JP2019109781A - Information processor, image forming method and image forming program - Google Patents

Abstract

To simplify an input operation by a user for acquiring data positioned on a network.SOLUTION: An information processor includes: a retrieval word acquisition unit 57 which acquires a retrieval word for retrieving link data using a retrieval engine when object data that is an object of image formation includes link information indicating a network address of the link data; a data generation unit 61 which generates data for output obtained by adding the acquired retrieval word to the object data; and an image formation control unit 63 which allows an image forming device to form an image of the data for output in place of the object data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus for causing an image forming apparatus to form an image, an image forming method and an image forming program executed by the information processing apparatus.

  Various data are stored in a server connected to the Internet. There is a case where a certain data includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of web data arranged on the Internet so as to be viewable. For example, when the data includes a certain term, the explanation of the detailed contents of the term is described in the Web page on the Internet. When data including such a URL is handled as electronic data, by specifying the URL, data specified by the URL can be acquired and displayed. On the other hand, if the data including the URL is printed on a sheet, the user must input the URL from a keyboard or the like to a computer or the like accessible to the Internet to know the content of the data specified by the URL. It does not. The URL can be easily input in the case of the URL, short, or simple word arrangement, but otherwise the operation of inputting the URL may take time. In addition, when the URL is manually input, an erroneous operation may occur.

  In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-141772 reads a document to obtain first image data, extracts a specific character string, and extracts a character string from the read first image data. A part is recognized, address information is extracted from the recognized character string, the extracted address information is converted into two-dimensional barcode image data, added to the first image data, and converted and generated An image processing system is described that generates second image data to which two-dimensional barcode image data is added, and prints the generated image data.

However, in the image processing system in JP-A-2009-141772, a reader for reading a two-dimensional bar code is required. Furthermore, if the size of the two-dimensional barcode is small, the computer may not be able to read the two-dimensional barcode. For example, in the first image data, if a sufficient size can not be secured as a space for adding a two-dimensional barcode, the two-dimensional barcode becomes smaller. When the first image data is reduced and printed, the space for arranging the two-dimensional barcode is reduced.
JP, 2009-141772, A

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one of the objects of the present invention is to simplify input operation by a user for acquiring data located on a network. It is providing an information processing apparatus.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming method capable of simplifying an input operation by a user for acquiring data located on a network.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming program capable of simplifying an input operation by a user for acquiring data located on a network.

  According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above-described object, when the target data to be an image forming target includes link information indicating a network address of link data, the information processing apparatus links using the search engine. Search word acquisition means for acquiring a search word for searching data, data generation means for generating output data obtained by adding the acquired search word to target data, and an image of output data in place of target data And image forming control means for causing the image forming apparatus to form an image.

  According to this aspect, when the target data includes link information, the search engine is used to acquire a search word for searching the link data, and output data is generated by adding the search word to the target data. Therefore, the user who views the recording medium on which the image of the output data is formed can search the search engine and browse the link data by the operation of inputting the search word instead of the operation of inputting the link information. As a result, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of simplifying an input operation by a user for acquiring data located on a network.

  Preferably, the search word acquisition unit acquires a search word when the link information has a predetermined number of characters or more.

  According to this aspect, since it is easier to input a search word than to input link information if the link information has a predetermined number of characters or more, the input operation by the user can be simplified.

  Preferably, the search word acquisition means acquires a search word if the link information is not composed of predetermined words.

  According to this aspect, if the link information is not composed of predetermined words, it is easier to input the search word than to input the link information, so the input operation by the user can be simplified.

  Preferably, the apparatus further comprises data acquisition means for acquiring link data using link information, and the search word acquisition means acquires a search word from the link data.

  According to this aspect, since the search word is obtained from the link data, it is possible to obtain a search word that is easy to be searched for the link data.

  Preferably, the search word acquisition means acquires, as a search word, a word arranged within a predetermined number of characters from link information in target data.

  According to this aspect, since the word related to the link data is often included in the target data within the predetermined number of characters from the link information, it is possible to obtain a search word in which the link data can be easily searched.

  Preferably, the search word acquisition means performs a search using a search engine using the candidate word, and acquires a candidate word including link data in a predetermined order or more in a search result as a search word.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to obtain a search word in which the link data hits higher in the search result.

  Preferably, the data generation unit generates output data when the number of characters is larger than the search word for which the link information is acquired.

  According to this aspect, since the search word is added when the link information has more characters than the search word, the number of input operations by the user can be reduced.

  Preferably, the data generation unit generates output data when the link information is an array of numbers and / or symbols.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to facilitate the user's input operation because the link information is less in number of characters than the search word and the search word is added in the case of an array of numbers and / or symbols.

  Preferably, the data generation means does not generate output data when the number of characters is smaller than the search word for which the link information has been acquired and the numerical value and / or the symbol are not arranged.

  According to this aspect, when the link information has less number of characters than the search word and the numerical value and / or the symbol are not arranged, the output data is not generated, so that the search word is not added, An image of the target data can be formed without changing the target data.

  Preferably, an object acquisition unit for acquiring object data is further provided.

  Preferably, the apparatus further comprises an image forming unit that forms an image of data on a recording medium, and the image formation control unit causes the image forming unit to form an image of output data instead of target data.

