JP5521688B2 - Information browsing apparatus and information browsing control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information browsing apparatus and an information browsing control program.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of providing a bookmark that is converted into a format suitable for the browser when the bookmark is shared between the browsers.
Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for converting a mobile terminal ID into a corresponding user ID and transferring a bookmark corresponding to the user ID to the desktop PC.
Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for collecting a plurality of bookmarks by a management server.

Patent Document 4 discloses a technique for labeling and managing history information.
Patent Document 5 discloses a technique for receiving a pair of annotation data and a corresponding page ID from a client and storing it, and transmitting the corresponding annotation data when reading the page.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-259596 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-6158 JP 2003-67328 A JP 2005-190661 A JP 2007-233695 A

  An object of the present invention is to prevent providing information other than a user when sharing is performed when information to be shared is shared between information browsing apparatuses.

The invention according to claim 1, wherein the information browsing device via the communication means from the requested location is viewing the acquired information for the viewing information to be browsed, and other information browsing device for the pre-Symbol information browsing said storage means for storing the user-specific information sharing user-specific information to be shared object with the information browsing means, to provide user-specific information to be stored subject of the shared in said storage means Prohibiting means for prohibiting provision to non-users when sharing is performed , authentication means for authenticating a user, and an authentication mode that can be used only by a user authenticated by the authentication means, or and possible mode setting means set one of any of the available shared mode user without authentication, wherein the storage means, each user-specific information to be the shared per user And, if the authentication mode is set, the prohibition means is specific to the user to be shared that is stored in the storage means for the user on the condition that the user is authenticated. Providing information and, when the sharing mode is set, deleting the user-specific information stored in the storage means when the use of the information browsing means is terminated, or the storage means By limiting the storage area for storing the user-specific information to be shared to a temporary storage area, the user-specific information to be shared is provided to users other than the user when the sharing is performed. It is an information browsing apparatus characterized by prohibiting .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information browsing device according to the first aspect , the information browsing device further includes an information exchanging unit that exchanges information with the other information browsing device via the communication unit, and the storage unit includes , and performing sharing of information to be the shared through the information exchanging means.
The invention according to claim 3, computer, and via the communication means from the requested location acquires information to be browsed information browsing means for browsing the information to be browsed, other information browsing to the previous SL information browsing storage means for storing the user-specific information sharing user-specific information to be shared object between device and said information browsing means, the user-specific information to be stored the shared in the storage means Prohibiting means for prohibiting provision of provision to non-users at the time of sharing , authentication means for authenticating users, and an authentication mode that can be used only by users authenticated by the authentication means Or a mode setting unit that can set any one of the shared modes that can be used by any user without performing the authentication, and the storage unit stores the user-specific information to be shared. Each of the users is stored, and when the authentication mode is set, the prohibition means stores the shared information stored in the storage means for the user on condition that the user is authenticated. Providing target user-specific information, and when the sharing mode is set, deleting the user-specific information stored in the storage means when the use of the information browsing means is terminated; Alternatively, by limiting the storage area for storing the user-specific information to be shared in the storage means to a temporary storage area, the user other than the user when the sharing of the user-specific information to be shared is performed It is an information browsing control program characterized in that it is prohibited to provide the information to.

According to the first and third aspects of the present invention, when information to be shared is shared between information browsing devices, the information is provided to users other than the user at the time of sharing. Can be prevented.
In addition, according to the first and third aspects of the present invention, it is possible to prevent sharing of shared information while providing the information to anyone other than the user at the time of sharing.

Further, according to the first and third aspects of the present invention, when the user is authenticated, the shared information is stored, and when the user is not authenticated, this configuration is not provided. Therefore, it is possible to selectively use the shared information for other than the user when sharing is performed without requiring a large storage area.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, communication between the information browsing devices and the information exchanging means can be performed without using a firewall or the like.

