JP4921436B2 - Communication device for displaying content title - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus that displays a title of content published on a network.

  Various contents are released on the network. There is a server that publishes content summary information including the URL of each content and the title of each content. An example of the content summary information is feed information (Feed). As the format of the feed information, for example, there are RSS and Atom. Non-Patent Document 1 below discloses software for acquiring feed information and displaying the title of each content. When this software is installed on the PC, the user can view the title of each content. When the user clicks on the title, the PC activates the browser and accesses the URL of the content corresponding to the title. Thereby, the content is displayed on the PC.

Tomoyuki Ozu, “Displaying RSS-delivered article titles in an electric bulletin board style” Dirty News Reader ”, [Online], May 26, 2004, Impression Corporation, [Search July 29, 2008], Internet, <http://www.forest.impress.co.jp/article/2004/05/26/dirtynewsreader.html>

  Since the content summary information is information (such as a title) in which the content is summarized, it can be viewed without any problem even on a relatively small display device. However, the content may contain many character strings. Further, the content may include image data. When the content is displayed on a relatively small display device, the user needs to scroll the screen many times in order to see the entire content. The operation is cumbersome and the information is difficult to see. In this specification, the technique which can eliminate such inconvenience is provided.

  One technique disclosed in the present specification is a communication device that can access position information of content summary information including at least position information of each content and a title of each content. The term “location information” is a concept including any information that can specify the location of content. As an example of the position information, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) can be cited. Further, the “title” means a character string that is less than the entire character string of the content and reflects the content. The communication device is communicably connected to the information display device. The term “information display device” is a concept including all devices capable of displaying information. Examples of the information display device include a PC and a television.

The communication device of the present invention is a communication device that is accessible to the location information of content summary information including at least the location information of each content and the title of each content, and is communicably connected to the information display device, Acquired by position information storage means capable of storing position information of content summary information, summary information acquisition means for acquiring content summary information from position information stored in position information storage means, and summary information acquisition means Title display means for displaying the title of each content included in the content summary information, and title selection permission means for allowing the user to select at least one title from the titles of each content displayed on the title display means; , The container corresponding to the title selected in the title selection permission means. Position information specifying means for specifying the position information of the tool from the content summary information, the position information transmission means for transmitting the location information identified by the position information specifying means to the information display device, the information display device transmits during startup previously provided information receiving means for receiving the information, the position information transmitting means determines that the information display device information the information display device when it is received by the information receiving means from the running position The position information specified by the information specifying means is transmitted to the information display device, and the position information specified by the position information specifying means is not transmitted to the information display device when the information display device is not activated. .
One form of communication device disclosed in this specification includes position information storage means, summary information acquisition means, title display means, title selection permission means, position information identification means, and position information transmission means. The position information storage means can store the position information of the content summary information. The summary information acquisition means acquires content summary information from the position information stored in the position information storage means. The title display means displays the title of each content included in the content summary information acquired by the summary information acquisition means. The title selection permission unit allows the user to select at least one title from the titles of the respective contents displayed on the title display unit. The position information specifying unit specifies the position information of the content corresponding to the title selected by the content selection permission unit from the content summary information. The position information transmitting means transmits the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display device.

  The above technique is effective when the display means included in the information display device is larger than the display means included in the communication device. When it is difficult to view the entire content with the display means included in the communication device, the location information of the content can be transmitted from the communication device to the information display device. The user can see the entire content on the display means of the information display device. Note that the communication device may or may not be able to acquire and display content from the location information of the content. In the latter case, the communication device may not include a browser. In this case, the configuration of the communication device can be simplified.

  The communication device may further include information receiving means for receiving information from the information display device. The position information transmitting means may transmit the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display apparatus on the condition that the information from the information display apparatus is received by the information receiving means. Good. If the information display device is not activated, information from the information display device is not received. The communication device can know whether or not the information display device is activated by receiving information from the information display device. In this configuration, when the information display device is activated, the position information of the content can be transmitted to the information display device. The term “as a condition” does not exclude the addition of other conditions (AND condition and / or OR condition). When the term “as a condition” is used, other conditions may be added. In the following, the same applies when the term “as a condition” is used. The timing at which the information display device transmits the above information to the communication device is not particularly limited. For example, the information display device may be configured to transmit the above information to the communication device when the information display device is activated. Further, the information display device may transmit the above information to the communication device by transmitting a signal to the information display device at a predetermined timing and responding to the signal.

  The communication device may further include an identification information storage unit capable of storing the identification information of the information display device. The term “identification information” is a concept including any information that can identify an information display device. Examples of the identification information include an IP address, a MAC address, a device name, a host name, and a user name. The identification information storage unit may store identification information input by the user, or may store identification information in advance (for example, it may be set by a vendor). When information is transmitted from the information display device to the communication device, the information includes identification information of the information display device. The position information transmitting means displays the position information specified by the position information specifying means on the condition that the information including the identification information stored in the identification information storage means is received by the information receiving means. It may be sent to the device.

  The communication device may be communicably connected to a plurality of information display devices. In this case, the communication device includes an information receiving unit that receives information from each information display device, a device information display unit that displays information related to an information display device that is a transmission source of the information received by the information receiving unit, and device information The apparatus may further include device selection permission means for allowing the user to select at least one information display device from information regarding each information display device displayed on the display means. The position information transmitting unit may transmit the position information specified by the position information specifying unit to the information display device selected by the device selection permission unit. According to this configuration, the user can select the transmission destination of the content position information.

