JP2007148486A - Method for supporting document browsing, system for the same, document processor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a link destination address a code image to output it on a print sheet while preventing appearance and reading performance from deteriorating. <P>SOLUTION: When receiving an output instruction of a document to be browsed by a host side device 100 onto a sheet, a document processor 3 acquires link information necessary to output on a sheet of a machine-readable code corresponding to a link information among the link information associated with a prescribed part of the document, converts address information of the acquired link information into machine-readable code, generates a print image so as to be arranged at a prescribed position on the sheet by associating the converted machine-readable code with the link information to send it to a printer 200. A code reader 600 reads the machine-readable code output onto the sheet. A portable document browser device 500 acquires the document indicated with the address of the link destination on the basis of the machine-readable code read by the reader 600 to make it browsable. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document browsing support method, a document browsing support system, and a document processing apparatus and program used therefor. More specifically, a document to which a so-called hyperlink is attached is output on an output medium such as paper with a code image indicating a hyperlink destination address, and the code image on the output medium is read to read the hyperlink. The present invention relates to a mechanism for acquiring and browsing a linked document.

  For example, when collecting information using the Internet, there are cases where related home pages are displayed on a display device one after another for browsing. In addition, a homepage that seems to be relevant for later compilation may be printed on a sheet of paper to be organized into a paper file.

  However, in the case of a printed page, it is very troublesome later when trying to view the linked page. That is, a printed URL (Uniform Resource Locators) must be input from the keyboard or read from the history, and the printed page must be redisplayed on the computer. For example, when browsing a home page printed from a personal computer or a linked home page using a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, the URL in the printed material must be directly input by hand, and the input operation is troublesome.

  As a mechanism to solve this problem, for example, when a hyperlink destination is recorded as a barcode image on a homepage in advance and this page is printed, by reading the barcode on the printed paper, There is a technology that makes it possible to display a linked page. For example, today, mobile terminals with a two-dimensional barcode reader function are steadily spreading. If the two-dimensional barcode of the address of the homepage is printed on the printed matter, it can be read by hand only by reading the barcode reader. There is no need to enter a URL.

  However, the conventional mechanism that records the hyperlink destination in the form of a barcode in advance on the homepage can only function on a few pages unless the homepage using this technology is widely spread. There are difficulties. The fact is that the barcode is not always on the homepage.

  It is also conceivable to develop Internet browsing software that automatically inserts a hyperlink destination barcode into a document when a document described in HTML format is downloaded from the Internet. However, in such a mechanism, the Internet browsing software becomes dedicated software, and it is not possible to browse documents published on the Internet using the Internet browsing software that is widely spread. There is a difficulty.

  As a mechanism for solving such a problem, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a document browsing support system that can be generally used by using various browsing software.

JP 2000-148340 A

  In the mechanism described in Patent Document 1, information related to a hyperlink of a document is acquired, and an optically readable code symbol of information related to a link destination address of the hyperlink is created. The code symbol is inserted at or near the position where the is inserted.

  By doing this, you can create a code symbol for information about the link destination address of the hyperlink and include it in the document. If you print and organize the document, you can read the code symbol on the printed page. Since the link destination address of the target document can be acquired, the target document can be easily re-viewed by the document browsing means. Further, since it is not necessary to insert barcode image data in advance on the home page as in the past, it can be generally used for various home pages and the like, and document browsing means (using document browsing software) This function can be realized in a system different from that realized), and can be used together with various browsing software for browsing an electronic document.

  However, in the mechanism described in Patent Document 1, a code symbol of information relating to a hyperlink destination address is created and inserted into a document to be browsed. There is no fundamental difference. The only difference is whether a code symbol is inserted in advance or a code symbol is inserted later.

  For this reason, it is necessary to change the source code of the home page directly and insert a code symbol at or near the position where the hyperlink is inserted, the original home page information (HTML) must be changed, and the code symbol The document with the inserted is displayed.

  For this reason, the inserted code symbol image (code image) is obstructive, the insertion of the code symbol changes the appearance of the original document significantly, or the reading of the content of the document is disturbed. Invite.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the address information of the hyperlink destination is converted into a code image while preventing the appearance or the interpretation performance of the document with the hyperlink from being hindered. The purpose is to propose a mechanism that can output to printing paper.

  In the mechanism according to the present invention, when there is an instruction to output a document on a predetermined output medium, output of machine-readable code corresponding to the link information among the link information associated with the predetermined part of the document Get what needs output on the media. Then, the information regarding the address of the acquired link information is converted into a machine-readable code, and an output image in which the converted machine-readable code is associated with the link information and arranged at a predetermined location on the output medium is generated as a print image. I did it.

  That is, instead of creating and inserting a code symbol of information related to the hyperlink destination address in the document being browsed, the code symbol is created and inserted on the print image.

  The program according to the present invention is suitable for realizing a document processing technique for generating an output image by software using an electronic computer (computer). Note that the program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be provided by distribution via wired or wireless communication means.

  According to the present invention, the code image indicating the link destination address is created and inserted on the print image. Since the code image is not inserted into the document being viewed, the link destination address is printed as a code image while not affecting the appearance or readability of the linked document. It can be displayed on a display device as a preview image, or can be printed out on printing paper or the like. By reading the code image on the output print image, the link destination address can be easily obtained, and the document can be obtained from the address destination and viewed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Example of basic configuration; First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a first embodiment of a basic configuration example of a document browsing support system including a document processing apparatus according to the present invention. The document browsing support system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a first document browsing apparatus and a code reading apparatus, and the user terminal side, which is a terminal operated by the user, has a predetermined document. An address of link information associated with the part is converted into a machine readable code and inserted into a predetermined part of the print image to generate a print image, and the user terminal uses the print image of the document with the machine readable code inserted as a print image. Display on the display device or sent to a printer and printed on paper. This will be specifically described below.

  The document browsing support system 1 includes a host side device 100 having a function of a first document browsing device (also including an image output device function) that is a user terminal and browses an electronic document, and a host side device. A printer 200 as an image forming apparatus (an example of an image output apparatus) that forms an image on a predetermined output medium based on print image data sent from 100, and a second document for browsing link destination information A browsing device, which is a portable document browsing device (hereinafter referred to as a portable document browsing device) 500 different from the host-side device 100 having the function of the first document browsing device, and an output medium output by the printer 200 And a code reading device 600 for reading a code image existing in the upper print image.

  The host-side device 100 has the function of the document processing apparatus according to the present invention. Specifically, first, as a functional part constituting the document processing apparatus 3 that encodes the address of link information and inserts it at a predetermined location of the print image, a document acquisition unit 101 that acquires a document to be viewed, and a host side apparatus A user instruction receiving unit 102 that receives various user instructions for use by 100, and a user instruction receiving unit 102 that corresponds to a predetermined portion of a document when a print image generation instruction for a document acquired by the document acquisition unit 101 is received. Link information acquisition unit 104 that acquires attached link information, and code conversion that converts information related to the address of the link information acquired by the link information acquisition unit 104 into a machine-readable code such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode And the machine-readable code generated (converted) by the code converter 106 are linked to a predetermined place in the print image And a machine readable code inserting unit 108 for generating a print image by inserting in association with broadcast.

  The host-side device 100 also has a function of an interface for displaying image information on a display device (an example of an image output device) 142 and a user instruction input interface function with an instruction input unit 144 such as a mouse or a keyboard. An interface unit 140 is provided.

The machine readable code insertion unit 108 displays the print image on the display device 142 by sending the print image of the document in which the generated machine readable code is inserted as a print image to the display device 142 via the user interface unit 140. Let Alternatively, a print image of a document in which the generated machine-readable code is inserted is sent to the printer 200 as a print image.
The printer 200 prints (outputs an image) on an output medium such as paper according to the print image of the document with the machine-readable code inserted received from the host-side device 100.

<Outline of print position of code image>
Here, the machine-readable code insertion unit 108 enables the user to recognize the correspondence between the output code image and the corresponding link portion in the document as the position when the code image is printed, It is preferable not to affect the page image of the document body.

  In order to allow the user to recognize the correspondence between the output code image and the corresponding link portion in the document, for each output code image, the link information itself (URL itself) or the correspondence Reference information such as numbers and symbols should be printed in the vicinity of the code image.

  In order to prevent the page image of the document body from being affected, for example, above and below the page image of the document body in which the link destination corresponding to the code image to be printed is described. , Left or right (hereinafter, also simply referred to as up, down, left, and right), that is, arranged at the edge of the paper surrounding the page image. In this case, the page image of the document body needs to be scaled (for example, A4 size is changed to B5 size) than the output paper size in order to secure the upper, lower, left, and right print areas.

