JP2008136000A - Network communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate the customization of a setting screen by improving the degree of freedom between entries so as to enhance independence in each entry in addition to ensuring cohesiveness as a page by dividing an item of RSS data that can be interpreted by both a person and a machine (PC software) in each set entry. <P>SOLUTION: The network communication apparatus provided with a function for transmitting and receiving data on a network and having a function for returning a response when the initialization information of its own apparatus is requested from a client application is provided with a means for outputting the value information of in the same entry as an initialization entry in the initialization information as markup language data, and a means for dividing a plurality of setting entries into elements as one independent element with respect to one setting entry and performing markup when having the plurality of setting entries. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network communication device, and more particularly, to information provision by means of semantic XML of information held by the network communication device.

  Conventionally, there have been methods for setting communication devices and acquiring information from a browser, such as “communication device” described in Patent Document 1 and “data processing device and control method thereof” described in Patent Document 2. There was no method for setting the device from Semantic XML (RSS).

  RSS, as described in “IT Glossary of Terms e-Words (http://e-words.jp/w/RSS.html)”, is structured metadata such as website headings and summaries. It is an XML-based format that is described in the form of a description, and is currently used mainly to publish site update information.

  The document described in RSS can describe the title, address, heading, summary, update time, etc. of each page of the Web site. By using the RSS document, the update information of many Web sites can be unified. Can be grasped efficiently by simple methods.

  However, as described above, there has been no method for using such RSS for setting information on devices such as network communication devices.

  Conventionally, for example, a function of collecting a fax stored / received document of an MFP (multifunction peripheral), which is one of network communication apparatuses, is known, but the procedure is to perform a file collection operation by a user operation from a browser.

In “Network Device and Information Providing Method for Network Device” described in Patent Document 3, there is a disclosure of a technology in which a device outputs RSS information, but a method for setting the device by using RSS is written. It wasn't.
JP 2000-92262 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-7095 JP 2005-209056 A

  When acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication device, the user operates a setting screen with a browser. However, there are various problems as follows.

In other words, the first problem is as follows.
-The setting items in the page are fixed (because the degree of freedom of the items is not high), and the screen cannot be customized to extract only the items that the user needs.
-Since the menu hierarchy is deep, it was difficult to reach the page where the necessary items exist even though only one item was desired to be set.
・ Even if you wanted to change only one item, it was necessary to send the data for all the setting items in the screen. (Because it can be set only in page unit including multiple items)
・ Because we could only provide data for human counterparts (HTML), we could not provide data to machines (PC software) counterparts.

  In the present invention, by dividing the items of RSS data that can be interpreted by both humans and machines (PC software) for each setting item, it is possible to secure the unit as a page and improve the independence of each item. The first object is to make it easy to customize the setting screen by increasing the degree of freedom.

  The second problem is the following problem.

  In other words, when acquiring / setting device information in a conventional network communication device, the user operates the setting screen with a browser, but there is no means for knowing that the items are related to each other. , I could not arrange the items freely.

  In the present invention, when RSS data is divided into items for each item, related items can be grouped in one item without being divided, and related items can be grouped while enhancing independence for each item. Therefore, a second object is to prevent a set value error from occurring.

  The third problem is the following problem.

  In other words, the conventional network communication device that outputs RSS uses an RSS reader (software that collects RSS) to acquire device information, and there is no means for setting only by browsing the values. .

  In the present invention, by embedding a user interface for setting in RSS data for each item, a value can be registered from a general RSS reader to a device without using dedicated software. Third purpose.

  The fourth problem is as follows.

  In other words, in the case of acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication device, the user operates the setting screen with a browser. The value could not be registered for the device.

  In the present invention, by embedding a user interface for setting in RSS data for each item, it is possible to arbitrarily set destination information (IP address and host name) of a device to be registered therein. A fourth object of the present invention is to make it possible to register a value for a device of a free partner that is not bound between client and server.

  The fifth problem is as follows.

  In other words, in the case of acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication device, the user operates the setting screen with a browser. It was not possible to register values for multiple devices at once.

  In the present invention, by embedding a user interface to be set in RSS data for each item, the destination information (IP address and host name) of a plurality of devices to be set in advance is embedded in the client data. It is a fifth object of the present invention to make it possible to register values in a batch with respect to devices of free counterparts that are not bound between servers.

  The sixth problem is as follows.

