JP2010197587A - Image forming system, image forming device, image forming method, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming system, image forming device, image forming method, program, and recording medium for printing out map images. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device 20 includes: a communication means 170 which transmits a request to a server device 14 that includes a page transmission means 190 transmitting page data for giving access to a map providing service means 180 providing map data and receives page data, and which transmits target position information indicating the target map range to the map providing service means 180 and receives map data including the target map range; a control means which makes a display 52b display a map image according to the map data obtained by the communication means 170 according to the description of the page data and instructs printing processing of the map image displayed on the display 52b in response to the printing instruction via an input device 52a; and a printout means 160 which prints out the map image in response to the instruction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a program, and a recording medium for acquiring map data from a server and printing out a map image.

  With the recent trend toward broadband networks and higher performance of digital multifunction peripherals, various services are being provided via the network, centering on digital multifunction peripherals. Examples of such a service include a function of transmitting a read original image as an e-mail, accumulating data received by facsimile, and transferring the data to an external apparatus.

  In addition, as a service provided via a network, in recent years, a multi-function peripheral that outputs a map image has been developed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-66002 (Patent Document 1) simply describes map information according to administrative divisions. A map is created centering on the target position specified by the input address, etc., and additional information such as markers and balloons are placed and imaged as appropriate by specifying the position relative to the target. A pinpoint search map document input / output device is disclosed.

  In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-170726 (Patent Document 2) is intended to print a map in which indicators that are useful for the user to reach the destination from the current location are appropriately displayed and the visibility is improved. Stores map data for each area in multiple patterns with different scales, reads scale map and area map data corresponding to installation location information and maximum paper size information, and stores the map data as installation location information and maximum paper size information. The server that transmits to the multifunction device that sent it, the installation location information of the device and the maximum paper size information to the server, receives the corresponding map data from the server, and prints the map data on the largest recording paper Disclosed is a printing system including a printing machine.

  The conventional technique of Patent Document 1 improves visibility by creating a map around a specified target position, and the conventional technique of Patent Document 2 is useful for reaching a target point from the current position. It can be said that the convenience of the map can be improved to some extent by including these indicators. However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the acquired map is output as it is, and the user does not actually take the printed material and look at the printed image. It is not possible to confirm the detailed appearance. Therefore, there is a high possibility that an unnecessary printed matter is generated before obtaining a desired map printed matter, which is not sufficient from the viewpoint of user convenience and resource saving.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described prior art. For example, the browser function provided in the image forming apparatus is used to display a map image including a desired map range on the display device, and a print result is displayed to the user. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a program, and a recording medium capable of presenting an image and printing out a map image displayed on a display device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a server apparatus connected to a network. The server device according to the present invention includes page transmission means for transmitting page data that gives access to a map providing service means for providing map data in response to a request.

  The control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention acquires page data that gives access to the map providing service unit that provides the map data from the server device via the network by the communication unit. Then, the control unit of the image forming apparatus provides the map providing service unit with target position information indicating the target map range according to the description of the page data, and acquires map data including the target map range by the communication unit. . Further, the control unit of the image forming apparatus displays a map image on the display device according to the received map data, and prints a printing process of the map image displayed on the display device in response to a print instruction via the input device. Command the output means. The print output means of the image forming apparatus prints out the map image being displayed in response to the print processing command.

  According to the above configuration, before actually executing the printing process of the map image provided from the map providing service unit by the print output unit, the map image including the target map range is displayed on the display device, An image of the print result can be presented. Therefore, the user can confirm the detailed appearance of the map image before print output, and can easily obtain a desired map image. That is, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the conventional waste that unnecessary printed matter has been generated until a desired map printed matter is obtained is eliminated, and map printing is excellent from the viewpoint of user convenience and resource saving. Functions can be provided efficiently.

  In the present invention, the page transmission means of the server device can transmit the page data including a description giving a transition to the print setting screen. Then, the control unit of the image forming apparatus interprets the description included in the page data, transitions to the print setting screen in response to the instruction, and passes from the print setting screen in response to the instruction to determine the setting contents. Print settings can be given to the print output means to instruct the print process. According to the above configuration, it is possible not only to print out the image displayed on the display device but also to print out the map image with print settings desirable for a specific user.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the server device can include user setting storage means for storing an initial value of print settings for each user. Then, the control unit of the image forming apparatus gives a user identification value for identifying the user of the image forming apparatus to the server apparatus through the communication unit, and defaults to the print output unit when the setting is not explicitly changed. It is possible to acquire page data including initial values of print settings for passing. In the present invention, the control unit of the image forming apparatus further identifies the user who uses the image forming apparatus with respect to the map providing service unit that manages the parameters that define the display format of the map for each user by the communication unit. Given the user identification value, map data to which the parameter corresponding to the user is applied can be obtained. According to the above configuration, a map printing service unique to a plurality of users can provide provision for map print settings and / or map parameters.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the page transmission means of the server device can transmit the page data including a description for using the control provided from the map providing service means for waiting for an instruction to change the map range of the display. Further, the page transmission means of the server device can transmit the page data including a description provided by the map providing service means for using the function for writing additional information in the map.