  Alternatively, by setting the header or footer in the printer driver settings, the header or footer area is secured in the output paper of the page, and the code image is placed at a position that does not affect the header or footer information. It is also possible to print. In this case, it is not necessary to reduce the page image of the document body.

  Alternatively, it is conceivable to print on a surface different from the surface on which the page image of the document body in which the link destination corresponding to the code image is described. In this case, the surface on which the page image of the document body is printed may be different from the surface on which the page image is printed. For example, the paper on which the page image of the document body is printed and the paper on which the code image is printed are different papers. Not limited to this, each may be printed on a different surface by using a double-sided printing function. In these cases, it is not necessary to reduce the page image of the document body.

  Alternatively, a page allocation function called N-up (N-up-1) or N-in-1 (N-in-1) may be used in which a plurality of page images are uniformly reduced and arranged at a predetermined allocation position on one sheet. . At this N-up, the page image of the document body is reduced and printed on the corresponding layout surface, but the code image is printed without being reduced on an allocation surface different from the layout surface of the reduced page image of the document body. Is good.

  Alternatively, only the code image may be printed without printing the page image of the document body at all. In this case, the page image is not printed, and strictly speaking, it is different from the concept of “printing on the same page” or “printing on another page”. However, in terms of printing the code image on a different surface from the page image of the document main body, it can be said that “print on a separate page” is broadly considered and included in this.

  It is also conceivable that the code image is arranged in a margin portion or top / bottom / left / right corners of the page image so as not to affect the reading of the page image content of the document body. In these cases, it is not necessary to reduce the page image of the document body.

  If there is document body information such as characters and images when placed at the top, bottom, left, and right corners, the document body information is overwritten with the code image and reference information to prioritize the code image and its reference information. It is good to do.

  The code image is not limited to be printed so as not to affect the page image of the document body, and the code image may be arranged and printed at the position of the link portion of the document or in the vicinity thereof. In this case, in many cases, since the document body information such as characters and images exists at the print position, overwriting is performed.

  Therefore, when overwriting, including the case where it is placed in the upper, lower, left and right corners as described above, the document body information becomes a background image for the code image and the reference information. It may be possible to completely erase the wide area surrounding the code image and the reference information (the same applies below), and the page information of the background portion is printed lightly at a level that does not adversely affect the reading of the code image and data recovery. A so-called overlay output can also be considered.

  When this overlay output is used, not only the background portion of the code image and reference information, but also the entire page image may be printed lightly, or only the background portion of the code image and reference information may be printed lightly. These portions may be printed at a normal density.

<Reading code image and restoring link information>
For example, the code reading device 600 is provided on the portable document browsing device 500 side, which is a user terminal for browsing the information of the link destination, and is truly integrated with the portable document browsing device 500 or It may be configured substantially integrally. For example, a truly integrated camera-equipped mobile phone (including PHS (Personal Handy-phone System)) equipped with a barcode reading function, or a substantially integrated type that can be equipped with a barcode reader unit. It can be said a portable terminal. Hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as a mobile terminal with a barcode reading function.

  The code reading device 600 reads and reads the machine readable code present in the print image displayed on the display device 142 and the machine readable code present in the print image on the output medium output by the printer 200. Information on the machine-readable code is sent to the portable document browsing device 500 and the host-side device 100. By reading a machine-readable code image such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional bar code from the print image with the code reading device 600, the host-side device 100 or the portable document browsing device 500 as the document browsing support means The link destination address of the department can be easily obtained.

  As a result, the document browsing support unit (the host-side device 100 or the portable document browsing device 500) instructs the document browsing unit to acquire and display the addressed document from, for example, the Internet. This can be realized by using such a function because some Internet browsers that implement the document browsing means have a function of accepting instructions from the outside.

  In other words, in the document browsing support system 1 having such a configuration, when a link portion exists in the document being browsed in the host-side device 100, when an instruction to output a code image at the address of the link portion is received from the user, Information relating to the address of the link information is converted into a machine-readable code and inserted into a predetermined location (for example, a location in accordance with a user instruction) on a sheet on which a document is printed to form a print image. Next, the code reading device 600 reads a code image from an image (print image) of a printed document, and passes the read information to the portable document browsing device 500 or the like.

  Thereby, in the portable document browsing apparatus 500 which is a user terminal different from the host side apparatus 100, the address of the link destination of the hyperlink part in a document can be acquired easily, for example. Then, the portable document browsing device 500 acquires the document at the address from the Internet, for example, and displays the document on the display unit of the portable document browsing device 500 that is a display unit different from the display device 142. can do.

  For example, when a document being viewed on the host-side device 100 is a home page described in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) and a hyperlink (an example of link information) is set in the home page, a portable document is used. When browsing a linked document with a mobile phone as an example of the browsing device 500, a URL (Uniform Resource Locators; an example of an address) indicating the address of a document that can be browsed is used as a code image and a predetermined location in the document Embed in.

  At this time, if the automatic print setting of the machine readable code of the portable URL is set by the printer driver or the like, it is analyzed whether or not the URL (or link destination) to be printed is a portable site, and for the portable terminal. If it can be identified as a home page, all of them are set as print output targets, and their addresses are automatically encoded as they are. Alternatively, in the case of a URL that cannot be automatically identified, a list of URLs or link destinations on a homepage that can be printed as a code image at the time of printing is displayed, an output instruction from a user is accepted, and a print output target is received according to the instruction It is good to decide.

  Then, the printed matter is brought to a place such as a company or vacation destination, and the printed code image is read by the portable document browsing device 500 and the portable terminal with a barcode reading function as the code reading device 600. As a result, detailed information can be downloaded from the Internet and browsed on the portable terminal. An input means for a user who uses a mobile terminal with a barcode reading function to input a link destination URL existing in a printed home page to the mobile terminal can be realized easily and inexpensively.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to an application example in a mechanism in which information on a link destination is browsed on the second document browsing apparatus side using a second document browsing apparatus different from the first document browsing apparatus. By using the first document browsing device also as the second document browsing device, the host side device 100 as the first document browsing device itself downloads and browses the linked document self-recursively. Is also applicable.

  For example, when collecting information using the Internet, browse the related home pages one after another, and make the hyperlink destination in the page a code image along with pages that seem to be related later. In other words, when a code image indicating a URL as link information is printed, this code image is printed on paper and organized as a paper file, and when a user tries to browse a linked document (homepage) later, By reading a code image indicating a printed URL, it can also be applied when browsing a linked homepage.

<Example of device configuration using an electronic computer>
In the above-described embodiment, the mechanism of document processing (particularly print image generation processing) for generating a print image by coding the address of link information and inserting it in a predetermined location of the print image is configured by a hardware processing circuit. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be realized in software using an electronic computer (computer) based on a program code that realizes the function.

  Therefore, a program suitable for realizing the document processing method (particularly the print image generation method) and the document processing apparatus (functional part of the print image generation apparatus) according to the present invention by software using an electronic computer (computer) or this A computer-readable storage medium storing the program can also be extracted as an invention.

  When making a computer execute a series of document processing (especially print image generation processing) functions by software, a computer (such as an embedded microcomputer) in which a program constituting the software is incorporated in dedicated hardware, or System on a chip (SOC) that implements the desired system by installing functions such as CPU (Central Processing Unit), logic circuit, and storage device on a single chip, or various programs installed By doing so, it is installed from a recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like capable of executing various functions.

  The recording medium causes a state change of energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. according to the description contents of the program to the reading device provided in the hardware resource of the computer, and in the form of a signal corresponding to the change. The program description can be transmitted to the reader.

  For example, a magnetic disk (including a flexible disk FD), an optical disk (CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory)), a DVD on which a program is recorded, which is distributed to provide a program to a user separately from a computer. (Including Digital Versatile Disc), magneto-optical disc (including MD (Mini Disc)), or package media (portable storage media) made of semiconductor memory, etc. It may be configured by a ROM, a hard disk, or the like in which a program is recorded, which is provided to the user in a state of being recorded.

  The program constituting the software is not limited to be provided via a recording medium, and may be provided via a wired or wireless communication network without using the recording medium.

  For example, a storage medium recording a program code of software for realizing a document processing function is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium By doing so, the same effect as the case where the hardware processing circuit is used is achieved. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes a document processing function.

  Further, not only the function of performing document processing is realized by executing the program code read by the computer, but also an OS (Operating Systems; basic software) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. However, there may be a case where a function of performing part or all of the actual processing and performing document processing by the processing is realized.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. There may be a case where the CPU or the like provided in the card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of document processing is realized by the processing.