  When information from only one information display device is received by the information receiving means, even if information about the information display device is displayed by the device information display means, the user can select only the information display device. Can not. Therefore, when information from only one information display device is received by the information receiving means, the configuration for automatically transmitting the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display device (configuration that cannot be selected by the user) Can be considered. This configuration may be adopted, but in this case, the content position information may be transmitted to an information display device that the user does not want as a transmission destination of the content position information. For this reason, the device information display means may display information on the information display device even when information from only one information display device is received by the information receiving means. The position information transmitting unit may transmit the position information specified by the position information specifying unit to the information display device on condition that the information display device is selected by the device selection permission unit. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an event that content position information is transmitted to an information display device that is not desired by the user.

  The communication device displays the operation unit having the first display form on condition that information from at least one information display device is received by the information receiving unit, and information from any information display device is also the information receiving unit. An operation unit display means for displaying an operation unit having a second display form different from the first display form may be further provided on the condition that it is not received. The device information display means may display information on the information display device that is the transmission source of the information received by the information receiving means, on condition that the operation unit having the first display form has been operated. In this configuration, the display form of the operation unit changes depending on whether there is an activated information display device. For this reason, the user can easily know the presence or absence of an activated information display device.

  The communication device receives identification information storage means capable of storing identification information of at least one information display device, and information including the identification information stored in the identification information storage means is received by the information reception means. First determination means for determining whether the information has been received, and second determination for determining whether information including identification information other than the identification information stored in the identification information storage means has been received by the information reception means And a means. The position information transmitting means may transmit the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display device corresponding to the identification information on the condition that the determination is positive by the first determining means. Further, the apparatus information display means is the information of the transmission source of the information received by the information receiving means on condition that the judgment is negative by the first judging means and affirmatively judged by the second judging means. Information about the display device may be displayed. In this configuration, for example, identification information of an information display device (default information display device) desired by the user as a transmission destination of content position information can be stored in the identification information storage unit. When the default information display device is activated, content position information can be transmitted to the information display device. On the other hand, when the default information display device is not activated, the user can select the transmission destination of the content position information.

  Note that the location information storage means may be capable of storing only location information of one piece of content summary information, or may be able to store location information of each of a plurality of pieces of content summary information. Good. In the latter case, the summary information acquisition unit may acquire content summary information from each piece of position information stored in the position information storage unit. The title display means may display the title of each content included in each content summary information acquired by the summary information acquisition means.

Here, some of the features of the techniques described in the following embodiments are summarized.
(Mode 1) The content may be paraphrased as “one piece of information in a site”. Each of the plurality of pieces of information corresponds to one URL. Therefore, the content can be paraphrased as “information corresponding to one URL in the site”. The content summary information may be rephrased as “feed information”.

(Mode 2) The content summary information may include site information. The site information may include a site title. The feed information may include a title character string of the content and a URL of the content for each of the plurality of contents. The content summary information may include information indicating the date and time when the content is updated for each of the plurality of content. The content summary information may include a summary character string in which a character string of the content is summarized for each of a plurality of contents. The summary character string may be a character string that is larger than the content title and less than the entire content character string.

(Mode 3) The communication apparatus may display the titles of the contents in order. The communication device may display a list of titles of each content when the first operation is performed in a state where the titles of the respective contents are sequentially displayed. The communication device may display a summary character string of content corresponding to the title selected from the list. When the second operation is performed in a state where the content summary character string is displayed, the communication device may transmit the position information of the content to the information display device.

(Mode 4) The communication apparatus may periodically access position information (for example, URL) of the content summary information. Thereby, the communication apparatus can acquire the latest content summary information.

(Mode 5) The information display device may be capable of installing software for transmitting activation information to the communication device when activated. The information display device may have a storage area for storing information (for example, an IP address, a MAC address, a device name, etc.) regarding the communication device that is the transmission destination of the activation information. The information display device may periodically transmit activation information to the communication device while it is activated. The communication apparatus can know whether or not the information display apparatus is activated by monitoring reception of activation information.

  Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-function device system 2 of the present embodiment. The multi-function device system 2 includes the multi-function device 10, a plurality of PCs 70 and 71, and a plurality of content providing servers 90 and 91. In FIG. 1, only one multi-function device 10, two PCs 70 and 71, and two content providing servers 90 and 91 are shown, but these numbers can be changed as appropriate. The multi-function device 10 is connected to the LAN line 4. The PCs 70 and 71 are connected to the LAN line 4. The LAN line 4 is connected to the Internet 8 via a router 6. Each of the content providing servers 90 and 91 is connected to the Internet 8. In this embodiment, the content providing server 90 publishes one site, and the content providing server 91 publishes one site. Each site contains a plurality of contents. Further, each of the content providing servers 90 and 91 stores feed information (RSS format feed information) that is summary information of a plurality of contents included in its own site. The specific contents of these pieces of information will be described later in detail.

(PC configuration)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the PC 70. The PC 71 has the same configuration as the PC 70. The PC 70 includes a CPU 72, a hard disk 74, a display unit 82, an operation unit 84, and the like. Although not shown in FIG. The PC 70 also has a network interface connected to the LAN line 4.

