JP2008146259A - Information processor, method for controlling the same, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an authorized ordering person to easily edit an object on a server provided by a data creator. <P>SOLUTION: An authorized ordering person can download and edit data on a server. An edit place of an editable object permitted by a data creator is displayed with a mark such as an icon. An object corresponding to an editing content of an editing operation on a screen for editing objects, or the editing content of the editable object is displayed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that provides a service for creating content through a network, a control method for the information processing apparatus, and a program.

  In recent years, various information providing services using the Internet have been developed with the development of communication systems and the development of information communication technologies. An information providing service using the Internet can provide so-called multimedia information including not only text information but also images and sounds. Against this backdrop, recently, the provision of services related to multimedia information and mail-order sales via the Internet have become common, and the number of users is increasing.

  Furthermore, with the spread of digital cameras and the like, services for ordering printed materials of images taken with digital cameras via the Internet are becoming established. Some of these services only print digital image data as they are, but some services process image data or create new print data using image data as one of the materials. Typical examples of the former are printing of image data taken by a digital camera on photographic paper and the like, and examples of the latter are printing New Year's cards using image data.

In order to process image data or create new print data using image data as one of the materials, the placement location of images, characters, line drawings, etc. (hereinafter referred to as objects), font type and size of characters It is necessary to specify the size (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-072850 A

  However, editing operations on the Web browser are limited, and it is necessary to exchange data via the network. Therefore, it is not possible to perform editing operations while maintaining a good user experience on the Web browser. was difficult.

  In particular, when there are a plurality of editing parts and the number is indefinite or variable, the user interface for the editing becomes large, and the operation is often difficult to understand. This is because if there are a plurality of editing locations, the area used for editing must be large.

  In addition to the data creation for the purpose of printing described above, the greeting card is displayed as a web page and the URL is sent to a third party. Has challenges.

  An object of the present invention is to allow an authorized orderer to easily edit an object on a server provided by a data creator.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention provides:
In an information processing apparatus that edits a plurality of objects,
Identification means for identifying whether or not each object can be edited;
Determining means for determining an editing location of the object identified as editable;
Creating means for creating an editing screen including display of the editing part;
Obtaining means for obtaining the editing content of the editing operation on the editing screen,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the creation unit creates the editing screen including the object corresponding to the editing content or the display of the editing content of the object.

In order to achieve the above object, a method for controlling an information processing apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is a method for controlling an information processing apparatus that edits a plurality of objects.
An identification step for identifying whether editing is possible for each object;
A determination step of determining an edit location of the object identified as editable;
A creation step for creating a screen for editing including display of the editing location;
Obtaining an editing content of the editing operation on the editing screen, and
The creation step creates the editing screen including the object corresponding to the editing content or the display of the editing content of the object.

  According to the present invention, an authorized orderer can easily edit an object on a server provided by a data creator.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 is a computer apparatus that executes an application according to an embodiment of the present invention on a server apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a server) side and a client terminal apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a client) side. Basically, the configuration of the server and the client is represented by the configuration of FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a display 101 displays information on data being processed by an application program, various message menus, and the like. The display 101 includes a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube), an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and the like. A DISPC 102 as a video RAM (VRAM) display controller controls screen display on the display 101. The keyboard 103 and the pointing device 104 are used for inputting characters and pointing to icons and buttons in a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The CPU 105 controls the entire information processing apparatus of FIG.

  A ROM 106 (Read Only Memory) stores programs executed by the CPU 105, parameters, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 107 is used as a work area when the CPU 105 executes various programs, a temporary save area during error processing, and the like.

  A hard disk drive (HDD) 108 and a removable media drive (RMD) 109 function as external storage devices. The removable media drive 109 is a device that reads / writes or reads a removable recording medium. In addition to a flexible disk drive, an optical disk drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, and a memory card reader, a removable HDD or the like may be used.

  It should be noted that the server and client functions described in the present embodiment, as well as application programs such as the OS and Web browser, data, and libraries are stored in at least one of the above-described storage media depending on the application. It is remembered.

  The expansion slot 110 is an expansion card mounting slot compliant with, for example, the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus standard. Various expansion boards such as a video capture board, a sound board, and a GPIB board can be mounted here.

  The network interface 111 is an interface for connecting the information processing apparatus to a computer network. The bus 112 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, and connects the units described above. In addition to the network interface 111, serial interfaces such as RS-232C, RS-422, USB (Universal Serial Bus), and IEEE1394 are provided. Further, it has a parallel interface such as IEEE1284, and can be connected to an external device such as a modem or a printer.

<System overview>
FIG. 2 is an overall view of an information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied. As understood from FIG. 2, the printing process may exist outside the information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied. Further, data used in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is not limited to print data. The same applies when a drawing or the like is created by the same method as the information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied, but it is ambiguous to write only data. Therefore, in this specification, the purpose of the information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied is printing, and the data created by the information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied is referred to as print data. To do. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to the process of creating print data. In order to gain an understanding of the information processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention has been applied, It is used for explanation as an example.