  Note that the program is provided as a file describing a program code for realizing a document processing function. In this case, the program is not limited to being provided as a batch program file, and the hardware configuration of a system configured by a computer Depending on the case, it may be provided as an individual program module.

  For example, FIG. 2 shows a document processing apparatus having a function of performing document processing in software using a CPU or memory on the first document browsing apparatus (host side apparatus 100) side, that is, a computer such as a personal computer. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a hardware configuration in the case of implement | achieving document processing like software using the function of (electronic computer).

  Of course, the configuration is not limited to such a configuration using a computer, and a configuration in which document processing is performed by a combination of dedicated hardware that performs processing of each functional unit of the host-side device 100 shown in FIG. . However, by adopting a mechanism for executing processing by software, it is possible to enjoy the advantage that the processing procedure can be easily changed without changing the hardware.

  For example, the computer system 900 reads and records data from a controller unit 901 and a predetermined storage medium such as a hard disk device, a flexible disk (FD) drive, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM) drive, a semiconductor memory controller, or the like. And a recording / reading control unit 902.

  The controller unit 901 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 912, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 913 which is a read-only storage unit, and a RAM (Random Access) which can be written and read at any time and is an example of a volatile storage unit. Memory) 915 and RAM (described as NVRAM) 916 which is an example of a nonvolatile storage unit. The NVRAM 916 can store temporary data, for example. In this case, the NVRAM 916 functions as a temporary data storage unit.

  In the above description, the “volatile storage unit” means a storage unit in which the stored content is lost when the main power supply of the document processing apparatus is turned off. On the other hand, the “non-volatile storage unit” means a storage unit in a form that keeps stored contents even when the main power of the document processing apparatus is turned off. Any memory device can be used as long as it can retain the stored contents. The semiconductor memory device itself is not limited to a nonvolatile memory device, and a backup power supply is provided to make a volatile memory device “nonvolatile”. You may comprise as follows. Further, the present invention is not limited to a semiconductor memory element, and may be configured using a medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk. For example, a hard disk device can be used as a nonvolatile storage unit.

  In addition, the computer system 900 includes an instruction input unit 903 using an operation panel unit 941 provided in a document processing apparatus including a keyboard, a mouse, a display panel unit 941a, and an operation key unit 941b as a function unit forming a user interface. , A display output unit 904 for presenting predetermined information such as a guidance screen and a processing result at the time of operation to the user, and an interface unit (IF unit) 909 that performs an interface function with each functional unit.

  The display output unit 904 includes a display control unit 942 and a display device. As the display device, for example, an operation panel unit 941 provided in the document processing device can be used. Alternatively, other display units 944 such as a CRT or LCD can be used. Note that by using the display unit 944 having the touch panel 943 on the display surface, the instruction input unit 903 for inputting predetermined information with a fingertip or a pen can be configured.

  When the host apparatus 100 is configured to read the code image in the print image output from the printer 200 and display the link destination information in the document, the computer system 900 performs document processing. A functional part for performing predetermined data processing on provided data is also provided. For example, an image forming unit 906 corresponding to the printer 200 that outputs an image in which a link destination address is encoded and embedded in a print image to a predetermined output medium (for example, print paper), and a code image portion of the print image An image reading unit (scanner unit) 907 corresponding to the code reading device 600 to be read may be provided.

  The image forming unit 906 is, for example, an electrophotographic type, thermal type, thermal transfer type, ink jet type, or similar conventional image based on the image represented by the image signal obtained by the image reading unit 907 or the received image data. Using the forming process, a visible image is formed (printed) on plain paper or thermal paper. Therefore, the image forming unit 906 includes an image processing unit 962 that generates print output data such as binary signals of yellow Y, magenta M, cyan C, and black K, for example, a raster output scan base, an inkjet method, and the like. The print engine 964 is provided.

  The image reading unit 907 has a function of an image input terminal. For example, an image on a document is read by irradiating light to the document sent to the reading position by using a full width array of CCD solid-state imaging devices. The red R, green G, and blue B analog video signals representing the read image are converted into digital signals.

  As the interface unit 909, in addition to the system bus 991, which is a transfer path for processing data (including image data) and control data, for example, a scanner IF unit 997, an image forming unit 906, and an interface function with the image reading unit 907 are provided. It has a printer IF unit 996 that functions as an interface with other printers, and a communication IF unit 999 that mediates transfer of communication data with a network such as the Internet.

  Instead of performing all processing of each functional part for document processing by software, a processing circuit 908 for performing part of these functional parts by dedicated hardware may be provided. Although the mechanism performed by software can flexibly cope with parallel processing and continuous processing, the processing time becomes longer as the processing becomes complicated, so that a reduction in processing speed becomes a problem. On the other hand, it is possible to construct an accelerator system with a higher speed by using a hardware processing circuit. Even if the processing is complicated, the accelerator system can prevent a reduction in processing speed and can obtain a high throughput.

  In such a configuration, the CPU 912 controls the entire system via the system bus 991 and corresponds to a so-called controller unit. The ROM 913 stores a control program for the CPU 912 and the like. The RAM 915 is configured by SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, and stores program control variables, data for various processes, and the like. The RAM 915 also stores an electronic document (not limited to character data but may include image data) acquired by a predetermined application program, image data acquired by the image reading unit 907 provided in the apparatus, and externally. An area for temporarily storing the acquired electronic document or the like is included.

  For example, a program that causes a computer to execute a document processing function is distributed through a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Alternatively, this program may be stored in the FD instead of the CD-ROM. In addition, an MO drive may be provided to store the program in the MO, or the program may be stored in another recording medium such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory card such as a flash memory. Furthermore, the program may be downloaded from another server or the like via a network such as the Internet, or may be updated or updated.

  As a recording medium for providing the program, in addition to FD and CD-ROM, an optical recording medium such as DVD, a magnetic recording medium such as MD, a magneto-optical recording medium such as PD, a tape medium, and a magnetic medium. A semiconductor memory such as a recording medium, an IC card, or a miniature card can be used. A part or all of functions for realizing a document processing function can be stored in an FD or a CD-ROM as an example of a recording medium.

  The hard disk device also includes an area for storing data for various processes by the control program and temporarily storing a large amount of image data acquired by the image reading unit 907 or image data received from the outside. It is out. The hard disk device, FD drive, or CD-ROM drive is used, for example, for registering program data for causing the CPU 912 to execute processing such as content acquisition, address acquisition, or address setting by software. .

<Realistic System Configuration Example; First Embodiment>
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a practical configuration example of a document browsing support system including a document browsing apparatus, an image forming apparatus (image output apparatus), and a code reading apparatus. FIG. 4 shows processing of an application program for document creation (including a printer driver that generates a print image) prepared in a host side device that functions as an image input terminal or a document browsing device for the image forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a machine-readable code.

  The document browsing support system 1 converts document data created by a document creation tool such as word processing software into a page description language (PDL) and prints PDL data as a multi-value gradation signal representing an image. The image data is sent to the printer side, and after the drawing is developed on the printer side, the processed image data is transferred to an image output unit (also referred to as an image forming unit or a print engine) that forms the main part of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the document browsing support system 1 is a terminal used by a general user, and functions as a user terminal such as a personal computer (client PC) that generates document data, and a user terminal. A printer 200, which is an example of an image forming apparatus that performs print output processing based on document data output from a functioning host-side device 100, is connected via a network (LAN) 2.

  The host-side device 100 that functions as a user terminal includes a data generation unit 110 that generates image data such as documents and graphics, a central control unit 120 that controls the operation of each unit of the host-side device 100 that functions as a user terminal, And an interface unit 130 that functions as an interface with the printer 200 in this example. The data generation unit 110 and the central control unit 120 constitute the document processing apparatus 3.

  The host-side device 100 that functions as a user terminal includes an interface unit 140 that functions as an interface with the display device 142 and an interface unit 150 that functions as an interface with an external network 8 such as the Internet. ing.

  In the data generation unit 110, for example, an application program for generating document data composed of characters, graphics, and the like is incorporated. The document includes a Web page (homepage) in addition to a typical document.

  In addition to the application that generates the document data body in the own device, the application program includes an interface unit 150 such as a document generated in the own device or an electronic document on the Internet from the viewpoint of document browsing support. Including document browsing support software for displaying a document generated by another device connected via the Internet on the display device 142 which is a display medium of the own device. In this embodiment, for example, the Internet is commercially available or distributed. A browser for is also included. That is, this document browsing support software causes the computer to function as document browsing means.

  The central control unit 120 incorporates an operating system OS that is software for controlling the entire host-side device 100 that functions as a user terminal and a printer driver that is software for controlling the printer 200. In the present embodiment, the operating system OS acquires document information to be processed, searches the hyperlink part by analyzing the acquired document, or converts the addressee information of the hyperlink part as a code image. The program module has a function as document browsing support means such as embedding it in the print image, that is, a program module that causes the computer to function as document browsing support means.