  The CPU 72 executes various processes according to programs 76 and 78 stored in the hard disk 74. The processing executed by the CPU 72 will be described in detail later. The hard disk 74 stores various programs 76 and 78. The basic program 76 is a program for controlling basic operations of the PC 70. The basic program 76 includes, for example, a browser for downloading and displaying content from a site on the Internet 8. The resident software 78 is a program for transmitting a PC activation notification to the multi-function device 10 and operating in accordance with an instruction from the multi-function device 10. The PC activation notification will be described in detail later. The resident software 78 is installed in the PC 70 from, for example, a computer readable medium. The resident software 78 may be downloaded from a site on the Internet 8 and installed on the PC 70, for example. The hard disk 74 stores a setting file 80. The setting file 80 includes the IP address of the multi-function device 10. The stored contents of the setting file 80 are set by a user, for example. How the stored contents of the setting file 80 are used will be described in detail later.

  The display unit 82 can display various information. The display unit 82 has a relatively large display screen. The display unit 82 has a display screen larger than the display panel 50 (see FIG. 2) of the multi-function device 10. The operation unit 84 is configured by a keyboard and a mouse. The user can input various instructions and information to the PC 70 by operating the operation unit 84.

(Configuration of multi-function device)
FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the multi-function device 10. The multi-function device 10 includes a control unit 12, a display panel 50, a keypad 52, a printing unit 54, a scanning unit 56, a FAX unit 58, a network interface 60, a PSTN interface 62, and the like. The control unit 12 includes a CPU 14, ROM 16, RAM 30, NVRAM 40, and the like.

  The CPU 14 executes various processes according to the programs 18 to 26 stored in the ROM 16. The processing executed by the CPU 14 will be described in detail later. The ROM 16 stores various programs 18 to 26. The basic function program 18 is a program for controlling basic operations of the multi-function device 10. The basic function program 18 includes, for example, a program for generating display data displayed on the display panel 50. The basic function program 18 includes a program for controlling the printing unit 54, the scanning unit 56, the FAX unit 58, and the like, for example. The Internet connection program 20 is a program for connecting to the Internet 8. The feed information analysis program 22 is a program for analyzing feed information acquired from the content providing servers 90 and 92 and creating information (hereinafter referred to as display information) for display on the display panel 50. The feed information display program 24 is a program for displaying display information. The PC management program 26 is a program for executing processing according to the PC activation notification transmitted from the PCs 70 and 71. More specifically, the PC management program 26 is a program for storing information (for example, an IP address and a PC host name) related to the PC from which the PC activation notification is transmitted in a PC information storage area 38 of the RAM 30 described later. is there.

  The RAM 30 has various storage areas 32 to 38. The basic function work area 32 is a storage area for storing various data generated in the process of executing the process according to the basic function program 18. The feed information analysis work area 34 is a storage area for storing various data created in the course of processing being executed in accordance with the feed information analysis program 22. The display information storage area 36 is a storage area for storing display information created according to the feed information analysis program 22. The PC information storage area 38 is a storage area for storing information related to the PC that is the transmission source of the PC activation notification.

  The NVRAM 40 has various storage areas 42 to 46. The basic function parameter storage area 42 is a storage area for storing various parameters (for example, print settings, scan settings, etc.) used when the CPU 14 executes processing according to the basic function program 18. The URL storage area 44 is a storage area for storing the URL of the feed information that each of the content providing servers 90 and 91 has. For example, the user needs to register to receive the content providing service from each of the content providing servers 90 and 91. This registration may be performed using the multi-function device 10 or may be performed using the PCs 70 and 71. For example, when the user performs registration for receiving the content providing service from the content providing server 90 using the PC 70, the feed information URL of the content providing server 90 is transmitted from the PC 70 to the multi-function device 10. As a result, the URL of the feed information of the content providing server 90 is stored in the URL storage area 44. The default PC information storage area 46 stores information for identifying the PC such as the IP address and host name of the PC. The user can input an IP address of a desired PC (for example, PC 70) into the multi-function device 10. The default PC information storage area 46 stores the IP address and host name input by the user.

  The display panel 50 can display various information. The display screen of the display panel 50 is smaller than the display screen of the PCs 70 and 71. The display panel 50 functions as a touch panel. The keypad 52 is composed of a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions and information to the multi-function device 10 by operating the keypad 52. The printing unit 54 has a printing mechanism such as an ink jet type or a laser type. The scanning unit 56 has a reading mechanism such as a CCD or CIS. The FAX unit 58 executes various operations for executing FAX communication. The network interface 60 is connected to the LAN line 4. The multi-function device 10 can communicate with the PCs 70 and 71 and can access the Internet 8. The PSTN interface 62 is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) (not shown). The PSTN is used when performing FAX communication or telephone communication.

(Storage contents of URL storage area)
Next, the contents stored in the URL storage area 44 (see FIG. 2) of the NVRAM 40 will be described. FIG. 3 shows an example of the contents stored in the URL storage area 44. The URL storage area 44 can store the URL 102 of the feed information of each content providing server 90, 91. In other words, the URL storage area 44 can store the URL 102 of the feed information of each site. In the example of FIG. 3, n URLs 102 are stored. Each URL 102 is assigned an identification number 100. In the present embodiment, the identification number 100 is expressed by the symbol “i”.

(Storage contents of display information storage area)
Next, the contents stored in the display information storage area 36 (see FIG. 2) of the RAM 30 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the stored contents of the display information storage area 36. The display information storage area 36 can store display information 112 for each URL stored in the URL storage area 44. In other words, the display information storage area 36 can store the display information 112 for each site stored in the URL storage area 44. As described above, the URL storage area 44 stores n URLs (n is an integer of 1 or more) (see FIG. 3). For this reason, n pieces of display information 112 are also stored in the display information storage area 36. Each display information 112 is given an identification number 110. In the present embodiment, the identification number 110 is represented by the symbol “i”.