  According to this aspect, the image of the output data is formed on the recording medium instead of the target data, so the user who views the recording medium on which the image of the output data is formed is replaced with the operation of inputting the link information. An operation of inputting a search word can search a search engine and browse link data.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, an image forming method is a search for searching link data using a search engine when target data to be an image forming target includes link information indicating a network address of link data. A search word acquisition step for acquiring a word, a data generation step for generating output data in which the acquired search word is added to target data, and causing an image forming apparatus to form an image of output data instead of the target data The image forming control step is executed by the information processing apparatus.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming method capable of simplifying an input operation by a user for acquiring data located on a network.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image forming program searches for link data using a search engine when target data to be an image forming target includes link information indicating a network address of the link data. A search word acquisition step for acquiring a search word, a data generation step for generating output data in which the acquired search word is added to target data, and forming an image of the output data in the image forming apparatus instead of the target data And causing the computer to execute an image formation control step.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image forming program capable of simplifying an input operation by a user for acquiring data located on a network.

It is a figure showing an example of the whole outline of the information processing system in one of the embodiments of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline | summary of the hardware constitutions of PC in this Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an MFP in one of the embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a hardware configuration of an MFP. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function of CPU with which PC is provided. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of an image forming process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a search word acquisition process. It is a figure which shows an example of object data. It is a figure which shows an example of the data for output.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description about them will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall outline of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100 which is a multifunction peripheral, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) 300, and a server 200.

  The MFP 100 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and has an original reading function for reading an original and outputting image data, an image processing function for performing image processing on data to be processed, an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the image data. It has at least an image forming function to be formed. MFP 100 may have a facsimile transmission / reception function for transmitting / receiving facsimile data in addition to the image processing function and the image forming function. Image processing includes, but is not limited to, converting data into rasterizable image data, sharpening processing to emphasize edges in an image, smoothing processing to smooth color changes in an image, data processing It includes a scaling process for changing the size, an encoding process for converting the data into encoded data, a decoding process for decoding the encoded data, and a conversion process for converting the data format.

  The server 200 is a general computer. Therefore, its hardware configuration and functions are well known, and therefore the description will not be repeated here.

  Each of MFP 100 and PC 300 is connected to local area network (LAN) 3. Therefore, each of MFP 100 and PC 300 can transmit and receive data via LAN 3. Since the LAN 3 is a closed environment in which the devices connected thereto are limited, security is ensured so that data transmitted and received between the plurality of devices connected to the LAN 3, here, between the MFP 100 and the PC 300 does not leak to the outside. Is secured. The connection mode of the LAN 3 may be wired or wireless. Also, instead of the LAN 3, a network using a public switched telephone network (Public Switched Telephone Networks), or a wide area network (WAN) may be used.

  The LAN 3 is connected to the Internet 5. The server 200 is connected to the Internet 5. Therefore, MFP 100 and PC 300 can communicate with server 200 connected to the Internet 5 via LAN 3. The MFP 100 and the PC 300 are devices disposed inside, whereas the server 200 is a device disposed outside the MFP 100 and the PC 300. The inside indicates an area in which security is secured, and the outside indicates an area in which security is secured internally.

  In the information processing system 1 in the present embodiment, the server 200 functions as a Web server, and publishes data accumulated in the server 200 to the Internet 5. In this case, the data stored in the server 200 is identified by the network address. Here, the URL is used as the network address. The MFP 100 and the PC 300 function as a client of the server 200 and can download data specified by the URL from the server 200 by requesting the server 200 for data specified by the URL.

  Further, an image forming program is installed in the PC 300 as a driver program for controlling the MFP 100.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an outline of a hardware configuration of a PC in the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, PC 300 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 301 for controlling the entire PC 300, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302 for storing a program to be executed by CPU 301, and a work area of CPU 301. RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 used as a hard disk drive (HDD) 304 for storing data in a non-volatile manner, a communication unit 305 for connecting the CPU 301 to the LAN 3, a display unit 306 for displaying information, It includes an operation unit 307 that receives an input of an operation, and an external storage device 308.

  The display unit 306 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro-Luminescence Display). The operation unit 307 is a hard key such as a keyboard. In addition, the operation unit 307 may be a touch panel. The touch panel is provided on the top surface or the bottom surface of the display portion 306 so as to be superimposed on the display portion 306. The touch panel detects a position designated by the user on the display surface of the display unit 306.

  The communication unit 305 is an interface for connecting the CPU 301 to the LAN 3. The communication unit 305 communicates with the MFP 100 connected to the LAN 3 by a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol). The protocol for communication is not particularly limited, and any protocol can be used. By registering the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the MFP 100 in the PC 300, the PC 300 can communicate with the MFP 100 and can transmit and receive data.

  The HDD 304 stores a program executed by the CPU 301 or data necessary for executing the program. The CPU 301 loads the program stored in the HDD 304 into the RAM 303 and executes the program.

  The external storage device 308 is mounted with a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM) 309 storing a program. The CPU 301 can access the CD-ROM 309 via the external storage device 308. The CPU 301 loads the program recorded in the CD-ROM 309 mounted on the external storage device 308 into the RAM 303 and executes it. A medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 301 is not limited to the CD-ROM 309, and an optical disc (Magnetic Optical Disc (MO) / Mini Disc (MD) / Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)), an IC card, an optical card, It may be a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM or an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM).