  As a result, the host-side device 100 functioning as a user terminal or a document browsing device implements predetermined processing in software based on the program. That is, a program is read from a CD-ROM or the like that stores a program for configuring each functional unit for executing predetermined processing and installed in a hard disk device (not shown), and the program is read from the hard disk device and a CPU (not shown) By executing predetermined processing procedures, each function can be realized in software.

  The program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or may be distributed via wired or wireless communication means. In addition, these programs and storage media storing the programs may be provided as versions of existing systems, application programs, or printer drivers. Alternatively, it may be provided as an optional program corresponding to a part of functions such as a patch file for realizing each functional part as software.

  For example, drawing commands having command types such as an image drawing command, a graphic drawing command, and a font drawing command are sequentially input to the printer driver from an application program incorporated in the host-side device 100 that functions as a user terminal. The printer driver converts the drawing command into a print command understandable by the printer 200 and outputs the print command to the interface unit 130. The print command input to the interface unit 130 is transmitted to the printer 200 through the network 2. The printer 200 prints an image on paper (image output) according to the received print command.

  For example, a print command is passed to the printer 200 in the form of a page description language (PDL: Page Description Language) in which enlargement, rotation, and deformation of figures and characters can be freely controlled. Image data created in PDL is composed of a command and a data string in which drawing commands and data representing images, figures, and characters in arbitrary positions in a page are arranged in an arbitrary order. On the side of 200, in order to print in accordance with the received print command, image data is rendered (drawn and developed) for each output unit (one page) before printing.

  Here, in an application program (hereinafter referred to as document data generation software 112) for creating a document DOC prepared in the data generation unit 110 of the host-side device 100, the document browsing device for browsing the document on the display device 142 is used. As a configuration for functioning, as shown in FIG. 4, a document image generation module 113 for generating a document image corresponding to the document data body D1 is provided. The document image generation module 113 is a program that causes a computer to function as document data generation means for generating document data, such as word processing software or drafting software, and document browsing means for displaying a document image based on the generated document data on the display device 142. It is a module.

  The document data generation software 112 is a module that exclusively implements a drawing function, and serves as a program module that causes a computer to function as a document browsing unit that causes the display device 142 to display a document image based on the acquired document data body D1. A browsing image generation module 114 is provided. For example, a Web browser that displays a Hope page downloaded from the Internet on the display device 142 is a typical example.

  The printer driver incorporated in the central control unit 120 generates a code image indicating the address destination of the link information existing in the document being browsed, and inserts it at a predetermined position on the print image of the document. It has.

  The code image addition module 115 functions as the link information acquisition unit 104, the code conversion unit 106, and the machine-readable code insertion unit 108. The code information addition module 115 generates print data for print image (for example, PDL data) according to the input document data body D1 and print setting information. That is, when the code information addition module 115 accepts the document data body D1, it first generates a code image (Code Image) CI indicating the address of the link information in the document, and is print data of the document including the code image CI. The document DOC is output to the printer 200, or display data corresponding to the print image is output to the display device 142.

  Here, an instruction unit for controlling the image forming apparatus by a printer driver that is a software for controlling print output processing in the host-side apparatus 100 that presents an operation screen to the user and functions as a user terminal based on the instruction input. Although the display control unit is configured, the instruction unit and the display control unit that perform the above-described processing may be realized by a hardware circuit without depending on software. Since such a hardware circuit configuration can be easily realized by those skilled in the art, the illustration of the configuration is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the document DOC output from the code information adding module 115, that is, the image of the document formed on the printing paper or the printing preview screen is displayed on the printing paper by, for example, the printer 200. It is formed as a document image DOC_D1 corresponding to the document data body D1 including information and figures. The document image DOC_D1 formed on the printing paper is in a state in which a code image CI indicating the address destination is added to the link information existing in the document data body D1. Depending on the printing position of the code image CI, an area for the code image CI is secured outside the document image DOC_D1 corresponding to the document data body D1 in the printing paper.

  The link destination address may be about 50 characters in some cases. In that case, if a one-dimensional barcode (1-dimensional barcode; see FIG. 5A) is used as the code image, information can be recorded only in one direction, so that the area to be inserted into the print image becomes large, even if the document There is a concern that it may become annoying even if it is inserted into a part that does not affect the body reading (such as a blank part of the paper or a blank part in the document body), and if it is inserted at or near the link part in the document Is concerned that it will have a significant impact on the interpretation of the document itself.

  In order to suppress this problem as much as possible, it is preferable to use a two-dimensional barcode that can record information in the horizontal and vertical (horizontal / vertical) directions as the machine-readable code. When using a two-dimensional barcode, it is possible to record more information (several tens to several hundred times) compared to a one-dimensional barcode, error correction is possible, and the barcode is slightly damaged or damaged. But it can be read. If a two-dimensional bar code is used, this two-dimensional bar code can be inserted in a relatively small area, and an uncomfortable feeling and a decrease in the reading performance of the document body can be suppressed to a small extent.

  The two-dimensional code has a structure in which a two-dimensional code such as CODE49, CODE16K, PDF417, etc. is stacked, a two-dimensional code (see FIG. 5B), a QR (Quick Response) code and data. It can be roughly divided into two types of matrix type two-dimensional codes (see FIG. 5C) in which white and black dots are arranged on a grid such as a matrix (data code) and a maxi code.

<Example menu screen for printer job>
6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating examples of menu screens when a print instruction (including print preview) is issued in the host-side device 100 functioning as a user terminal as a document browsing support device. These menu screens are displayed and output on the display device 142, which is a display device, via an operating system OS (Operating Systems) by the printer driver. On these menu screens, the user can display information necessary for printing. Can be set.

  For example, when a print instruction is issued to the apparatus, the printer driver displays an operation screen as shown in FIG. The operation screen is composed of a combination of a plurality of menu screens for performing detailed settings, and a desired menu screen appears in the foreground by clicking a tab of each menu screen. As an example, detailed setting tab TB11 to specify paper and printing-related detailed settings such as print range (page), number of copies, enlargement / reduction, duplex / single side, document size, paper type, paper tray selection and ejection Paper / Output Settings tab TB12 for specifying settings related to printer operations such as the destination specification, Graphics Settings tab TB13 for specifying detailed settings for image quality such as image quality and brightness, page A layout setting tab TB14 is provided for specifying the allocation method. In FIG. 6, the layout setting operation menu is displayed in the foreground.

  In the layout setting menu, a pull-down menu PD11 for designating whether or not to output a plurality of pages as a single sheet is displayed on the left side of the screen, and a preview with a code image CI embedded in a document ( preview) The image PV is displayed on the right side of the screen such that the code image position changes according to the print position of the code image set in the code image setting menu described later.

  Also, at the bottom of the screen, a button BT11 for starting the setting screen for returning to the standard, a button BT12 for starting the setting screen for setting the printer status, and a button for starting the setting screen for setting the binding margin In addition to BT13, a QR code button BT14 for starting a print setting screen of a code image (here, a QR code which is an example of a two-dimensional barcode) is prepared as a button unique to the present embodiment. Furthermore, at the bottom, a help button BT16 for starting a screen (help screen) explaining the operation method, a cancel button BT17 for invalidating the set state, and an OK button BT18 for confirming the set state are prepared. Has been.

  For example, when printing a home page being browsed linked to a home page to be referred to on the go, click the QR code button BT14 on the printer driver setting screen shown in FIG. A QR code setting menu screen (see FIG. 7) for setting is activated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, on the QR code setting menu screen, first, a check field IM21 for instructing whether or not to print by inserting a QR code at the time of printing is prepared. With this check field IM21, for example, it is possible to set whether or not to automatically print the QR code of the hyperlink embedded in the homepage when printing the homepage.

  When the check field IM21 is checked and a print instruction is issued, the host-side device 100 analyzes the information of the document being browsed such as a home page at the time of printing, and embeds the code image at a predetermined position in the document and prints it. That is, when the user instruction receiving unit 102 receives a print instruction in a state where the check field IM21 is checked, the link information acquiring unit 104 analyzes information on the document such as a home page and associates it with a predetermined part of the document. The obtained link information is acquired, and the link information that needs to be printed as a code image is passed to the code conversion unit 106. In this case, among all the extracted link information, what is to be printed out may be automatically determined based on a predetermined determination condition, or a user's selection instruction may be accepted. .