  That is, in the case of acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication device, the user operates the setting screen with a browser, but the setting history cannot be viewed. In addition, when a value was set with an RSS reader, the resulting response could not be obtained by the RSS reader, so there was no way to know whether it was actually rewritten or an error occurred.

  In the present invention, when a user interface for setting is embedded in RSS data for each item, an operation history (setting value history) that has been set in the past is attached to obtain the setting result. The sixth object is to do so.

  The seventh problem is as follows.

  In other words, when acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication device, the user has operated the setting screen with a browser. I was going. When a UI (user interface) for setting a value with an RSS reader is constructed, there is a problem in that a parameter error occurs because a correct check is not performed without information on the input range of the setting value.

  In the present invention, a parameter check is performed on the client side by embedding the user interface for setting in RSS data for each item and embedding the acquisition destination of property information (such as the maximum number of characters and prohibited character information) of the setting item. It is possible to create a user interface by making it easy to update information by having an external server as the acquisition destination, and by distributing the value check function object itself It is a seventh object to enable easy execution.

  Further, as the eighth problem, there are the following problems.

  In other words, in the conventional network communication device, in the case of a low-end device that does not have a language resource, the acquired value may not have a term. For example, in the case of a bit SW expressed by on / off of a bit, the meaning of an item name or a value cannot be determined without a correspondence table as to what the bit represents. Even if only bit SW information was distributed, there was no way to determine which setting item it was just by browsing the value with an RSS reader.

  In the present invention, by embedding the location of the term information of the setting item in the RSS data for each item, it is easy for the device to set for the setting item having no term, and the acquisition destination is set to an external server. The eighth object is to easily update the information and handle translation into foreign languages.

  The ninth problem is as follows.

  In other words, in the case of acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication device, the user operates the setting screen with a browser, but expresses the number of times the setting value is updated and the importance level. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to convey to the user that it is an important setting item.

  In the present invention, by defining an XML tag in RSS data for each item and embedding information on setting items, a rich user interface can be created using the information (information can be notified to the user). The ninth object is to do so.

  The tenth problem is as follows.

  In other words, in the case of acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication device, the user operates the setting screen with a browser, but expresses the number of times the setting value is updated and the importance level. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to convey to the user that it is an important setting item.

  In the present invention, by embedding information on setting items in the title of RSS data for each item, a rich user interface can be created (information can be notified to the user) using the information, or dedicated software can be used. The tenth object is to enable a general-purpose RSS reader to use its functions without using.

  The eleventh problem is as follows.

  In other words, in the case of acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication device, the user operates the setting screen with a browser, but expresses the number of times the setting value is updated and the importance level. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to convey to the user that it is an important setting item.

  In the present invention, by changing the background color of RSS data for each item and embedding information on setting items, a rich user interface can be created using the information (information can be notified to the user). The eleventh object is to enable a general-purpose RSS reader to use its functions without using dedicated software.

  The twelfth problem is as follows.

That is, when acquiring / setting device information with a conventional network communication apparatus, the user operates the setting screen with a browser, but there are the following problems.
-The setting items on the page are fixed, and items cannot be moved or deleted.
・ Customers could not customize to extract only necessary items.
・ It was hard to get to the page of necessary items (the menu hierarchy was deep).
-It was difficult to find the necessary setting items.
・ All items could not be displayed in a list.
・ There was no way to judge important items that changed frequently.
・ Even if you wanted to change only one item, it was necessary to send the data for all the setting items in the screen.
・ We could only provide data for human counterparts (data cannot be provided to machine (PC software) counterparts).

  In the present invention, the RSS data that can be interpreted by both humans and machines (PC software) for each item is divided into items regardless of the screen unit set by the browser. A twelfth object of the present invention is to allow customization by giving a search condition with a URL by utilizing the advantage that independence can be enhanced.

  The network communication device according to claim 1 has a function of exchanging data on a network, and has a function of returning a response when initial setting information of the device is requested from a client application. Means for outputting the value information of the same item as the initial setting item in the initial setting information as markup language data, and when there are a plurality of setting items, it is divided as one independent element for one setting item And means for marking up.

  The network communication device according to claim 2, in the network communication device according to claim 1, when there are setting items related to each other, a plurality of setting items related to one element in the markup language data. It has the means to arrange | position.