  First, the operation flow of the entire information system will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in step (1) in FIG. 2, first, the print data creator creates print data using an application installed in the client-side personal computer 121 (hereinafter referred to as PC 121). Next, as shown in step (2), the print data creator uses the PC 121 to select one of the objects constituting the print data, and sets a permission object that permits editing. If there are edit types that are allowed, select the edit type. If there are other permitted objects for which editing permission is to be set, these objects are set in the same manner.

  Next, as shown in step (3), when the print data creator clicks the upload button of the application, the application is uploaded to the server 122. The server 122 stores the uploaded print data in the data storage device 124 as shown in step (4). The data storage device 124 is a storage device having a very large storage capacity, and is normally configured separately from the server 122.

  When saving to the data storage device 124 is completed, as shown in step (5), the server 122 notifies the application 121 of the URL to be displayed on the client side to the application. The application installed in the PC 121 starts up a Web browser and displays the notified URL.

  Next, as shown in step (6), the print data creator inputs the mail address of the authorized orderer who wants to browse the print data and place an order in the web browser, and clicks the OK button. In the following, the person who has actually placed the order, including the person who made the order, is called the authorized orderer. In step (7) of FIG. 2, the server 122 sends an e-mail describing the URL of the Web page where the contents of the uploaded print data can be confirmed to the e-mail address of the authorized orderer designated by the print data creator.

  As shown in step (8), the authorized orderer who has received the e-mail uses the personal computer 123 (hereinafter referred to as PC 123) to input the URL written in the e-mail on the browser, and to enter the contents of the print data. Check. In step (9), the permitted object set by the print data creator to be permitted to be edited is edited. In editing, if a character is specified, the character is specified. If the font size or the font name is changed, selection from the menu is performed. If the image is replaced, the image is uploaded and trimming is specified.

  The authorized orderer performs an object editing operation using the PC 123 and clicks the OK button. Then, as shown in step (10), when the server 122 creates print data reflecting the editing result, the number-of-books input screen is displayed on the Web browser of the PC 123 of the authorized orderer.

  Here, when the authorized orderer inputs the number of books and clicks the OK button, the authorized orderer's name and delivery destination input screen is displayed. When the authorized orderer inputs the authorized orderer name and the delivery destination information into the Web browser of the PC 123 and clicks the OK button, an estimate screen is displayed. Here, as shown in step (11), when the authorized orderer clicks the OK button, the server 122 performs processing necessary for charging. Then, as in the step (12), the order number and information on billing are presented to the authorized orderer. Further, the server 122 sends the print data to the printing device 125 in step (13) when the payment is confirmed such as confirmation of payment or cash on delivery. Next, details of each step of FIG. 2 will be described.

<Operation of print data creator and corresponding processing (1)>
The creation of the print data in step (1) of FIG. 2 is performed by arranging and drawing objects such as images, line drawings, characters, etc. using a GUI, such as Adobe Illustrator (registered trademark) or Quark XPpress (registered trademark). Is. And it has the same interface as the interface which this kind of application has. It is not essential in the present invention how to perform image layout, line drawing and layout, character input and layout, font designation, and the like.

  It is necessary to be able to select objects such as images, line drawings, and characters in order to set editing permission in step (2) in FIG. 2, but this is the only restriction, and this restriction is based on the premise of placement / drawing by GUI. Since it is made, it is general. This application is distributed to people who have access authority to the server 122. The distributed person installs it on his / her personal computer, and the person who installs it becomes the creator of the print data, but this also does not impose any restrictions on the application.

  In step (2) of FIG. 2, the print data creator selects a specific object. Then, the menu is displayed by a menu display by clicking the mouse (FIG. 3A) or a menu display from the menu bar (FIG. 3B).

  Assume that “re-edit ...” (P301 or P311) is selected in (a) or (b) of FIG. Then, a window for selecting re-editable contents is displayed. FIG. 4 is a GUI 4 that is an example of a GUI (Graphic User Interface) screen when the selected object is a character. Here, it is possible to check any of the check boxes of correction of the character content (P401), correction of the font type (P402), and correction of the font size (P403). That is, the editing location is selected in FIG. After checking, when the OK button P411 is clicked, the selected editing portion, that is, the object can be re-edited, and the contents that can be set at the time of re-editing are designated. In this way, the permitted re-edit contents are set. When the cancel button P412 is clicked, the re-edit setting for the selected permitted object is not changed. If the selected object has already been re-editable and it is desired to change the setting so that re-editing is not possible, it can be changed by selecting menus P302 and P312 in FIG.

<Data configuration example>
The format of the print data created by the application may be any format or language as long as it can represent images, characters, line drawings, and the like. In this embodiment, the format of print data created by the application is PDF (Adobe Portable Document Format (registered trademark)). PDF is a highly versatile format that can express images, characters, line drawings, and the like. The description using this is not an essential requirement in the present invention, and is merely a convenience for the description, and does not indicate a limitation of the invention.

