JP2009087236A - Information processor and program for information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor for performing an image output whose relation between a document of a link source and a document of a linked party is easy to be confirmed without changing files of the link source, and a program for the information processor. <P>SOLUTION: A browser built in a PC 1 has a thumb nail display area 40s for outputting thumb nail images as a display area 40 for the display part other than a content display area 40c for outputting link source data. In the browser, a link part in the link source data is extracted to acquire linked party data of respective link parts to create thumb nail images of the linked party data. In the browser, then, the link parts L1 to L6 outputted in the content display area 40c are extracted and the thumb nail images S1 to S6 corresponding to the link parts L1 to L6 are disposed in the thumb nail output area 40c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that outputs a document image in which position information (link information) such as another document or image is embedded in a document, and a program for the information processing apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that outputs a link destination document and the like together with a link source document, and a program for the information processing apparatus.

  When an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file represented by a Web page is printed, the HTML file often includes position information (link information) such as other documents and images. Normally, a linked document or the like cannot be confirmed without clicking on the place where the link is located (hereinafter referred to as “link part”) and switching the screen. In particular, when printing a document in which link information is embedded, the link destination information cannot be confirmed as a printed matter.

Therefore, as a method for displaying the linked document, etc., a technique has been proposed in which a thumbnail image of the linked destination is created before the screen is displayed on the browser, and the thumbnail image is displayed on the screen together with the linked document. (For example, Patent Document 1). By embedding the link destination thumbnail image in the link source document in this way, it is possible to obtain a printed matter in a state where the link destination document or the like is displayed.
JP 2004-70809 A (FIG. 15 etc.)

  However, the method of embedding a linked thumbnail image in a link source document as in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. That is, in order to embed a thumbnail image in a link source document, it is necessary to process the link source HTML file. That is, the HTML file of the link source is analyzed, the display position of the thumbnail image is calculated, and the HTML file is rewritten or a new HTML file is created. Therefore, it takes time to obtain an HTML file to be displayed on the browser.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. In other words, the subject is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus program that perform image output that makes it easy to confirm the relationship between the link source document and the link destination document without changing the link source file. There is to do.

  An information processing apparatus for solving this problem obtains link source data, which is data in which link information is embedded, and extracts a link part in the link source data, and a link of the link part Thumbnail creation means for acquiring link destination data, which is the destination data, and creating a thumbnail image of the link destination data, and a data output area for outputting the link source data and a thumbnail output area for outputting the thumbnail image as the image output area And an output means for arranging a thumbnail image corresponding to the link portion output in the data output area in the thumbnail output area.

  The information processing apparatus according to the present invention outputs data (HTML file or the like) in which link information is embedded as an image. Image output includes display output to a display device and print output to a printing device. In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, a thumbnail output area for outputting thumbnail images is provided in addition to a data output area for outputting link source data as an image output area.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the link extraction means extracts the link portion in the link source data, the thumbnail creation means acquires the link destination data of each link portion, and creates the thumbnail image of the link destination data. . Further, the output unit of the information processing apparatus extracts the link portion output in the data output area, and arranges a thumbnail image corresponding to the link portion in the thumbnail output area.

  That is, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the link source data and the link destination thumbnail image of the link portion are output as one output image within one image output area. Therefore, it is easy to confirm the relationship between the link source document and the link destination document. The thumbnail image is arranged in a thumbnail output area provided by the output means. That is, when displaying thumbnails, it is not necessary to process the link source data.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus of the present invention expands link source data, creates a preview image that is an entire image of the link source data, and positions of the link portions included in the link source data in the preview image And a storage means for acquiring the thumbnails corresponding to each link part and storing them in association with each other, and a range calculation means for calculating the range in the preview image of the portion output to the data output area of the link source data And the output means extracts the thumbnail image from the storage means based on the range information obtained from the range calculation means.

  That is, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the position of each link unit included in the link source data and the thumbnail are associated with each other and stored in the storage unit. Then, when updating the thumbnail output area, the output unit extracts the thumbnail image from the storage unit based on the range obtained from the range calculation unit. As a result, the link source data and the link destination thumbnail image of the link part are output in one image output area as an output image in a state in which the relevance between the link source document and the link destination document can be easily confirmed. be able to.

  Further, the image output area of the information processing apparatus of the present invention is a display area for the display device, and the output means automatically displays the thumbnail image arranged in the thumbnail output area when the display content of the data output area is scrolled. It is characterized by updating.