  A network communication device according to claim 3 is the network communication device according to claim 1, wherein means for arranging user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes in items of markup language data, and controls of the user interface. As a transmission destination of the arranged setting value, means for setting a destination of a device that distributes markup language data to the control of the user interface, and data transmitted by operating the control of the arranged user interface And a means for registering to a destination device.

  The network communication device according to claim 4 is the network communication device according to claim 1, wherein means for arranging user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes in one independent element in the markup language data; As a transmission destination of the setting value arranged in the user interface control, a means for designating an arbitrary destination, and data transmitted by operating the arranged user interface control to the device set as the transmission destination And means for registering.

  A network communication device according to claim 5 is the network communication device according to claim 1, wherein means for arranging user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes in one independent element in the markup language data, and setting A means for registering a plurality of destinations in advance as a destination of values, a means for specifying a plurality of destinations as destinations of setting values arranged in the control of the user interface, and a control of the arranged user interface Means for collectively registering the data transmitted by operation in a plurality of devices set as the transmission destination.

  A network communication device according to claim 6 is the network communication device according to claim 1, wherein means for arranging user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes in one independent element in the markup language data; Means for arranging the setting history information together with the control of the user interface in one independent element in the markup language data.

  A network communication device according to claim 7 is the network communication device according to claim 1, wherein means for arranging user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes in one independent element in the markup language data; Means for distributing validator information such as a maximum value and prohibition characters necessary for the input check of the value together with the control of the user interface, and means for distributing the function object itself for the validator information together with the control of the user interface; It is provided with.

  The network communication device according to claim 8 is the network communication device according to claim 1, wherein means for arranging user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes in one independent element in the markup language data; Means for distributing the term information together with the control of the user interface.

  The network communication device according to claim 9 is the network communication device according to claim 1, wherein for each setting item, means for recording the number of updates of the setting value, group name information for grouping between items, and the importance level of the item; And means for generating a dedicated markup language tag for embedding each of the recorded information in the markup language data.

  The network communication device according to claim 10, in the network communication device according to claim 1, for each setting item, means for recording the number of updates of the setting value, group name information for grouping items, and the importance level of the item; And means for embedding each of the recorded information in the title information of the markup language data.

  The network communication device according to claim 11 is the network communication device according to claim 1, wherein for each setting item, means for recording the number of updates of the setting value, group name information for grouping between items, and the importance level of the item; And means for embedding each of the recorded information by changing the color of one independent element in the markup language data.

  The network communication device according to claim 12 is the network communication device according to claim 1, for each setting item, means for recording the number of updates of the setting value, group name information for grouping the items, and the importance level of the item; And a means for analyzing a URL query and a means for filtering information corresponding to the analyzed query.

  A network communication device according to a thirteenth aspect is the network communication device according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, wherein XML data such as RSS and Atom is applied as markup language data.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the RSS data that can be interpreted by both humans and machines (PC software) is divided into items regardless of the screen unit set by the browser, so that the unit is secured as a page. In addition, customization can be performed by increasing the degree of freedom of the items rather than increasing the independence of each item.

  According to the invention according to claim 2, when RSS data is divided into items for each item, related items are grouped in one item without being divided, so that the independence of each item is improved. Since it can also be grouped as an item group, it is possible to prevent a set value error from occurring.

  According to the invention according to claim 3, since the user interface for setting is embedded in the RSS data for each item, the value can be set from a general RSS reader to the device without using dedicated software. Can be set.

  According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to embed a user interface for setting in RSS data for each item, and to set destination information (IP address or host name) of the device to be set therein. Therefore, it is possible to set a value for a device of a free partner that is not bound between client and server.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, by embedding a user interface for setting in RSS data for each item, the destination information (IP address and host name) of a plurality of devices to be set in advance is stored therein. Since it is embedded, it is possible to set values for the devices at the other end that are not bound between the client and server.

  According to the invention of claim 6, when embedding a user interface for setting in RSS data for each item, an operation history that has been set in the past is attached. The result can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 7, by embedding a user interface for setting in RSS data for each item and embedding an acquisition destination of property information (such as the maximum number of characters and prohibited character information) of the setting item. Therefore, parameter check can be performed on the client side.

  According to the invention of claim 8, since the location of the term information (language table such as translated characters) of the setting item is embedded in the RSS data for each item, the device has no term It becomes easy to set for the item.