  The data structure of each display information 112 will be described. The display information 112 includes site information 120. The site information 120 includes a site title character string 122 and feed update date / time information 124. The site title character string 122 is a character string of a site title. The title of the site can be rephrased as “site name”. The feed update date / time information 124 is information related to the date / time (latest update date / time) when the feed information was updated in the content providing server.

  The display information 112 includes updated content information 132. The number of update content information 132 is equal to the number of content that the site has. For example, in FIG. 4, the display information 112 corresponding to “i = 0” includes m pieces of update content information 132 (m is an integer equal to or greater than 1). This means that the site corresponding to “i = 0” has m contents. For example, when content related to weather forecast and content related to sports exist in a predetermined site, the display information 112 corresponding to the site has two pieces of updated content information 132. Each update content information 132 is given an identification number 130. In the present embodiment, the identification number 130 is expressed by a code “j”.

  Each update content information 132 includes a content title character string 140, content update date / time information 142, a content summary character string 144, and a content URL 146. In the case of the above example, the update content information 132 corresponding to the content related to the weather forecast includes the information 140 to 146, and the update content information 132 corresponding to the content related to the sports also includes the information 140 to 146. The content title character string 140 is a character string of the content title. The title of content can also be rephrased as “content name”. The content update date / time information 142 is information related to the date / time when the content is updated in the content providing server (latest update date / time). The content summary character string 144 is a summary of character strings included in the content. In other words, the content summary character string 144 is a character string that is more than the title of the content, less than the entire character string of the content, and is a character string that reflects the contents of the content. The content URL 146 is a content URL.

(Processing executed by PC)
Subsequently, processing executed by the PC 70 will be described. The PC 71 performs the same process. When the PC 70 is activated (power is turned on), the OS is activated, and then the resident software 78 (see FIG. 1) is automatically activated by the OS. The CPU 72 of the PC 70 executes processing according to the resident software 78. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of processing executed by the CPU 72 of the PC 70.

  The CPU 72 reads the stored contents of the setting file 80 (see FIG. 1) (S10). The CPU 72 determines whether information is stored in the setting file 80 (S12). In the present embodiment, the IP address of the multi-function device 10 is stored in the setting file 80 (information that can identify the multi-function device 10 may be used, and a node name or the like is also possible, and is limited to the IP address. Not) In this case, the CPU 72 determines YES in S12, and proceeds to S14. On the other hand, if no information is stored in the setting file 80, the process executed according to the resident software 78 ends.

  In S14, the CPU 72 transmits a PC activation notification to the multi-function device 10 (S14). The PC activation notification includes the IP address and host name of the PC 70. Next, the CPU 72 opens a reception port having a predetermined port number (S16). The CPU 72 waits until some event occurs (S18). If an event occurs, the process proceeds to S20. In S20, the CPU 72 determines whether or not a URL notification from the multi-function device 10 has been received. How the URL notification is transmitted from the multi-function device 10 will be described in detail later. If YES in S20, the CPU 72 activates the browser program and accesses the received URL (S22). As a result, the content corresponding to the URL from the multi-function device 10 is displayed on the display unit 82 (see FIG. 1). The user can see the content.

  If NO in S20, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the user has instructed to stop the program of the resident software 78 (S24). For example, the user can input the above instruction to the PC 70 by performing a predetermined operation on the operation unit 84. In this case, the CPU 72 determines YES in S24 and ends the process. On the other hand, if NO in S24, the CPU 72 executes a process corresponding to the event (S26) and waits until the next event occurs (S18).

(Processes executed by multi-function devices)
Next, processing executed by the multi-function device 10 will be described. Although not shown in the flowchart, the CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10 executes the following processing according to the PC management program 26 (see FIG. 2). As described above, each time the PCs 70 and 71 are activated, they transmit a PC activation notification to the multi-function device 10 (see S14 in FIG. 5). The CPU 14 monitors the reception of the PC activation notification. Upon receiving the PC activation notification, the CPU 14 stores the IP address and host name included in the PC activation notification in the PC information storage area 38 (see FIG. 2).

  Note that the PCs 70 and 71 may periodically transmit a PC activation notification to the multi-function device 10 while being activated. In this case, when the PCs 70 and 71 are activated and stopped (power is turned off), the PC activation notification is not transmitted to the multi-function device 10. When the CPU 14 does not continuously receive the PC activation notification from the PC having the IP address and host name stored in the PC information storage area 38 for a predetermined time, the CPU 14 stores the IP address and host name in the PC information storage area. Erasing from 38. As a result, only information related to the activated PC is stored in the PC information storage area 38.

  Further, the PCs 70 and 71 do not have to periodically transmit a PC activation notification to the multi-function device 10. in this case. The PCs 70 and 71 may transmit a start / stop notification (including an IP address and a host name) to the multi-function device 10 every time the start and stop are performed. Also in this form, the CPU 14 can know that the PCs 70 and 71 have been started and stopped. The CPU 14 deletes the IP address and host name included in the start / stop notification from the PC information storage area 38. Also in this form, the PC information storage area 38 stores only information related to the activated PC.

