JP6194770B2 - Data supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a data supply apparatus for supplying output image data obtained using a document file.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for browsing information registered by a business card distributor. The business card includes a two-dimensional code indicating a URL for accessing the distributor's image and text information registered in the server.

JP 2006-85658 A

  When generating image data in which an image indicating access information for accessing data is generated, in order to secure a space for an image other than the image indicating the access information (for example, a still image or an image representing a character string) In some cases, the size of an image showing access information should be limited.

  The present specification provides a technique capable of supplying image data in which an image having an appropriate size indicating access information is described.

  The technology disclosed by this specification is a data supply device for supplying output image data obtained using a document file. The data supply apparatus includes an area determination unit, a character number determination unit, an access information determination unit, a storage control unit, a generation unit, and a supply unit. The region determining unit determines a description region for describing a specific image indicating access information for accessing the first type of content data related to the document file in the output image represented by the output image data. . The character number determination unit determines a first character number of the access information. The first number of characters is the number of characters that can be indicated by a specific image having a size that fits within the determined description area. The access information determination unit determines a first character string having a number of characters equal to or less than the determined first number of characters as access information. The storage control unit stores the first type of content data in the memory area specified by using the determined access information. The generation unit is a data generation unit that generates output image data using a document file and access information, and the output image data represents an output image in which a specific image is described in a description area. The supply unit supplies the generated output image data to the output unit.

  In the above data supply device, the first character string that can be indicated by an image having a size that fits within the determined description area is determined as access information for accessing the content data. According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the size of the image indicating the access information from becoming larger than the determined description area. As a result, output image data in which an image having an appropriate size indicating the access information is described can be supplied.

  The data supply device may further include a data specifying unit that specifies the first type of content data from a document file in which one or more pieces of content data including the first type of content data are described. The first type of content data may be data in which the output content can be changed in a state where the output image is displayed on the display device. The generation unit may generate output image data representing an output image in which a notification image for notifying that the first type of content data is described in the document file is arranged at a position overlapping the description area. Good. The character number determination unit may determine the first character number so that the size of the specific image is smaller than the size of the notification image. According to this configuration, it is possible to acquire an output image in which an image representing access information is overlapped with a notification image. For this reason, by confirming the output image, it is possible to know that the first type of content data notified by the notification image can be accessed using the access information. In addition, since the size of the specific image is smaller than the size of the notification image, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the notification image cannot be confirmed by the image indicating the access information.

  The document file may include first type content data and second type content data. The second type of content data may be data in which the output content does not change while the output image is displayed on the display device. The data generation unit may generate output image data that does not include the first type of content data but includes the second type of content data. According to this configuration, the output image can be appropriately output even if the first type of content data cannot be output at the output destination of the output image data in a state where the output content can be changed. it can.

  The data supply apparatus may further include a condition determining unit that determines a condition to be satisfied by a specific image. The character number determination unit may determine the first character number using the determined first condition. According to this configuration, output image data representing an output image in which a specific image satisfying the first condition is described can be generated.

  When the first character string having the first number of characters cannot be determined as access information, the condition determining unit determines a second condition different from the first condition, and the character number determining unit The access information determination unit determines the second character string having the determined second character number by using the determined second condition instead of the above condition, and determining the second character number of the access information. It may be determined as access information. According to this configuration, it is possible to determine the access information by changing the condition to be satisfied by the image indicating the access information.

  When the first character string cannot be determined as the access information, the character number determining unit determines the third character number that is the third character number of the access information and is smaller than the character number included in the first character string. The access information determination unit may determine a third character string having the determined third number of characters as access information. According to this configuration, the access information can be changed without increasing the size of the image representing the access information.

  The data supply device may be connected to a storage server that stores data. The storage control unit may upload the identified first type content data to the storage server. According to this configuration, the data supply device does not need to store the first type of content data.

  The first type of content data may include data in which the displayed image can be changed in a state where the image represented by the document file is displayed.

  The output unit may include a print execution unit. The supply unit may supply the generated output image data to the print execution unit. According to this configuration, it is possible to acquire a print result in which an image indicating access information is described. Therefore, it is possible to access the first type of content data using a specific image described in the print result.