  Then, the control unit of the image forming apparatus displays the control on the display device, detects an operation event for the control via the input device, and detects the map data to which the changed map range of the display is applied by the communication unit. Can be acquired. In addition, the control unit of the image forming apparatus detects an operation event for the map image via the input device, transitions to an input screen for setting additional information, and moves to the position where the operation event is detected in the map image. Additional information passed from the input screen can be written. According to the above configuration, the user can obtain a more desirable map by designating a desired map range on the image forming apparatus side and writing desired additional information. For example, the image forming apparatus is installed. It is easy to write a mark or route from the facility to the destination on the enlarged map of the area near the facility, and the reflected change can be easily confirmed.

  The target position information can include an address character string or coordinate values including longitude and latitude, and is extracted from page data or input via an input device. In addition, the target position information may include designation of a map scale as appropriate. Further, the page data can include a description that gives access to the printing function of the image forming apparatus. The change of the map range of the display can include the movement of the center position coordinates and the change of the scale of the map, or any one of them.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, there are provided an image forming method executed by the image forming apparatus, an apparatus executable program for causing the image forming apparatus to function, and an apparatus readable recording medium storing the program.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the map printing system of this embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a software configuration and a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. FIG. The block diagram which shows the function structure implement | achieved in the map printing system of this embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the display device of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. FIG. The sequence diagram which illustrates the operation | movement of the map printing process performed in the map printing system of this embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another screen displayed on the display device of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. The sequence diagram which illustrates the operation | movement of the other map printing process including the change of a scale and the addition of an annotation performed in the map printing system of this embodiment. The figure which shows the data structure of the user data managed in the map printing system of this embodiment.

  Hereinafter, although embodiment of this invention is described, embodiment of this invention is not limited to embodiment described below. In the embodiment described below, as an example of an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a server apparatus, in addition to a communication function, a multifunction machine having a complex function for handling images such as a copy, a facsimile, a scanner, and a print; A map printing system including a web server that provides a web application for map printing will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of the map printing system of the present embodiment. A map printing system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a web server 14 that provides a web application for map printing, and a multifunction device 20 that are connected to each other via a network 12. Further, the map printing system 10 includes a map data server 16 that provides a web service that provides map data connected to the network 12.

  The network 12 is connected using a local area network (LAN) using a transaction protocol such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), a VPN (Virtual Private Network), or a dedicated line. It can be configured as a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the like. The web server 14, the map data server 16, and the multifunction device 20 communicate with each other via the network 12 according to, for example, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). The configuration of the network 12 is not particularly limited, and may include the Internet connected via a router (not shown), or may be configured as a wired or wireless network or a mixed network thereof. it can.

  The web server 14 shown in FIG. 1 has a web server function that provides resources such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data, XHTML (eXtensible HTML) data, and image data to the web client in accordance with HTTP, and CGI and Perl. A web application function for printing a map image on the multi-function device 20 is realized by a script language such as Ruby. Then, the web server 14 generates and transmits a web page related to the map printing operation in response to a request from the multifunction machine 20 that operates as a web client. In the web page generated by this web application, information for using a web service that provides map data, more specifically, access information to resources on the map data server 16 is Java (registered trademark) Script. It is described in a script language such as and provides access to the map data server 16 that provides map data.

  The map data server 16 shown in FIG. 1 includes a map data storage unit 18 that stores map data to be provided, and provides a web service for using the map display function to the multifunction device 20 operating as a web client. To do. In response to the map acquisition request from the multi-function device 20, the map data server 16 reads out the map data of the requested scale and position range from the map data storage unit 18 and transmits it. The function of providing map data by the map data server 16 can be provided as a web service compliant with, for example, SOAP or REST (Representational State Transfer).

  The map data stored in the map data storage unit 18 is given as image data associated with a scale and coordinate values composed of latitude and longitude. For example, image data in a raster format such as bitmap, JPEG, GIF, or PNG. Or in a format such as vector image data. The map data may include various additional data related to map display such as facilities, topography, and aerial photographs. Further, the map data server 16 of the present embodiment has a data table for converting address character strings and coordinate values, and is configured to be able to specify a predetermined map range from both the address character strings and the coordinate values.

  The multi-function device 20 acquires the web page from the web server 14 and uses a web application programming interface (Web Application) for using the map display function from the map data server 16 in accordance with the access information described in the web page. Programming Interface: Web API) is read and the map data held in the map data server 16 is accessed.

  The web server 14 and the map data server 16 may include any single-core processor or multi-core processor, and may be an appropriate operating system such as WINDOWS (registered trademark) 200X, UNIX (registered trademark), or LINUX (registered trademark). The implementation is not particularly limited as long as it can be controlled by the system, manage web applications and map data, respectively, and deliver in response to requests from clients. The server configuration is not particularly limited, and a single server device may serve as the functions of the web server 14 and the map data server 16 or each of the web server 14 and the map data server 16. The function may be realized by a server system including a plurality of servers.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an outline of a hardware and software configuration of the multifunction machine 20 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 illustrates a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. The multi-function device 20 includes a controller 22, an operation panel 52, an FCU (facsimile control unit) 54, and an engine unit 56 including a plotter engine and an appropriate scanner engine. The controller 22 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 24, an NB (North Bridge) 28, an ASIC 30 connected to the CPU 24 via the NB 28, and a system memory 26. The ASIC 30 executes various image processing and is connected to the NB 28 via an AGP (Accelerated Graphic Port) 58. The system memory 26 is used as a drawing memory or the like.

  The ASIC 30 is connected to a local memory 32, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 34, and a non-volatile memory (hereinafter referred to as NV-RAM) 36 such as a flash memory. The NV-RAM 36 stores a program for controlling the multifunction machine 20, various system information, and various setting information.