  For example, the line drawing may not require free re-editing by the authorized orderer or may not be necessary in the first place, but in such a case, it is not necessary to use a general-purpose format such as PDF. Therefore, a markup language such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) may be used. Moreover, other general-purpose formats and languages, for example, PDL (Page Description Language) such as Adobe PostScript (registered trademark) and Scalable Vector Graphics may be used. Furthermore, you may use an original format and language instead of the publicly used format and language.

  When the application creates print data, the image is represented as (a1) in FIG. 5, the character is represented as (b1) in FIG. 5, and the line drawing is represented as (c1) in FIG. Further, when the print data creator sets re-editability for these images, characters, line drawings, etc., it indicates that re-editing is possible by adding the / Editable key to each dictionary.

  5 (a2), FIG. 5 (b2) and FIG. 5 (c2) are set to be re-editable with respect to FIG. 5 (a1), FIG. 5 (b1) and FIG. 5 (c1). Is the case. A dictionary is designated as the value corresponding to (a2) in FIG. 5 and the / Editable key in FIG. The dictionary includes a / Type key, an / Icon key, and values corresponding to each. The value corresponding to / Type means the type of editing permitted, and is represented as an array so that a plurality of types can be specified. In the case of an image, it means replacement of an image when / Type is 1, change of an image position when / Type is 2, and change of image magnification when / Type is 3. In the case of a character, the designation of the character when / Type is 1 means the change of the font size when / Type is 2, and the change of the font when / Type is 3. In the case of a line drawing, this means that the setting of permitting the permission orderer to correct the position when / Type is 1 is indicated.

  That is, in the case of (a2) in FIG. 5, the replacement of the image, the change of the image position, the change of the image magnification, and in the case of (b2) in FIG. 5, the designation of the character, the change of the font size, the change of the font, In the case of (c2) in FIG. 5, correction of the position of the line drawing is permitted. If there are other editing methods that can be performed by re-editing in the server 122 (step (9) in FIG. 2) or if there are fewer editing methods, it is natural that the value that can be set in / Type can be increased or decreased. is there. Note that (a1) in FIG. 5 and (a2) in FIG. 5 use an externally defined image XObject, so that it is cited as (a3) in FIG. No change. Further, the value corresponding to the / Icon key indicates a place for displaying an icon of P1030 in FIG. 10 described later, and indicates coordinates in the default user space units.

<Operation of print data creator and corresponding processing (2)>
The print data creator who has completed the settings for creating and re-editing print data, after confirming the print data, uploads the print data to the server 122 (step (3) in FIG. 2). FIG. 6 shows a GUI 6 as an example of a confirmation screen in the application. The print data creator checks the print data on the PC 121. If it is determined that there is no problem, the upload button P612 is clicked or the upload menu is selected from the Internet menu P603. Then, the application uploads print data to the server 122.

  Then, the server 122 stores the print data in the data storage device 124 (step (4) in FIG. 2). When member registration is required to use the server 122, prior member registration and member authentication at the time of upload are required. However, since this is not essential in this embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  When the server 122 succeeds in storing the print data in the data storage device 124, the server 122 notifies the application of the PC 121 of the URL of the GUI screen, which is a Web page used for specifying the authorized orderer (step (5) in FIG. 2). ). The application starts up a default Web browser and displays the notified URL (step (6) in FIG. 2, FIG. 7). Using the GUI screen GUI 7 in FIG. 7, the print data creator inputs the mail address of the authorized orderer who permits re-editing in the text field P 702 and clicks the OK button P 703. If it is desired to confirm the contents of the uploaded print data, clicking on the link P704 causes a GUI 8 transition of the screen for confirming the print data (FIG. 8). On the GUI 8 screen, the print data can be confirmed by converting the print data into JPEG or the like and displaying it (P801). In addition, since the link P802 for making a transition to the GUI 7 is provided in the GUI 8, it is possible to set the mail address of the authorized orderer after confirming the contents of the print data.

  The print data creator can also edit as a permitted orderer by clicking the button P803, and can also order as a permitted orderer by clicking the button P804. The processing in these cases is compared to the processing for the authorized orderer who received the notification from the print data creator, and the screen that transitions after editing or ordering work or when the cancel button is clicked is shown in the figure. 9 is different from the GUI 9 shown in FIG. However, nothing else changes and will be described later.

  In FIG. 7, when the OK button P <b> 703 is clicked, a request is generated for the server 122. Upon receiving the request, the server 122 transmits the URL of the GUI 9 that is a Web page for the authorized orderer to confirm the contents of the print data to the e-mail address input by the print data creator (step of FIG. 2). 7)).

<Operation of authorized orderer and corresponding process (1)>
The authorized orderer can view the GUI 9 which is a Web page for confirming the contents of the print data by displaying this URL with a Web browser (step (8) in FIG. 2, FIG. 9). The GUI 9 is a dynamic page characterized by a session ID issued every time an authorized orderer makes a request to this URL of the server 122, and this session ID is retained in subsequent screen transitions.