  Note that a control method, a computer program, and a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program for realizing the data supply device are also novel and useful.

1 shows a configuration of a communication system. The flowchart of the production | generation process which a data supply server performs is shown. The flowchart of the URL determination process which a data supply server performs is shown. The figure for demonstrating the determination method of the number of characters of URL is shown. The figure for demonstrating arrangement | positioning of a two-dimensional code is shown.

(First embodiment)
(Configuration of communication system)
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 2 includes a data supply server 10, a PC 100, a printer 200, and storage servers 300 and 400. The data supply server 10 can communicate with each device 100, 200, 300, 400 via the Internet 4.

(Configuration of data supply server 10)
The data supply server 10 includes a LAN interface 12 and a control unit 30. Hereinafter, the interface is described as “I / F”. The LAN I / F 12 is an interface for the data supply server 10 to communicate with the Internet 4.

  The control unit 30 includes a CPU 32 and a memory 34. The CPU 32 executes various processes according to the program 36 stored in the memory 34. The memory 34 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The memory 34 stores the program 36 executed by the CPU 32. The memory 34 stores one or more two-dimensional code determination tables DT (for example, two-dimensional code determination tables DT1 and DT2 in FIG. 4) to be described later. The two-dimensional code determination table DT is used when the data supply server 10 generates a two-dimensional code, and conditions for generating the two-dimensional code are registered. The two-dimensional code determination table DT is stored in the memory 34 by the administrator of the data supply server 10 or the like.

(Configuration of PC100)
The PC 100 is a desktop type, notebook type, or tablet type PC. The PC 200 includes a LAN I / F (not shown) and can communicate with the Internet 4. The PC 100 includes a display unit 102, an operation unit 104, and a control unit 106. The user can operate the operation unit 104 to cause the PC 100 to generate a document file (see the image DI in FIG. 5), and is a data file in PDF (Portable Document Format) format. One or more object data are described in the PDF document file. In other words, it can also be said that one or more object data are embedded in a PDF document file. A document file in PDF format has a tree structure of one or more object data.

  Object data described in a document file includes text data, moving image data in FLV (Flash Video) format, still image data in JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, and MP3 (MPEG, for example). Audio layer-3) format audio data and any one piece of content data. The content data is data output by an output device such as the display unit 102, for example. The user can reproduce the moving image represented by the moving image data by executing a predetermined operation on the operation unit of the PC 100 in a state where the image represented by the document file is displayed on the display unit 102. . Further, the user reproduces the sound represented by the sound data by executing a predetermined operation on the operation unit of the PC 100 in a state where the image represented by the document file is displayed on the display unit 102. Can do. That is, the moving image data and the audio data are data whose output contents can be changed in a state where an image represented by the document file is displayed on the display unit of the PC 100. Hereinafter, content data whose display contents can be changed in a state where an image represented by a document file is displayed on the display unit of the PC 100 will be referred to as “first type content data”.

  On the other hand, the user performs a predetermined operation on the operation unit of the PC 100 in a state where the image represented by the document file is displayed on the display unit of the PC 200, thereby reducing the size of the image represented by the text data. While it can be changed, the display content cannot be changed. For example, text data can be changed in size while the image represented by the document file is displayed on the display unit, but the content cannot be changed (that is, the character itself cannot be changed). It is data. Hereinafter, content data whose display contents cannot be changed in a state where an image represented by a document file is displayed on the display unit of the PC 200 is referred to as “second type content data”. The still image data is the second type of content data like the text data. The one or more object data further includes position information indicating the position of the content data in the image represented by the document file (see the document image DI in FIG. 5).

  The control unit 106 includes a CPU and a memory. The control unit 106 executes processing in accordance with an operation performed on the operation unit 104 by the user.

(Configuration of Printer 200)
The printer 200 is a peripheral device that can execute a printing function (that is, a peripheral device such as the PC 100). The printer 200 includes a LAN I / F (not shown) and can communicate with the Internet 4. When the printer 200 receives a print instruction including print data from an external apparatus (for example, the data supply server 10), the image represented by the rank print data (the print image PI in FIG. 5) according to the print setting information included in the print instruction. Print on the printing paper.