(Feed information analysis processing)
Next, feed information analysis processing for the CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10 to acquire and analyze feed information will be described. The feed information analysis process operates as an independent task, and is executed from the time of activation of the multi-function device 10 according to the Internet connection program 20 and the feed information analysis program 22 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the feed information analysis process.

  The CPU 14 waits until the update time is reached (S40). The update time may be set by a user or may be determined by a program, for example. When the update time is reached, the process proceeds to S42. In S42, the CPU 14 acquires the number of URLs (the number of sites) stored in the URL storage area 44 (see FIG. 2) of the NVRAM 40 (S42). As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, n URLs are stored in the URL storage area 44. For this purpose, the CPU 14 acquires “n” in S42. Next, the CPU 14 initializes the counter i (S44). The CPU 14 determines whether or not the counter i is smaller than n (S46). If YES here, the process proceeds to S48.

  In S <b> 48, the CPU 14 acquires the URL of the i-th site from the URL storage area 44. For example, when acquiring the URL of the zeroth site, “http://www.example0.com” is acquired in the example of FIG. Next, the CPU 14 accesses the URL acquired in S48 according to the Internet connection program 20, and acquires feed information (S50). The feed information includes site information 120 and updated content information 132 shown in FIG. The CPU 14 creates the display information 112 shown in FIG. 4 by analyzing the feed information (S52). The CPU 14 stores the display information 112 created in S52 in the display information storage area 36 (S54). For example, when the display information 112 of the zeroth site is created, the CPU 14 clears the old display information 112 associated with the number “i = 0” and associates it with the number “i = 0”. Display information 112 is stored. Subsequently, the CPU 14 adds 1 to the counter i (S56), and returns to S46. By executing the processing of FIG. 6, the latest feed information of each site is stored in the display information storage area 36.

(Display processing)
Next, a display process for displaying the feed information by the CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10 will be described. The display process operates as an independent task, and is executed from the time of activation of the multi-function device 10 according to the feed information display program 24 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the display process.

  The multi-function device 10 has a plurality of states such as a power saving state, a standby state, and a function execution state. In the power saving state, nothing is displayed on the display panel 50 (the display panel 50 is turned off). When an operation for canceling the power saving state is applied to the keypad 52 during the power saving state, the state shifts to the standby state. In the standby state, information for selecting a function is displayed on the display panel 50 (the display panel 50 is lit). 12 shows an example of the display panel 50 on which a button 160 for selecting a function is displayed. The user can input a function execution instruction to the multi-function device 10 by operating the button 160. In this case, it shifts to the function execution state. In the function execution state, information about the function being executed (for example, the number of copies) is displayed on the display panel 50. Note that a function execution instruction may be input to the multi-function device 10 even during the power saving state. For example, a print instruction from the PCs 70 and 71 may be input to the multi-function device 10 in the power saving state. Also in this case, the function execution state is entered.

  When the function being executed in the multi-function device 10 is completed, the state shifts to a standby state (although it may shift to a power saving state). Further, when an event (operation of the display panel 50 or keypad 52, print instruction from the PCs 70 and 71, etc.) does not occur for a predetermined time during the standby state, the state shifts to the power saving state.

  CPU14 waits until it transfers to a standby state from a power saving state or a function execution state (S70). If it shifts to a standby state, it will progress to S72. In S72, the CPU 14 acquires the number of URLs (the number of sites) stored in the URL storage area 44 (see FIG. 2) of the NVRAM 40 (S72). This process is the same as the process of S42 of FIG. In the present embodiment, the CPU 14 acquires “n” in S72. Next, the CPU 14 initializes the counter i (S74). The CPU 14 determines whether or not the counter i is smaller than n (S76). If YES here, the process proceeds to S78.

  In S <b> 78, the CPU 14 acquires site information included in the display information of the i-th site from the display information storage area 36 of the RAM 30. For example, in the case of the zeroth site, site information 120 (site title character string 122 and feed update date / time information 124) is acquired in the example of FIG. Next, the CPU 14 specifies the number of contents of the i-th site (S80). For example, in the case of the zeroth site, there are m contents in the example of FIG. In this case, the CPU 14 specifies “m” in S80. Next, the CPU 14 initializes the counter j (S82). The CPU 14 determines whether or not the counter j is smaller than m (S84). If YES here, the process proceeds to S88.

  In S <b> 88, the CPU 14 acquires the j-th updated content information of the i-th site from the display information storage area 36 of the RAM 30. Thereby, the content title character string 140, the content update date / time information 142, the content summary character string 144, and the content URL 146 of one content are acquired. Next, the CPU 14 transmits the site title character string 122 acquired in S78, the content title character string 140 acquired in S88, and the content update date / time information 142 acquired in S88 to the display panel 50 (S90). As a result, the content title character string 162 is displayed on the display panel 50 as shown in the uppermost diagram of FIG. The content title character string 162 moves (for example, moves from right to left). That is, the content title character string 162 is displayed in a telop shape. The site title character string 122 and the content update date / time information 142 may be displayed on the display panel 50 or may not be displayed. When S90 ends, the process proceeds to S100 in FIG.

  In S100, the CPU 14 waits until an event occurs. If an event occurs, the process proceeds to S102. In S102, the CPU 14 determines whether or not an event has occurred in which the telop display of the content title character string 162 has ended. In the case of YES here, the CPU 14 adds 1 to the counter j (S104), and proceeds to S84 in FIG. If it is determined in S84 that the counter j is smaller than m, the CPU 14 executes S88 and S90 again. As a result, the content title character string 162 is displayed in telop on the basis of the next update content information (for example, the first update content information). If the content title character string 162 is displayed in telop display based on all the updated content information of one site, it is determined NO in S84. In this case, the CPU 14 adds 1 to the counter i (S86), and executes the processes of S78 to S90 for the next site (for example, the first site). As a result, the content title character string 162 is displayed in telop on the basis of the updated content information of the next site.