  When extracting link information in a document, there are cases where it is possible to obtain it from software (for example, a browser) used for browsing, and cases where it is not. For example, if the HTML document is being browsed, it is checked whether there is a hyperlink part in the document to be read. If there is a hyperlink part, the link destination address information and the like are checked. get. In other words, taking a document written in the HTML format as an example, the link destination address is expressed in the format <a href=“link destination address”>, but the browser software as the browsing image generation module 114 In some cases, a means for acquiring a link destination address is prepared in advance, and in this case, the link information acquisition unit 104 can easily acquire link information automatically from a browser.

  On the other hand, some browsers for the Internet do not have such a function. In this case, the link information acquisition unit 104 does not automatically receive link information from the browser. In this case, first, the operating system OS functions as the link information acquisition unit 104, and acquires the document for which reading of the document is to be terminated from the browsing image generation module 114 that functions as the document browsing means. Alternatively, the address of a document for which reading of the document is to be ended may be acquired, and the data of the document may be acquired based on the acquired address.

  Next, the link information acquisition unit 104 (operating system OS) analyzes the acquired document and searches for a hyperlink unit. If there is a hyperlink part, the link destination address information and the like are searched. Taking a document written in the HTML format as an example, the link destination address is expressed in the format <a href=“link destination address”>, so this address can be easily searched. it can.

  In the QR code setting menu screen, a print position setting field for designating the print position of the code image is prepared, and the print position of the code image can be set. Various information in this field is normally displayed in halftone and does not accept user operations. By checking the check field IM21, various settings in this print position setting field can be made. ing.

  The setting items include, for example, a check field IM22 for whether to print on the same page, a pull-down menu PD22 for specifying the arrangement location of the code image when printing on the same page, and whether to print on another page. A check field IM23 and a pull-down menu PD23 for specifying a page position when printing on another page are prepared.

  The pull-down menu PD22 allows you to set the print position when printing a code image on the same page as the page to be printed. For example, it is outside the document and above, below, left, and right the paper margin. Or a header or footer, a margin in a document, a corner, or a link portion or its vicinity can be specified.

  The pull-down menu PD23 allows you to set the page position when printing a code image on a different page from the page to be printed. For example, only the code image is printed without outputting the page image of the document. , Either before the first page, after the last page, or the back side can be specified.

  In the QR code setting menu screen, a pull-down menu PD24 for designating a second document browsing apparatus for browsing linked information is prepared. When the portable document browsing device 500 and the code reading device 600 are truly or substantially integrated, it is possible to set the code reading device 600 that reads a code image.

  This pull-down menu PD24 is normally displayed in halftone so as not to accept user operations, and the pull-down menu PD24 can be operated by checking the check column IM21. Here, one can be selected from the list of model names of browsing devices registered in advance, or by directly entering the model name, an unregistered one can be newly registered. Can also be set as the second document browsing apparatus.

  For example, when a model with a mobile phone is set in the pull-down menu PD24, the link information acquisition unit 104 ends with “all URL information extracted from the document to be printed (here, URL is a typical example)” It is determined whether “/ i” or “/ i /” is attached. Then, by selecting only the attached ones, only the link information for mobile phones is automatically extracted from all the link information as the print output target, that is, the link information for mobile terminals is extracted. Only the link information for the mobile phone that is automatically identified and extracted is passed to the code conversion unit 106.

  Further, the link information acquisition unit 104 presents a list of those not suffixed with “/ i” or “/ i /” on the display device 142 (FIG., Accepts a user's selection instruction). Thus (see FIG. 8), the link information that cannot be automatically identified for the portable terminal is also passed to the code conversion unit 106.

  By doing so, for example, when the home page is compatible with a mobile terminal, the automatically selected URL is used, and when the URL linked to the home page is compatible with the mobile terminal, the URL based on the user selection is set. It can be printed, and a code image such as a two-dimensional barcode can be automatically added and printed at a location designated by the user. After that, bring the printed material to a place where you go and read the printed two-dimensional barcode on a mobile terminal with a barcode reader function (including a mobile phone with a camera equipped with a barcode reading function). Detailed document information (typically a homepage, PDF document, etc.) can be easily browsed from the Internet.

  Alternatively, when a device other than the mobile phone is set, the link information acquisition unit 104 presents a list of all link information (here, URL is a typical example) extracted from the document to be printed on the display device 142. Then, by receiving the user's selection instruction (see FIG. 8), the information to be printed out is extracted from all the link information, and only the extracted link information is passed to the code conversion unit 106.

  In this way, for example, when the host-side device 100 collects information using the Internet, the code image indicating the URL printed in the document filed is read later. Thus, the linked document information (typically a home page, PDF document, etc.) can be easily browsed.

  For example, FIG. 8 shows a display example when a list of link information (here, URL is a typical example) is presented on the display device 142. In this way, the link information acquisition unit 104 presents the URL list to be printed with the code image to the user. On the display screen, the user selects and designates a URL to be printed as a code image by checking a check field provided for each URL.

<Processing procedure>
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure in the configuration example of the first embodiment. First, in the host-side device 100, the user browses by displaying an image of a document on the display device 142 (S10). In the process, an instruction to make the document being browsed into a printed matter is issued. The user instruction receiving unit 102 receives the instruction.

  The instruction is issued by instructing printing from the file operation menu for the document or by the user instructing a print preview to activate the printer driver operation screen shown in FIG. 6 (S12). At this time, if you want to print the homepage you want to refer to when you go out, click the QR code button BT14 in the printer driver settings to activate the QR code setting menu shown in FIG. QR code print setting items are designated (S14).

  For example, a check box IM21 for instructing QR code printing is checked. In the print position designation column, a check column for printing on the same page as the print target page is checked, and the print position in that case is designated. Alternatively, a check box for printing on a different page from the print target page is checked, and the print position in that case is designated. Also, the terminal used for browsing the linked document is specified.

  When various settings relating to QR code printing are completed, the user presses the OK button BT18 on the print setting operation screen shown in FIG. The user instruction receiving unit 102 receives the instruction (S18).

  Next, when the user instruction accepting unit 102 accepts that the OK button BT18 is clicked (print output instruction) on the print setting operation screen shown in FIG. 6, the link information obtaining unit 104 prints the code image. Is determined based on whether or not the check column IM21 is checked (S20). If it is checked (S20-YES), the link information acquisition unit 104 extracts link information that requires printing of the code image in accordance with the setting items shown in FIG. 7, and passes the link information to the code conversion unit 106 (S22). ).

  Further, the link information acquisition unit 104 activates the URL selection screen shown in FIG. 8 as necessary, displays a list of address information of the link information, and among the hyperlinks existing in the document being browsed, A specific designation of the code image indicating the address destination to be printed out is received from the user via the user instruction receiving unit 102 and passed to the code converting unit 106 (S24). That is, the link information acquisition unit 104 acquires the link information only when the user instruction reception unit 102 receives a code image generation instruction corresponding to link information associated with a predetermined portion of the document.

  Next, the code conversion unit 106 converts the link information received from the code conversion unit 106 into a machine-readable code image such as a QR code and passes it to the machine-readable code insertion unit 108 (S26). The machine readable code insertion unit 108 links the machine readable code generated (converted) by the code conversion unit 106 to a predetermined location in the print image according to the setting items in the print position designation field shown in FIG. The print data is generated by inserting in association with (S28).

  On the other hand, when the OK button BT18 is clicked on the operation screen for print setting shown in FIG. 6, if the check column IM21 is not checked (S20-NO), the printer driver performs normal document page only. Print data representing the print image is generated (S29).

  Next, the printer driver determines whether the print image output instruction is a preview display on the display device 142 or a print output on paper (S30). If the output is a print output, the printer driver sends the print image to the printer 200 (S30-YES, S32). When the check field IM21 is checked, the printer 200 prints a print image in which the code image indicating the link destination address in the document is embedded, and when the check field IM21 is not checked. Prints a print image of the document itself.

  As a result, the code image existing in the print image on the paper is read by a portable terminal with a barcode reader function having the functions of the portable document browsing device 500 and the code reading device 600, so that the linked document (typically For example, a homepage) can be displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal.

  In the case of preview display, the printer driver sends the print image to the display device 142 via the user interface unit 140 to display the print image on the display device 142 (S30-NO, S34). When the check field IM21 is checked, the display device 142 displays the print image in which the code image indicating the link destination address in the document is embedded, and when the check field IM21 is not checked. Displays a print image of the document itself.

  As a result, the code image existing in the print image on the display device 142 is read by a portable terminal with a barcode reader function having the functions of the portable document browsing device 500 and the code reading device 600, and the linked document (Typically a home page) can be displayed on the display screen of the mobile terminal.