(Configuration of storage servers 300 and 400)
The storage server 300 stores data supplied from an external device (for example, the data supply server 10). The storage server 300 includes a LAN I / F (not shown) and can communicate with the Internet 4. The storage server 300 includes a memory 302. The memory 302 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. The storage server 300 can store data transmitted (that is, uploaded) from the data supply server 10 via the Internet 4. The storage server 300 can store in the memory 302 one or more folders for storing data. A file (for example, a document file) stored in a folder in the memory 302 has a unique URL (abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator) indicating a location on the Internet 4 (for example, http://example300.org/video.mov) Is granted. The storage server 400 has the same configuration as the storage server 300.

(Generation process executed by the data supply server 10: FIG. 2)
While the data supply server 10 is operating, the CPU 32 of the data supply server 10 monitors whether a combination of a document file and processing information is received from a device such as the PC 100 via the Internet 4. Hereinafter, a document file received from a device such as the PC 100 is referred to as a “target document file”. The process information indicates a process to be executed on the target document file. Further, the processing information includes address information (for example, an IP address) of an external device (for example, the printer 200) that is the transmission destination of the target document file. Further, the processing information includes printing conditions (for example, paper size, number of copies, etc.) set by the user when the processing to be executed on the target document file is printing processing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in S10, the CPU 32 receives a combination of the target document file and the processing information. Next, in S12, the CPU 32 specifies the first type of content data from the target document file. Specifically, the CPU 32 sequentially confirms the contents of one or more object data described in the target document file. When the object data being confirmed contains information indicating that it is the first type of content data, the CPU 32 identifies the object data being confirmed as the first type of content data. As a result, one or more first-type content data included in the specific document file is specified.

  If the first type of content data is specified (YES in S12), the process proceeds to S14. If the first type of content data is not specified (NO in S12), the process proceeds to S32. In S <b> 14, the CPU 32 acquires one first type of content data from the target document file among the one or more first type of content data specified in S <b> 12. Specifically, the CPU 32 generates a copy of the first type of content data specified in S12 separately from the target document file. That is, in S14, the first type of content data is not erased from the document file but is maintained in the state described in the target document file. In the modification, the CPU 32 deletes the acquired first type content data from the target document file when acquiring the first type of content data specified in S14 from the target document file. May be.

  Next, in S <b> 16, the CPU 32 uses the target document file, and in the image represented by the target document file (hereinafter referred to as “document image”), the area related to the first type of content data (hereinafter “related”). (Referred to as “region”) (for example, the related regions LA1 and LA2 in FIG. 5) are specified (ie, lengths in the vertical and horizontal directions). For example, when the first type of content data is moving image data, the related area is an area for displaying a moving image in a document image. In the related area, for example, a notification image for notifying that the first type of content data is described in the document file may be described.

  If the related area cannot be specified, the CPU 32 determines a blank portion in the document file as an area for arranging a two-dimensional code (hereinafter, referred to as “related area” including the area). To do. For example, the CPU 32 may determine the margin of the last page of the document image as the related area.

  The CPU 32 uses the same method as in S12 to select information related to the related area (for example, a character string related to the first type of content data (for example, the first type of content data) from one or more object data described in the target document file. Object data including information) including data name) is specified. Next, the position and size in the document image of the related area included in the specified object data are detected. The “dimension” in this specification means the size when the document image is output (for example, printed) in the paper size (or output size) set in the document file. For example, in the document image DI shown in FIG. 5, in the A4 size (210 mm × 297 mm) document image DI, the related area LA1 has a dimension of 180 mm × 60 mm.

  Next, in S18, the CPU 32 executes a process for determining a URL indicating a position on the Internet 4 of the first type of content data acquired in S14. Next, in S20, the CPU 32 determines whether or not a URL has been determined in the URL determination processing in S18. If the URL is determined (YES in S20), the process proceeds to S22. If the URL is not determined (NO in S20), the generation process is terminated. If the URL is not determined, the CPU 32 may transmit non-execution information indicating that the process using the target document file cannot be executed to the device (for example, the PC 100) that is the transmission source of the target document file. Good. When the non-execution information is received, the PC 100 causes the display unit 102 to display information indicating that the process has not been executed.