It is a conceptual diagram explaining the whole system configuration concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram of electrical connection of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram explaining the Web browser which is one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the authentication information table, personal profile, and shared profile which are used with the web browser which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process which the web browser which is one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of another example of the process which the web browser which is one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of another example of the process which the web browser which is one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart of another example of the process which the web browser which is one embodiment of this invention performs. It is a conceptual diagram of the system explaining another embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the system explaining another embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the system explaining another embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the entire system configuration of the present embodiment.
The image forming apparatus 1 is a device that executes processing such as printing, copying, scanning, and facsimile transmission / reception in response to a user's request. The image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a network 11 constructed by an intranet in an office or the like. The Internet 12 can be accessed via the Internet 12 and can communicate with the data synchronization server 13 on the Internet 12. Since the personal computer (PC) 14 has an Internet environment, it can access the Internet 12 and can communicate with the data synchronization server 13 on the Internet 12.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of electrical connection of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main control unit 2 that controls the entire apparatus, an image reading device 3 that reads an image of a document, and an image that forms an image based on image data such as an image of a document read by the image reading device 3. A facsimile control device 5 for transmitting and receiving facsimile data between the forming unit 4 and the public telephone line 8, a magnetic storage device (HDD) 6 for storing various data such as image data, and various operations from the user; An operation panel 7 for displaying various messages and a communication interface (I / F) 10 for communicating with the network 11 are provided.

The main control unit 2 includes a CPU 11 that centrally controls each unit, a ROM 16 that stores a control program 15 executed by the CPU 11 and various fixed data, and a RAM 14 that is a work area of the CPU 11.
The control program 15 includes an image reading control program, and is set up from the beginning of manufacture of the image forming apparatus 1. However, the control program 15 can be downloaded and set up via communication means such as the Internet 12 later. Alternatively, the control program 15 may be read from the storage medium stored therein and set up.

The control program 15 includes a Web browser 9 for browsing Web content at a location desired by the user on the Internet 12 as communication means. Therefore, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can operate the operation panel 7 and browse Web contents on the display of the operation panel 7.
A similar Web browser 9 is also set up in the PC 14. The Web browser 9 can add on a specific module. This module adds a function of synchronizing (sharing) information such as bookmarks used in the Web browser 9 between the two Web browsers 9.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram for explaining the Web browser 9 after the add-on of this module. The user operation input unit 21 receives operations performed by the input device 29 such as a keyboard of the operation panel 7 of the image forming apparatus 1 and a mouse or keyboard of the PC 14. The display unit 22 displays various images on the display of the operation panel 7 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the display device 28 that is a display of the PC 14. The network communication unit 23 transmits a command for requesting a file input in the URL field or a file indicated by a hyperlink, a command indicated in a form action, or the like to the Internet 12, and receives HTML or the like from the Internet 12. Perform communication control.

  The profile input / output unit 24 reads information stored in the profile of the Web browser 9 and supplies the information to the control unit 25. Further, the information stored in the profile supplied from the control unit 25 is stored in the HDD 6 of the image forming apparatus 1 or the magnetic storage device of the PC 14 (illustrated as the storage device 26).

  The control unit 25 controls each unit. In particular, the following information is referred to via the profile input / output unit 24. That is, setting information such as proxy settings and initial home page, bookmark (referred when the bookmark button is pressed), history (history) (when the history display button is pressed, or auto-complete in the URL column) Profile information such as passwords (displayed during password auto-complete), add-on modules, and the like.

  The sharing unit 27 synchronizes (shares) information to be shared between other Web browsers 9. The function of the sharing unit 27 is added by the above-mentioned module add-on. Here, the information to be shared between the own Web browser 9 and the other Web browser 9 includes the above-described bookmark, history, password, and the like. Here, “sharing” means that information such as a bookmark can be mutually used between the own Web browser 9 and another Web browser 9. For example, a bookmark or the like that is not registered in the own web browser 9 is acquired from another web browser 9 and can be used as a bookmark or the like that is registered in the own web browser 9. If the Web browser 9 is set to share information to be shared between the PC 14 and the image forming apparatus 1, for example, when the Web browsers 9 are started up, the timings of both the Web browsers 9 are set. Share information that can be shared between the two. This sharing process is performed via the data synchronization server 13 on the Internet 12. That is, the synchronization (sharing) here means that information that the web browser 9 has but information that the data synchronization server 13 does not upload is uploaded to the data synchronization server 13, and information that the web browser 9 does not have and the data synchronization server 13 The stored information is downloaded to the Web browser 9 so that both information can be matched. Further, a mode for synchronizing (sharing) after setting one of the Web browser 9 and the data synchronization server 13 in an initial state may be provided. In this case, it is equivalent to uploading all items after initializing the data synchronization server 13 or downloading all items after initializing the Web browser 9.