  Further, the program executed by the CPU 301 is not limited to the program recorded in the CD-ROM 309, and the program stored in the HDD 304 may be loaded into the RAM 303 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the LAN 3 may rewrite the program stored in the HDD 304 or additionally write a new program. Furthermore, the PC 300 may download a program from the LAN 3 or another computer connected to the Internet 5 and store the program in the HDD 304. The program referred to here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 301 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the MFP in one of the embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the hardware configuration of the MFP. 3 and 4, MFP 100 includes main circuit 110, document reading unit 130 for reading a document, automatic document conveyance device 120 for conveying a document to document reading unit 130, and a document reading unit An image is formed on an image forming unit 140 for forming an image on a sheet or the like based on image data read out and output from a document 130, a sheet feeding unit 150 for supplying the sheet to the image forming unit 140, and an image It includes a post-processing unit 155 that processes paper and an operation panel 160 as a user interface.

  The automatic document feeder 120 automatically conveys a plurality of documents set on the document tray one sheet at a time to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the document reading unit 130, and the document reading unit 130. The document on which the image formed on the document has been read is discharged onto the document discharge tray. The document reading unit 130 includes a light source for irradiating light to the document conveyed to the document reading position, and a photoelectric conversion element for receiving light reflected from the document, and scans a document image according to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data which is an electric signal, and stores the image data in the HDD 115.

  The sheet feeding unit 150 conveys the sheet stored in the sheet feeding tray to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 forms an image by a known electrophotographic method, and forms an image on a sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding unit 150 based on the image data stored in the HDD 115 to form an image. Eject the ejected paper to the paper output tray.

  The post-processing unit 155 executes sorting processing for sorting and discharging one or more sheets on which an image is formed by the image forming unit 140, punching processing for punching holes, and stapling processing for driving staples.

  The main circuit 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, a communication interface (I / F) unit 112, a ROM 113, a RAM 114, a hard disk drive (HDD) 115 as a mass storage device, and a facsimile unit 116. And an external storage device 117 to which the CD-ROM 118 is attached. The CPU 111 is connected to the automatic document feeder 120, the document reading unit 130, the image forming unit 140, the sheet feeding unit 150, the post-processing unit 155, and the operation panel 160, and controls the entire MFP 100.

  The ROM 113 stores a program executed by the CPU 111 or data necessary for executing the program. The RAM 114 is used as a work area when the CPU 111 executes a program. Further, the RAM 114 temporarily stores read data (image data) continuously sent from the document reading unit 130.

  Communication I / F unit 112 is an interface for connecting MFP 100 to a network. The CPU 111 communicates with other computers connected to the network via the communication I / F unit 112 to transmit and receive data. The network is, for example but not limited to, a local area network. Further, when the network is connected to the Internet, the communication I / F unit 112 can communicate with a computer connected to the Internet via the network.

  The facsimile unit 116 is connected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN), transmits facsimile data to the PSTN, or receives facsimile data from the PSTN. Facsimile unit 116 stores the received facsimile data in HDD 115 or outputs it to image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 prints the facsimile data received by the facsimile unit 116 on a sheet. In addition, the facsimile unit 116 converts the data stored in the HDD 115 into facsimile data, and transmits the data to a facsimile apparatus connected to the PSTN.

  The external storage device 117 is mounted with a CD-ROM 118. The CPU 111 can access the CD-ROM 118 via the external storage device 117. The CPU 111 loads the program recorded on the CD-ROM 118 mounted on the external storage device 117 into the RAM 114 and executes it. The medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the CD-ROM 118, and may be a semiconductor memory such as an optical disc / MD / DVD, an IC card, an optical card, a mask ROM, and an EPROM.

  Further, the program executed by the CPU 111 is not limited to the program recorded in the CD-ROM 118, and the program stored in the HDD 115 may be loaded into the RAM 114 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the network may rewrite the program stored in the HDD 115 of the MFP 100 or additionally write a new program. Furthermore, MFP 100 may download a program from another computer connected to the network and store the program in HDD 115. The program referred to here includes not only a program directly executable by the CPU 111 but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

  Operation panel 160 is provided on the upper surface of MFP 100 and includes a display unit 161 and an operation unit 163. The display unit 161 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (electro-luminescence) display, and displays an instruction menu for the user, information on acquired image data, and the like. Operation portion 163 includes touch panel 165 and hard key portion 167. The touch panel 165 is provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the display unit 161 so as to be superimposed on the display unit 161. Hard key portion 167 includes a plurality of hard keys. The hard key is, for example, a contact switch. The touch panel 165 detects the position designated by the user on the display surface of the display unit 161. When the user operates the MFP 100, the display surface of the display unit 161, the operation surface of the touch panel 165, and the hard key unit 167 are arranged facing upward since the posture is often upright. This is to allow the user to easily view the display surface of the display unit 161 and to easily instruct the operation unit 163 with a finger.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the function of the CPU included in the PC. The functions illustrated in FIG. 5 are functions formed in the CPU 301 by the CPU 301 included in the PC 300 executing an image forming program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the CD-ROM 309. Referring to FIG. 5, the CPU 301 acquires a target acquisition unit 51 that acquires target data to be an image formation target, a link information extraction unit 53 that extracts link information from the target data, an addition determination unit 55, and target data. And a comparison determination unit 59, a data generation unit 61, and an image formation control unit 63 for controlling the MFP 100.