  According to the invention according to claim 9, since an XML tag is defined in RSS data for each item and information on setting items is embedded, a rich user interface is created using the information. it can.

  According to the invention of claim 10, since information related to setting items is embedded in the title of RSS data for each item, a rich user interface can be created using the information, A general-purpose RSS reader can use its functions without using software.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, since the information about the setting item is embedded by changing the background color of the RSS data for each item, it is possible to create a rich user interface using the information. You can use this function with a general-purpose RSS reader without using dedicated software.

  According to the invention according to claim 12, the RSS data that can be interpreted by both humans and machines (PC software) is divided into items for each item regardless of the screen unit set by the browser, thereby ensuring a unity as a page. Above, we take advantage of the ability to increase the independence of each item, give a search condition by URL, analyze it and return the result, so customize be able to.

  According to the invention of claim 13, XML data such as RSS and Atom can be applied as the markup language data according to the present invention.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a network configuration including a network facsimile apparatus FX as a network communication apparatus according to the present invention.

  In the figure, a network facsimile apparatus FX has a function of exchanging data on a local area network and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public line, and also via a local area network. This is a network communication device that transmits image information included in a received electronic mail to a communication device of a public network. In the figure, a network facsimile apparatus FX is connected to a local area network (LAN) together with a plurality of workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn and a mail server apparatus SM.

  In addition, the local area network (LAN) is connected to the Internet via the router device RT, and various data can be exchanged with a host device connected to another local area network (LAN) or the like. is there.

  The mail server device SM provides a service for collecting and distributing e-mails to users using the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network (LAN) and the network facsimile device FX.

  In addition, the workstation devices WS1 to WSn include image information included in application software (such as e-mail access) for exchanging various data via a local area network (LAN) and e-mail received from the network facsimile apparatus FX. Various programs such as application software (viewer or the like) for processing are installed and used by a specific user. There may be one or more specific users.

  The network facsimile apparatus FX is connected to an e-mail transmission / reception function in a local area network (LAN) and a public network (PSTN), and performs image information transmission according to a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure using the public network as a transmission path. It has a transmission function.

  In this embodiment, data exchange between terminals connected to a local area network (LAN) is a combination of a transmission protocol up to the transport layer called TCP / IP and a communication protocol of a higher layer. It is done by applying. For example, in the transmission of electronic mail, a communication protocol called SMTP (Simple Mail Transport Protocol) is applied as an upper layer communication protocol.

  In this embodiment, the e-mail is distributed after being once stored in the mail server device SM. For example, an electronic mail from the network facsimile apparatus FX to the user of the workstation apparatus WS1 is temporarily stored in the mail server apparatus SM.

  On the other hand, the workstation devices WS1 to WSn and the network facsimile device FX make an inquiry to the mail server device SM for receiving an e-mail addressed to the user of the own terminal, and the e-mail addressed to the user is sent to the mail server device. When stored in the SM, the mail server device SM receives the electronic mail and notifies the user of the terminal itself.

  In this case, when the workstation device WS1 makes an inquiry to the mail server device SM for receiving an e-mail addressed to the user of the own terminal, the e-mail addressed to the user of the own terminal is accumulated in the mail server device SM. Therefore, the user receives the electronic mail and notifies the user to that effect. The user who has received the notification reads the contents of the electronic mail and confirms the contents.

  As this communication protocol, POP (Post Office Protocol) or the like can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the workstation devices WS1 to WSn can request the network facsimile device FX to relay image information to a communication device connected to the public network, and transmit the relay request image information. E-mail is applied. Since the local area network (LAN) in this case is connected to the Internet, users such as other workstation devices connected to the Internet can also relay image information to the network facsimile apparatus FX. You can make a request.

  This electronic mail is in the MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) format. In the image information, information after encoding in the Base64 encoding format is set.

  HTTP is an abbreviation for “Hyper Text Transfer Protocol”, and is a protocol for realizing the so-called World Wide Web (WWW). Normally, it is exchanged over TCP (port number: 80). The browser designates processing to the server by a command such as GET or POST, and an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file or an image file is sent from the server as a response. There is a version of HTTP as a protocol, and many browsers still support only up to 1.0 (RFC1945). The latest version is 1.1 (RFC2616). In 1.1, many enhancements have been made to the command, response itself, format, etc. It can be viewed from browser software installed on the workstation device.

  XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a W3C (WWW technology standardization body) recommendation (Recommendation), which is a simplified version of SGML (ISO / IEC 8879: 1986) and compatible with the Internet. Can be used. Another feature is that data and processing (layout (design)) can be described separately.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network facsimile apparatus FX.

  In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each part of the network facsimile apparatus FX and a facsimile transmission control procedure. A system memory 2 is a control executed by the system control unit 1. The processing program and various data necessary for executing the processing program are stored, and the work area of the system control unit 1 is configured. The parameter memory 3 stores various information unique to the network facsimile apparatus FX. The clock circuit 4 is for storing the current time information. The scanner 5 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 is for operating this communication device. It consists of various operation keys and various displays. The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the image signal and stores a large amount of image information in the encoded and compressed state. The image storage device 9 stores the image in the encoded and compressed state. It is for recording a lot of information. The group 3 facsimile modem 10 implements a group 3 facsimile modem function. The network control device 11 is for connecting the network facsimile machine FX to a telephone line network (PSTN), and has an automatic outgoing / incoming function.

  The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus FX to a local area network, and the local area network transmission control unit 13 is connected to other data terminal apparatuses via the local area network. This is for executing communication control processing (e-mail transmission / reception processing, etc.) of various predetermined protocols for exchanging various data.

  These system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, image storage device 9, group 3 facsimile modem 10, network control The device 11 and the local area network transmission control unit 13 are connected to an internal bus 14, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14. Data exchange between the network control device 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is performed directly.

(First embodiment)
The initial setting information of the network facsimile apparatus FX can be provided in the form of RSS format (XML file).

  An example of RSS data is shown in Fig.6. Figure 7 shows what data is applied to the RSS XML tag.

  Figure 8 shows an example of display on an RSS aggregator (RSS reader).

The RSS URL is specified as follows. (For get)
http: //hostname/web/guest/en/txrxSetting/gettxrxEnvSetting.cgi? xml = rss2.0

“Http: // hostname / web /” indicates a communication protocol, and designates one of the following two. However, depending on the setting state of the device, communication may not be possible with the specified protocol.
http HTTP.
https HTTPS. Encrypt the route with SSL.

The part “/ guest /” indicates a user profile and designates one of the following two.
guest Guest mode. This is used for settings that do not require personal authentication.
entry Authentication mode. Used for personal authentication settings or when logging in as an administrator.

In the “/ ja /” part, only a selectable language indicating the language used for display can be specified. Usually, it depends on the language that can be selected on the main unit operation unit.

“/TxrxSetting/gettxrxEnvSetting.cgi” indicates the path of each function. For example, the fax initial setting is txrxSetting, the system initial setting is systemSetting, and the like.

“? Xml = rss2.0” indicates the RSS version and specifies the RSS version. Specify one of the following:
rss1.0 RSS 1.0
rss0.91 RSS 0.91
rss2.0 RSS 2.0
atom Atom

  FIG. 5 shows an RSS / HTML switching block in the LAN transmission control unit 13 of FIG.

  The request analysis unit 13-1 that analyzes the request, the distribution unit (dispatcher) 13-2 that distributes the request after analyzing the request, the XML (RSS) generation unit 13-3 and the HTML generation unit 13-4 that generate actual response data have.

  When the request analysis unit 13-1 determines the URL specified by the client and the request is RSS, the request is sent to the XML (RSS) generation unit 13-3, and when the request is HTML, the HTML generation unit 13- 4, the distribution unit (dispatcher) 13-2 distributes.

  FIG. 12 shows the processing procedure of the RSS data creation sequence.

  If the login process is successful (Yes in determination S101), it is checked whether an item corresponding to the specified URL exists (determination S102). If the login fails (No in S101), an error XML is generated and a response is returned (processing S108, S109, S110). (Or return HTTP response that authentication failed)

  If there is no item corresponding to the specified URL (No in determination S102), an XML file with an empty item (item element) is generated and a response is returned (processing S109 and S110).

  If the item exists (Yes in process S102), it is checked whether the logged-in user has an access right to the item (determination S103).

  If there is no access right (No in S103), the process skips to the next item (Process S107). If there is an access right (Yes in judgment S103), it is checked whether or not there is a right to edit the item (whether the control is displayed). In the case of the right to read only (No in S104), only the value of the item in the text is arranged as data in the description element of the item element without processing the control (text box for input or OK button) (processing) S106). (Fig. 10 (3))

  If there is an editing authority (Yes in determination S107), XML is created that arranges controls (text boxes for input and OK buttons) as HTML expressions in the description element of the item element (processing S105).