  That is, when the display contents in the data output area are scrolled, the thumbnail images arranged in the thumbnail output area are updated following the change in the display contents in the data output area. Thereby, a thumbnail image related to the display contents of the currently displayed data output area is always displayed, and the relevance between the link source document and the link destination document can be confirmed accurately.

  The image output area of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the image output area is a print area for the printing apparatus, and the output means configures a data output area and a thumbnail area according to the print parameters. It is said.

  That is, when performing print output, an image output area is configured based on the print parameters. Printing parameters include paper size and margin size. Thus, the data output area and the thumbnail area are configured with appropriate sizes. Then, the link source document and the thumbnail are printed on one sheet, and the link destination information can be confirmed from the printed matter. Furthermore, since they are on the same sheet, it is easy to check the relationship between the link source document and the link destination document.

  In the present invention, the information processing apparatus acquires link source data that is data in which link information is embedded, and extracts link portions in the link source data, and link destination data of the link portions. Are provided with a thumbnail creation means for obtaining the link destination data and creating a thumbnail image of the link destination data, and a data output area for outputting the link source data and a thumbnail output area for outputting the thumbnail image as the image output area. , A program for an information processing apparatus is provided that operates as an output unit that arranges a thumbnail image corresponding to a link portion output in the data output area in the thumbnail output area.

  In addition, the above information processing program expands link source data, creates a preview image that is an entire image of the link source data, and positions of the link portions included in the link source data in the preview image. And a storage means for acquiring the thumbnails corresponding to each link part and storing them in association with each other, and a range calculation means for calculating the range in the preview image of the portion output to the data storage area of the link source data And the output unit operates to extract a thumbnail image from the storage unit based on the range information obtained from the range calculation unit.

  According to the present invention, there is realized an information processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus that perform image processing output that makes it easy to confirm the relationship between a link source document and a link destination document without changing the link source file. ing.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a personal computer (hereinafter simply referred to as “PC”) in which an application (browser) for displaying an HTML document is installed.

[Print system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the print system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a PC 1 as an information processing apparatus and a printer 2 as an image forming apparatus. In the print system 100, the PC 1 and the printer 2 are connected via a USB cable. Note that the number of printers and PCs constituting the printing system 100 is not limited to one, and a plurality of printers and PCs may be connected. Further, the connection between the PC 1 and the printer 2 is not limited to a USB cable, and other serial communication cables, parallel communication cables, wired LAN cables, and wireless communication paths such as a wireless LAN can be used.

  The PC 1 is used as a temporary storage area when the CPU 11 that executes various processes, a ROM 12 that stores a program (BIOS) of a startup process performed by the CPU 11 when the PC 1 is started, and the CPU 11 performs various processes. A RAM 13 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 14 storing various programs and data are included.

  The PC 1 also has a printer port interface 17 (in this embodiment, a USB interface, etc.) for exchanging signals with the operation unit 15 such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 16 including a liquid crystal display, and the printer 2. And a network interface 18 for exchanging signals via a network such as a LAN or the Internet.

  Further, the HDD 14 of the PC 1 has an operating system (OS), a browser capable of browsing web pages, and other various applications (for example, document creation software, drawing software, spreadsheet software, photo data editing software, etc.) A printer driver for transmitting print data to the printer 2 is stored.

  In the print system 100 of this embodiment including the printer 2 and the PC 1 having such a configuration, a user can operate the PC 1 to display and browse a Web page using a browser incorporated in the PC 1. . The print data of the Web page can be transmitted to the printer 2 via the browser according to the user's instruction, and the printer 2 can print the image.

[Browser configuration]
Next, the browser 4 built in the PC 1 will be described. The browser 4 according to this embodiment acquires an HTML file via the Internet or the like, and displays the Web content indicated in the HTML file on the display unit 16.

  The display area 40 of the browser 4 is provided with a content display area 40c for displaying Web contents and a thumbnail display area 40s for displaying thumbnail images, as shown in FIG. Further, a scroll bar (not shown) is displayed on the right end or the lower end according to the display content of the Web content, and the display content in the content display area 40c is scrolled by the user operating the scroll bar.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the browser 4 includes an HTML acquisition unit 41, an HTML display unit 42, a display preview creation unit 43, a link coordinate acquisition unit 44, a link destination information acquisition unit 45, and a thumbnail processing unit. 46, a thumbnail information holding unit 47, a display screen calculation unit 48, and a thumbnail display unit 49.

  The HTML acquisition unit 41 has a function of accessing a designated Internet address and acquiring an HTML file from a Web server to be accessed. The HTML display unit 42 has a function of analyzing the HTML file and instructing the display unit 16 to display the Web content indicated in the HTML file. The Web content is displayed in the content display area 40c in the display area 40 of the browser 4 as shown in FIG.