  The target acquisition unit 51 acquires target data, and outputs the acquired target data to the link information extraction unit 53, the search word acquisition unit 57, and the data generation unit 61. When the user designates data stored in the HDD 304, the target acquisition unit 51 acquires data designated by the user as target data. The format of the target data in this case is arbitrary. For example, if the data in an arbitrary format is image data in a bitmap format, compressed data in a format obtained by compressing the image data, or text data in a text format, marks such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language) In the case of HTML data in a format described in the up language, it may be application data defined by the application program.

  The link information extraction unit 53 extracts link information from the target data, and outputs the extracted link information to the addition determination unit 55, the search word acquisition unit 57, and the comparison determination unit 59. When the target data is HTML data, the link information extraction unit 53 extracts link information described in HTML. When the target data is text data, the link information extraction unit 53 extracts link information from the target data. For example, a string including alphanumeric characters beginning with "http" or "https" and a symbol "/" is extracted as link information. When the format of the target data is image data, the link information extraction unit 53 converts the image data into text data by character recognition and extracts link information. The image data includes facsimile data in addition to data in bitmap format. Further, when the target data is compressed data, the link information extraction unit 53 converts the compressed data into image data and extracts link information. When the target data is application data, the link information extraction unit 53 executes an application program corresponding to the application data, and extracts link information from the target data using an extraction function defined by the application program.

  The addition determination unit 55 determines whether to acquire a search word based on the link information. The addition determination unit 55 outputs an acquisition instruction to the search word acquisition unit 57 when determining to acquire the search word, but outputs the acquisition instruction to the search word acquisition unit 57 when determining that the search word is not acquired. do not do.

  Addition determination unit 55 includes a character length determination unit 65 and a reserved word determination unit 67. The character length determination unit 65 determines to acquire a search word when the link information has a predetermined number of characters or more, but determines not to acquire a search word when the link information is smaller than a predetermined character. If the link information has a predetermined number of characters or more, it is easier to input the search word than to input the link information, so the input operation by the user can be simplified.

  The reserved word determination unit 67 determines to acquire a search word if the link information is not configured by only reserved words, but determines that the search word is not acquired if the link information is configured by only reserved words. . The reserved word is a predetermined word. If the link information is not made up of reserved words, it is easier to input a search word than to input link information, so the input operation by the user can be simplified. The reserved words may be pre-registered by the user.

  The search word acquisition unit 57 receives the link information from the link information extraction unit 53, and acquires a search word for searching the link data specified by the link information using a search engine. The search word acquisition unit 57 acquires a search word when an acquisition instruction is input from the addition determination unit 55, but does not acquire a search word when an acquisition instruction is not input from the addition determination unit 55. The search word acquisition unit 57 outputs the acquired search word to the comparison determination unit 59 and the data generation unit 61. When acquiring a plurality of search words, the search word acquisition unit 57 determines the arrangement order of the plurality of search words, and outputs the plurality of search words and the arrangement order to the comparison determination unit 59 and the data generation unit 61.

  The search word acquisition unit 57 includes a data acquisition unit 71, a metadata extraction unit 73, a frequency reference extraction unit 75, a hit rank search unit 77, an arrangement order determination unit 79, and a target extraction unit 81. The data acquisition unit 71 acquires link data specified by the link information in response to the input of the link information. Here, a case where link data specified by link information is stored in the server 200 will be described as an example. In this case, the server 200 functions as a Web server, and the data acquisition unit 71 acquires link data by communicating with the server 200 according to the communication protocol of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). The data acquisition unit 71 controls the communication I / F unit 112 to request link data from the server 200 connected to the Internet 5 according to HTTP. Since the server 200 transmits link data when link data is requested, the data acquisition unit 71 acquires link data that the communication I / F unit 112 receives. The data acquisition unit 71 outputs the acquired link data to the metadata extraction unit 73 and the frequency reference extraction unit 75.

  The metadata extraction unit 73 extracts metadata from the link data. When the link data is HTML data, the link data includes metadata. The metadata is data described in the <TITLE> tag, the <meta description> tag, or the <meta keywords> tag. Some search engines search metadata contained in HTML data. When such a search engine is used, the probability that link data is extracted by a search becomes high. The metadata extraction unit 73 outputs the extracted metadata as a candidate word to the hit rank search unit 77.

  The frequency reference extraction unit 75 analyzes the link data, and extracts a character string included in the link data, in which a predetermined number or more is arranged in the link data, as a candidate word. The frequency reference extraction unit 75 outputs the extracted candidate word to the hit rank search unit 77.

  In response to the target data being input from the target acquisition unit 51, the target extraction unit 81 extracts a word arranged within a predetermined number of characters from the link information in the target data as a candidate word. Preferably, the target extraction unit 81 extracts a word arranged in the target data ahead of the link information by a predetermined number of characters as a candidate word. The front is the upper side of the link information when the characters are arranged in the horizontal direction in the target data, and the right side of the link information when the characters are arranged in the vertical direction. The target extraction unit 81 outputs the extracted candidate word to the hit rank search unit 77.

  The hit rank search unit 77 receives candidate words from each of the metadata extraction unit 73, the frequency reference extraction unit 75, and the target extraction unit 81. When there are a plurality of candidate words, the hit rank search unit 77 searches with a plurality of candidate words using a search engine, and when the link data indicates a predetermined rank or more from the top in the search result, The set is output to the arrangement order determination unit 79.