  Such information sharing processing is performed, for example, by sharing a bookmark between the personal PC 14 and the image forming apparatus 1 by the user, so that the bookmark registered in the PC 14 that is normally used is stored. The image forming apparatus 1 can be easily used, and the bookmark registered in the image forming apparatus 1 can be easily used in the PC 14 that normally uses the bookmark. However, the image forming apparatus 1 is an apparatus that is installed in, for example, an office and shared by a plurality of users. For this reason, if information is shared between the PC 14 and the image forming apparatus 1 that are used by a user himself / herself, personal information that the user does not want to be seen by others is used later. There is a risk that it will be seen by others.

  Therefore, when a certain user executes a process for sharing information to be shared between the user's own web browser 9 and another web browser 9, another user who uses the web browser 9 after that executes the process. In the sharing unit 27, the shared information is not shown. Below, a plurality of examples of means for performing such processing will be described.

  (1) First, an example of means for shortening the time required for the process of sharing information to be shared next time will be described as compared with other means described later.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an authentication information table 31 is stored in the magnetic storage device 26. In the authentication information table 31, a user ID 32, a password 33, a user ID 34, a password 35, and a personal profile storage area 36 are registered in association with each other. These can be registered for a plurality of users. The user ID 32 and the password 33 are information for authenticating the user in the image forming apparatus 1. The user ID 34 and the password 35 are authentication information for each user to have an account in the data synchronization server 13. The personal profile storage area 36 is information indicating the storage area in the magnetic storage device 26 of the personal profile 37 possessed by each user. The personal profile 37 is an area for storing the shared information for each user when the user shares the bookmark and the like. The bookmark storage area 41 for storing the bookmark, the history for storing the history. It has a storage area 42 and a password storage area 43 for storing passwords. In addition to the personal profile 37, a shared profile 38 is also stored in the magnetic storage device 26. Here, when the user uses the image forming apparatus 1 in the shared mode, it is an area for storing information that does not need to be concealed. Similarly, a bookmark storage area 41 for storing a bookmark, and a history storage for storing a history. An area 42 and a password storage area 43 for storing a password are provided. The shared profile 38 further includes a common setting area 44 that is an area for storing information and programs that are commonly used by each user. Here, information set by the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 such as an add-on module or proxy setting is stored. Information stored in the common setting area 44 is controlled so as not to be information sharing targets.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the sharing process performed by the Web browser 9. First, the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is a shared apparatus (step S1). That is, whether the image forming apparatus 1 is a shared apparatus that can be used by a plurality of users is determined based on the model information of the apparatus. When it is not a shared device (N in step S1), a necessary dialog is displayed on the display of the operation panel 7, and logon information for logging on to the data synchronization server 13 is input (step S2). Log on to the data synchronization server 13 to synchronize (share) information to be shared between the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the Web browser 9 of the PC 14 (step S3). The shared information is stored in the shared profile 38 in this case.

  On the other hand, if it is a shared device (Y in step S1), it is determined whether or not the user has been authenticated (step S4). If not (N in step S4), a necessary dialog is displayed. Then, the user is authenticated (step S5). Specifically, the authentication is performed by allowing the user to input a user ID 32 and a password 33 and collating them with information in the authentication information table 31.

  When the user is authenticated (Y in step S4, Y in S6), the user is switched to the personal profile 37 of the user (step S7), and the user uses a bookmark or the like stored in his / her personal profile 37. Is possible. Then, the user ID 34 and the password 35, which are logon information for logging on to the data synchronization server 13 of the user, are referred to the authentication information table 31 (step S8), and if this logon information exists (Y in step S9), Log on to the data synchronization server 13 and synchronize information to be shared, such as bookmarks, and execute sharing processing (step S3). Each information to be shared in this case is stored in the personal profile 37 of the user.