  The display preview creation unit 43 has a function of internally developing an HTML file and creating a display preview. The HTML file is acquired from the HTML acquisition unit 41. That is, the display preview creation unit 43 expands the entire document described in HTML in the memory. When creating a display preview, the size of the content display area 40c of the browser 4 is referred to.

  The link coordinate acquisition unit 44 has a function of extracting the link part in the display preview and acquiring the position coordinates of the link part in the display preview. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the total length of the display preview PB of the HTML document is set to 100%, and the position of each link portion L1 to L7 is calculated. In addition, assuming that the entire width of the display preview PB is 100%, it is calculated what percentage each link portion L1 to L7 is arranged.

  The link destination information acquisition unit 45 has a function of acquiring a link destination address of the link unit, accessing the link destination address, and acquiring link destination data (HTML file or image data). The thumbnail processing unit 46 has a function of creating an image file of linked data and further creating a thumbnail image by reducing and compressing the image file.

  The thumbnail information acquisition unit 47 has a function of holding thumbnail image information as a thumbnail table. In the thumbnail table of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the link name arbitrarily given, the position coordinates in the display preview, and thumbnail image data are stored for each link part. For example, in the thumbnail table shown in FIG. 5, the link part with the link name “Link1” is located at the position of 10% in the horizontal direction and 20% in the vertical direction of the display preview, and the thumbnail image with the file name “Thumbnail1”. Information indicating that data is included is stored as a first record. The position coordinates are written by the link coordinate acquisition unit 44, and the thumbnail images are written by the thumbnail processing unit 46.

  The display screen calculation unit 48 has a function of acquiring the size of the content display area 40c of the browser 4 and scroll position information. Further, based on the size of the content display area 40c and the scroll position, it is calculated which range of the entire HTML document (the entire display preview) the part currently displayed in the content display area 40c refers to. It has a function.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the display range is calculated from what% position to what position the display range DP is based on the total length of the display preview PB as 100%. In addition, assuming that the entire width of the display preview PB is 100%, the display range DP is calculated from what position to what position.

  The thumbnail display unit 49 has a function of extracting a link part displayed in the content display area 40c based on the range of the content display area 40c and instructing display of a thumbnail image associated with the link part. ing. The number of thumbnail images to be displayed is not limited to one, and a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed if a plurality of link portions are included in the content display area 40c. The thumbnail image is acquired from the thumbnail information holding unit 47.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the thumbnail display unit 49 displays a list of the acquired thumbnails in the thumbnail display area 40s. That is, the Web content including the link portions L1 to L6 is displayed in the content display region 40c by the HTML display unit 42, and the thumbnail images S1 to S6 corresponding to the link portions L1 to L6 are displayed in the thumbnail display region 40s. S6 is displayed.

[Browser behavior]
[Display processing]
Next, display processing when the browser 4 displays an HTML file will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the HTML acquisition unit 41 accesses an address designated by a user input or the like, and acquires an HTML file of the target Web page (S101). Then, the display screen calculation unit 48 acquires the size of the display area of the content display area 40c of the browser 4 (S102). Note that the processing in S101 and the processing in S102 are unquestioned.

  Next, the display preview creation unit 43 creates a display preview of the Web content to be output (S103). That is, the HTML file is analyzed, and the entire document described in HTML is expanded in the memory.

  Next, the link coordinate acquisition unit 44 extracts all link portions existing in the display preview, and calculates the position coordinates of each link portion in the display preview (S104). The calculated position coordinates are held in the thumbnail table of the thumbnail information holding unit 47.

  Next, the link destination information acquisition unit 45 accesses the link destination address embedded in each link unit and acquires the link destination data (S105). As link destination data, there are image data, text data, and the like in addition to HTML files. Then, the thumbnail processing unit 46 creates an image file of the acquired data, and further reduces and compresses the image file to create a thumbnail image (S106). The created thumbnail image is held in the thumbnail table of the thumbnail information holding unit 47.

  Next, the display screen calculation unit 48 calculates the coordinate range in the display preview for the part currently displayed in the content display area 40c of the HTML file (S107). That is, the vertical coordinate range of the currently displayed content is calculated based on the vertical size of the content display area 40c and the vertical scroll position. Also, the horizontal coordinate range of the currently displayed content is calculated based on the horizontal size of the content display area 40c and the horizontal scroll position.

  Next, the thumbnail display unit 49 extracts a link portion within the calculated coordinate range from the thumbnail table. Then, a thumbnail image associated with the extracted hyper ring object is acquired from the thumbnail table (S108).