  The controller 22 further includes an SB (South Bridge) 38, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 40, an SD (Secure Digital) card slot 42, a USB interface 44, an IEEE 1394 interface 46, and a Centronics interface 48. These are connected to the NB 28 via the PCI bus 60. The SB 38 is a bridge for connecting the NB 28 to a ROM or a PCI bus peripheral device (not shown). The NIC 40 is an interface device that provides a connection between the MFP 20 and a network 12 such as the Internet or a LAN in a physical layer and a MAC (Media Access Control) layer, and is connected to the web server 14 and the map data server 16 via the network 12. Communication is possible.

  The operation panel 52 is connected to the ASIC 30 of the controller 22 and provides a user interface for accepting input of various instructions from an operator and displaying a screen, and displays a screen of a multifunction machine browser to be described later. The operation input from the operator performed on the screen on which the machine browser is displayed is received. The FCU 54 and the engine unit 56 are connected to the ASIC 30 via the PCI bus 62. The engine unit 56 receives a print command or a scan command issued by the application and executes an image forming process or an image reading process.

  FIG. 3 shows a software configuration and a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 20 according to the embodiment. 3 includes a software unit 100 including various software components, a hardware unit 102 including various hardware resources, and a multifunction device starting unit 104.

  The hardware unit 102 includes an engine unit 56 including a plotter engine 160 and a scanner engine 162, and other hardware resources 106. The software unit 100 includes an application layer 108 including various applications 126 to 136 for providing a function as a multifunction peripheral, a platform layer 114, and a virtual application service (VAS) 110 that mediates the application layer 108 and the platform layer 114. Including.

  The application layer 108 performs processing specific to user services related to image processing such as printer, copy, fax, and scanner. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the printer application 126, the copy application 128, A fax application 130, a scanner application 132, a network file application 134, and a multi-function device browser 136 are included.

  The multi-function device browser 136 uses the WWW library 112 that implements the client function in HTTP communication to acquire HTML data from the external web server 14 and the like, and on the operation panel 52 of the multi-function device 20 according to the HTML data. Display. The multi-function device browser 136 is configured to be able to interpret a script language such as Java (registered trademark) Script, and accesses the web service of the map data server 16 according to the description of the script code described in the HTML data. It is possible to control hardware resources such as the engine unit 56 of the multifunction machine 20.

  The platform layer 114 interprets processing requests from the applications 126 to 136 together with an operating system (OS) (not shown) and generates a hardware resource acquisition request, and one or more hardwares. Hardware resource management, system resource management unit (SRM) 118 that arbitrates and controls acquisition requests from control service layer 116, and manages hardware resources in response to acquisition requests from SRM 118. And a handler layer 120 to perform. As the OS, for example, UNIX (registered trademark) can be adopted, but WINDOWS (registered trademark) or any other OS can be adopted.

  As the various control services, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a network control service (NCS) 138, a delivery control service (DCS) 140, an operation panel control service (OCS) 142, and a facsimile control service (FCS) 144, an engine control service (ECS) 146, a memory control service (MCS) 148, an authentication control service (CCS) 150, a user information control service (UCS) 152, and a system control service (SCS) 154. . The main control services are described below.

  The SCS 154 manages various applications, controls user interfaces such as system screen display and LED display, manages hardware resources, and controls interrupt applications. The UCS 152 manages user information. The CCS 150 performs control related to authentication processing and billing processing. The MCS 148 performs memory control such as acquisition and release of image memory and compression / decompression of image data.

  The ECS 146 controls hardware resources such as the engine unit 56 and the HDD 34, executes image reading and image forming operations, etc., and divides the process of jobs received from each application into a single document and transfer paper level. Then, the process is managed, and image reading and image forming operations are controlled. The OCS 142 controls the operation panel 52 serving as an interface between the operator and the main body control. The NCS 138 controls the NIC 40 to connect the MFP 20 to the Ethernet (registered trademark) and provides a service that can be commonly used for applications that require network I / O. The received data is distributed to each application, and mediation is performed when data from each application is transmitted to the network side.

  In addition, an application program interface (API) 122 is provided between the platform layer 114 and the application layer 108, and the platform layer 114 can be executed from various applications 126 to 136 by a predefined function included in the API 122. A processing request has been received.

  The SRM 118 performs system control and management of hardware resources together with the SCS 154, determines whether or not the requested hardware resource is available, and if available, the requested resource can be used. The effect is notified to the upper layer. Further, the SRM 118 performs scheduling for using hardware resources in response to an acquisition request from an upper layer. For example, paper transport, image forming operation, memory allocation, file generation, and the like by the plotter engine of the engine unit 56 are performed. Has been implemented directly.

  The handler layer 120 includes a facsimile control unit handler (FCUH) 156 that manages the FCU 54 and an image memory handler (IMH) 158 that allocates memory for the process and manages the memory allocated to the process. The SRM 118, the FCUH 156, and the IMH 158 use a predefined function included in the engine interface (I / F) 124 to transmit a processing request for the hardware resource of the hardware unit 102.

  Each software group of the software unit 100 described above is realized in parallel on a process basis by an OS such as UNIX (registered trademark). In the multifunction device 20, hardware resources such as the engine unit 56 are controlled by the above-described software group, and in response to a user command via the user interface or an input from an external computer, copying, facsimile, monochrome, etc. It provides users with multifunctional functions such as copying and full-color copying.