  Check the next item in the same way and repeat until there are no more items.

  When the response XML is generated (process S109), it is transmitted to the client (RSS reader) (process S110).

  The reception screen of the RSS reader is as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10A, one item corresponds to one item. The actual RSS data (XML) sample corresponds to the first item element in FIG.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 15 shows a sequence processing procedure for handling related items as one item element. Note that FIG. 15 is inserted into a portion A of FIG.

  When generating each item element, it is checked whether there is a related item (determination S201). If it exists (Yes in determination S201), the control is arranged in the same item element without dividing the item element (processing S202). Whether the item is a related item is held in advance by the device as attribute information attached to the setting item.

  An actual client (RSS reader) display example is shown in FIG. The actual RSS data sample corresponds to the second item element in FIG.

(Third embodiment)
Set the device's IP address as the destination to be assigned to the OK button. That is, in the RSS data creation sequence shown in FIG. 12, it is performed at the same time when a control is arranged in item (process S105).

  As shown in the sequence diagram of FIG. 3, when the OK button is pressed, the parameters input in the text box arranged in the control are transmitted to the network communication apparatus (network facsimile apparatus FX) that has delivered the RSS. . The device registers the accepted value (parameter setting).

(Fourth embodiment)
The basic sequence is the same as in the third embodiment. An actual client (RSS reader) display example is shown in FIG. A control that can input an arbitrary destination (IP address or host name) is added to the control of the setting item, and an item element is generated. In this case, the transmission destination can be transmitted to another destination input to the control instead of the device that has delivered the RSS data.

(5th Example)
The basic sequence is the same as in the third embodiment. An actual client (RSS reader) display example is shown in FIG. A control that can input multiple arbitrary destinations (IP address and host name) is added to the control of the setting item and an item element is generated.
In this case, the transmission destination is not the device that has delivered the RSS data, but can be transmitted to a plurality of destinations at once.

(Sixth embodiment)
The basic sequence is the same as in the third embodiment. An actual client (RSS reader) display example is shown in FIG. If there is setting value history information, history data is acquired and added to the setting item control to generate item. The sequence diagram corresponds to FIG.

(Seventh embodiment)
FIG. 13 shows a sequence diagram for handling related items as one item. FIG. 13 is inserted into part A of FIG. When generating each item, it is checked whether or not property information is to be output (determination S301), and if it is set to output (Yes in determination S301), it is checked whether there is property information for the item (determination S302). . If it exists (Yes in determination S302), the URL is described (set) in the enclosure element (processing S303). This URL may point to a resource on an external server. In this case, as in the sequence shown in FIG. 4, information can be acquired from another server that is not a device (network facsimile apparatus FX) that distributes RSS. This property information corresponds to information such as the type that the value can take and the maximum value. The client side can generate a validator based on this information.

  An example of the data is shown in FIG. If the client wants to use the function object directly, it is also possible to deliver JavaScript. In this case, the presence of the file as shown in FIG. 22 is described in the URL in the enclosure element.

(Eighth embodiment)
FIG. 14 shows a processing procedure for handling related items as one item. The overall flow is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the processing procedure of FIG. 14 is inserted into the portion A of FIG.

  When each item is generated, it is checked whether or not the term information is output (determination S401). If the setting is made to output (Yes in determination S401), a term (item name) is defined for the item. Is checked (determination S402). If it is defined (No in S402), nothing is necessary because it is sufficient to return the item name as it is. If it is not defined, there is a term ID (corresponding to the gentext key in FIG. 19). In this case, it is checked whether there is term information. If it exists, enter the URL of the server with the term file in the enclosure element. This URL can be a resource on an external server. In that case, as in the sequence shown in FIG. 4, information can be acquired from devices other than the device (network facsimile apparatus FX) that distributes RSS. This term information corresponds to term information (corresponding to the text in FIG. 19) compared with the term ID (corresponding to the gentext key in FIG. 19). The client side can generate a rich UI based on this information. In addition, foreign languages can be handled easily. An example of data of this term file is shown in FIG.

(Ninth embodiment)
FIG. 16 shows a processing procedure for handling related items as one item. The overall flow is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the processing procedure of FIG. 16 is inserted into the portion A of FIG.