  That is, the link destination address of the target document can be easily set regardless of whether the print image in which the code image indicating the link destination address is embedded is printed on a sheet or displayed on the display device 142 as a preview image. Therefore, the target document can be easily browsed again by a second document browsing apparatus such as the portable document browsing apparatus 500. Further, since it is not necessary to insert a code image (barcode image data) into the document being browsed, the mechanism of this embodiment can be generally used for various homepages and the like. .

  In addition, unlike the mechanism described in Patent Document 1, since it is realized by dealing only with the print setting side, it can be realized regardless of various Internet browsers and used together with various Internet browsers as document browsing means. In addition, since the code image is not inserted into the document being browsed, the code image is not obstructed while the document is being browsed.

  That is, it is possible to create a code symbol of information related to the link destination address of a hyperlink and include it in a print image when a document is instructed to be printed (including a print preview). For this reason, it is possible to easily obtain the link destination address of the target document by reading the displayed preview screen or the barcode on the printed paper, so that the target document can be easily re-viewed by the document browsing means. It becomes possible to do.

  Further, since it is not necessary to previously insert barcode image data into a home page as in the prior art, this document browsing support system can be generally used for various home pages. Furthermore, since the code image is not inserted into the document being browsed, but is dealt with by a print image, the mechanism described in Patent Document 1 that the code image does not become an obstacle during document browsing can be obtained. It has an excellent effect that cannot be done.

<Specific example of printing mode of code image>
10 to 16 are diagrams illustrating specific examples of output modes when a code image is printed out. In each case, the home page information described in HTML is targeted, and a QR code corresponding to the link destination information described therein is printed as an example.

  10 to 14 show a mode in which the code image is printed out on the same page as the page of the document body in which the link destination corresponding to the code image is described. FIG. 15 shows a mode in which the code image is printed out on a page different from the page of the document body in which the link destination corresponding to the code image is described. FIG. 16 shows a mode in which only the code image is output without outputting the page image of the document body. This will be specifically described below.

<Edge of paper>
A specific example (No. 1) shown in FIG. 10 is a mode in which a page image and a code image are printed on the same page, and in particular, the code image is printed on the edge (upper and lower left and right) of the paper surrounding the page image of the document body. It has a feature in printing.

  That is, first, the page image (print target range) to be printed is automatically scaled in order to secure areas for printing the code image at the top, bottom, left and right edges of the paper surrounding the page image. For example, when the page image size and the output paper size are both A4, the page image size is reduced to a smaller size, for example, B5 size.

  Then, the B5 size page image is set to a predetermined size on the A4 size paper so that an empty area is secured at the edge (up, down, left and right) of the paper surrounding the page image and set by the printer driver. Assign to a position. As a result, margins can be created vertically and horizontally with respect to the page image on the paper, and the code image can be printed on the margins.

  As an example, when left or top is set in the printer driver, it is preferable to match the bottom right as illustrated. As a result, an empty area is secured at the upper end and the left end so as to surround the B5 size page image on the A4 size sheet. Although illustration is omitted, when the right or the lower is set, it is preferable to match the upper left.

  Thereafter, the QR code corresponding to the link destination information described on the home page is printed in a blank area (margin portion) formed at the edge of the sheet surrounding the page image according to the setting of the printer driver.

  In this way, when printing a document and a code image corresponding to the address information of the link portion present on the same sheet and on the same side, margins are created on the top, bottom, left, and right of the sheet, and the code image is formed in the margin part. The code image can be prevented from affecting the page image of the document body. However, since it is necessary to scale the page image of the document body, particularly when reducing the size, when reading the contents of the document, there is a possibility that the characters become smaller and the reading performance is lowered.

  For each code image to be output, link information (address information of a link destination such as URL or URI) is provided so that the user can easily recognize the correspondence between the output code image and the corresponding link portion in the document. ) Itself, or a number or symbol indicating it, for reference information, is preferably attached to both the link portion and the vicinity of the output code image. This also applies to other output modes described later.

  If address information such as URL or URI is directly described in a document such as a link for a portable terminal, the code itself is used for the link part as shown in FIG. 10B. It is conceivable that the URL or URI is attached in the vicinity of.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, a number or symbol is added to the vicinity of the link portion regardless of whether or not address information such as URL and URI is directly described in the document. It is also conceivable to attach the number or symbol in the vicinity of the image.

<Margins in the page image>
A specific example (No. 2) shown in FIG. 11 is a mode in which a page image and a code image are printed on the same page, and in particular, a code is printed in a margin portion in a page image of the document body (that is, a print target portion of the document). It has a feature in printing an image.

  That is, first, the page image to be output is analyzed, and it is determined whether or not there is a blank portion in the page image sufficient to print the code image. If a sufficient margin for inserting the code image exists in the page image, the code image is printed in the margin portion. That is, the code image is printed on a blank portion within the print range.

  In this way, when printing a document and a code image corresponding to the address information of a link portion existing on the same sheet and the same surface, the code image is printed on a blank portion existing in the document. Thus, the code image can be prevented from affecting the page image of the document body. In addition, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, there is no need to scale (especially reduce) the page image of the document body, and there is a disadvantage that when reading the contents of the document, the characters become smaller and the reading performance deteriorates. Does not occur.

  On the other hand, if there is not enough margin in the page image to insert the code image, the user is notified that printing is not possible. For example, a warning message indicating that is displayed on the display device 142.

<The top, bottom, left and right corners of the page image>
The specific example (No. 3) shown in FIG. 12 is a mode in which a page image and a code image are printed on the same page, and in particular, the upper, lower, left and right corners in the page image of the document body (that is, the print target portion of the document). This is characterized in that a code image is printed at (that is, four corners).

  That is, it is first determined whether or not the number of code images to be output in the page image is four or less. This is because, when code images are printed one by one at the top, bottom, left, and right corners of a page image, only four code image print areas can be secured. When the number of code images to be inserted is four or less, the code images are printed at the upper, lower, left and right corners. That is, the code image is printed at the four corners in the print range. When printing a code image with a small area such as a QR code, it is possible to print a plurality (n) of code images at the top, bottom, left and right corners of the page image. . In this case, a maximum of 4n code image print areas can be secured.

  In this way, when printing a document and a code image corresponding to the address information of the link portion existing there on the same sheet and the same surface, this is a position that is considered to be a generally blank portion within the print range. By printing the code images one by one in the corner portion, the code image can hardly affect the page image of the document body. In addition, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, there is no need to scale (especially reduce) the page image of the document body, and there is a disadvantage that when reading the contents of the document, the characters become smaller and the reading performance deteriorates. Does not occur.

  In the mode shown in FIG. 11, it may be difficult to determine where the code image is embedded in the margin in the document. In the mode shown in FIG. Since the positions where the image is embedded can be specified at the four corners, it is easy to determine where the code image is embedded.

  On the other hand, if the number of code images to be output to the page image is five or more, such as when the user has selected five or more URLs to be QR-coded, the user is informed that printing cannot be performed. Notice. For example, a warning message indicating that is displayed on the display device 142.

  If there is document body information such as characters and images when placed at the top, bottom, left, and right corners, the document body information is overwritten with the code image and reference information to prioritize the code image and its reference information. It is good to do. In this case, it is preferable to completely mask (erase) the background portion of a slightly wider area surrounding the code image and the reference information. Alternatively, it is preferable to use an overlay output in which at least the background portion is printed lightly at a level that does not adversely affect the reading of the code image and the data restoration. By using the overlay output, it is possible to prevent inconvenience in reading the document contents. Further, in the case of a general document, it is rare that important information is described in the four corners. Therefore, it may be considered that inconvenience is hardly caused in the interpretation of the document contents in this way.

<Paper header and footer>
A specific example (No. 4) shown in FIG. 13 is a mode in which a page image and a code image are printed on the same page. In particular, when the header or footer is set in the printer driver setting, the header is displayed. A feature is that a code image is printed by using a portion that does not affect the header or footer of the portion where the footer is described as a margin portion.

  That is, when the printer driver is set to add a header or footer for adding a file name or page number, the header and footer information is described at the upper and lower edges of the paper. Not only is there enough space, but there is enough space to print the code image. In effect, the printable area in the vertical direction of the page image (for example, a home page) to be printed becomes narrow.

  Thereafter, the QR code corresponding to the information of the link destination described on the home page is printed in the margin part that does not affect the header or footer information according to the setting of the printer driver. That is, a code image is printed outside the print target range of the print area by narrowing the printable area of the print target document to provide a header or footer part and using the header or footer part as a margin part.

  In this way, when printing the document and the code image corresponding to the address information of the link portion present on the same sheet and the same surface, the code image is printed using the header and footer portions as blank portions. By doing so, the code image can be prevented from affecting the page image of the document body.