  When the authorized orderer tries to display the URL notified by e-mail on the Web browser, the server 122 generates JPEG from the print data or displays the JPEG data created when the print data is uploaded as a preview image. (P901). Before creating a JPEG image, it is determined whether or not an object in the page is set to be re-editable by searching for the / Editable key. In this way, whether or not re-editing is possible is displayed in an identifiable manner.

  If it exists, JPEG data including an icon for indicating an editable permitted object used in GUI 10 (or any one of GUI 11 to GUI 16) on the Web browser screen is created together with the JPEG data displayed on P901. To do. A link P902 is displayed on the GUI 9 which is a Web page.

  At this time, an icon for indicating a permission object that can be edited is created at a position designated by the / Icon key in the PDF. When the print data covers a plurality of pages, a page other than the currently displayed page can be displayed by clicking the link P910 or the link P911. The link P910 is not displayed when the displayed page is the first page, and the link P911 is not displayed when the displayed page is the last page.

  If there is a part that the print data creator has permitted the authorized orderer to edit, the link P902 is clicked. As a result, the GUI 10 shown in FIG. 10 (or the GUI 11 shown in FIG. 11, the GUI 12 shown in FIG. 12, the GUI 13 shown in FIG. 13, the GUI 14 shown in FIG. 14, the GUI 15 shown in FIG. 15, the GUI 15 shown in FIG. 16) is displayed. The Then, it becomes possible to edit the portion permitted to be edited (step (9) in FIG. 2). The authorized orderer sees this and recognizes that editing is possible.

  P1030 (or P1130, P1230, P1330, P1430, P1530, P1630, P1631) is an icon serving as a mark for indicating an editable object in the preview image. These are added in the vicinity of the object to be edited by the mark addition function to make it easy to find an editable object. Replacement of the object indicated by P1030 can be designated in P1020, P1021, and P1022.

  If the print data creator has specified that an image replacement editing operation is possible, when a button P1021 is clicked, a dialog for selecting a file is displayed, and an authorized orderer specifies an image to be replaced. Then click the OK button in the dialog. Then, the path of the image file designated by the authorized orderer is displayed in the text field P1020. When the authorized orderer clicks the button P1022, the image file designated by the authorized orderer is uploaded to the server 122, and the GUI 10 which is a Web page replaced with the uploaded image is displayed. Although the behavior varies depending on the browser, it is not shown in FIG. 10, but a preview of the image file designated by the authorized orderer may be displayed.

  If the print data creator has specified that the image can be moved, a GUI 11 that is a Web page is displayed (FIG. 11). In FIG. 11, click P1120 to move the image to the left, click P1123 to move it to the right, P1121 to move it up, and click P1122 to move it down.

  Then, a request is generated to the server 122, and the GUI 11 that is a Web page in which the image is replaced with an image obtained by moving the image in the designated direction by a predetermined width on the server 122 is displayed. When it is desired to invalidate the editing result, when the button S1124 is clicked, the GUI 11 which is a Web page for previewing the state created by the print data creator is displayed. In the above description, the width that moves when P1120 to P1123 is clicked is the default value of the server 122, but a text field that specifies the width to move may be provided separately.

  If the print data creator has specified that the image can be enlarged or reduced, a GUI 12 that is a Web page is displayed (FIG. 12). In FIG. 12, the authorized orderer inputs the ratio used for enlargement or reduction in the text field P1220, and clicks a button P1221. Then, a request to the server 122 is generated, and the GUI 12 in which the image is replaced with an image that has been enlarged or reduced by a specified ratio is displayed.

  Further, when the print data creator has designated that the characters can be replaced, a GUI 13 that is a Web page is displayed (FIG. 13). In FIG. 13, the authorized orderer inputs a character string to be used for replacement in the text field P1320, and clicks a button P1321. Then, a request to the server 122 is generated, and a GUI 13 ′ that is a Web page shown in FIG. 14 in which characters are replaced with a character string designated by the authorized orderer is displayed. When the character string is too long to fit in the area, for example, an error is displayed as indicated by P1340 in FIG.

  If the print data creator has specified that the font and font size can be specified, a GUI page 15 is displayed (FIG. 15). In FIG. 15, the authorized orderer selects the font name from the list box P1520, inputs the font size in the text field P1521, and clicks the button P1522. Then, a request to the server 122 is generated, and the GUI 15 changed to the font and font size designated by the authorized orderer is displayed. If the print data creator is set to allow designation, either font designation or font size designation, either the corresponding list box P1520 or text field P1521 is displayed.

  If the print data creator has specified that the position of the line drawing can be specified, a GUI 16 that is a Web page is displayed (FIG. 16). In FIG. 16, click P1620 to move the line drawing to the left, click P1623 to move it to the right, click 1621 to move it up, and click P1622 to move it down. Then, a request for the server 122 is generated, and the GUI 16 is displayed in which the line drawing is replaced with an image obtained by moving the line drawing in the designated direction by a predetermined width of the server. If it is desired to invalidate the editing result, clicking the button S1624 displays a GUI 16 for previewing the state created by the print data creator. Note that the width that is moved when P1620 to P1623 is clicked is the default value of the server 122, but a text field that specifies the width to be moved may be provided separately.