  When each item is generated, it is checked whether there is information that can be used for display (determination S501). If there is information, it is acquired (processing S502) and placed in the item element as a unique extension xml tag (processing S503). .

  A sample of the extended RSS format is shown in FIG. For example, output the number of times the item has been changed so far in the <change> element. For grouped items, the group name is output to the <group> element. If the importance is ranked, output it to the <rate> element. If there is no information, no XML element is output as an extension element. The client side can construct a unique user interface using the information obtained by the extended XML tag.

(Tenth embodiment)
FIG. 16 shows a processing procedure for handling related items as one item. The overall flow is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the processing procedure of FIG. 16 is inserted into the portion A of FIG.

  When each item is generated, it is checked whether there is information that can be used for display (determination S501). If there is information, it is acquired (processing S502) and placed in the title element (processing S503).

  A display example in the RSS reader is shown in FIG. For example, information such as the number of times the item has been changed so far and the group name and importance in the case of grouped items are added to the head of the title element XML and output. If there is no information, nothing is added and the title element is output as it is. Since the client can sort by title, it can be displayed in an easy-to-sort manner according to the information.

(Eleventh embodiment)
FIG. 16 shows a processing procedure for handling related items as one item. The overall flow is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the processing procedure of FIG. 16 is inserted into the portion A of FIG.

  When each item is generated, it is checked whether there is information available for display (determination S501). If there is information, it is acquired (processing S502), and a background color corresponding to the information is set in the title element (processing) S503).

  A display example in the RSS reader is shown in FIG. For example, it is possible to obtain information visually by specifying a color defined based on information such as the number of times an item has been changed so far and the group name and importance for grouped items. it can. On the client side, it can be judged by color, so that it can be displayed easily according to the information.

  A sample of the extended RSS format is shown in FIG. The background color is defined by bgcolor.

(Twelfth embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 23, it is possible to generate a URL for RSS data obtained by extracting only necessary information using a URL query. For example, it is possible to specify items under detailed conditions such as only items including specific keywords such as the top 10 access numbers and faxes, items that have been changed 20 times or more, and only specified items. With this operation, you can create a URL with customized items. For example, if all items are displayed, item = all is added to the end of the URL as shown in FIG. If it is the same as the item in WebPage, specify only RSS 2.0 acquisition.

  Assume that when the browser screen shown in FIG. 9 is output as RSS, the specified number of items are output as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 17 shows a processing procedure for selecting information that can be acquired by URL.

  The requested URL is analyzed to determine whether it is a part of the URL supported by the query (step S601). In the case of an unsupported URL (No in determination S602), 404 NotFound is returned (processing S610). The supported URL is determined according to the example of FIG.

  In the case of a support URL (Yes in decision S602), if it is a URL for obtaining all data (Yes in decision S603), the number of all items is extracted (processing S611) and response XML data for RSS is created. (Processing S608). If all items are not specified (No in determination S603), it is checked whether a search keyword is specified (determination S604).

  When the search keyword is specified (by specifying name = fax, all items including fax as the item name are extracted) (Yes in judgment S604), the data of the specified item is extracted ( Process S612) Response XML data for RSS is created (process S608).

If no search keyword is specified (No in step S604), it is checked whether there is another item extraction condition (determination S605). For example, when displaying an item that has been changed 20 times or more, change = 20 is added to the end of the URL. If the number of access top 10 is displayed, top = 10 is added to the end of the URL. If you want to get item 1,4,5,8 display, http: //hostname/web/entry/ja/txrxSetting/gettxrxEnvSetting.cgi&item=1+4+5+8
And item specification.

  In this case, only the necessary items such as the 1st, 4th, 5th and 8th from the top of the items in Fig. 10 can be generated and the extracted RSS data can be generated, so when displayed with an RSS reader A customized screen as shown in FIG. 24 can be freely created.

  If there is such designation, response XML data is created (process S608) with the data extracted according to the instruction (process S613).

  It is possible to describe a plurality of conditions in the URL at the same time, but in the case of duplication, the condition described later takes precedence.