  By these processes, information to be shared is shared between the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the Web browser 9 of the PC 14, and thereafter registered in the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1. The bookmark or the like registered in the Web browser 9 of the PC 14 can be used in the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1. However, in the case of the image forming apparatus 1 that is a shared apparatus, information such as bookmarks to be shared is stored in the personal profile 37 of the user on the condition that the user is an authenticated user. Only information can be used.

  In this case, the information acquired in the current sharing process is saved until the next sharing process, and in the next sharing process, the information acquired in the current sharing process and the information acquired in the next sharing process are stored. Only the difference needs to be acquired from the Web browser 9 of the PC 14.

  (2) Next, a description will be given of means that eliminates the need for creating an authentication information table 31 and an area for storing a personal profile 37 for each user.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the sharing process performed by the Web browser 9 in such means. In this example, the authentication information table 31 and the personal profile 37 are not used, but the shared profile 38 is used. First, when a request to start the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 is made (Y in Step S11), the Web browser 9 is started (Step S12), a necessary dialog is displayed, and the data synchronization server is displayed to the user. Logon information (ID number, password, etc.) for logging on to 13 is input (step S13), and the data synchronization server 13 is logged on to synchronize the web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 with the web browser 9 of the PC 14. Therefore, the information to be shared by both Web browsers 9 is shared (step S14). As a result, information to be shared is shared between the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the Web browser 9 of the PC 14, and is not registered thereafter in the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1. However, a bookmark or the like registered in the Web browser 9 of the PC 14 can also be used in the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1, and a browse function can be used in the Web browser 9. Each information to be shared in this case is stored in the shared profile 38.

  When the user finishes using the web browser 9 (Y in step S15), the web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 determines whether the image forming apparatus 1 is a shared apparatus (step S16). That is, whether the image forming apparatus 1 is a shared apparatus that can be used by a plurality of users is determined based on the model information of the apparatus. If it is not a shared device (N in step S16), the screen is switched to a necessary menu display screen (step S18). On the other hand, if it is a shared device (Y in step S16), the information stored in the shared profile 38 is deleted (step S17). Therefore, the information stored in the shared profile 38 cannot be browsed thereafter.

(3) Next, similar to the means (2), description will be given of a means in which the creation of the authentication information table 31 and the area for storing the personal profile 37 for each user become unnecessary.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the sharing process performed by the Web browser 9 in such means. In this example, the authentication information table 31, the personal profile 37, and the shared profile 38 are not used. First, when a request to start the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 is made (Y in Step S21), the Web browser 9 is started (Step S22), a necessary dialog is displayed, and the data synchronization server is displayed to the user. Logon information (ID number, password, etc.) for logging on to 13 is input (step S23), and the data synchronization server 13 is logged on to be shared between the web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the web browser 9 of the PC 14. Is downloaded (step S24), and information to be shared by the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 is downloaded (step S25). Thereby, the downloaded information such as a bookmark can be displayed on the display of the operation panel 7 of the image forming apparatus 1. At this time, the information referred to in step S24 and downloaded in step S25 is only held in an area temporarily allocated in the RAM 14, which is a volatile storage device, and is not stored in the HDD 6.

  When the user finishes using the web browser 9 (Y in step S26), a series of processes of the web browser 9 is finished. At this time, the information referred to in step S24 and downloaded in step S25 is only held in an area temporarily allocated to the RAM 14 which is a volatile storage device, and is not stored in the HDD 6, When the Web browser 9 is terminated, it is released and disappears. In addition, since the application being executed is forcibly terminated when logging out, the area temporarily allocated is the same when the web browser 9 is forcibly terminated even when the web browser 9 is logged out. To be released. The temporary area may be temporarily stored in a volatile storage device such as the HDD 6 and deleted.