  In the case of NO in S102 of FIG. 8, the CPU 14 determines whether or not a list display request event has occurred (S106). The user can touch the content title character string 162 in a state where the content title character string 162 is displayed as a telop as shown in the uppermost diagram of FIG. When the user touches, the CPU 14 determines YES in S106. If YES in S106, the CPU 14 executes a list display process (S108). The contents of the list display process will be described in detail later.

  If NO in S106, the CPU 14 determines whether a function execution operation has occurred (S110). The user can operate any button 160 shown in the uppermost diagram of FIG. In this case, the CPU 14 determines YES in S110. The CPU 104 executes processing corresponding to the operated button 160 (for example, FAX transmission processing, scan processing, copy processing, etc.). In this case, the multi-function device 10 shifts to the function execution state, and information regarding the function being executed is displayed on the display panel 50. CPU14 returns to S70 of FIG. 7, and waits until it transfers to a standby state. On the other hand, if NO in S110, the CPU 14 executes processing according to the event, returns to S100, and waits until an event occurs.

(List display process)
Next, the list display process executed in S108 of FIG. 8 will be described. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the list display process. CPU14 acquires all the update content information 132 of the i-th site (site where the content character string 162 is displayed) from the display information storage area 36 of RAM30 (S120). For example, in the case of the zeroth site, m pieces of update content information 132 exist in the example of FIG. In this case, m pieces of updated content information 132 are acquired in S120. Next, the CPU 14 creates list data including the site title character string 122 acquired in S78, each content title character string 140 acquired in S120, and each content update date / time information 142 acquired in S120 ( S122). The CPU 14 transmits the list data created in S122 to the display panel 50 (S124). As a result, the list 170 is displayed on the display panel 50 as shown in the second diagram from the top in FIG. The list 170 includes content update date / time information of the content and a content title character string of the content for each of a plurality of contents (for example, m pieces of content). In the example of the second diagram from the top in FIG. 12, content update date / time information “14:32” and a content title character string “Sport...” Are displayed for sports-related content. In this example, a site title character string 172 is also displayed. When S124 ends, the process proceeds to S126.

  In S126, the CPU 14 waits until an event occurs. If an event occurs, the process proceeds to S128. In S128, the CPU 14 determines whether or not an event related to the content selection operation has occurred. In the state where the list 170 is displayed as shown in the second diagram from the top in FIG. 12, the user can touch one content (content title character string). When the user touches, the CPU 14 determines YES in S128. If YES in S128, the CPU 14 executes content display processing (S130). The contents display process will be described in detail later.

  In the case of NO in S128 of FIG. 8, the CPU 14 determines whether or not an instruction to end the list display has been input (S132). In a state where the list 170 is displayed as shown in the second diagram from the top in FIG. 12, the user can touch the button 174. In this case, the CPU 14 determines YES in S132. If YES is obtained in S132, the CPU 14 ends the list display process and returns to S84 in FIG. On the other hand, in the case of NO in S132, the CPU 14 executes processing corresponding to the event, returns to S126, and waits until an event occurs.

(Content display processing)
Next, the content display process executed in S130 of FIG. 9 will be described. FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the content display process. The CPU 14 creates display data relating to the content selected in S128 of the i-th site from the display information storage area 36 of the RAM 30 (S150). This display data includes a site title character string 122, a content title character string 140 of the content, content update date / time information 142 of the content, and a content summary character string 144 of the content. Next, the CPU 14 reads the stored contents of the PC information storage area 38 (see FIG. 2) of the RAM 30 (S152). The CPU 14 determines whether or not information is stored in the PC information storage area 38 (S154). When information is not stored (that is, when the number of activated PCs is zero), the CPU 14 determines YES in S154. In this case, the process proceeds to S156.

  In S156, the CPU 14 transmits the display data created in S150 to the display panel 50. As a result, the screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the display panel 50. The screen in FIG. 13 includes a site title character string 172, content update date / time information 180, a content title character string 182, and a content summary character string 184. The screen in FIG. 13 further includes a View button 188. In the screen of FIG. 13, the View button 188 is grayed out (in FIG. 13, grayout is represented by hatching). In S <b> 156 of FIG. 10, the CPU 14 adds attribute information for graying out the View button 188 to the display data, and transmits the display data to the display panel 50. If the View button 186 that is not grayed out (see the third diagram from the top in FIG. 12) is operated by the user, the CPU 14 executes processing from S176 in FIG. However, even if the grayed out View button 188 is operated by the user, the CPU 14 does not execute the processes after S176. That is, it can be said that the grayed out View button 188 is invalidated. Even if the grayed out View button 188 is operated by the user, nothing is executed in this embodiment, but a process of outputting a sound or the like may be executed. Next, the CPU 14 stands by until a content display end event (end button operation) occurs (S158).