  The multifunction device activation unit 104 is executed first when the multifunction device 20 is turned on, and the control programs corresponding to the software groups (processes) of the platform layer 114 and the application layer 108 described above are not shown in the ROM and HDD 34 (not shown). A process is started by reading from an SD card or the like and acquiring it via the network 12 as appropriate and expanding it on the system memory 26 that provides the working memory area of the CPU 24. Thereby, the above-described software means and each functional means described later are realized. The above-described application, control service, and hardware can be configured in various combinations. For example, the application, control service, and hardware can be added or deleted according to a specific application or model, and are not particularly limited. .

  Hereinafter, a map image printing operation in the map printing system 10 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration realized in the map printing system 10 of the present embodiment.

  The functional block of the web server 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a map print application providing unit 190. The map printing application providing unit 190 constitutes the page transmission unit of the present embodiment, and responds to the HTTP request message received from the multi-function device 20 to generate a web page dynamically generated in association with map printing as an HTTP response message. To the requesting multifunction device 20. Accordingly, the map print application providing unit 190 provides a web application for map printing to the multi-function device 20 operating as a web client.

  On the web page generated by the map print application providing unit 190, the script code for using the map providing service provided by the map data server 16 and the printing function of the multifunction device 20 itself are called to print the acquired map image. Script code for output and script code for defining print settings as appropriate can be included. Descriptions for displaying an initial value of target position information such as an address character string indicating a target map range or a graphical user interface (GUI) part for inputting the target position information are displayed on the web page. Can be included as a Java (registered trademark) Script or an HTML sentence. Further, the web page may include a script code for making a transition to a print setting screen for performing print settings.

  The functional block of the web server 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 can further include a user setting storage unit 192. The user setting storage unit 192 constitutes a user setting storage unit of the present embodiment, and stores a set of initial values of print settings (hereinafter referred to as an initial value set of print settings) in association with each user.

  FIG. 9 shows a data structure of user data managed in the map printing system 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 9A shows the data structure of the user print setting table managed by the user setting storage unit 192. As shown in FIG. 9A, the user print setting table 300 includes a field 300a in which a user identification value is input and fields 300b to 300d in which initial values of print settings are input. In the example shown in FIG. 9A, the initial value of the print paper size in the print settings such as “A4” and “B5” is input to the field 300b, and “vertical” or “horizontal” printing is input to the field 300c. An initial value of the direction is input, and an initial value indicating whether or not the print size is adapted to the paper size is input to the field 300d. The initial set of print settings is not particularly limited, and is explicitly registered by the user, or the print setting last set by the user is registered as the next initial value set.

  Referring to FIG. 4 again, the map printing application providing unit 190 acquires the user identification value from the multifunction device 20 when the user identification value is included as an argument of the HTTP request for requesting the page acquisition from the multifunction device 20. The initial set of corresponding print settings can be read from the user setting storage unit 192 and included in the web page. If the user identification value is not included in the HTTP request message, a given default value may be included as an initial value set for print settings.

  The functional block of the map data server 16 shown in FIG. 4 includes a map service providing unit 180. The map service providing unit 180 constitutes the map providing service unit of the present embodiment, and responds to an HTTP request message received from the multi-function device 20 in order to use a web API or a web API for using a web service that provides a map. In response to the map acquisition request via, the map data suitable for the address character string or the coordinate value included in the request is transmitted as an HTTP response message to the requesting multifunction device 20.

  The web API provided by the map service providing unit 180 includes a map API for acquiring map data, changing a display map range such as changing the display position of the map and changing the display scale on the client, Includes classes, methods, etc. for writing various ancillary information such as annotation comments, lines, markers and symbols in the map. As described above, the map service providing unit 180 provides a map providing service to the multi-function device 20 operating as a web client.

  The functional block of the map data server 16 shown in FIG. 4 can further be configured to include a user parameter storage unit 182. The user parameter storage unit 182 defines a map parameter for defining a map display format such as a scale for each user. , Or a set thereof (hereinafter referred to as a map parameter initial value set) is stored in association with each other.

  FIG. 9B shows the data structure of the user map parameter table managed by the user parameter storage unit 182. As shown in FIG. 9B, the user map parameter table 310 includes a field 310a into which user identification values are input, and fields 310b and c into which various map parameters are input. In the example shown in FIG. 9B, the initial value of the scale is input to the field 310b, and the initial value of the map type is appropriately input to the field 310c. The map type is provided when there are a plurality of types in the map, such as a normal configuration map and a minimum configuration map including roads and landmarks. The initial set of map parameters is not particularly limited, and is explicitly registered by the user, or the map parameter last set by the user is registered as the next initial value set.

  When the user identification value is included as an argument of the HTTP request for requesting the map acquisition from the multifunction device 20, the map service providing unit 180 displays the map parameter initial value corresponding to the user identification value passed from the multifunction device 20. The set is read, and map data to which the initial set of map parameters is applied is transmitted. In addition, when a user identification value is not included in the HTTP request message for requesting a map, a given default value may be included as an initial value set of map parameters.

