JP5552893B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a customization technique in an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus or a computer apparatus.

  In image forming apparatuses such as laser beam printers, ink jet printers, digital copiers, etc., when replacing with other models including products of other companies, received data filtering technology (searches a predetermined data string from the received data for the purpose of maintaining compatibility). , A technique for replacing with a predetermined data string) is already known.

  Also, a technique for customizing a product by applying this filter technique (filter program) is already known.

  Although the above-mentioned customization applying the conventional filter technology is suitable for fixed customization, the change of the filter program to change the contents of customization meant the change of the firmware itself. There was a problem that development in the scene was difficult.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for registering a cgi (common gateway interface) program (script) of an http (hypertext transfer protocol) server installed in an apparatus from the outside and customizing a user interface or the like by the cgi program. However, there is a problem that customization can be performed only for the part related to the http server.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and the object of the present invention is to widely support customization in a portion where data is output without changing firmware. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that can perform such processing.

To solve the above problems, in the present invention, means for registering a predetermined search pattern as a script based on a predetermined syntax, a substitution pattern as predetermined, metadata embedded in the markup language data Means for registering a substitution pattern including a script based on a predetermined notation, means for storing the script, means for inputting markup language data corresponding to screen information to be output to the outside of the apparatus, and output to the outside of the apparatus Means for determining whether or not markup language data corresponding to screen information matches the search pattern by interpreting and executing the script, and a pattern that matches the search pattern on the markup language data It was replaced with the substitution patterns by interpreting and executing the script, embed metadata Means, Ru and means for outputting information screen corresponding to the markup language data are substituted to the outside of the apparatus.

  In the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the function can be expanded by a script and the output data is processed on the basis of simple data processing by search and replacement. Without modification, it is possible to deal with a wide range of customization in the part where data is output.

It is a figure which shows the network structural example of the system concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus as an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the user interface example of registration of a search pattern and a replacement pattern. It is a figure which shows the user interface example of registration of a script. It is a figure which shows the process example of the process of the data sent out on a network. It is a figure which shows the process example of the process of the character string data displayed on a display apparatus. It is a figure which shows the process example of the process of the character string data of the printed matter produced | generated inside an apparatus.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

<Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration example of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 2 as an information processing apparatus is connected to a network 1 and client PCs (Personal Computers) 3 and 4 are connected to the network 1. In addition to the original functions such as printing, the image forming apparatus 2 has a function of performing processing for customization on data corresponding to information output to the outside of the apparatus. The client PCs 3 and 4 are provided with a remote UI (User Interface), a WWW (World Wide Web) browser, a device information management tool, and the like for operating the image forming apparatus 2.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 2 as an information processing apparatus.

  In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 2 includes a controller 21, an input / output panel 22, a mass storage device 23, and a printer engine 24.

  The controller 21 performs control to convert print data from the host into video data and output it to the printer engine 24 in accordance with the control mode set at that time and the control code from the host.

  The input / output panel 22 displays the state of the apparatus on the display unit, and inputs a user operation through the switch unit to accept an instruction to switch the apparatus mode, font, and the like.

  The large capacity storage device 23 is a storage medium having a large storage capacity such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

  In the case of a laser printer, the printer engine 24 creates an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member based on video data and control signals from the controller 21, develops it, feeds transfer paper from a paper feed unit, and performs transfer and fixing. Then, an image is formed. The printer engine 24 is not limited to a laser printer, and may correspond to an ink jet printer.

  The controller 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 212, a program / font ROM (Read Only Memory) 213, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 214, a non-volatile RAM 215, a communication control unit 216, and a print control unit 217. And an engine interface (I / F) 218.

  The CPU 212 processes data (print data, control data) from the host according to the program stored in the program / font ROM 213.

  The program / font ROM 213 stores data processing and management in the controller 21 and programs for controlling peripheral modules, and has various types of fonts used for printing.

  The RAM 214 is used as a work memory when the CPU 212 performs processing, a buffer for managing data from the host in units of pages and temporarily storing the data, and converting the data stored in the buffer into an actual print pattern to convert video data Is used for a bit map memory or the like for storing.

  The non-volatile RAM 215 is a non-volatile memory for storing data that is to be retained even when the power is turned off.

  The communication control unit 216 is an interface for control signals and data from the host to the device and status signals from the device to the host. In recent years, an HTTP server (httpd: http daemon) for providing a user interface using a WWW browser and a MIB (Management Information Base) database accessed by SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) are provided with a network interface. It has become common to provide these functions.

  The print control unit 217 controls printing in the printer engine 24.

  The engine I / F 218 is an interface for control signals and video signals from the controller 21 to the printer engine 24 and status signals from the printer engine 24 to the controller 21.

<Operation>
First, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 2 will be described.

  Data sent from the host such as the client PC 3 or 4 through the communication control unit 216 is analyzed by the CPU 212 according to the data analysis program on the program / font ROM 213, and the print data and print control data (SP, CR, LF, HT, VT, etc.) and other data. Print data, print control data, and other data are temporarily stored in the reception buffer on the RAM 214.