(4) Further, the above-described means (1) and (2) may be used in combination.
That is, the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an authentication mode that can be used only by an authenticated user and a shared mode that can be used by any user without being authenticated, as in the method (1). In the authentication mode, only the user who has been authenticated as in steps S1 to S9 described above can view the personal profile 37 for himself and share information to be shared with the Web browser 9 of the PC 14. Processing can be performed.

  On the other hand, in the shared mode, the information in the personal profile 37 is deleted when the Web browser 9 is terminated as in steps S11 to S18 described above. According to this means, the synchronization (sharing) in the authentication mode only needs to merge the differences with respect to the information stored in the previous synchronization (sharing) process, and accordingly, the synchronization (sharing) process is required. The time is relatively short. On the other hand, the synchronization (sharing) process in shared mode downloads all information, and it takes a relatively long time to synchronize, but the authentication operation can be omitted, and synchronization (sharing) is performed. Information is deleted and the information is concealed.

Similarly, the means (1) and the means (3) described above may be used in combination.
That is, the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an authentication mode that can be used only by an authenticated user and a shared mode that can be used by any user without being authenticated, as in the method (1). In the authentication mode, only the user who has been authenticated as in steps S1 to S9 described above can view the personal profile 37 for himself and share information to be shared with the Web browser 9 of the PC 14. Processing can be performed.

  On the other hand, in the sharing mode, as in steps S21 to S26 described above, log on to the data synchronization server 13 and refer to information to be shared between the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the Web browser 9 of the PC 14. (Step S24), and downloads information to be shared by the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 (Step S25). Thereby, the downloaded information such as a bookmark can be displayed on the display of the operation panel 7 of the image forming apparatus 1. At this time, the information referred to in step S24 and downloaded in step S25 is only held in a temporary area in the RAM 14, which is a volatile storage device, and is not stored in the HDD 6. Therefore, this information disappears when the temporary area is released when the Web browser 9 is terminated (Y in step S26). According to this means, the synchronization (sharing) in the authentication mode only needs to merge the differences with respect to the information stored in the previous synchronization (sharing) process, and accordingly, the synchronization (sharing) process is required. The time is relatively short. On the other hand, the synchronization (sharing) process in shared mode downloads all information, and it takes a relatively long time to synchronize, but the authentication operation can be omitted, and synchronization (sharing) is performed. Information disappears and the information is concealed.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, an area for storing a profile is selected depending on whether or not the apparatus in which the Web browser 9 is set up is a shared apparatus. That is, a profile storage area can be designated for each user depending on whether or not the device is a shared device. As described above, the profile information includes setting information, bookmarks, history, passwords, add-on modules, and the like.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed by the Web browser 9 in this another embodiment. When a request to start the Web browser 9 is made (Y in Step S31), the Web browser 9 is started (Step S32), and it is determined whether or not the device in which the Web browser 9 is set up is a shared device (Step S33). . That is, whether the image forming apparatus 1 is a shared apparatus that can be used by a plurality of users is determined based on the model information of the apparatus.

  When the device is not a shared device (N in step S33), the personal information area (desktop or the like) of the operating system (OS) of the device is allocated as an area for storing profile information (step S34). If it is a shared device (Y in step S33), the personal area of the image forming apparatus 1 is allocated as an area for storing profile information (step S35). This personal area is an area for storing personal settings (stores copy and scan preferences), personal information, a personal address book, and the like.

Another embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, a firewall or the like between the Internet 12 and the network 11 does not become an obstacle to sharing information to be shared between the two Web browsers 9.

  FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another embodiment. As described above, in order to share information to be shared between the two Web browsers 9, it is necessary to exchange information via the data synchronization server 13. Here, the image forming apparatus 1 has the function of the data synchronization server 13. Therefore, when sharing information to be shared between the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the Web browser 9 of the PC 14, if the PC 14 is also connected to the network 11, the Internet 12 and the network 11, the data synchronization server 13 (the image forming apparatus 1) and the PC 14 can communicate with each other within the network 11 without going through the firewall 51 with the network 11. As a storage area for information to be shared here, a means for using an area (hereinafter referred to as “confidential box”) for storing an electronic document scanned by the image reading apparatus 3 for each individual user in the image forming apparatus 1 is used. It can also be taken. In this case, in order to synchronize (share) the electronic document, it is necessary to be able to access the confidential box in communication. In this case, synchronization (sharing) can be performed by the authentication information for accessing the confidential box, and the user only needs to store the authentication key of the confidential box. Further, a means for storing personal information other than the confidential box, for example, a storage area for information sharing a storage area such as a personal address book may be used.