  Hereinafter, main functional blocks of the multifunction machine 20 according to the present embodiment related to the map image printing operation will be described. 4 includes a network communication unit 170, a multifunction device browser 136, an operation panel 52, and a plotter engine 160. The network communication unit 170 provides hardware control such as the NIC 40 shown in FIG. 2 that provides protocol control of the physical layer and the MAC layer related to network communication, and provides higher-level protocol control such as TCP / IP and HTTP. The communication means of this embodiment is configured with software such as NCS138 shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the multi-function device browser 136 is realized on hardware such as the CPU 24 and the system memory 26 shown in FIG. 2, and constitutes the control means of this embodiment together with the OCS 142 and the like. The multi-function device browser 136 requests data from the web server 14 and the map data server 16 via the network communication unit 170 by HTTP communication, and acquires the data. The multi-function device browser 136 displays the screen on the display device 52b of the operation panel 52 via the OCS 142 according to the acquired data, and detects and acquires an operation event notified from the input device 52a via the OCS 142. Call the corresponding process according to the data.

  Further, the multi-function device browser 136 associates a map image print process and the like with an operation event such as pressing of a hard key or a soft key in accordance with the script code described in the web page, and waits for the occurrence of the operation event. When the occurrence of a print instruction operation event is notified from the OCS 142, the multi-function device browser 136 calls a print function via an image library that gives access to the SCS 154, ECS 146, MCS 148, etc., and outputs a print output to the plotter engine 160. Command. Upon receiving the command, the plotter engine 160 prints out the map image displayed on the display device 52b of the operation panel 52, and obtains the printed map P on which the map image Q is formed.

  The functional block of the multifunction machine 20 shown in FIG. 4 can be configured to further include a user authentication unit 172. The user authentication unit 172 includes hardware components such as an IC card reader and software components such as a CCS 150 and an authentication application related to user authentication. The user authentication unit 172 can authenticate the user of the multifunction device 20 by IC card authentication or the like, and can appropriately pass the user identification value to the multifunction device browser 136. In this embodiment, a case where so-called IC card authentication using an IC card distributed to a user is used as user authentication will be described as an example. However, user authentication may use so-called BASIC authentication that uses a user identification name and password, and includes DIGEST authentication, LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) authentication, biometric authentication (fingerprint authentication, vein authentication, and the like). Any authentication method can be employed.

  When the user's IC card is inserted into the IC card reader, the user authentication is successful, and the user identification value is acquired, the MFP browser 136 includes the user identification value as an argument of the HTTP request message, By passing to the web server 14 and the map data server 16, the print setting and the map parameter initial value set for each user provided by the user setting storage unit 192 and the user parameter storage unit 182 are used.

  The configuration of the user setting storage unit 192 of the web server 14, the user parameter storage unit 182 of the map data server 16, and the user authentication unit 172 of the multi-function device 20 provides a map printing service customized for each user. From the viewpoint of improving convenience, it is preferable to implement, but it can be omitted in other embodiments.

  FIG. 5 exemplifies a screen displayed on the display device of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the operation panel 52 of the multifunction machine 20 will be described as including a touch panel that serves both as an input device and a display device for convenience.

  FIG. 5A shows a map display screen 200 displayed on the display device 52 b of the operation panel 52. The map display screen 200 shown in FIG. 5A is displayed when the MFP browser 136 accesses a URL indicating the map display screen of the map printing application and acquires a web page. A map display screen 200 shown in FIG. 5A includes a text box 202 for inputting an address, a map search button 204 for instructing a map search, and a print setting button for instructing to call a print setting screen. 206 and an image area 210 for displaying a map image.

  The text box 202 is associated with the software keyboard function of the multi-function device 20, and when the text box 202 is touched, the software keyboard is called and displayed. A character string input and determined via the software keyboard is passed to the text box 202. The map search button 204 is associated with a function that requests the map data server 16 to acquire a map, using the character string of the address input in the text box 202 as an argument. When the map search button 204 is touched, the multi-function device browser 136 transmits a map acquisition request including an address as an argument to the map data server 16. Then, the multi-function device browser 136 draws a map image according to the map data corresponding to the target address acquired from the map data server 16 and displays the map image on the image area 210.

  Controls 212 to 218 are arranged in the image area 210 of the map display screen 200 shown in FIG. The control 212 is a movement control for moving the center position of the map from east to west, north and south. Controls 214, 216, and 218 are a control for enlarging the scale of the map, a control for displaying the scale value, and a control for reducing the scale of the map, respectively. These controls 212 to 218 are provided as a web API by the map service providing unit 180 of the map data server 16.

  In the screen shown in FIG. 5A, when the button in any direction of the control 212 is touched, the multi-function device browser 136 displays the center coordinates in the direction corresponding to a predetermined movement amount (for example, a value in response to the scale). The map data server 16 is appropriately requested to acquire the map that has been moved. Then, the multi-function device browser 136 newly acquires map data from the map data server 16 and updates the display content of the image area 210. Note that, for example, by caching map data in a storage area such as the system memory 26, the local memory 32, and the HDD 34, the amount of data communication related to map printing can be reduced, and a map acquisition request is not necessarily made. There is also.

  When the print setting button 206 is touched on the map display screen 200 shown in FIG. 5A, the web page of the print setting screen is acquired from the web server 14 by the URL associated with the print setting button 206, for example. A request is made. Alternatively, a function associated with the touch of the print setting button 206 is called to call a print setting dialog provided by the multifunction device 20 itself. In the following description, it is assumed that the web page of the print setting screen is acquired separately by the URL associated with the print setting button 206 or the like.