  In addition, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, there is no need to scale (especially reduce) the page image of the document body, and there is a disadvantage that when reading the contents of the document, the characters become smaller and the reading performance deteriorates. Does not occur. As is well known, when a header or footer is set, the printable range on the paper is narrowed, but the page image itself is not reduced even if the line feed position changes.

  In the mode shown in FIG. 11, it may be difficult to determine where the code image is embedded in the margin in the document. In the mode shown in FIG. Since the position where the image is embedded can be specified in the header or footer, it is easy to determine where the code image is embedded.

<Link position and its vicinity>
The specific example (No. 5) shown in FIG. 14 is a mode in which the page image and the code image are printed on the same page, and in particular, the code image is arranged and printed at the position of the link portion of the document or the vicinity thereof. It is characterized by a point.

  In this case, in many cases, since the document body information such as characters and images exists at the printing position, overwriting is performed. At this time, it is preferable to completely mask (erase) the background portion of a slightly wider area surrounding the code image and the reference information. Alternatively, it is preferable to use an overlay output in which at least the background portion is printed lightly at a level that does not adversely affect the reading of the code image and the data restoration.

  In this way, when a code image is placed and printed at the position of the link portion of the document or in the vicinity thereof, the page image of the document body is affected, and when reading the contents of the document on the printed matter, characters and images are read. There is a possibility that the reading performance of However, it can be read without any inconvenience on the display screen, and the decline in the reading performance on the printed matter is a result of an instruction from the user, and may be considered acceptable. In the mechanism described in Patent Document 1, since a code image is inserted into a document to be browsed, the interpretation of the document contents is hindered even on the display screen, which is greatly different from the case where this problem cannot be solved.

<N-up; different allocation surface>
The specific example (No. 6) shown in FIG. 15 is a mode in which the code image is printed on a surface different from the surface on which the page image of the document body in which the link destination corresponding to the code image is described, The N-up function is used to print a code image on a layout surface different from the layout surface of the page image.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, when a home page that can be printed on A4 / 1 page is printed in two-up, if “print on another page” is set on the QR code setting menu screen shown in FIG. A page on which a QR code is printed is allocated and printed before the first page (1 page) or after the last page (2nd page). In the print data creation processing at this time, only a document to be printed (for example, a homepage) is created with a 2-up reduced image, and then a page printed with a QR code is inserted.

  The page on which the QR code is printed is preferably output in the original size without reducing the QR code. The QR code is printed without being reduced. When the QR code is reduced and printed, the magnification of the enlargement process using the zoom function or the electronic enlargement process is increased on the code reading device 600 side, and the reading resolution is lowered. This is because the reading resolution is not lowered.

  When a document to be printed is printed out over a plurality of pages (hereinafter each page is referred to as a document body page), the link destination existing in the document body page while reducing the document body page by N-up. Various methods can be used for assigning to each assignment surface a page to be printed out without reducing the code image of the address (referred to as a code image print page for each document body page).

  As an example, first, a mode in which printing is performed while associating each document body page to be printed with each corresponding code image printing page and page association is ignored, and all the code images are collectively output. Any of the aspects of preparing a code image print page (which may cover a plurality of pages) may be employed.

  In the former case, for example, it is possible to adopt a mode in which all the code image print pages are collectively allocated before the first page or after the last page with respect to all document body pages (for example, three pages) to be printed. Note that a code image print page corresponding to a document main body page (for example, the second page) in which a code image to be output does not exist may be a blank page, or may be excluded from an output target as not existing.

  Alternatively, it is possible to adopt a mode in which the document main body page and the corresponding code image print page are sequentially allocated to adjacent allocation surfaces. In this case, the code image print page corresponding to the document main body page (for example, the second page) in which no code image to be output exists is preferably a blank page.

  Alternatively, in the case of preparing an all code image print page (which may cover a plurality of pages) that outputs all the code images collectively, ignoring page association, for example, all document body pages to be printed ( For example, a mode in which all code image print pages are allocated before the first page or after the last page can be adopted.

<Another sheet>
Although not shown, the code image is printed on a different surface from the surface on which the page image of the document body in which the link destination corresponding to the code image is described. The code image can also be printed on a paper different from the paper on which is printed.

  In this case, as in the case of N-up, when a document to be printed is printed out over a plurality of pages, how to set the document body page and the code image print page corresponding to the document body page to each sheet. Various modes can be taken when allocating to each.

  As an example, it is possible to adopt a mode in which all code image print pages are collected and printed on a separate sheet before the first page or after the last page with respect to all document main body pages (for example, three pages) to be printed. Note that a code image print page corresponding to a document main body page (for example, the second page) in which a code image to be output does not exist may be a blank page, or may be excluded from an output target as not existing.

  Alternatively, a mode in which the document main body page and the corresponding code image print page are printed in the order of adjacent sheets (whichever is printed first) can be employed. In this case, a blank page may be inserted for the code image print page corresponding to the document body page (for example, the second page) in which no code image to be output exists, or it is excluded from the output target as not existing. Then, it may be printed in sequence.

<Back side>
Although not shown, the code image is printed on a surface different from the surface on which the page image of the document main body in which the link destination corresponding to the code image is described. The code image can be printed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the document body page is printed.

  In this case, when a document to be printed is printed out over a plurality of pages, and there is a document body page (for example, the second page) where there is no code image to be output, the document body page and its document Various modes can be adopted in how the code image print page corresponding to the document main body page is allocated to the surface of each sheet.

  As an example, a code image print page corresponding to a document main body page (for example, the second page) where no code image to be output exists is preferably a blank page. In addition, when document body pages that do not have code images to be output are continuous, it may be determined that there is no even number and are excluded from the output targets and only the document body pages are packed and sequentially printed. Further, the remaining odd number is preferably a blank page on the back side of the document body page.

<Code image only>
The specific example (No. 7) shown in FIG. 16 is an aspect in which the code image is printed on a surface different from the surface on which the page image of the document body in which the link destination corresponding to the code image is described is printed. The feature is that only the code image is printed without printing the document main body page.

  In this case, in order to facilitate the association between the code image and the link information in the document, it is preferable to print the link information (typically URL) in the document next to the code image as reference information.

<Example of Basic Configuration; Second Embodiment>
FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing a second embodiment of a basic configuration example of a document browsing support system including a document processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the document browsing support system 1 of the second embodiment, in the system configuration including the first and second document browsing devices and the code reading device, image formation is performed instead of the user terminal side that is a terminal operated by the user. In the printer 200 as an apparatus, a print image is generated by inserting an address of link information associated with a predetermined part of a document into a machine-readable code and inserting the address into the predetermined part of the print image, and the machine-readable code is inserted. A print image of a document is printed on a paper as a print image.

  That is, in the first embodiment, the case where the first document viewing apparatus performs the print image forming process of the document in which the code image indicating the link destination address is inserted has been described. By preparing functional units similar to the acquisition unit 104, the code conversion unit 106, and the machine-readable code insertion unit 108, a process for forming a print image of a document in which a code image indicating a link destination address is inserted on the printer 200 side Can also be performed. In this case, for example, the document data body (for example, with PDL data) and the link destination address information to be output are received from the host-side device 100 side, the address information is encoded, and the document DOC is synthesized with the document body. It is possible to adopt a configuration for generating and outputting to printing paper. This will be specifically described below.

  First, although not shown, the host-side device 100 of the second embodiment is provided with substantially the same functional units except for the code conversion unit 106 and the machine-readable code insertion unit 108 of the configuration of the first embodiment. The link information acquisition unit 104 sends the acquired link information to be printed to the printer 200 in association with the print data.

  On the other hand, as shown in the figure, the printer 200 has the function of the document processing apparatus according to the present invention, in addition to the print engine unit 310 that forms the core of the printing process. Specifically, first, as a functional part constituting the document processing apparatus 3 that encodes the address of the link information and inserts it at a predetermined location of the print image, a print data acquisition unit that acquires print data corresponding to the document to be viewed 201 and link information associated with a predetermined portion of the document when the host-side device 100 receives a print image generation instruction for the document (specifically, the print target range of the document) acquired by the print data acquisition unit 201. Is obtained from the host-side device 100, and code conversion is performed to convert information relating to the address of the link information obtained by the link information obtaining unit 204 into a machine-readable code such as a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. 206 and link information to a predetermined place in the print image with the machine readable code generated (converted) by the code converter 206. And a machine readable code inserting unit 208 for generating a print image by inserting attach response. The machine readable code insertion unit 208 passes the generated print data to the print engine unit 310.

<Realistic System Configuration Example; Second Embodiment>
FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of a practical configuration example of a document browsing support system including a document browsing device, an image forming device, and a code reading device. FIG. 19 illustrates the processing of a document creation application program (including a printer driver that generates a print image) prepared in the host side device and a drawing development processing application program prepared on the printer 200 side. It is a figure to do.