  In the above description, it is assumed that the object edited on one page and the permitted editing method are one. However, when a plurality of editing methods are permitted for a plurality of objects as in the PDF described above, editing is possible by combining them as in the GUI 17 that is the Web page shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 17, not only a plurality of edit contents related to a plurality of objects are edited at once, but also a plurality of edit contents related to a single object are edited at a time like GUI 17 ′ of the Web page shown in FIG. It is also possible to do. Further, it is also possible to edit a single edit content of a single object, such as a GUI 17 ″ of a Web page shown in FIG.

  In the case where a plurality of edit contents related to a single object in FIG. 18 are edited at a time and editing is permitted for other objects, the following is performed. In this case, a link P1710 'for making a transition to the previous page and a link P1711' for making a transition to the next page are necessary. Further, a link P1712 'for transitioning to a Web page for editing the previous object and a link P1713' for transitioning to the Web page for editing the next object are also required.

  Further, consider a case where editing is performed on a single editing content of a single object in FIG. 19 and editing on another object or another editing content on the same object is permitted. In this case, a link P1710 "for making a transition to the previous page and a link P1711" for making a transition to the next page are required. Further, a link P1712 "for transitioning to a Web page for editing the previous editing content and a link P1713" for transitioning to the Web page for editing the next editing content are also required.

<Operation of authorized orderer and corresponding process (2)>
When there are many editable objects included in one page, if the Web page is configured to edit a plurality of edit contents related to a plurality of objects at a time as shown in FIG. 17, the Web page becomes long and a preview is displayed. However, work becomes difficult. In such a case, it is desirable to edit a plurality of edit contents related to a single object at a time as shown in FIG. 18 or to edit a single edit content of a single object as shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, when there are a small number of editable objects included in one page, it can be said that editing a plurality of edit contents related to a plurality of objects at a time as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is conceivable to change the contents that can be edited at once according to the amount of editing contents.

  For example, for the image (P1731) displayed with the circled number 1 in FIG. 16, it is possible to replace the image, enlarge or reduce the image, move the image, or the like. In addition, regarding the character string (P1730) displayed with the circled number 2, when it is possible to replace characters and specify fonts, if all of them can be edited on one screen, the web page becomes longer and the preview is viewed. However, work becomes difficult.

  In such a case, the GUI 20 that is the Web page shown in FIG. 20 is one in which the area used for editing is kept below a certain level so that the work can be performed while viewing the preview. In addition to links P2010 and P2011 for transitioning to a screen for editing the previous page and the next page, links P2012 and P2013 for transitioning to a screen for editing the previous editing content and the next editing content are displayed. is there. In addition, FIG. 17 does not display a list box P1727 and a text field P1728 for designating existing fonts, and edit contents that can be edited at one time are suppressed. When the links P2012 and P2013 mean the transition to the same screen as P2010 and P2111, there is no need to display them.

  Hereinafter, a method for changing editable contents that can be edited at once will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  FIGS. 21 and 22 describe a flowchart of processing when creating a GUI 20 for a Web page. FIG. 21 illustrates initialization processing when each page is displayed for the first time, and FIG. 22 illustrates initialization. The process for creating the GUI 20 after being released will be described.

  First, the case where the link P902 (or P803) to the editing screen in FIG. 9 (or FIG. 8) is clicked or the case where P2010 or P2011 in FIG. 20 is clicked will be described. That is, a flowchart of processing when the GUI 20 that is a Web page that is an editing screen for a specific page is first displayed will be described. In this case, since initialization is required, the processing of the flowchart described in FIG. 22 is performed following the processing described in the flowchart of FIG.

  After the start of the processing, first, in step S2101, the lengths of the editing portions corresponding to each editing content, such as “image replacement” and “character replacement”, for example, P2023 to P2026 in FIG. Since these lengths do not change depending on the editing location, they are set in the setting file of the server 122 and are obtained from now. Similarly, in step S2102, the maximum value of the length of the region used for editing is acquired from a setting file or the like, and is substituted for “maxLen”. This value indicates the maximum size that can be used as an area used for editing, as in P2023 to P2026. By appropriately setting this value, editing can be performed while viewing the preview.

  Since the values acquired in these steps S2101 and S2102 are values that do not need to be acquired for each page, they may be acquired and used when an application is started or a session is started.

  In step S2103, a list of editable objects in the page is acquired and assigned to “objArray”, and the number of objects included in “objArray” is assigned to “maxObjNum”. The object set to be editable is an image (P2031) displayed with a circled number 1 and a character string (P2030) displayed with a circled number 2 in the case of FIG. If the number of objects that can be edited on this page is limited to these two, “objArray” stores an ID or instance indicating information about the object, and “maxObjNum” is assigned 2. .

  Next, in step S2104, “oriObjNum” indicating the order of objects to be calculated is initialized to 1. In step S2105, “oriEdNum” indicating the order of edit contents to be calculated is initialized to 1, and the process ends.