  The arrangement order determination unit 79 makes the arrangement order of the plurality of candidate words input from the hit order search unit 77 different, and performs a search using a search engine, and as a result of the search, the order of the link data is the highest. The order of arrangement is determined, and the order of arrangement is output to the hit order search unit 77.

  In response to the arrangement order being input from the arrangement order determination unit 79, the hit order search unit 77 deletes one word at a time from the last candidate word in the arrangement order from among the plurality of candidate words, and deletes it. When one or more candidate words are searched using a search engine and the result of the search indicates that the link data rank indicates a predetermined rank or higher, the one or more candidate words are determined as a search word, and one or more Determine the search word and the order of arrangement.

  The comparison / determination unit 59 receives link information from the link information extraction unit 53 and receives a search word from the search word acquisition unit 57. The comparison determination unit 59 compares the link information and the search word, determines whether to add a search word to the target data, and outputs the determination result to the data generation unit 61. The comparison determination unit 59 determines that the search word is to be added to the target data when the link information has more characters than the search word. If the search word includes kanji, the comparison determination unit 59 converts the search word into hiragana and compares the number of characters of the converted hiragana with the number of characters of the link information. Alternatively, the hiragana may be converted into Roman characters, and the number of characters of the converted Roman characters may be compared with the number of characters of the link information. Since the number of times the user operates the key can be reduced, input operation is facilitated.

  In addition, when only the numerical value and / or the symbol is arranged in the link information, the comparison determination unit 59 determines to add the search word to the target data. Even if the link information does not have more characters than the search word, it is determined that the search word is to be added to the target data if only numerical values and / or symbols are arranged. It facilitates the input operation by the user who is not used to the input operation of the numerical value or the symbol.

  Further, when the link information has less number of characters than the search word and the numbers and / or symbols are not arranged, the comparison determination unit 59 determines that the search word is not added to the target data. If the user who inputs the link information is easy to operate, it is possible not to change the target data by not adding the search word.

  The data generation unit 61 receives the target data from the target acquisition unit 51 and receives the search word from the search word acquisition unit 57. When a plurality of search words are input from the search word acquisition unit 57, the plurality of search words and the arrangement order are input. The data generation unit 61 receives the determination result input from the comparison determination unit 59. When it indicates that a search word is to be added, output data is generated by adding the search word to the target data. The data generation unit 61 adds a search word to an area where nothing exists in the vicinity where link information is arranged in target data. The data generation unit 61 may add, for example, a message such as “search word of reference home page” together with the search word as a character string indicating that the search word is a word for search. When there are a plurality of search words, the data generation unit 61 arranges the plurality of search words in the order of arrangement and arranges the search data in the target data. Further, the data generation unit 61 may delete the link information in the target data, and add the search word at the position where the link information was arranged. The data generation unit 61 outputs the output data to the image formation control unit 63.

  When the determination result input from the comparison determination unit 59 indicates that the search word is not added, the data generation unit 61 outputs the target data as output data to the image formation control unit 63.

  The image formation control unit 63 controls the MFP 100 to transmit output data to the MFP 100, and causes the MFP 100 to form an image of the output data on a sheet.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the image forming process. The image forming process is a process executed by the CPU 301 when the CPU 301 of the PC 300 executes an image forming program stored in the ROM 302, the HDD 304, and the CD-ROM 309. Referring to FIG. 6, CPU 301 determines whether an image formation instruction has been received (step S01). When the user operates the operation unit 307 and inputs an image formation instruction, the image formation instruction is accepted. The process waits until the image formation instruction is received (NO in step S01), and if the image formation instruction is received (YES in step S01), the process proceeds to step S02.

  In step S02, target data to be an image forming target is acquired. When the user inputs, to the operation unit 163, an image forming instruction for forming an image of data stored in the HDD 115, the data instructed by the user is acquired as target data.

  In the next step S03, link information is extracted from the target data, and the process proceeds to step S04. When the target data is HTML data, link information described in HTML in HTML data is extracted. When the format of the target data is text data, link information is extracted from the target data. For example, a string including alphanumeric characters beginning with "http" or "https" and a symbol "/" is extracted as link information. When the format of the target data is image data, the image data is converted into text data by character recognition, and link information is extracted. When the target data is compressed data, the compressed data is converted into image data to extract link information. If the target data is application data, an application program corresponding to the application data is executed, and link information is extracted from the target data using an extraction function defined by the application program. For example, when the application program is a document editing program, the document editing program is executed to extract a character string including alphanumeric characters starting with "http" or "https" and a "/" symbol as link information.

  In step S04, it is determined whether the character length of the link information is equal to or greater than threshold value T1. If the character length of the link information is equal to or greater than threshold value T1, the process proceeds to step S06, but if not, the process proceeds to step S05. In step S05, it is determined whether the link information is composed only of reserved words. If the link information consists only of reserved words, the process is ended, but if not, the process proceeds to step S06. This is because when the link information is composed only of reserved words, the user can easily input the link information.

  In step S06, a search word acquisition process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S07. Although the details of the search word acquisition process will be described later, this process is a process for acquiring a search word for searching the link data specified by the link information using a search engine.