  When information is stored in the PC information storage area 38 (that is, when there is an activated PC), the CPU 14 determines NO in S154. In this case, the process proceeds to S170 of FIG. In S170, the CPU 14 transmits the display data created in S150 to the display panel 50. As a result, the screen shown in the third diagram from the top in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display panel 50. This screen includes various 172, 180, 182 and 184 similar to FIG. This screen further includes a View button 186. The View button 186 is not grayed out and has a normal display form. In S <b> 170 of FIG. 11, the CPU 14 adds attribute information for displaying the View button 186 in a normal display form to the display data, and transmits the display data to the display panel 50. When S170 ends, the process proceeds to S172.

  In S172, the CPU 14 waits until an event occurs. If an event occurs, the process proceeds to S174. In S174, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the View button 186 has been operated. In the case of NO here, the CPU 14 determines whether or not a content display end event (operation of the end button) has occurred (S175). If YES here, the CPU 14 ends the content display process. On the other hand, in the case of NO in S175, the CPU 14 executes processing corresponding to the event, and returns to S172. In the case of YES in S174, the CPU 14 reads the stored contents of the default PC information storage area 46 (see FIG. 2) of the NVRAM 40 (S176). The CPU 14 determines whether or not information is stored in the default PC information storage area 46 (S178). If YES here, the process proceeds to S180. On the other hand, if NO in S178, the process proceeds to S184.

  In S <b> 180, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the IP address or host name stored in the default PC information storage area 46 is stored in the PC information storage area 38 of the RAM 30. That is, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the PC stored in the default PC information storage area 46 is activated. In the case of YES here, the CPU 14 specifies the content URL 146 (see FIG. 4) of the content selected in S128 of FIG. 9 (S182). Next, the CPU 14 transmits the content URL 146 with the IP address stored in the default PC information storage area 46 as the transmission destination. As a result, the PC (for example, PC 70) that is the destination of the content URL 146 determines YES in S20 of FIG. 5, and accesses the content URL 146 to display the content. When S182 ends, the content display processing ends.

  In S 184, the CPU 14 creates a list of information regarding each PC stored in the PC information storage area 38 of the RAM 30. In the present embodiment, the CPU 184 creates a list of host names of each PC stored in the PC information storage area 38. The CPU 184 transmits the list to the display panel 50. As a result, the screen shown in the lowermost diagram in FIG. 12 is displayed on the display panel 50. This screen includes a host name list 190. When S184 ends, the process proceeds to S186.

  In S186, the CPU 14 waits until an event occurs. If an event occurs, the process proceeds to S188. In S188, the CPU 14 determines whether or not a PC selection operation has been operated. In a state where the screen shown in the lowermost diagram of FIG. 12 is displayed, the user can touch one PC (host name) and then touch the request button 192. In this case, the CPU 14 determines YES in S188. If YES in S188, the CPU 14 specifies the content URL 146 (see FIG. 4) of the content selected in S128 of FIG. 9 (S190). Next, the CPU 14 transmits the content URL 146 with the IP address of the PC selected in S188 as the transmission destination. As a result, the PC (for example, PC 70) that is the destination of the content URL 146 determines YES in S20 of FIG. 5, and accesses the content URL 146 to display the content. When S190 ends, the content display process ends.

  If NO in S188, the CPU 14 determines whether or not an instruction to end the display has been input (S192). The user can touch the button 194 in a state where the screen of the lowermost diagram in FIG. 12 is displayed. In this case, the CPU 14 determines YES in S192. If YES in S192, the content display process ends. On the other hand, in the case of NO in S192, the CPU 14 executes processing according to the event, returns to S186, and waits until an event occurs.

  The multi-function device system 2 of the present embodiment has been described in detail. Since the display panel 50 of the multi-function device 10 is small, it is difficult to display the entire content. In S182 or S190 of FIG. 11, the multi-function device 10 transmits the content URL 146 of the content selected by the user to the PC (for example, PC 70). As a result, the content is displayed on the display unit 82 of the PC 70. The display unit 82 of the PCs 70 and 71 is larger than the display panel 50 of the multi-function device 10. The user can see the entire content on the large display unit 82. Since the content can be displayed on the PCs 70 and 71, it is not necessary to display the content on the multi-function device 10. For this reason, it is not necessary to install a browser program in the multi-function device 10. In the present embodiment, the URL of the content is transmitted from the multi-function device 10 to the PC 70, and the PC 70 downloads the content. Compared to a configuration in which the multi-function device 10 downloads content and transmits the downloaded content to the PC 70, the load on the multi-function device 10 and the network can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the multi-function device 10 can transmit the content URL 146 to the activated PC. It is possible to prevent an event in which the content URL 146 is transmitted to a PC that is not activated. The user can store information on a desired PC (for example, a PC used by the user) in the default PC information storage area 46. When the PC stored in the default PC information storage area 46 is activated, the multi-function device 10 transmits the content URL 146 to the PC. That is, the content URL 146 is preferentially transmitted to a PC predetermined by the user. It is possible to save the user from having to select a desired PC again.

  In the above embodiment, if the PC stored in the default PC information storage area 46 is not activated (or if no PC is stored in the default PC information storage area 46), the activated PC The user can select a desired PC from the inside. The content URL 146 is transmitted to the PC selected by the user. Even when only one PC is activated, the list 190 shown in the lowermost diagram of FIG. 12 is displayed. In order to transmit the content URL 146 to the activated PC, the user needs to select the PC from the list 190 and touch the button 192. In other words, in this embodiment, even when only one PC is activated, the content URL 146 is not automatically transmitted to the PC. It is possible to prevent an event that the content URL 146 is transmitted to a PC that the user does not want.