  Next, the obtained thumbnail images are displayed in a list in the thumbnail display area 40s of the browser 4 in order from the thumbnail image located at the upper coordinate in the vertical direction (S109). Further, the content of the HTML file acquired in S101 is displayed in the content display area 40c of the browser 4. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the Web content and the thumbnail images of the link portion currently displayed in the content display area 40c are displayed together on one screen.

[Scroll processing]
Next, a scroll process that is a process when the content display area 40c of the browser 4 is scrolled will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG.

  First, scrolling of the content display area 40c is detected (S201). When the content display area 40c is scrolled, the coordinate range in the display preview is changed. For this reason, the calculation of the coordinate range is performed again.

  That is, the display screen calculation unit 48 calculates the coordinate range in the display preview for the portion displayed after scrolling in the content display area 40c (S202). Next, in the thumbnail display unit 49, a link part within the calculated coordinate range is extracted from the thumbnail table, and a thumbnail image associated with the extracted link part is obtained from the thumbnail table (S203).

  Next, the acquired thumbnail images are displayed in a list in the thumbnail display area 40s of the browser 4 in order from the thumbnail image located at the upper coordinate in the vertical direction (S204). Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the thumbnail images S4 to S9 of the link portions L4 to L9 currently displayed in the content display area 40c after scrolling are displayed. That is, the display of the thumbnail display section 40s is automatically switched following the scroll of the content display area 40c. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the thumbnail image of the link portion displayed in the currently displayed content.

  The same process is performed regardless of whether scrolling is performed in the vertical direction or in the horizontal direction. Further, even when the size of the content display area 40c is changed or the display magnification is changed, the same processing as the scroll processing (however, the processing of S201 is detection of the size change or the display magnification change) is performed.

[Print processing]
Next, a printing process that is a process when printing on a sheet is instructed by the browser 4 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. In the printing process, as in the display process, as shown in FIG. 10, as a printing area for each page, a content printing area 401c for printing Web contents and a thumbnail printing area 401s for printing thumbnail images Is provided. These print areas are configured according to printing parameters (paper size, margin size, etc.) at the time of printing.

  First, an HTML file of a Web page to be printed is acquired (S301). Then, print parameters such as paper size and margin size are acquired from the printer driver (S302). Note that the processing in S301 and the processing in S302 are unquestioned.

  Next, a print preview of the Web content to be printed is created (S303). That is, while referring to the print parameters or the content print area 401c, the entire print contents are expanded in the memory, and a preview image for each page is created. Next, link portions existing in the print preview are extracted, and the position coordinates of each link portion in the print preview are calculated (S304). The calculated position coordinates are held in the thumbnail table.

  Next, the link destination address embedded in each link part is accessed to acquire the link destination data (S305). Then, an image file of the acquired data is created, and the thumbnail image is created by further reducing and compressing the image file (S306). The created thumbnail image is stored in the thumbnail table.

  Next, the coordinate range in the print preview for each page to be printed is calculated (S307). That is, the vertical coordinate of the printed page is calculated based on the vertical size of one page and the page number of the printed page. Also, the horizontal coordinate of the printed page is calculated based on the horizontal size of one page and the page number of the printed page.

  Next, the link portion within the calculated coordinate range is extracted from the thumbnail table. Then, a thumbnail image associated with the extracted hyper ring object is acquired from the thumbnail table (S308).

  Next, the acquired thumbnail image is arranged in the thumbnail print area 401s laid out for the thumbnail image, and the page is printed together with the Web content in the content print area 401c (S309). As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, one page of the Web content including the link portions L1 to L6 and the thumbnail images S1 to S6 of the link portion displayed on the page are collected on one sheet of paper 200. Printed.

  As described above in detail, the browser 4 incorporated in the PC 1 of this embodiment has a thumbnail display area for outputting thumbnail images as a display area 40 for the display unit 16 in addition to a content display area 40c for outputting link source data. 40 s. Then, the browser 4 extracts a link portion from the link source data, acquires link destination data of each link portion, and creates a thumbnail image of the link destination data. The browser 4 extracts the link portion output in the content display area 40c, and arranges the thumbnail image corresponding to the link portion in the thumbnail output area 40s.

  That is, in the browser 4 of this embodiment, the link source data and the link destination thumbnail image of the link part are output in the display area 40 as the output image. Therefore, it is easy to confirm the relationship between the link source document and the link destination document. The thumbnail images are arranged in a thumbnail display area 40s provided in the display area 40. That is, when displaying thumbnails, it is not necessary to process the link source data. Further, the link source data is displayed in the content display area 40c without changing the layout. Therefore, an information processing apparatus and an information processing apparatus program that perform image output that makes it easy to confirm the relationship between the link source document and the link destination document without changing the link source HTML file are realized.