  In step S07, the number of characters in the link information is compared with the number of characters in the search word. If the number of characters in the link information is equal to or more than the number of characters in the search word, the process proceeds to step S09. If not, the process proceeds to step S08. In step S08, it is determined whether the link information consists only of numbers and / or symbols. If the link information consists only of numbers and / or symbols, the process proceeds to step S09, but if not, the process proceeds to step S10. This is to facilitate an input operation by a user who is not used to the input operation of numerical values or symbols.

  In step S09, a search word is added to the target data, and the process proceeds to step S10. The link information is added in the vicinity of the position where the link information is arranged in the target data. Further, the link information may be deleted and the search word may be added at the position where the link information was arranged. Furthermore, in order to indicate that it is a search word, a message such as “search word of reference home page” may be added in front of the search word. Hereinafter, target data to which a search word is added is referred to as output data.

  In the next step S10, MFP 100 is controlled to form an image of target data or output data, and the process is ended. When the process proceeds from step S09, an image of output data is formed, and when the process proceeds from step S05 or step S08, an image of target data is formed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of search word acquisition processing. The search word acquisition process is a process executed in step S06 of FIG. The link information and the target data are acquired before the search word acquisition process is performed. Further, a case where link data specified by the link information is stored in the server 200 will be described as an example. Referring to FIG. 7, CPU 301 obtains link data specified by the link information (step S21), and advances the process to step S22. The link data is requested from the server 200 connected to the Internet 5 in accordance with the HTTP communication protocol. Since the server 200 transmits link data in response to a request from the PC 300, the communication unit 305 acquires the link data received from the server 200.

  In step S22, metadata is extracted from the link data. When the link data is data described in HTML, the link data includes metadata. The metadata is data described in the <TITLE> tag, the <meta description> tag, or the <meta keywords> tag. In the next step S23, metadata is determined as a candidate word, and the process proceeds to step S24.

  In step S24, one of a plurality of words included in the link data is selected as a processing target. When the link data includes image data, a word to be processed is selected with character data obtained by character recognition of a portion of the image data as a processing target. In the next step S25, the number of times the word selected as the processing target appears in the link data is regarded as the appearance frequency, and it is determined whether the appearance frequency is equal to or more than the threshold value T2. If the appearance frequency of the word selected as the processing target is equal to or higher than threshold value T2, the process proceeds to step S26, but if not, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S26, the word selected as the process target is determined as a candidate word, and the process proceeds to step S27. This is because a word with a high frequency of appearance included in the link data may be set as a search word for searching the link data by the search engine.

  In step S27, it is determined whether there is a word not selected as a processing target in the link data. If there is an unselected word, the process returns to step S24; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S28.

  In step S28, a word within a predetermined number of characters is extracted from the target data from the link information at the position where it is arranged in the target data. In step S29, the extracted word is determined as a candidate word. Preferably, words that are arranged before the link information and extract a word within a predetermined number of characters from the link information into candidate words. The link data may be described around the link information, and words arranged around the link information are extracted as candidate words.

  In the next step S30, one of the plurality of candidate words in the order of arrangement is selected. Since the arrangement order is determined by the number of permutations of the plurality of candidate words, one is selected from the plurality of arrangement orders. In the next step S31, a search engine is used to search using the arranged key of the plurality of candidate words in the selected arrangement order, and the search result is acquired. In the next step S32, the order of link data in the search result is set as the hit order, and it is determined whether the hit order is equal to or less than the threshold value T3. If the hit order is equal to or lower than threshold value T3, the process proceeds to step S33, but if not, the process proceeds to step S34. In step S33, the arrangement order selected in step S30 is determined as a candidate, and the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, it is determined whether or not there is an array order not selected as a process target in step S30. If there is an unselected sequence order, the process returns to step S30; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S35. In step S35, among the arrangement orders determined as candidates in step S33, the arrangement order having the highest hit order is determined, and the process proceeds to step S36.

  When the process proceeds to step S36, a plurality of candidate words and an arrangement order have been determined. In step S36, the candidate word whose arrangement order is the last among the plurality of candidate words is deleted, and the process proceeds to step S37. This reduces the number of candidate words to one or more. This is to minimize the number of candidate words. In step S37, a search engine is used to search using the arranged key of one or more candidate words in arrangement order, and a search result is acquired. In the next step S38, the order of link data in the search result is set as the hit order, and it is determined whether the hit order is equal to or less than the threshold value T3. If the hit order is equal to or less than threshold value T3, the process proceeds to step S39. If not, the process proceeds to step S41. In step S39, it is determined whether there is one candidate word. If there is one candidate word, the process proceeds to step S40; otherwise, the process returns to step S36. When the process returns to step S36, a process of searching using a search engine with a key in which one or more candidate words after deleting the last candidate word from among the one or more candidate words are arranged in the arrangement order Is repeated. In step S40, one candidate word is determined as a search word, and the process returns to the image forming process.

  In step S41, the deleted candidate word is restored, and the process proceeds to step S42. Finally, when step S36 is executed, the deleted candidate word is restored. In step S42, a plurality of candidate words are determined as search words, a search word and an arrangement order are determined, and the process returns to the image forming process.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of target data. Referring to FIG. 8, target data 400 includes link information 401 between an area in which a character is represented and an area in which a photo is represented, and an area in which a photo is represented and an area in which a graph is represented. The link information 403 is included between them. In the upper part of the link information 401, a character string 402 of "Refer to the following page for AAA" is described. The character string 402 is arranged within 20 characters from the link information.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the output data. Referring to FIG. 9, the difference from FIG. 8 is that it includes a character string 401A of “reference homepage search word: ABC” in place of link information 401, and “reference homepage search word: in place of link information 403”. It is a point including the character string 403A of company B, driver.