  In the above embodiment, when there is a PC that is activated, a View button 186 having a normal display form is displayed (see the third figure from the top in FIG. 12), and there is a PC that is activated. If not, a grayed out View button 188 is displayed (see FIG. 13). By changing the display form of the View buttons 186 and 188 according to the presence or absence of the activated PC, the user can easily know the presence or absence of the activated PC.

  Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. The modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

(1) In the above embodiment, each content providing server 90, 91 stores both content and feed information. However, a server for storing content and a server for storing feed information may be configured separately.

(2) The multi-function device 10 does not have a browser program. However, the multi-function device 10 may have a browser program. The multi-function device 10 may download the content and display it on the display panel 50. For example, information regarding the multi-function device 10 may be displayed in the list displayed on the display panel 50 in S184 of FIG. When the multi-function device 10 is selected from the list, the multi-function device 10 may download the content and display it on the display panel 50.

(3) The default PC information storage area 46 (see FIG. 2) of the NVRAM 40 may be omitted. In this case, if YES is obtained in S174 of FIG. 11, the CPU 14 may execute S184 by skipping S176 to S182 of FIG.

(4) Further, in the case of NO in S178, the CPU 14 does not have to execute the processes after S184. That is, the list 190 shown in the lowermost diagram of FIG. 12 may not be displayed. In this modification, when the PC stored in the default PC information storage area 46 is not activated, the content URL 146 is not transmitted to any PC.

  The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.

The configuration of the multi-function device system is shown. The configuration of the multi-function device is shown. An example of the storage content of a URL storage area is shown. An example of the storage content of a display information storage area is shown. The flowchart of the process which PC performs is shown. 3 shows a flowchart of feed information analysis processing executed by the multi-function device. 2 shows a flowchart of display processing executed by a multi-function device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 7. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of list display processing executed by a multi-function device. 3 shows a flowchart of content display processing executed by a multi-function device. FIG. 11 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 10. FIG. A state in which the display content of the display panel changes is shown. An example of the display content of a display panel is shown.

Explanation of symbols

2: Multi-function device system, 10: Multi-function device, 50: Display panel, 70, 71: PC, 90, 91: Content providing server, 112: Display information, 120: Site information, 122: Site title character string, 124 : Feed update date / time information, 132: Update content information, 140: Content title character string, 142: Content update date / time information, 144: Content summary character string, 146: Content URL, 162: Content title character string, 170: List, 172 : Site title character string, 180: Content update date / time information, 182: Content title character string, 184: Content summary character string, 186, 188: View button

Claims (7)

It is a communication device that is accessible to the location information of content summary information including at least the location information of each content and the title of each content, and is communicably connected to the information display device,
Position information storage means capable of storing position information of content summary information;
Summary information acquisition means for acquiring content summary information from the position information stored in the position information storage means;
Title display means for displaying the title of each content included in the content summary information acquired by the summary information acquisition means;
Title selection permission means for allowing the user to select at least one title from the titles of the respective contents displayed on the title display means;
Position information specifying means for specifying position information of the content corresponding to the title selected in the title selection permission means from the content summary information;
Position information transmitting means for transmitting the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display device;
Information receiving means for receiving in advance information to be transmitted during startup of the information display device ,
The position information transmitting means determines that the information display apparatus is activated when information from the information display apparatus is received by the information receiving means, and determines the position information specified by the position information specifying means as the information display apparatus. The position information specified by the position information specifying means is not transmitted to the information display device when the information display device is not activated. Further comprising identification information storage means capable of storing identification information of the information display device,
The position information transmitting means transmits the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display device on condition that the information including the identification information stored in the identification information storage means is received by the information receiving means. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the communication device transmits. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is communicably connected to a plurality of information display devices.
Information receiving means for receiving information from each information display device;
Device information display means for displaying information related to the information display device that is the transmission source of the information received by the information receiving means;
Device selection permission means for allowing the user to select at least one information display device from information regarding each information display device displayed on the device information display means,
The position information transmitting means transmits the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display device selected by the apparatus selection permitting means. The device information display means displays information about the information display device even when information from only one information display device is received by the information receiving means,
Location information transmitting means according to claim 3, characterized in that to transmit the condition that the information display device in the apparatus allowed selection means is selected, the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display device The communication apparatus as described in. The operation unit having the first display form is displayed on condition that information from at least one information display device is received by the information receiving unit, and information from any information display unit is not received by the information receiving unit. Further comprising an operation unit display means for displaying an operation unit having a second display form different from the first display form on the condition of
The apparatus information display means displays information related to an information display apparatus that is a transmission source of information received by the information receiving means, on condition that the operation unit having the first display form is operated. 5. The communication device according to 3 or 4 . Identification information storage means capable of storing identification information of at least one information display device;
First determination means for determining whether or not information including the identification information stored in the identification information storage means has been received by the information reception means;
A second determination unit for determining whether information including identification information other than the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit is received by the information reception unit;
The position information transmitting means transmits the position information specified by the position information specifying means to the information display device corresponding to the identification information on the condition that the determination is positive by the first determining means,
The apparatus information display means is an information display apparatus that is a transmission source of the information received by the information receiving means on condition that the determination is negative by the first determining means and positively determined by the second determining means. The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5 , wherein information related to the information is displayed. The location information storage means can store location information of each of the plurality of content summary information,
The summary information acquisition means acquires content summary information from each position information stored in the position information storage means,
Title display means, communication apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that to display the title of each content included in each content summary information acquired by the summary information acquiring means 6.

Images