  The received data once stored is retrieved one by one by the control program on the program / font ROM 213 by the CPU 212 and subjected to predetermined processing. For example, if the extracted data is a character code, an intermediate code including a print position, a print size, a character code, font information, and the like is created and stored in an intermediate buffer provided on the RAM 214. If the extracted data is a command such as a control code or an escape sequence, a predefined process is performed on them. For example, if the print position is specified, the next character code position is set to the specified position, or if the font is changed, the font information of the next character code is specified. The process is performed such as changing to a new font.

  In this way, the CPU 212 processes the print command from the host, or when the processed data exceeds one page, converts the intermediate code stored in the intermediate buffer of the RAM 214 into image data according to the control program. Perform compression processing.

  When the compression is completed, the CPU 212 issues a print start command to the printer engine 24 through the engine I / F 218, and transfers the compressed image data while decompressing it in synchronization therewith. Alternatively, the compressed image data is temporarily stored in the mass storage device 23 connected to the controller 21 and deleted from the RAM 214.

  The compressed image data stored in the large-capacity storage device 23 is loaded onto the RAM 214 at a timing instructed by the control program of the controller 21 asynchronously with the reception and analysis of the data. 24, the image is transferred.

  The print data from the host is printed via the printer engine 24 in the series of flows as described above.

  Next, registration of a search pattern and a replacement pattern as a preparation for a filter program stored in the program / font ROM 213 and executed by the CPU 212 will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface for registering search patterns and replacement patterns. Registration is performed by inputting a search pattern and a replacement pattern from a user interface such as a WWW browser of the client PCs 3 and 4 via the network 1 or from the input / output panel 22 of the image forming apparatus 2. In this case, the CPU 212, the communication control unit 216, the input / output panel 22 and the like function as means for registering the search pattern and the replacement pattern.

  In the example of FIG. 3, “<img src =” company1. The character string “gif” ”is used as a search pattern, and“ <img src = “company2. In this example, the character string “gif” ”is registered as a replacement pattern. There can be a plurality of sets of search patterns and replacement patterns, which are stored in a table in the apparatus.

  Next, a description will be given of registration of a script that is stored in the program / font ROM 213 and that is executed by the CPU 212 or that extends the function of the filter program. The script is a simple program written in a predetermined notation, and may be an original specification or a language specification such as Perl. If a script language such as Perl is used, the degree of freedom of processing becomes much higher. Further, the present invention is not limited to the cgi program executed on the server, and can be applied to any kind of program data.

  The registered script operates as a filter program, and conditional branching and variables can be used when a request for performing more complicated processing is generated in addition to normal search / replacement.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface for script registration. A script file is selected from the user interface of the client PCs 3 and 4 via the network 1 or from the input / output panel 22 of the image forming apparatus 2. Or, input and register. In this case, the CPU 212, the communication control unit 216, the input / output panel 22 and the like function as means for registering a script.

  Next, processing for customization of data corresponding to information output to the outside of the apparatus will be described for each case.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a processing example of processing of data to be transmitted on the network.

  In FIG. 5, an http daemon 252 that operates in the apparatus receives requests from client PCs 3 and 4 and generates html (Hyper Text Markup Language) data.

  The html data is input to the filter program 251. The filter program 251 performs processing according to the contents registered in advance.

  For example, in the case where the search pattern and the replacement pattern as shown in FIG. 3 are registered in order to customize the icons displayed on the WWW browsers of the client PCs 3 and 4, the filter program 251 includes the following: Perform the following process.

  That is, the filter program 251 reads “<img src =” company1. When a character string having a search pattern “gif” ”is searched and a corresponding character string is found,“ <img src = “company2. Replace with a character string having a replacement pattern of “gif” ”.

  The html data processed by the filter program 251 is sent from the communication control unit 216 to the requesting client PCs 3 and 4, and the html data is interpreted by the WWW browser on the client PCs 3 and 4 side so that the user can understand it. It is expressed in At this time, in the original html data, company1. When the gif image data is displayed, company2. Since it has been changed to image data of gif, the client PC 3 and the WWW browser on the 4 side have company2. A gif image is displayed, and data corresponding to information output from the apparatus can be customized.

  In addition, processing when processing is performed using a registered script is as follows.

  That is, the script (file) registered as shown in FIG. 4 is executed by the script language execution environment in the apparatus and operates as the filter program 251. In the apparatus, a memory area for holding a script file and a buffer of an appropriate size as an input / output unit for processing data are provided.

  The filter program 251 receives the html data generated by the http daemon 252 and sends the processed html data from the communication control unit 216 to the client PCs 3 and 4 via the network.

  If the device sends out more information than can be normally seen by the user as metadata embedded in html data, or if it has a URI (Uniform Resource Identifier) dedicated to obtaining information that only the filter program 251 accesses, a filter Various kinds of information can be processed by the program 251 and can be customized to be displayed on a WWW browser in a necessary format.