  Of the character string 401A, “ABC” is a search word, and the remaining “reference home page search word:” is a message indicating that it is a search word. The search word “ABC” is a word included in the character string 402.

  The user looking at the sheet on which the image of the output data 400A is formed inputs the search word "ABC" into the PC 300 etc. executing the browsing program, whereby the link data specified by the link information 401 is extracted by the search engine As a result, link data can be viewed. The operation of inputting the search word “ABC” is easy as compared with the operation of inputting the link information 401 into the PC 300 because the number of characters is small. Further, since the link information 401 is a character string in which alphanumeric characters are arranged irregularly, it must be input while confirming one character at a time, and it is complicated operation compared with the operation of inputting the search word "ABC". Become.

  Further, "B company" and "driver" in the character string 403A are search words, and indicate the order of arrangement in which "driver" is arranged next to "B company". The “reference home page search word:” excluding “company B” and “driver” in the character string 403A is a message indicating that it is a search word.

  The user looking at the sheet on which the image of the output data 400A is formed inputs the search word "company B driver" into the PC 300 etc. which executes the browsing program, whereby the link data specified by the link information 403 is a search engine The link data specified by the link information 403 can be browsed. The operation of inputting the search word “company B driver” is easy as compared with the operation of inputting the link information 403 into the PC 300 because the number of characters is small. In addition, since the link information 403 is a character string in which alphanumeric characters are arranged irregularly, it must be input while confirming one character at a time, which is complicated compared to the operation of inputting the search word "company B driver". It becomes work.

<Modification>
In the embodiment described above, the PC 300 has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus, but the MFP 100 may function as an information processing apparatus. In this case, among the functions illustrated in FIG. 5, the same function as the function excluding the target acquisition unit 51 and the image formation control unit 63 is formed in the CPU 111 included in the MFP 100. In this case, the CPU 111 included in the MFP 100 executes the image forming program stored in the ROM 113, the HDD 115, and the CD-ROM 118, whereby the function shown in FIG.

  When the user causes the document reading unit 130 to read a document, the target obtaining unit 51 formed in the CPU 111 of the MFP 100 obtains, as the target data, image data that the document reading unit 130 reads and outputs the document. The target data in this case is image data in a format such as a bitmap format. When the user designates data stored in the HDD 115, the target acquisition unit 51 acquires data designated by the user as target data. The format of the target data in this case is arbitrary. When the communication I / F unit 112 receives a print job from an external device, for example, the PC 300, the object acquiring unit 51 acquires print data included in the print job received from the PC 300 as object data, and the facsimile unit 116 When the facsimile data is received, the facsimile data is acquired as the target data. The format of print data is arbitrary.

  An image forming control unit 63 formed in the CPU 111 of the MFP 100 controls the image forming unit 140 to form an image of output data on a sheet.

  The CPU 111 of the MFP 100 executes the image forming program to execute the image forming process shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. However, if, in step S 02, the CPU 111 causes the image reading instruction accepted in step S 01 to cause the document reading unit 130 to read the document and the image forming instruction for forming an image of the document is input to the operation unit 163, the document The reading unit 130 acquires, as target data, image data read and output from a document. When the user inputs, to the operation unit 163, an image formation instruction for forming an image of data stored in the HDD 115, data instructed by the user is acquired as target data. When the communication I / F unit 112 receives a print job from the PC 300, print data included in the print job received from the PC 300 is acquired as target data. When the facsimile unit 116 receives facsimile data, the facsimile unit 116 acquires facsimile data as target data.

  In step S10, the CPU 111 controls the image forming unit 140 to form an image of target data or output data, and ends the process. When the process proceeds from step S09, an image of output data is formed, and when the process proceeds from step S05 or step S08, an image of target data is formed.

  As described above, each of PC 300 and MFP 100 in the present embodiment functions as an information processing apparatus, and when target data to be an image forming target includes link information, to search for link data using a search engine. The search word is obtained, and output data is generated by adding the search word to the target data. Therefore, the user who views the sheet on which the image of the output data is formed can search the search engine and browse the link data by the operation of inputting the search word instead of the operation of inputting the link information. As a result, it is possible to simplify the user's input operation for acquiring data located on the network.

  Also, when the link information has a predetermined number of characters or more, the search word is acquired. If the link information has a predetermined number of characters or more, it is easier to input the search word than to input the link information, so the input operation by the user can be simplified.

  Also, if the link information is not configured with only a predetermined reservation, the search word is acquired. If the link information is not composed only of reserved words, it is easier to input a search word than to input link information, so the input operation by the user can be simplified.

  In addition, since the search word is acquired from the link data specified by the link information, it is possible to acquire the search word in which the link data is easily searched by the search engine.

  In addition, a word arranged within a predetermined number of characters from link information in target data is acquired as a search word. Since a word related to the link data is often included within the target data within the predetermined number of characters from the link information, it is possible to obtain a search word that is easy for the link data to be searched by the search engine.