  In S22, the CPU 32 sends the content file including the first type of content data acquired in S14 to the position indicated by the URL determined in S18 via the Internet 4 (for example, in the memory 302 of the storage server 300). File). According to this configuration, the data supply server 10 does not need to store the first type of content data.

  Next, in S24, the CPU 32 generates a matrix type two-dimensional code (that is, QR (abbreviation for Quick Response) code (registered trademark)) indicating the URL determined in S28. The CPU 32 generates a two-dimensional code in which a plurality of cells for representing the character string indicating the URL determined in S18 are arranged in a matrix. The CPU 32 generates a two-dimensional code in accordance with the two-dimensional code generation conditions (that is, the size of one cell, the number of cells, and the error correction level) determined in the URL determination process of FIG. Further, the CPU 32 generates second type content data representing a two-dimensional code. Specifically, the CPU 32 generates the second type of content data including the image data representing the generated two-dimensional code and the image data representing the margin that makes a round of the two-dimensional code. The width of the margin that goes around the two-dimensional code is four times the length of one side of the cell.

  When the two-dimensional code is generated, in S26, the CPU 32 describes notifying image data for notifying that the first type of content data is described in the target document file by the same method as in S12. Judge whether or not.

  For example, when the first type of content data is moving image data, the notification image data is a still image representing an image (for example, an image when the reproduction time is 0 second) included in the moving image represented by the first type of content data. It may be image data or text data indicating the title of the moving image. When the first type of content data is audio data, the notification image data may be still image data representing a playback button or text data indicating an audio title. The CPU 32 specifies the notification image data from the document file by the same method as in S12. The notification image data is the second type of content data.

  When it is determined that the notification image data is described (YES in S26), S28 is skipped and the process proceeds to S30. On the other hand, when it is not determined that the notification image data is described (NO in S26), in S28, the CPU 32 generates notification image data using the first type of content data. Specifically, when the first type of content data is moving image data, the CPU 32 generates notification image data representing a still image when the reproduction time is 0 seconds. When the first type of content data is audio data, the CPU 32 generates notification image data representing a playback button.

  In S30, the process executed by the CPU 32 differs depending on whether or not the process of S28 is executed. When the process of S28 is not executed, the CPU 32 describes the second type content data representing the two-dimensional code generated in S24 and the notification image data specified in S26, and is acquired in S14. A document file in which the first type of content data is not described is generated. On the other hand, when the process of S28 is executed, the CPU 32 describes the second type content data representing the two-dimensional code generated in S24 and the notification image data generated in S28, and is acquired in S14. A document file in which the first type of content data is not described is generated.

  In S30, the CPU 32 generates a document file having the same data format (ie, PDF format) as that of the target document file. According to this configuration, the output image can be appropriately output even if the first type of content data cannot be output in a state where the output content can be changed at the output destination of the document file. .

  Specifically, when the first type of content data acquired in S14 is moving image data, the CPU 32 indicates that the image represented by the notification image data is represented by the first type of content data acquired in S14. The notification image data and the position information of the notification image data are described in the document file so that the moving image to be displayed is arranged. On the other hand, if the first type of content data acquired in S14 is audio data, the CPU 32 stores the notification image data in the document file so that it is placed at the end of the document image when the notification image data is generated in S28. The notification image data and the position information of the notification image data are described. When the notification image data is specified in S26, the above process is not executed.

  Next, the CPU 32 represents the two-dimensional code in the document file so that the second type content data representing the two-dimensional code generated in S24 is arranged at a position overlapping the image represented by the notification image data. The second type content data and the position information of the second type content data are described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the image PI represented by the document file generated in S30 includes an image (for example, a text image) TX represented by the second type of content data described in advance in the target document file. The images NI1 and NI2 represented by the notification image data and the two-dimensional codes TC1 and TC2 represented by the second type content data generated in S24 are arranged. The two-dimensional codes TC1 and TC2 are arranged so as to overlap the notification images NI1 and NI2, respectively. According to this configuration, it can be easily estimated that the two-dimensional codes TC1 and TC2 are two-dimensional codes related to the notification images NI1 and NI2, respectively.