  FIG. 5B shows a print setting screen 220 displayed on the display device 52 b of the operation panel 52. The print setting screen 220 shown in FIG. 5B is changed by touching the print setting button 206 on the map display screen 200 shown in FIG. The print setting screen 220 shown in FIG. 5B performs a pull-down menu 222 for designating the paper size, a radio button 224 for designating the print direction, and designation for adapting the map print size to the paper size. And a check box 226.

  Further, the print setting screen 220 shown in FIG. 5B includes a determination button 228 for reflecting the input setting content, and a cancel button 230 for discarding the input setting content and returning to the map display screen 200. including. When the enter button 228 is touched, the multi-function device browser 136 transmits the current setting contents of the GUIs 222 to 226 to the web server 14 and acquires the web page of the map display screen in which the setting contents are embedded as print settings. .

  Note that while the print setting screen 220 is displayed on the display device 52b, reception of a print instruction by a start key or the like is inactivated. This is performed, for example, by including a script code for commanding inactivation in the web page of the print setting screen 220. On the other hand, when returning to the map display screen 200 by the above determination or cancellation, reception of a print instruction by a start key or the like is activated again. The explicit print setting by the operator on the print setting screen 220 is not necessarily required. For example, the initial value may be embedded in the web page of the map display screen 200 and transmitted.

  Referring again to FIG. 5A, when, for example, the start key of the input device 52a of the operation panel 52 is pressed on the map display screen 200, a printout of the map image being displayed is instructed. At this time, only the map image displayed on the display device 52b of the operation panel 52 may be printed, or the entire screen of the multifunction machine browser 136 may be printed.

  Hereinafter, the flow of the map printing process will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the map printing process executed in the map printing system 10 of this embodiment. The processing shown in FIG. 6 is started from step S100 when, for example, the operator inputs the URL of the map printing application in the multifunction machine browser 136 and receives a connection instruction.

  In step S <b> 101, the MFP browser 136 receives an instruction from the operator and passes an access request to the map printing application to the network communication unit 170. At this time, if the operator of the MFP 20 has been authenticated, the user identification value (userID) is included as an argument in the access request. Here, a description will be given assuming that the operator has already been authenticated. In step S102, an HTTP access request is transmitted as a TCP / IP packet to the web server 14 that provides the map printing application.

  In step S103, the web server 14 receives the access request, queries the user setting storage unit 192, obtains an initial value set of print settings corresponding to the user identification value, and displays the map including the initial value set. Generate and send a screen web page. In step S <b> 104, the network communication unit 170 receives the packet of the web page and passes the multifunction machine browser 136. In step S105, the MFP browser 136 receives a web page from the network communication unit 170, and causes the display device 52b to display the acquired web page in step S106.

  In step S <b> 107, the operator receives an instruction for map search using the map search button 204 after inputting the text box 202 on the map display screen 200 in the multi-function device browser 136. In step S <b> 108, the multi-function device browser 136 receives the instruction and passes a map acquisition request to the map data server 16 to the network communication unit 170. At this time, an address character string (address) input to the text box 202 and an appropriate user identification value (userID) are included in the map acquisition request as arguments. In step S109, the network communication unit 170 transmits a map acquisition request to the map data server 16.

  In step S110, the map data server 16 receives the map acquisition request, inquires of the user parameter storage unit 182 to acquire an initial value set of map parameters corresponding to the user identification value, and the initial value set is applied. The read map data is read from the map data storage unit 18 and transmitted. In step S <b> 111, the network communication unit 170 receives the map data packet and passes it to the multi-function device browser 136. In step S112, the MFP browser 136 receives map data from the network communication unit 170, and in step S113, updates the image area 210 of the map display screen 200 according to the acquired map data to display a map image.

  In step S114, the operator receives a call instruction for a print setting screen by the print setting button 206 on the map display screen 200. In step S <b> 115, the multi-function device browser 136 receives the instruction and transmits a print setting screen web page acquisition request to the web server 14 via the network communication unit 170. In step S116, the multi-function device browser 136 acquires the web page of the print setting screen from the web server 14 via the network communication unit 170, and in step S117, the screen is changed to perform the printing shown in FIG. A setting screen 220 is displayed.

  In step S118, the contents of the print settings are selected by the operator and a decision instruction is received. In step S119, upon receiving the instruction, the multi-function device browser 136 determines the print settings for the web server 14 via the network communication unit 170, and displays the web page of the map display screen including the updated print settings. Send an acquisition request. In step S120, the MFP browser 136 acquires the web page of the map display screen after the setting update from the web server 14 via the network communication unit 170, and in step S121, the map display screen 200 is updated.

  In step S122, the operator receives a print instruction. In step S123, the multifunction device browser 136 receives the instruction, calls the image library, gives the print setting contents and the map image to the plotter engine 160 via the ECS 146, MCS 148, and the like, and issues a map image print command. In step S124, the plotter engine 160 executes print output in response to the command. In step S125, the plotter engine 160 notifies the MFP browser 136 of the output result response. Upon receiving the notification, the multifunction device browser 136 notifies the user of a result response.

  Hereinafter, a map scale change function and a map annotation function provided by the map printing system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. FIG. 7 illustrates another screen displayed on the display device of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7A shows a state displayed after the enlargement control 214 of the map display screen 200 shown in FIG. 5A is touched. When the enlargement control 214 is touched, the multi-function device browser 136 updates the map image by designating the next value of the scale currently being displayed. 7A has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 5A, the map image is enlarged, and the scale value of the control 256 is changed.