  In addition, a search word is searched using a search word using a candidate word, and a candidate word including link data in a predetermined order or more in the search result is obtained as a search word, so that a search word having higher link data is determined. Can.

  Further, when the number of characters is larger than the search word for which the link information is acquired, the output data in which the search word is added to the target data is generated, so the number of input operations by the user can be reduced.

  In addition, since the output data is generated by adding the search word to the target data in the case where the link information does not have more characters than the search word, and in the case of an array of numbers and / or symbols, user input operation can be facilitated. it can.

  Also, if the number of characters is less than the search word for which the link information has been obtained, and the numerical values and / or symbols are not arranged, the output data is not generated, and the search word is not added to the target data. Thus, the image of the target data can be formed without changing the target data.

  In the embodiment described above, the PC 300 or the MFP 100 has been described as an example of the information processing apparatus, but an apparatus having a function of forming an image of data, such as a printer or a facsimile apparatus, may be used. Further, the invention is captured as an image forming method for causing the PC 300 or MFP 100 to execute the image forming process shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and an image forming program for causing the CPU 301 included in the PC 300 or the CPU 111 included in the MFP 100 to execute the image forming method. It goes without saying that you can.

  It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is indicated not by the above description but by the claims, and is intended to include all the modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

<Supplementary Note>
(1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the search word acquisition unit acquires metadata of link data as a search word. According to this aspect, since the metadata of the link data is used as the search word, it is possible to obtain a search word that can be easily searched by a search engine that uses the metadata for the search.
(2) The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the search word acquisition unit acquires, as a search word, a word having a predetermined number or more of frequencies included in the link data. According to this aspect, since the word included in the link data acquires a word having a predetermined number or more as a search word, it is possible to acquire a search word in which the link data can be easily searched.
(3) When there are a plurality of search words, the search word acquisition means makes the order of the plurality of search words different and performs a search using a search engine, and determines the permutation in which the link data ranks highest in the search results. An image forming apparatus according to claim 5. According to this aspect, since the order in which the link data is ranked highest is determined in the search results obtained by changing the order of the plurality of search words, the search of the link data can be facilitated.
(4) The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a communication control unit configured to communicate with an external apparatus, wherein the target acquisition unit acquires data received by the communication control unit from the external apparatus as target data.
(5) The information reading apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a document reading unit that reads a document and outputs image data, and the target obtaining unit obtains image data output by the document reading unit as target data. Processing unit.
(6) The information processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: storage means for storing data, wherein the target acquisition means acquires the stored data as target data.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 information processing system, 5 internet, 100 MFP, 200 server, 300 PC, 110 main circuit, 111 CPU, 112 communication I / F unit, 113 ROM, 114 RAM, 115 HDD, 116 facsimile unit, 117 external storage device, 120 Automatic document conveyance device 130 Document reading unit 140 Image forming unit 150 Sheet feeding unit 155 Post processing unit 160 Operation panel 161 Display unit 163 Operation unit 165 Touch panel 167 Hard key unit 51 Target acquisition unit 51 53 link information extraction unit, 55 additional determination unit, 57 search word acquisition unit, 59 comparison determination unit, 61 data generation unit, 63 image formation control unit, 65 character length determination unit, 67 reserved word determination unit, 71 data acquisition unit, 73 metadata extraction unit, 75 frequency reference extraction unit, 7 7 Hit order search unit, 79 sequence order determination unit, 81 target extraction unit.

Claims (13)

Search word acquisition means for acquiring a search word for searching the link data using a search engine when target data to be an image forming target includes link information indicating a network address of the link data;
Data generation means for generating output data in which the acquired search word is added to the target data;
An image forming control unit that causes an image forming apparatus to form an image of the output data instead of the target data.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search word acquisition unit acquires a search word when the link information has a predetermined number of characters or more.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the search word acquisition unit acquires the search word if the link information is not configured by a predetermined word. It further comprises data acquisition means for acquiring the link data using the link information,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the search word acquisition unit acquires the search word from the link data.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the search word acquisition unit acquires, as a search word, a word arranged within a predetermined number of characters from the link information in the target data.   6. The search word acquiring unit performs a search using the search engine using a candidate word, and acquires, as the search word, a candidate word including the link data above a predetermined rank in a search result. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data generation unit generates the output data when the link information has a larger number of characters than the acquired search word.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the data generation unit generates the output data when the link information is an array of numerical values and / or symbols.   The data generation means does not generate the output data when the link information has less number of characters than the acquired search word and the numerical value and / or the symbol are not arranged. The information processing apparatus according to any one of 8.   The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising target acquisition means for acquiring the target data. It further comprises an image forming means for forming an image of data on a recording medium,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the image formation control means causes the image formation means to form an image of the output data instead of the target data. A search word acquisition step of acquiring a search word for searching the link data using a search engine when target data to be an image forming target includes link information indicating a network address of the link data;
A data generation step of generating output data in which the acquired search word is added to the target data;
And an image forming control step of causing the image forming apparatus to form an image of the output data in place of the target data. A search word acquisition step of acquiring a search word for searching the link data using a search engine when target data to be an image forming target includes link information indicating a network address of the link data;
A data generation step of generating output data in which the acquired search word is added to the target data;
An image forming control step of causing an image forming control unit to cause the image forming apparatus to form an image of the output data instead of the target data.

Images