  Although the best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described one, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

It is a figure shown about the network structure containing the network facsimile apparatus FX as a network communication apparatus based on the best form for implementing this invention. It is a figure shown about the block configuration of the network facsimile apparatus FX which concerns on the best form for implementing this invention. It is a figure shown about an information acquisition / setting sequence. It is a figure shown about property information and term file information acquisition sequence (enclosure element). It is a figure shown about the mechanism of RSS / HTML switching. It is a figure shown about an RSS format sample. It is a figure shown about RSS field specification. It is a figure shown about the example of a display (HTML display) of an RSS reader. It is a figure shown about the example of a display with a browser. It is a figure shown about the example of a display of an RSS reader. It is a figure shown about the other party display example of an RSS reader. It is a flowchart shown about the process sequence of RSS (XML) data creation sequence. It is a flowchart shown about the process sequence of RSS (XML) data creation sequence (property information). It is a flowchart shown about the process sequence of RSS (XML) data creation sequence (term information). It is a flowchart shown about the process sequence of RSS (XML) data creation sequence (related item). It is a flowchart shown about the process sequence of RSS (XML) data creation sequence (original XML tag insertion etc.). It is a flowchart which shows about the process sequence of the RSS information response sequence by request classification (URL). It is a figure shown about an RSS format expansion sample. It is a figure shown about a term list sample. It is a figure shown about the item of a property list. RSS reader display example (addition of information to the title) It is a figure shown about the sample of a JavaScript file. It is a figure shown about filtering of RSS feed by URL. It is a figure shown about the example of a display of an RSS reader.

Explanation of symbols

FX network facsimile machine 13 LAN transmission controller

Claims (13)

In a network communication apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a network, and having a function of returning a response when the initial setting information of the own apparatus is requested from a client application,
Means for outputting the value information of the same item as the initial setting item in the initial setting information as markup language data;
A network communication apparatus comprising: means for dividing and marking up one setting item as one independent element when there are a plurality of setting items. The network communication device according to claim 1.
What is claimed is: 1. A network communication apparatus comprising: means for arranging a plurality of related setting items in one element in markup language data when there are mutually related setting items. The network communication device according to claim 1.
Means for placing user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes within the markup language data item;
Means for setting a destination of a device that distributes markup language data as a transmission destination of a setting value arranged in the control of the user interface in the control of the user interface;
A network communication device comprising: means for registering data transmitted by operating a control of the arranged user interface in the destination device. The network communication device according to claim 1.
Means for placing user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes within one independent element in the markup language data;
Means for designating an arbitrary destination as a transmission destination of the setting value arranged in the control of the user interface;
Means for registering data transmitted by operating a control of the arranged user interface in a device set as the transmission destination. The network communication device according to claim 1.
Means for placing user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes within one independent element in the markup language data;
Means for registering a plurality of destinations in advance as destinations for setting values;
Means for designating a plurality of destinations as destinations of setting values arranged in the control of the user interface;
A network communication apparatus comprising: means for collectively registering data transmitted by operating a control of the arranged user interface in a plurality of devices set as the transmission destination. The network communication device according to claim 1.
Means for placing user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes within one independent element in the markup language data;
Means for arranging item setting history information in one independent element in the markup language data together with the control of the user interface. The network communication device according to claim 1.
Means for placing user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes within one independent element in the markup language data;
Means for distributing validator information such as a maximum value and prohibited characters necessary for input check of an item value together with the control of the user interface;
A network communication apparatus comprising: means for distributing the function object for validator information itself together with the control of the user interface. The network communication device according to claim 1.
Means for placing user interface controls such as buttons and text boxes within one independent element in the markup language data;
A network communication apparatus comprising: means for distributing term information of an item together with control of a user interface. The network communication device according to claim 1.
For each setting item, the number of updates of the setting value, group name information for grouping between items, means for recording the importance level of the item,
A network communication apparatus comprising: means for generating a dedicated markup language tag for embedding each of the recorded information in markup language data. The network communication device according to claim 1.
For each setting item, the number of updates of the setting value, group name information for grouping between items, means for recording the importance level of the item,
A network communication apparatus comprising: means for embedding each of the recorded information in title information of markup language data. The network communication device according to claim 1.
For each setting item, the number of updates of the setting value, group name information for grouping between items, means for recording the importance level of the item,
Means for embedding each of the recorded information by changing the color of one independent element in the markup language data. The network communication device according to claim 1.
For each setting item, the number of updates of the setting value, group name information for grouping between items, means for recording the importance level of the item,
A means of parsing URL queries;
And a means for filtering information corresponding to the analyzed query.   13. The network communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein XML data such as RSS or Atom is applied as markup language data.