  When S30 is completed, in S31, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the processing in S14 to S30 has been completed for all the first type content data specified in S12. If there is first type content data for which the processing of S14 to S30 has not been completed (NO in S31), the process returns to S14. In the second and subsequent S30, a new document file is generated using the document file generated in the previous S30. When the processes from S14 to S30 are completed for all the first type content data (YES in S31), the process proceeds to S32. In S32, the CPU 32 designates the address information included in the processing information received in S10 as a transmission destination, transmits the document file generated in S30, and ends the generation processing. Alternatively, in S32, if NO in S12, the CPU 32 transmits a document file in which the first type content data is not specified in S12. In the modification, the CPU 32 may execute the process of S30 after executing the processes of S14 to S28 for all the first type content data specified in S12.

(URL determination process executed by the data supply server 10: FIG. 3)
Next, the URL determination process in S18 of FIG. 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, in S50, the CPU 32 determines a description area for describing the two-dimensional code using the dimensions of the related area detected in S16 of FIG. Specifically, the CPU 32 uses the value obtained by dividing the horizontal length of the related area detected in S16 of FIG. 2 by a predetermined value (for example, 4) and the vertical length of the related area as described above. And a value divided by a predetermined value (for example, 4). Then, the CPU 32 compares the two calculated values and specifies a smaller value as the length of one side of the description area. For example, when the dimension of the related area is 40 mm × 80 mm, the dimension of the description area is 10 mm × 10 mm. Further, the CPU 32 determines the position of the description area as a predetermined position (for example, lower right) in the related area. In the modification, the CPU 32 may cause the user to determine an index (for example, the above-described predetermined value) that determines the size of the description area. Alternatively, information relating to an area (ie, position and size) in which a two-dimensional code is placed in a document file preset by the user is received in, for example, S10, and the received area is set as a description area (ie, a description area). (Position, dimension).

  Next, in S52, the CPU 32 determines a two-dimensional code generation condition. The CPU 32 determines a two-dimensional code generation condition using the two-dimensional code determination table DT. The two-dimensional code is configured by arranging a plurality of cells in a lattice pattern. The CPU 32 determines the size of the cell included in the two-dimensional code and the error correction level. Error correction refers to information indicated by a two-dimensional code by reading and decoding the two-dimensional code even when a part of the two-dimensional code is missing and cannot be read due to, for example, dirt or damage. For example, it is a function that makes it possible to read URL).

  The CPU 32 determines the cell size. Specifically, first, the CPU 32 acquires the output performance of the output device for the document file generated in S30 of FIG. For example, when the output device is the printer 200, the CPU 32 acquires the dot density that the printer 200 can print from the printer 200. The CPU 32 determines the size of one cell based on the acquired dot density. In the two-dimensional code, the range of the number of dots per cell is defined in advance. The CPU 32 determines the largest number of dots in the specified range as the number of dots per cell. Thereby, the dimension of one cell is determined. In the modification, any of the range of the number of dots per cell may be determined as the number of dots per cell.

  As a result, the maximum number of cells (for example, 40 × 40) that can be accommodated in the description area is determined from the dimension (for example, 10 mm × 10 mm) and the size of one cell (for example, 0.25 mm × 0.25 mm) determined in S50. Identified. In the two-dimensional code, the number of cells is determined in advance depending on the version. The CPU 32 specifies the number of cells of the version that is not more than the maximum number of cells and is closest to the maximum number of cells.

  Next, in S54, the CPU 32 determines the number of characters (for example, 321 characters) using the two-dimensional code determination table DT and the number of characters determined in S52. Subsequently, in S56, the CPU 32 determines a storage server (for example, the storage server 300) that should store the first type of content data specified in S14 of FIG. For example, the CPU 32 may determine a server to store according to the number of characters specified in S54. When the storage server is determined in S56, among the character strings constituting the URL, the scheme (eg, http, ftp) and the host name (eg, the storage server 300) that has been uniquely assigned to the determined storage server. example300.org) is forcibly identified. For this reason, the CPU 32 determines the server so that the number of characters in the forcibly specified character string does not become larger than the number of characters determined in S54.