  Next, the processing of FIG. 22 is started. First, in steps S2204 to S2106, initialization is performed as “len = 0”, “objNum = oriObjNum”, and “edNum = oriEdNum”, respectively. Next, in step S2207, an “objJ” -th object in “objArray” is substituted into “obj” such as an ID or an instance that represents information about the “objNum” -th object. In step S2208, a list of edit contents that can be edited in “obj” is acquired and assigned to “edArray”, and the number of edit contents included in “edArray” is assigned to “maxEdNum”.

  At this time, it is necessary to determine the display order of editing contents separately in the setting file or the like so that the order of storing in “edArray” is uniquely determined, and to store in the order when storing in “edArray”. For example, images are displayed in the order of image replacement, image enlargement / reduction, image movement, character replacement, font specification, and font size, and are stored in “edArray” in that order.

  In step S2209, the “edNum” -th edited content of “edArray” is acquired, and the length of the display area corresponding to the edited content is acquired. This length is then added to “len”. If it is determined in step S2210 that “len” is greater than “maxLen”, the editable range in the GUI 20 is determined.

  That is, if “edNum” is 1 in step S 2221, the process proceeds to step S 2222. Then, a GUI 20 that is a web page is created so that the edit contents from the “oriEdNum” -th edit content of the “oriObjNum” -th object of “objArray” to the last edit content of the “objNum-1” -th object can be edited. On the other hand, when “edNum” is not 1, the process proceeds to step S2223. Then, the GUI 20 is created so as to be able to edit from the “oriEdNum” -th edit content of the “oriObjNum” -th object of the “objArray” to the “edNum-1” -th edit content of the “objNum” -th object).

  In step S2216, when “objNum” is equal to “oriObjNum” and “edNum” is equal to “oriEdNum”, it means that “len” is larger than “maxLen” at the first time. Accordingly, the following processing is executed prior to the processing of steps S2222 and S2223. That is, if “edNum” is smaller than “maxEdNum” in step S2217, “edNum” is incremented in step S2220. If “edNum” is greater than or equal to “maxEdNum”, “objNum” is incremented in step S2218, and 1 is substituted into “edNum” in step S2219.

  Further, when “oriObjNum” is 1 and “oriEdNum” is 1, P1912 is not displayed. Similarly, when “objNum” is equal to or greater than “maxObjNum + 1”, P1913 is not displayed.

  Further, the number to be displayed as a rounded number of the preview is determined according to the order in the “objArray” of the objects that can be edited in the same page. That is, 1 is assigned to the “oriObjNum” -th object, and so on. Then, this number is synthesized at a location corresponding to the coordinate indicated by / Icon in the PDF being previewed. Correspondingly, a circled number is also displayed in an area used for editing such as P2023 to P2026.

  On the other hand, when “len” is equal to or less than “maxLen” in step S2210, and when “edNum” is smaller than “maxEdNum” in step S2211, the process proceeds to step S2212. Then, “edNum” is incremented, and steps S2209 and S2210 are performed again.

  However, when “len” is equal to or less than “maxLen” and “edNum” is equal to or greater than “maxEdNum”, the process proceeds to step S2213, “objNum” is incremented, and the process proceeds to step S2214, where “edNum” Substitute 1 for.

  Then, the result is determined in step S2215. When “objNum” is equal to or less than “maxObjNum”, steps S2207 to S2210 are performed again. However, when “objNum” is larger than “maxObjNum”, all edit contents of all objects are checked. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S2216, and GUI 20 that is an appropriate Web page is created in step S2222 or S2223 depending on whether “edNum” is 1.

  Note that “objArray” and “maxObjNum” of each page are held as session information in association with the page number, and are shared within the same session.

  When the link P2013 indicating the next editing content of the GUI 20 shown in FIG. 20 is clicked, the editing screen GUI 20 is displayed again. At this time, “edNum” and “objNum” are notified through an argument or the like. In the next page, these values are used as “oriObjNum” and “oriEdNum”, respectively. The subsequent processing is the same as that described using the flowchart of FIG. On the other hand, the processing when the link P1912 indicating the previous editing content is clicked is different from the processing in FIG. 22, but “objArray” may be searched from the subsequent order to the previous order. The basic concept of this process is the same as that described above, and will be omitted.

<Operation of authorized orderer and corresponding process (3)>
Since there is an icon P1730 (or P1130, P1230, P1330, P1430, P1530, P1730, P1731) indicating an object that can be re-edited, it is considered that the preview may be incomplete. Therefore, the confirmation screen and the editing screen are separated in the above. However, the function of the confirmation screen may be performed on the editing screen. In that case, if there is no re-editable object, the GUI 9 of the Web page without the link P902 is displayed. Also consider the case where there is a re-editable object. In this case, instead of the link P1003 (or P1103 to P1703), the GUI 10 (or GUI11 to GUI13, GUI15 to GUI17) having a link (P903) to the order screen is displayed.

  The authorized orderer clicks the link P1003 (or P1103, P1203, P1303, P1503, P1603, P1703) when the re-editing is completed. Then, the server 122 creates print data reflecting the editing result, and saves it as print data associated with the session ID separately from the print data created by the print data creator. The authorized orderer can confirm the content by creating a JPEG by rendering the corresponding page of the print data and displaying the GUI 9.