Another embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, for example, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 are installed in the same office, etc., use of information that is shared by any Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 is used. Is to be able to.

  That is, as illustrated in FIG. 10, for example, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 are installed in the same office or the like, information to be shared between Web browsers 9 of the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1. Replication. This replication is executed at regular intervals, for example, or based on information age and information update amount thresholds. In the above-described example, when the confidential box is used as a storage area for shared information, the shared information is replicated between the plurality of image forming apparatuses 1 together with the replication of the electronic document in the confidential box. Also good.

Another embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, a firewall or the like between the Internet 12 and the network 11 does not become an obstacle to sharing information to be shared between the two Web browsers 9.

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram for explaining another embodiment. As described above, in order to share information to be shared between the two Web browsers 9, it is necessary to exchange information via the data synchronization server 13. Here, the directory service 61 on the network 11 has the function of the data synchronization server 13. Therefore, when sharing information to be shared between the Web browser 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the Web browser 9 of the PC 14, if the PC 14 is also connected to the network 11, the Internet 12 and the network The data synchronization server 13 (which will be the directory service 61) and the PC 14 can communicate within the network 11 without going through the firewall 51 between them. Further, instead of the directory service 61, a file server can be used as the data synchronization server 13. In this case, information to be shared in association with the server account may be stored.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Network 12 Internet 13 Data synchronization server 14 Personal computer 27 Shared part

Claims (3)

Information browsing means for obtaining browsing information from the requested location via communication means and browsing the browsing information;
Storage means for storing the user-specific information sharing user-specific information to be shared object with the other information browsing device for the pre-Symbol information browsing and said information browsing means,
Prohibiting means for prohibiting the provision of user-specific information to be shared, stored in the storage means, to a user other than the user when the sharing is performed;
An authentication means for authenticating the user;
Mode setting means capable of setting either an authentication mode that can be used only by a user authenticated by the authentication means, or a shared mode that can be used by any user without performing the authentication ,
The storage means stores user-specific information to be shared for each user,
The prohibition means is
If the authentication mode is set, providing user-specific information to be shared that is stored in the storage means for the user on the condition that the user has been authenticated,
When the sharing mode is set, the user-specific information stored in the storage unit is deleted when the use of the information browsing unit is terminated, or the sharing target is stored in the storage unit By limiting the storage area for storing user-specific information to a temporary storage area, it is prohibited to provide the user-specific information to be shared to users other than the user when the sharing is performed. and information browsing device. Comprising information exchanging means for exchanging information with the other information browsing apparatus via the communication means;
The information browsing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit shares the information to be shared through the information exchange unit . Computer
Information browsing means for obtaining browsing information from the requested location via communication means and browsing the browsing information;
  Storage means for storing user-specific information by sharing user-specific information to be shared between the information browsing means and the other information browsing device that allows the information browsing;
Prohibiting means for prohibiting the provision of user-specific information to be shared, stored in the storage means, to a user other than the user when the sharing is performed;
An authentication means for authenticating the user;
Function as mode setting means that can set either an authentication mode that can be used only by a user authenticated by the authentication means, or a shared mode that can be used by any user without performing the authentication,
The storage means stores user-specific information to be shared for each user,
The prohibition means is
If the authentication mode is set, providing user-specific information to be shared that is stored in the storage means for the user on the condition that the user has been authenticated,
When the sharing mode is set, the user-specific information stored in the storage unit is deleted when the use of the information browsing unit is terminated, or the sharing target is stored in the storage unit By limiting the storage area for storing user-specific information to a temporary storage area, it is prohibited to provide the user-specific information to be shared to users other than the user when the sharing is performed. Information browsing control program.

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