  The printer 200 is capable of writing and reading at any time, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 212 that controls the operation of each unit of the printer 200 via a system bus, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 213 that is a read-only storage unit. In addition, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 215 which is an example of a volatile storage unit and a RAM (described as NVRAM) 216 which is an example of a nonvolatile storage unit are included. The NVRAM 216 can store temporary data, for example. In this case, the NVRAM 216 functions as a temporary data storage unit.

  In addition, the printer 200 includes an instruction input unit 223 having a keyboard, a mouse, and the like as a function unit that forms a user interface, and a display output unit 224 that presents predetermined information such as a guidance screen and a processing result during operation to the user. Have.

  The printer 200 includes an interface unit 230 that performs an interface function with the host-side device 100 such as a host computer, and an image processing unit 240 that is an embodiment of the image processing device according to the present invention.

  The image processing unit 240 interprets PDL data, an interpreter unit (PDL interpretation unit) 250, and a rendering unit (drawing unit) 270 that generates bitmap data by rendering and developing based on an interpretation command received from the interpreter unit 250. And have.

  The printer 200 also supplies a print control unit 300 that controls the print output process, a print engine unit 310 that executes the print output process according to a command from the print control unit 300, and feeds paper from the paper supply unit 80 to the print engine unit 310. And a paper conveyance control unit 320 (corresponding to the paper feeding unit 80 in FIG. 1). A printer engine interface unit 340 is provided between the print engine unit 310 and the system bus.

  When performing printing, the print control unit 300 activates the print engine unit 310 and the paper conveyance control unit 320 and supplies bitmap data for an output unit to the print engine unit 310. The paper transport control unit 320 takes in paper from a predetermined paper feed tray based on an instruction from the print control unit 300 and passes it to the print engine unit 310. In parallel with this, the print engine unit 310 uses the bitmap data supplied via the printer engine interface unit 340, specifically, the bitmap data generated by the rendering unit 270 as an output medium. An image is formed on printing paper and output.

  Here, the rendering unit 270 includes a functional portion of the document processing apparatus 3 as a function unique to the present embodiment, in addition to a general rendering function for performing drawing development processing based on print data input to the printer 200. ing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 19, the rendering unit 270 generates a code image indicating the address destination of the link information when rendering and developing as software based on the print data corresponding to the document data body D1. A code image addition module 275 that is inserted into a predetermined position on the print image is provided. The code image addition module 275 functions as a link information acquisition unit 204, a code conversion unit 206, and a machine readable code insertion unit 208.

  As a result, the rendering unit 270 converts the address of the link information associated with the predetermined part of the document into a machine-readable code and inserts the address into the predetermined part of the print image, and the print engine unit 310 inserts the print image in which the machine-readable code is inserted. It will fulfill the function to pass to. The print engine unit 310 prints (outputs an image) on an output medium such as paper according to the print image of the document in which the machine-readable code is inserted, received from the rendering unit 270.

  As described above, even in the configuration of the second embodiment in which the document processing apparatus 3 having the function of coding the address of the link information and inserting it at a predetermined location of the print image is provided on the printer 200 side, the same as in the first embodiment. Further, the machine-readable code present in the print image on the output medium output by the printer 200 is read by the code reading device 600, and the information of the read machine-readable code is sent to the portable document browsing device 500 and the host side device 100. As a result, the host-side device 100 or the portable document browsing device 500 as the document browsing support means can easily acquire the link destination address of the hyperlink unit. Thereby, the document browsing support means (the host-side device 100 or the portable document browsing device 500) can acquire and display the addressed document from the Internet, for example.

  In the configuration of the second embodiment, since the document processing apparatus 3 is provided on the printer 200 side, a print preview image is displayed on the host side apparatus 100 side, and a code image in the print preview image is read. I can't say that.

1 is a functional block diagram showing a first embodiment of a basic configuration example of a document browsing support system including a document processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a hardware configuration in the case of implement | achieving document processing like software using the function of a computer by the 1st document browsing apparatus side. It is the schematic which shows 1st Embodiment of the realistic structural example of a document browsing assistance system. It is a figure explaining the process of the application program for document creation. It is a figure which shows an example of a machine readable code. FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating an example of a menu screen when a print instruction is issued in the host-side device. FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen when a print instruction is issued in the host device (part 2); FIG. 10 is a third diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen when a print instruction is issued in the host-side device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence in the structural example of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the specific example (the 1) of the output mode at the time of printing out a code image. It is a figure explaining the specific example (the 2) of the output mode at the time of printing out a code image. It is a figure explaining the specific example (the 3) of the output mode at the time of printing out a code image. It is a figure explaining the specific example (the 4) of the output mode at the time of printing out a code image. It is a figure explaining the specific example (the 5) of the output mode at the time of printing out a code image. It is a figure explaining the specific example (the 6) of the output mode at the time of printing out a code image. It is a figure explaining the specific example (the 7) of the output mode at the time of printing out a code image. It is a functional block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the basic structural example of the document browsing assistance system provided with the document processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic which shows 2nd Embodiment of the realistic structural example of a document browsing assistance system. It is a figure explaining the process of the application program prepared for a host side apparatus and a printer.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Document browsing support system, 2 ... Network, 3 ... Document processing apparatus, 100 ... Host side apparatus (document browsing apparatus), 101 ... Document acquisition part, 102 ... User instruction reception part, 104 ... Link information acquisition part, 106 ... Code conversion unit 108 ... Machine-readable code insertion unit 110 110 Data generation unit 112 112 Document data generation software 113 113 Document image generation module 114 ... Browse image generation module 115 115 Code information addition module 120 120 Central control , 130 ... interface section, 140 ... user interface section, 142 ... display device, 144 ... instruction input means, 150 ... interface section, 200 ... printer (image output apparatus), 201 ... print data acquisition section, 204 ... link information acquisition , 206... Code conversion unit, 208... Machine-readable code insertion unit, 27 ... rendering unit, 300 ... print control unit, 310 ... print engine, 320 ... sheet conveyance control unit, 340 ... printer engine interface section, 500 ... portable document reading device, 600 ... code reader

Claims (4)

When there is an instruction to output the document on a predetermined output medium provided to a document browsing apparatus for browsing an electronic document, the link information associated with the predetermined portion of the document , Obtaining the machine-readable code corresponding to the link information that requires output on the output medium,
This information about the link information address is converted into machine-readable code,
The converted machine-readable code is associated with the link information and output at a predetermined location on the output medium,
Reading the machine-readable code output on the output medium;
A document browsing support method, wherein a document indicated by a link destination address is acquired based on the read machine-readable code and can be browsed by a document browsing apparatus. A document browsing device for browsing digitized documents;
An image output device for outputting an image corresponding to the document on a predetermined output medium;
When there is an instruction to output the document provided to the document browsing device onto the output medium, of the link information associated with the predetermined portion of the document, the machine-readable code corresponding to the link information Obtain what needs to be output on the output medium, convert the information about the address of the acquired link information into machine-readable code, associate the converted machine-readable code with the link information on the output medium A document processing device for generating an output image so as to be arranged at a predetermined place;
A code reader for reading the machine-readable code output on the output medium,
A document browsing support system, wherein a document indicated by a link destination address is acquired based on the machine-readable code read by the code reading device and can be browsed by the document browsing device. A document processing apparatus having a function of outputting an output image corresponding to the document provided on a document browsing apparatus for browsing an electronic document on a predetermined output medium,
When there is an instruction to output the document onto the output medium, link information associated with a predetermined portion of the document, and output of the machine-readable code corresponding to the link information onto the output medium A link information acquisition unit that acquires items that require
A code conversion unit that converts information about the address of the link information acquired by the link information acquisition unit into a machine-readable code;
A machine-readable code insertion unit that generates an output image so that the machine-readable code generated by the code conversion unit is associated with the link information and disposed at a predetermined location on the output medium. Feature document processing device. A program for performing, using a computer, a process for outputting an output image corresponding to the document provided to a document browsing apparatus for browsing an electronic document on a predetermined output medium,
The computer,
When there is an instruction to output the document onto the output medium, link information associated with a predetermined portion of the document, and output of the machine-readable code corresponding to the link information onto the output medium A link information acquisition unit that acquires items that require
A code conversion unit that converts information about the address of the link information acquired by the link information acquisition unit into a machine-readable code;
Causing the machine-readable code generated by the code conversion unit to function as a machine-readable code insertion unit that generates an output image so as to be associated with the link information and disposed at a predetermined location on the output medium. A program characterized by

Images