  In the browser 4 of this embodiment, the position of each link part included in the link source data and the thumbnail are associated with each other and stored in the thumbnail table. Then, when updating the thumbnail display area 40 s, the thumbnail display unit 49 extracts thumbnail images from the thumbnail table based on the range obtained from the display screen calculation unit 48. As a result, the update time is shorter than when the link destination is accessed each time the thumbnail display area 40s is updated and a thumbnail image is created.

  Note that this embodiment is merely an example, and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the present invention can naturally be improved and modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the information processing apparatus is not limited to a PC, and may be a workstation, a portable information terminal apparatus, or the like.

  In the embodiment, the HTML file is acquired via the Internet, but it may be a local network such as a LAN. Further, it may be an HTML file stored in the HDD 14 of the PC itself.

  In the embodiment, the link portion and the thumbnail image are displayed on one screen, but at that time, a line connecting the link portion and the thumbnail image may be displayed. If the link portion is a character string, all or a part of the character string may be displayed below the thumbnail image. As a result, the association between the link portion and the thumbnail image becomes clearer and the confirmation becomes easier.

  Further, in the embodiment, the position of the display range DP is calculated with the overall length and the overall width of the display preview PB being 100%. However, not only the configuration based on the percentage (%) but also length information (for example, The position of the display range DP in the display preview PB may be calculated using pixels or inches.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a print system according to an embodiment. It is a figure (before scrolling) which shows the display image of the thumbnail image by a browser. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the browser which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the image of the coordinate of the link part in display preview. It is a figure which shows the structure of the thumbnail table in a thumbnail information storage part. It is a flowchart which shows the display process of the browser which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the scroll process of the browser which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure (after scrolling) which shows the display image of the thumbnail image by a browser. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process of the browser which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the printing image of the thumbnail image by a browser.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 2 Printer 4 Browser 40 Browser display area 40s Thumbnail display area 40c Content display area 41 HTML acquisition part 42 HTML display part 43 Display preview part 44 Link coordinate acquisition part 45 Link information acquisition part 46 Thumbnail processing part 47 Thumbnail information holding Unit 48 display screen calculation unit 49 thumbnail display unit

Claims (6)

Link extraction means for acquiring link source data, which is data embedded with link information, and extracting a link portion in the link source data;
A thumbnail creation means for obtaining link destination data, which is the link destination data of the link section, and creating a thumbnail image of the link destination data;
As the image output area, a data output area for outputting the link source data and a thumbnail output area for outputting a thumbnail image are provided, and a thumbnail image corresponding to the link portion output in the data output area is displayed in the thumbnail output area. An information processing apparatus comprising output means arranged inside. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A preview creating means for expanding the link source data and creating a preview image that is an entire image of the link source data;
Storage means for acquiring a position in the preview image of each link part included in the link source data and a thumbnail corresponding to each link part, and storing both in association with each other;
A range calculating means for calculating a range in the preview image of a portion of the link source data output to the data output area;
The information processing apparatus, wherein the output unit extracts a thumbnail image from the storage unit based on range information obtained from the range calculation unit. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The image output area is a display area for a display device;
The information processing apparatus, wherein the output means automatically updates the thumbnail image arranged in the thumbnail output area when the display contents of the data output area are scrolled. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The image output area is a printing area for a printing apparatus,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the output unit configures the data output area and the thumbnail area according to a print parameter. Information processing equipment
Link extraction means for acquiring link source data, which is data embedded with link information, and extracting a link portion in the link source data;
A thumbnail creation means for obtaining link destination data, which is the link destination data of the link section, and creating a thumbnail image of the link destination data;
As the image output area, a data output area for outputting the link source data and a thumbnail output area for outputting a thumbnail image are provided, and a thumbnail image corresponding to the link portion output in the data output area is displayed in the thumbnail output area. A program for an information processing apparatus which is operated as output means arranged in the information processing apparatus. In the information processing apparatus program according to claim 5,
The information processing apparatus;
A preview creating means for expanding the link source data and creating a preview image that is an entire image of the link source data;
Storage means for acquiring a position in the preview image of each link part included in the link source data and a thumbnail corresponding to each link part, and storing both in association with each other;
And operating as a range calculation means for calculating a range in the preview image of the portion of the link source data output to the data storage area;
An information processing program for causing the output means to operate so as to extract a thumbnail image from the storage means based on range information obtained from the range calculation means.

Images