  If it is data to be sent to the network, the same mechanism can be used to access the MIB database, PJL (Print Job Language) status readback, USTATUS, processing of the display character string on the remote user interface, etc. to realize customization Is possible. In addition to the cgi program, it can be applied in common to MIB and PJL data, and it is possible to use a common data search / registration configuration for multiple types of data processing such as MIB and PJL. Can be suppressed. Moreover, when processing each data, it is not necessary to register the corresponding cgi program one by one.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a processing example of processing character string data displayed on the display device.

  In FIG. 6, display data that is originally given directly to the input / output panel 22 is input to the filter program 251. The filter program 251 performs processing according to the contents registered in advance, is converted into graphic data by the character generator 253, and is displayed on the input / output panel 22.

  Character string data displayed on the input / output panel 22 is normally converted into graphic data by a character generator 253 (which may be realized by software or hardware) and displayed on the input / output panel 22. Is done. If the display data is before being converted into graphic data, the processing can be performed by the filter program 251, and thus it can be seen that customization can be realized.

  When the display data has layout information, a software block or hardware block for generating layout information is arranged instead of the character generator 253. Even in this case, the filter program 251 interprets the display data expression format. If the format is possible, or if the filter program 251 corresponds to the display data expression format, customization including layout information can be performed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a processing example of processing of character string data of a printed matter generated inside the apparatus.

  Print data from the outside of the apparatus can be processed by a reception data filter, but printing such as report printing in which data is generated inside the apparatus and output to the outside cannot be customized by the reception data filter.

  FIG. 7 shows a data flow when data generated inside the apparatus is output to the outside as a printed matter.

  The report data is layout information including a character string and a paper size, and any processing can be performed by appropriately creating a filter program. At this time, if meta information is included in the data, it becomes easy to extract only necessary information, and the range of customization is expanded.

  The report data generated by the report data generation unit 254 is changed in character string and layout information through the filter program 251, converted into graphic data by the rendering unit 255, and passed to the print control unit 217, thereby customized report data. Printing is performed.

<Summary>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, based on simple data processing by search and replacement, the function can be expanded by the script and the process is performed on the output data. Without changing the firmware, it is possible to support a wide range of customization in the part where data is output.

  The present invention can be implemented as a general information processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an information system, a program, or a recording medium storing a program.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously you can. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network 2 Image forming apparatus 21 Controller 211 Bus 212 CPU
213 Program / Font ROM
214 RAM
215 Nonvolatile RAM
216 Communication control unit 217 Print control unit 218 Engine I / F
22 Input / output panel 23 Mass storage device 24 Printer engine 251 Filter program 252 HTTP daemon 253 Character generator 254 Report data generation unit 255 Rendering unit 3, 4 Client PC

JP 2004-46469 A

Claims (4)

Means for registering a predetermined search pattern as a script based on a predetermined notation;
Means for registering a replacement pattern as a script based on a predetermined notation that is a predetermined replacement pattern and includes metadata embedded in markup language data ;
Means for storing the script;
Means for inputting markup language data corresponding to screen information to be output outside the apparatus;
Means for determining whether markup language data corresponding to screen information to be output to the outside of the apparatus matches the search pattern by interpreting and executing the script;
Means for embedding metadata , replacing the pattern that matches the search pattern on the markup language data with the replacement pattern by interpreting and executing the script;
An information processing apparatus comprising: means for outputting screen information corresponding to the replaced markup language data to the outside of the apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
2. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the markup language data corresponding to the screen information output to the outside of the apparatus is data to be transmitted over a network. Computer
Means for registering a predetermined search pattern as a script based on a predetermined notation;
Means for registering, as a script based on a predetermined notation, a replacement pattern which is a predetermined replacement pattern and includes metadata embedded in markup language data;
Means for storing the script;
Means for inputting markup language data corresponding to screen information to be output to the outside of the device;
Means for judging by interpreting and executing the script whether markup language data corresponding to screen information to be output to the outside of the apparatus matches the search pattern;
Means for embedding metadata by replacing the pattern matching the search pattern on the markup language data with the replacement pattern by interpreting and executing the script;
Means for outputting screen information corresponding to the replaced markup language data to the outside of the apparatus
Program to function as . A method executed by an information processing apparatus,
Registering a predetermined search pattern as a script based on a predetermined notation;
Registering a replacement pattern which is a predetermined replacement pattern and includes metadata embedded in markup language data as a script based on a predetermined notation;
Storing the script;
Inputting markup language data corresponding to screen information to be output to the outside of the device;
Determining whether markup language data corresponding to screen information to be output to the outside of the apparatus matches the search pattern by interpreting and executing the script;
Replacing the pattern that matches the search pattern on the markup language data with the replacement pattern by interpreting and executing the script, and embedding metadata;
Outputting screen information corresponding to the replaced markup language data to the outside of the apparatus;
A method characterized by comprising:

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