  When the authorized orderer uses the links P910 and P911, the GUI9 is displayed on the spot by creating JPEG data on the spot or using the JPEG data created in advance as a preview image. It can be carried out.

  In the present embodiment, the print data associated with the session ID is stored separately from the print data created by the print data creator. This is because when there are a plurality of authorized orderers, it is possible for each authorized orderer to create another print data by editing the print data created by the print data creator. Therefore, if the print data is stored in association with the session ID, the print data is referred to only while the session exists. Therefore, after the session no longer exists, it is necessary to delete the data.

  It is also possible to issue an ID that persists for a long period of time and is not reused, such as a session ID, and stores it in the PC 123 of each authorized orderer as cookie information. Then, by explicitly presenting the ID to each authorized orderer and associating the ID with the edited print data, it is possible to reorder the edited print data, or to edit again. You can also. Further, the URL notified to the authorized orderer may be changed according to the mail address (in addition to that, a password is also sent by another mail). Before the authorized orderer confirms the contents of the print data, he / she asks for an email address (and a password sent separately) to authenticate and print the edited result according to the registered email address. It is also possible to save data. By adopting such a method, it is possible to permit editing only to those who have been authenticated, save the print data as the editing result for each authorized orderer, and enable reordering and re-editing.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the authorized orderer performs re-editing has been described in detail, but re-editing of the authorized orderer is not essential. If the authorized orderer thinks that the print data created by the print data creator is appropriate, when the GUI 9 is displayed for the first time, it is possible to place an order by clicking the link P903.

  When the authorized orderer confirms the preview and clicks the link P903 to place an order, the server 122 displays the GUI 23 (step (11) in FIGS. 23 and 2). When the authorized orderer inputs the order quantity in the text field P2301 and clicks the button P2310, the GUI 24 is displayed (step (11) in FIGS. 24 and 2). The authorized orderer inputs the address and name of the authorized orderer in the text fields P2401 and P2402, respectively, and the delivery address and name in the text fields P2403 and P2404, and clicks the button P2410. Then, the server 122 displays the GUI 25 (step (11) in FIGS. 25 and 2).

  When the authorized orderer confirms the order breakdown written in P2501 and clicks the button P2510, the server 122 displays the GUI 26 that is a Web page (step (12) in FIGS. 26 and 2). Since an order number used for inquiry etc. is written in P2601, the authorized orderer refrains from this and the order is completed.

  To place an order again, click on the link P2602 and change to GUI9. When the cancel buttons P2311, P2411, and P2511 are clicked on the GUI 23 to GUI 25, the screen transitions to the GUI 9.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a fee is paid by COD, so that the explanation regarding charging is not required in the GUI 26. However, it is also possible to describe a bank account number to be deposited in the GUI 26 and add a word for instructing the bank account number to be deposited there. In addition, other payment methods such as a screen for inputting a credit card number may be used between the GUI 25 and the GUI 26. However, the payment method is not essential in the description of the present embodiment, and thus will be omitted.

  The server 122 sends the print data to the printing process (step (13) in FIG. 2) when the payment is confirmed such as confirmation of payment or cash on delivery. If payment is not confirmed at this time, the print data is sent to the printing process at the timing when payment is completed (triggered by a notification from the payment system or an explicit instruction by an operation tool). What has been printed in the printing process is sent by mail means to the delivery destination designated by the authorized orderer in P2403 and P2404 of the GUI 24.

  The re-editing operation of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be further described in detail using the flowcharts of FIGS. In step S2701 of FIG. 27, the print data creator uses the PC 121 to create edit data. In addition, the permitted object and the re-editing contents that permit re-editing to a third party are designated. Furthermore, it is possible to embed falsification preventing data in the editing data as necessary. In step S2702, the data is uploaded to the server 122.

  The server 122 authenticates the uploaded data in step S2703, and if it can be confirmed, saves the uploaded data in the data storage device 124. In step S2704, the PC 121 is requested to designate an authorized orderer (permitting re-editing).

  The PC 121 designates an authorized orderer in step S2705 and uploads it to the server 122 in step S2706. In response to this, the server 122 stores the information data regarding the authorized orderer in the data storage device 124 after confirming the authentication.

  Next, moving to FIG. 28, the server 122 issues a mail to the authorized orderer designated in step S2801. The authorized orderer who receives the mail selects edit data in step S2802, and requests the server 122 to download the edit data using his / her PC 123 in step S2803.

  In response to this, the server 122 first performs an authentication operation in step S2804, reads the corresponding data from the data storage device 124, and downloads it to the PC 123 in step S2805.

  In step S2806, the authorized orderer re-edits the edited data as necessary in accordance with the downloaded data. In step S2807, the data is uploaded to the server 122.

  After the authentication, the server 122 saves the re-edited data sent to the data storage device 124, and then checks in step S2809 whether improper editing, that is, tampering has been performed. In step S2701, it is checked whether re-editing has been performed beyond the range specified and permitted by the edit data creator. If improper editing, that is, falsification, is made, the stop of the process is notified to the authorized orderer's PC 123 as in step S2810, and the process ends.

