If the file already exists (315), the next processing is performed without specifying the file name. Some of the contents of the website may be saved temporarily, such as news and event schedules, which are no longer needed when the event is over, and there are things that you want to save for a while, such as cooking recipes and product manuals. . Therefore, the content to be stored is designated as long-term storage or temporary storage, and an expiration date is set for the temporary storage and stored (317).

If the expiration date has passed, the clean-up function (250 in FIG. 2) automatically deletes it. A reference counter with a time stamp is provided for long-term storage, and those that have not been referenced for a long time are moved to the organize box by the clean-up function and deleted automatically or selectively. In addition, the color of the icon may be changed to sepia to make it easier to distinguish. Shaping process in sub-window (FIG. 4) Here, the shaping process of the data displayed in the sub-window (FIGS. 3 and 314) will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

As described above, the apparatus of the present invention transfers the data selected by the user to the sub-window basically in the HTML format. In the sub window, in the case of a new save process, the HEAD information is processed (401, 40).
2). Next, if there is an in-page link on the original page and there is no link destination, the link is removed or changed to an out-of-page link (403). Next, information processing such as attributes of the BODY section is performed (404). The table is positioned and the size is changed (405). In a cell containing an image and a document, the wraparound of the image and the document is changed to top / bottom / left / right / center by changing the position of the image in the cell (406, FIG. 6). Also, the arrangement of a plurality of cells is changed, a plurality of cells are combined into a table, and a cell is added to the table (407).

The address of the original home page is inserted and saved as the original home page address. In this case, for example, <A href = "http://www.sharp.co.jp/inpaku/****.html", not the comment format.
>&nbsp;&nbsp; Original homepage address & nb
Make it possible to jump to the link destination like sp; </A>. If it spans multiple pages, the original home page address-1 and the original home page address-
2 ,. ． ． The subscript is added as follows.

As described above, in extracting and transferring the selected area, necessary information is transferred while keeping the HTML format. A typical processing example is shown below. It should be noted that the description of HTML shown in this specification is for the purpose of illustration only and does not limit the present invention. Overall page structure Declaration indicating the version of HTML document <! DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-// W3C // DTD HTML 4.0 Transit
ional // EN "> remains. <HEAD> part The page title (indicated by <TITLE></TITLE>) remains.

Keyword (<META> HTTP-EQUIV
(Indicated by "keyword") is set and it remains if it is related to the selected content. A style sheet that defines the standard typeface of the text is also left. <META> character Character code HTTP-EQUIV = "refresh": Jump is deleted after a certain period of time.

HTTP-EQUIV = "keyword": Keywords NAME = "author", "copyright", "reply-to", "content-lang
Information about pages such as uage "," build ", etc. remains necessary. <BODY> part The selected area is embedded in the table format saved in BODY.

The wraparound of images is align = "left" or "righ
Change by t "," middle "," top "," bottom ", etc. Body / paragraph <BODY> attributes are basically inherited, but display position etc. are changed Example: font, character size, etc. Text color / decoration / alignment / width / link character color / background color / background image / margin / frame (thickness / color / shape) etc. Frame division (whether or not selected across frames) Heading: <H1>,<H2>,<H3> ... Priority method Paragraph: <P><DIV> The attribute (style) of the paragraph is the same as <BODY>.

Overflow part scroll display. The display order of paragraphs is saved, but the display position (coordinate system, absolute position, relative position) is changed. Bulleting Modification of all or part of the bullets: enlargement / reduction. Hyperlink <A HREF=""> Save links to other pages.

If the jump destination is not saved, the same page link is deleted or changed to the link to the original page. <A HREF="mailto: "> Email: Save <A HREF="linux.rpm"> Download </A>: Save <A HREF="top.html"> ACCESSKEY = "7"</A>: Skip Delete if the destination is not saved. Input form <FORM>: Save. Table <TABLE><TR> row <TD> column: The attributes of the table and cell are inherited.

When the whole is extracted: Save as a table. When a part is extracted: Save as a cell. When spanning multiple cells, save as a table composed of multiple cells.

Caption: Of course, no caption is required if no table is selected. Column: If only one side of the two columns is selected, break the column. Image / video / sound Blur, blur, chroma key composition, shadow, light emission, and waveform effects are inherited.

The display order is saved, but the display position is changed. Style sheet Basically inherited.

[0040]

With the above-mentioned structure, the present invention provides
While using the proxy server as in the prior art and displaying the WWW information on the browser without depending on the specific application, you can freely extract only the necessary information from the displayed contents. It has been possible to format it into an arbitrary format, save it with an appropriate file name, and maintain it.

Therefore, only the necessary information can be saved and the file name suitable for the contents can be saved, so that the saving area can be saved and the search / browsing after saving can be facilitated. Also, by shaping in a sub-window, information can be saved in a form that is easy to use.

Further, the information to be stored is divided into a long-term storage type and a temporary storage type, and the expired one can be automatically or selectively erased, so that the storage area can be saved. You can also see the access level at a glance by changing the icon color.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer device in which the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the functionality of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of each function of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a detailed flowchart of the data shaping process (314) of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen of a WWW page and a sub window.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of shaping processing in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

100: Computer device 101: CPU 102: RAM 103: Display device 104: Communication control device 105: Input device 106: External storage device 107: Network 210: OS 220: Browser function 230: Data selection function 240: Data shaping function 250: Cleanup function

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus for browsing a WWW and collecting information, comprising means for displaying the WWW, means for selecting necessary information from the displayed WWW, and at least one selected information. Means for transferring to the subwindow, means for shaping the information transferred on the subwindow into an arbitrary format, means for saving the shaped information with a file name,
Information processing device consisting of. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying the at least one subwindow on a display screen and controlling the size and position of the subwindow. apparatus. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the means for storing the information has a means for classifying the stored information into a long-term storage type and a temporary storage type. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the means for storing the information stores the divided information,
Files that are classified as temporary storage have an expiration date, and information that has passed the expiration date is automatically or selectively deleted.
An information processing apparatus characterized by providing a reference count with a time stamp for files classified as long-term storage type, distinguishing those that have not been accessed for a certain period by changing the icon color, and selectively deleting .