  FIG. 7B shows a state in which an annotation such as a comment is provided at a predetermined position coordinate in the image area 250 on the map display screen 240 shown in FIG. In the map display screen shown in FIG. 7A, an event of a touch operation on the image area 250 is associated with a function for writing an annotation. When the image area 250 is touched, the software keyboard of the multifunction machine 20 is called and displayed. The character string input and determined via the software keyboard is passed to the function, and a balloon comment 260 is written on the map image.

  FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating another map printing processing operation including scale change and annotation addition, which is executed in the map printing system 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 shows the processes after step S100 to step S107 shown in FIG. 6, and starts from step S200. In step S <b> 201, the MFP browser 136 receives the instruction and transmits a map acquisition request to the map data server 16 via the network communication unit 170. At this time, an address character string (address) input to the text box 202 and an appropriate user identification value (userID) are included in the map acquisition request as arguments.

  In step S201, the map data server 16 receives the map acquisition request and transmits map data to which the map parameter corresponding to the user identification value is applied. In step S202, the MFP browser 136 receives the map data via the network communication unit 170, and in step S203, updates the image area 210 of the map display screen 200 according to the acquired map data to display the map image.

  In step S204, an instruction to change the scale is received from the operator via, for example, the control 214 on the map display screen 200. In step S <b> 205, the MFP browser 136 receives the instruction and transmits a map acquisition request to the map data server 16 via the network communication unit 170. At this time, for example, the designation of the scale for changing the scale and the user identification value (userID) as appropriate are included in the map acquisition request as arguments.

  In step S206, the map data server 16 receives the map acquisition request and stores the received scale specified value as an initial value set of map parameters corresponding to the user identification value, while the scale after the change is The applied map data is read from the map data storage unit 18 and transmitted. In the present embodiment, the map parameter last selected by the user is adopted as an initial value when the user next accesses. In step S207, the multifunction device browser 136 receives the map data after the scale change via the network communication unit 170, and in step S208, updates the image area 210 of the map display screen 200 according to the acquired map data to display the map image. Display.

  In step S209, an instruction to add an annotation on the map display screen 200 is received from the operator. An instruction to add an annotation can be received by, for example, a web API provided from the map service providing unit 180 associated with an event such as a touch on the image area 210. When the image area 210 is touched, the soft keyboard is called, and the character string passed from the soft keyboard is returned to the multi-function device browser 136. In step S210, the MFP browser 136 draws an annotation such as a pasted comment, and updates the display of the superimposed image area 210 on the map image.

  In step S211, the operator receives a print instruction. In step S212, the multi-function device browser 136 receives the instruction, calls the image library, gives the map image print setting contents to the plotter engine 160 via the ECS 146, MCS 148, etc., and prints the annotated map image. Command. In step S213, the plotter engine 160 executes print output in response to the command. In step S214, the plotter engine 160 notifies the MFP browser 136 of the output result response.

  According to the embodiments described above, before actually executing the printing process according to the map data by the plotter engine, the map image of the map data including the target map range is displayed on the operation panel 52 and printed to the user. The resulting image is presented. Therefore, the user can confirm the detailed appearance of the map image before printing and can easily print the desired map image. That is, it can be said that it is possible to provide an excellent map printing function from the viewpoint of user convenience and resource saving because unnecessary prints are generated until a desired map print is obtained. .

  In addition, according to the embodiments described above, a map printing service specific to a plurality of users can provide provision for map print settings or map parameters. In addition to simply printing out the image displayed on the display device 52b, it is possible to print out a map image with print settings desirable for a specific user.

  Furthermore, the user can obtain a more desirable map by designating a desired map range via the multifunction device browser 136 of the multifunction device 20 and writing a desired annotation or the like. For example, it becomes easy to write signals, landmarks such as gas stations, routes, etc. from there to the destination in an enlarged map of the area near the convenience store where the MFP 20 is installed, and the changes reflected Can also be easily confirmed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, for example, using the browser function provided in the image forming apparatus, a map image including a desired map range is displayed on the display device 52b, and an image of the print result is presented to the user. Provided are an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a program, and a recording medium that are capable of printing a map image displayed on the display device 52b.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multifunction apparatus 20 has been described as an example of the image processing apparatus. However, the image processing apparatus can be configured as another image forming apparatus such as a laser printer.