  However, if there is no unjust editing, that is, no falsification, in step S2811, the order details are requested from the authorized orderer. In step S2812, the authorized orderer enters the order details using the PC 123, and uploads it to the server 122 in step S2813.

  Receiving this, the server 122 prints the re-edited data after authentication in accordance with the order contents in step S2814. The billing process is also performed. This printing process may be requested to a printing office outside the system. Thus, the printed material based on the re-edit data is mailed to the authorized orderer who owns the PC 123, and the processing is completed.

  According to the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the authorized orderer can easily edit the object on the server provided by the data creator.

<Other embodiments>
Note that a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments may be supplied from a recording medium directly to a system or apparatus having a computer that can execute the program using wired / wireless communication. In addition, the present invention includes a case where an equivalent function is achieved by the computer of the system or apparatus executing the supplied program.

  Accordingly, the program code itself supplied and installed in the computer in order to implement the functional processing of the present invention by the computer also realizes the present invention. That is, the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention is also included in the present invention. In this case, the program may be in any form as long as it has a program function, such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a magnetic recording medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, and a magnetic tape. Further, optical / magneto-optical storage media such as MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, and DVD-RW, and non-volatile semiconductor memory can also be used.

  As a program supply method using wired / wireless communication, a data file that can be a computer program forming the present invention on a client computer is stored in a server on a computer network. This may be the computer program itself that forms the present invention, or a compressed file.

  A method of downloading a program data file to a connected client computer is exemplified. In this case, the program data file can be divided into a plurality of segment files, and the segment files can be arranged on different servers. That is, the present invention includes a server device that allows a plurality of users to download a program data file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to the user, and key information for decrypting the encryption for a user who satisfies a predetermined condition is provided via a homepage via the Internet, for example. Download from. It is also possible to implement by supplying the program and executing the encrypted program using the key information and installing the program on the computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. Furthermore, based on the instructions of the program, the OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can be realized by the processing.

1 is a block configuration diagram of a computer device that can be used as a Web server and a client in an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement procedure of the system of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and its process. It is a figure which shows the re-editing setting menu on the application used in the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the interface which designates the re-editing content on the application used in the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the embedding method of the re-editing information on the application used in the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a Web page used when uploading from an application used by a print data creator to a server in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram showing a Web page for designating the mail address of the authorized orderer after the print data creator has uploaded. In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a diagram showing a Web page on which a print data creator confirms print data after uploading. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a Web page on which an authorized orderer confirms print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a Web page on which an authorized orderer replaces an image of print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a Web page on which an authorized orderer designates movement of an image of print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a Web page on which an authorized orderer designates enlargement / reduction of an image of print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a Web page where an authorized orderer replaces characters in print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, when an authorized orderer replaces characters in print data, an error display on a Web page is displayed when characters are too long to be displayed. . FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a Web page in which an authorized orderer specifies a font name, a font size, and the like of print data characters in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a Web page on which an authorized orderer moves a line drawing of print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a Web page on which an authorized orderer edits print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a Web page on which an authorized orderer edits print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a Web page on which an authorized orderer edits print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a variable-length Web page on which an authorized orderer edits print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a process for displaying a variable-length Web page on which an authorized orderer edits print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of processing for displaying a variable-length Web page on which an authorized orderer edits print data in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the Web page for an authorized orderer to input order quantity in the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. In an information processor concerning an embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure showing a Web page for an authorized orderer to input an orderer address name and a delivery address name. It is a figure which shows the web page for an authorized orderer to confirm the order content in the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. In an information processor concerning an embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure showing a Web page where an authorized orderer confirms completion of an order. It is a flowchart figure explaining operation | movement of re-editing in the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart figure explaining operation | movement of re-editing in the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Claims (6)

In an information processing apparatus that edits a plurality of objects,
Identification means for identifying whether or not each object can be edited;
Determining means for determining an editing location of the object identified as editable;
Creating means for creating an editing screen including display of the editing part;
Obtaining means for obtaining the editing content of the editing operation on the editing screen,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the creation unit creates the editing screen including the object corresponding to the editing content or the display of the editing content of the object.   The creation means includes a mark addition function for displaying an identifiable mark in the vicinity of the edit location of the object in order to clearly indicate the edit location of the object identified as editable on the editing screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the identifiable mark includes a plurality of identifiable marks of different types.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured as a server on a network, and is controlled using a terminal apparatus connected to the network. apparatus. In a control method of an information processing apparatus for editing a plurality of objects,
An identification step for identifying whether editing is possible for each object;
A determination step of determining an edit location of the object identified as editable;
A creation step for creating a screen for editing including display of the editing location;
Obtaining an editing content of the editing operation on the editing screen, and
The method of controlling an information processing apparatus, characterized in that the creating step creates the editing screen including the object corresponding to editing content or the display of the editing content of the object.   A program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the control method for the information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

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