  The above functions can be realized by computer-executable programs written in legacy programming languages such as assembler, C, C ++, C #, Java (registered trademark), object-oriented programming languages, and the like, such as ROM, EEPROM, EPROM, Store in a device-readable recording medium such as flash memory, flexible disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, Blu-ray disc, SD card, MO, or distribute it through an electric communication line can do.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art may conceive other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, and the like. It can be changed within the range that can be done, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects of the present invention are exhibited.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Map printing system, 12 ... Network, 14 ... Web server, 16 ... Map data server, 18 ... Map data storage part, 20 ... Multifunction machine, 22 ... Controller, 24 ... CPU, 26 ... System memory, 28 ... NB, 30 ... ASIC, 32 ... Local memory, 34 ... HDD, 36 ... NV-RAM, 38 ... SB, 40 ... NIC, 42 ... SD card slot, 44 ... USB interface, 46 ... IEEE1394 interface, 48 ... Centronics interface, 52 ... Operation panel 52a ... Input device 52b ... Display device 54 ... FCU 56 ... Engine unit 58 ... AGP 60 ... PCI bus 62 ... PCI bus 100 ... Software unit 102 ... Hardware unit 104 ... Machine starter, 106 ... Hardware / litho 108 ... Application layer, 110 ... VAS, 112 ... WWW library, 114 ... Platform layer, 116 ... Control service layer, 118 ... System resource management unit, 120 ... Handler layer, 122 ... API, 124 ... Engine I / F, 126 ... Printer application, 128 ... Copy application, 130 ... Fax application, 132 ... Scanner application, 134 ... Network file application, 136 ... Multi-function device browser, 138 ... NCS, 140 ... DCS, 142 ... OCS, 144 ... FCS, 146 ... ECS, 148 ... MCS, 150 ... CCS, 152 ... UCS, 154 ... SCS, 156 ... FCUH, 158 ... IMH, 160 ... Plotter engine, 162 ... Scanner engine, 170 ... Network communication unit, 172 ... User Authentication unit, 18 ... Map service providing unit, 182 ... User parameter storage unit, 190 ... Map printing application providing unit, 192 ... User setting storage unit, 200,240 ... Map display screen, 202,242 ... Text box, 204,244 ... Map search button 206, 246 ... print setting button, 210, 250 ... image area, 212, 214, 216, 218, 252, 254, 256, 258 ... control, 220, print setting screen, 222 ... pull-down menu, 224 ... radio button, 226 ... Check box, 228 ... Decision button, 230 ... Cancel button, 260 ... Speech balloon comment, 300 ... User print setting table, 310 ... User map parameter table

JP 2007-66002 A JP 2008-170726 A

Claims (14)

An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a server apparatus connected to a network,
The server device includes page transmission means for transmitting page data that gives access to a map providing service means for providing map data in response to a request,
The image forming apparatus includes:
Via the network, a request is transmitted to the server device to receive the page data, and target position information indicating a target map range is transmitted to the map providing service means to include the target map range. A communication means for receiving map data;
In accordance with the map data acquired by the communication means according to the description of the page data, the map image is displayed on the display device, and displayed on the display device in response to a print instruction via the input device. Control means for instructing printing processing of
Print output means for printing out the map image in response to the command,
Image forming system.   The page transmission unit of the server device transmits a description that gives a transition to a print setting screen in the page data, and the control unit of the image forming device prints out the print setting passed from the print setting screen. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is provided to a unit to instruct the printing process.   The server device includes a user setting storage unit that stores an initial print setting value for each user, and the communication unit of the image forming apparatus assigns a user identification value that identifies a user of the image forming device to the server device. The page data including the initial value of the corresponding print setting is received, and the control unit of the image forming apparatus sets the initial value of the corresponding print setting when the setting is not explicitly changed. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system gives a print output means to instruct the print processing.   The communication unit of the image forming apparatus transmits a user identification value for identifying a user of the image forming apparatus to the map providing service unit that manages a parameter that defines a map display format for each user. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein map data to which corresponding parameters are applied is received.   The page transmission unit of the server apparatus transmits a description for using a control for waiting for an instruction to change a display map range provided from the map providing service unit, and transmits the page data including a description. The control means displays the control on the display device, detects an operation event for the control via the input device, and acquires map data to which the changed map range of display is applied by the communication means. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The page transmission unit of the server device transmits a description provided by the map providing service unit for using a function for writing additional information in a map, in the page data, and transmits the description of the image forming device. The control means detects an operation event for the map image via the input device, transitions to an input screen for setting the additional information, and inputs the input to the position where the operation event is detected in the map image. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the additional information passed from the screen is written. An image forming apparatus connected to a server apparatus via a network, wherein the image forming apparatus includes:
Sending a request to the server device via the network, receiving page data giving access to a map providing service means for providing map data, and providing the map with target position information indicating a target map range Communication means for transmitting to the service means and receiving the map data including the target map range;
In accordance with the map data acquired by the communication means according to the description of the page data, the map image is displayed on the display device, and displayed on the display device in response to a print instruction via the input device. Control means for instructing printing processing of
And an output unit that prints out the map image in response to the command.   The control means interprets a description included in the page data, makes a transition to a print setting screen in response to an instruction, and prints a print setting passed from the print setting screen in response to an instruction to determine setting contents The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image forming apparatus gives an output unit to instruct the printing process.   The communication means transmits a user identification value for identifying a user of the image forming apparatus to the server device that stores an initial value of the print setting for each user, and sets the print setting corresponding to the user identification value. The page data including an initial value is received, and the control means gives the initial value of the corresponding print setting to the print output means when the setting is not explicitly changed, and instructs the print processing. Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to Item 7 or 8.   The communication unit transmits a user identification value for identifying a user of the image forming apparatus to the map providing service unit that manages a parameter for defining a display format of a map for each user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the applied map data is received. A method executed by an image forming apparatus connected to a server apparatus via a network,
Receiving page data giving access to a map providing service means for providing map data by transmitting a request to the server device via the network;
According to the description of the page data, transmitting target position information indicating a target map range to the map providing service means, and receiving the map data including the target map range;
Displaying a map image on a display device according to the received map data;
In response to a print instruction via the input device, instructing a printing process of the map image displayed on the display device;
Printing the map image in response to the command.   Interpreting the description included in the page data, transitioning to the print setting screen in response to the instruction, and printing output passed from the print setting screen in response to the instruction to determine the setting contents The image forming method according to claim 11, further comprising:   An apparatus-executable program for causing an image forming apparatus to function as each unit according to claim 7.   A device-readable recording medium storing the device-executable program according to claim 13.

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