  In S58, the CPU 32 determines whether or not it is confirmed that the URLs of all the character strings having the number of characters determined in S54 are not usable (processing of S62 described later). When it is determined that it is confirmed that the URLs of all character strings are unusable (YES in S58), the process proceeds to S64. When it is determined that the URL has not been confirmed (NO in S58), the process proceeds to S60. .

  In S60, the CPU 32 determines a candidate URL having the number of characters determined in S54. Specifically, the CPU 32 determines a character string of a path name after a character string (for example, http://example300.org) that is forcibly specified. The CPU 32 generates a candidate URL by determining a character string after the specified character string (for example, a character string after http://example300.org). The CPU 32 generates a new candidate URL different from the candidate URL already generated in S60 until the URL determination process ends. The CPU 32 stores the generated candidate URL in the memory 34.

  Next, in S62, the CPU 32 determines whether the candidate URL is available. Specifically, the CPU 32 transmits a usage inquiry for inquiring whether the candidate URL is available to the storage server determined in S56. The usage inquiry includes a candidate URL. The storage server (for example, the storage server 300) that has received the usage inquiry determines whether the first type of content data can be stored at the position indicated by the candidate URL. For example, the storage server determines that the candidate URL cannot be used when data is already stored at the position indicated by the candidate URL. On the other hand, the storage server determines that the candidate URL can be used when data is not already stored at the position indicated by the candidate URL.

  The storage server transmits the determination result to the data supply server 10. When the received determination result indicates that the candidate URL can be used (YES in S62), the CPU 32 determines the candidate URL as a URL for accessing the first type of content data, and performs URL determination processing. Exit. On the other hand, when the received determination result indicates that the candidate URL can be used (NO in S62), the CPU 32 returns to S58.

  On the other hand, if YES is determined in S58, in S64, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the size of the cell included in the two-dimensional code can be reduced. If it is determined that the cell size can be reduced (YES in S64), the cell size is reduced among the current generation conditions in S66, and the process returns to S54.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the cell size cannot be reduced (NO in S64), in S68, the CPU 32 determines whether or not the current error correction level is the lowest level L. If it is determined that the error correction level is not level L (NO in S68), in S70, the CPU 32 lowers the current error correction level by one (for example, if the current level is H, it changes to level Q). ), And returns to S54.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the error correction level is level L (YES in S68), it is determined in S72 whether or not there are two or more changeable characters among the number of characters specified in S54. Of the number of characters specified in S54, the part representing the scheme and the host name (for example, http://example300.org) is forcibly specified. An extension (for example, .mov) indicating the data format of the first type of content data is also forcibly specified. In S72, it is determined whether there are two or more changeable characters other than the character string that is forcibly specified. When the number of characters that can be changed is two or more, in S74, the CPU 32 subtracts one character from the number of characters and returns to S58. On the other hand, when the number of characters that can be changed is one, the URL determination process ends without determining the URL.

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a method for determining the number of characters in the URL in the URL determination process will be described with a specific example. In this example, the data supply server 10 receives the target document file representing the document image DI from the PC 100 (S10 in FIG. 2), transmits the document file to the printer 200 (S32 in FIG. 2), and prints to the printer 200. The case of executing is described.

  In the two-dimensional code determination table DT1, printer dot density, the number of dots per cell, and cell dimensions are registered in association with each other. In the two-dimensional code determination table DT2, the number of cells of the two-dimensional code, the error correction level, and the maximum number of characters are registered in association with each other. The two-dimensional code determination tables DT1 and DT2 are respectively defined by the two-dimensional code standard. Both the two-dimensional code determination tables DT1 and DT2 are stored in advance in the memory 34 by the vendor of the data supply server 10.

  The dot density is determined by the performance of a print execution unit such as a printer or a multi-function device. The number of dots per cell is defined by the two-dimensional code standard. The cell dimensions are determined by the dot density and the number of dots per cell.

  Regarding the number of cells, in the two-dimensional code standard, the number of cells that can be arranged in the two-dimensional code is determined in advance for each version. For example, in version 15, the number of cells is “77 × 77”, and in version 19, the number of cells is “93 × 93”.

  The error correction level can be set to any one of four levels of H, Q, M, and L according to the allowable level of missing two-dimensional code. At levels H, Q, M, and L, information indicated by the two-dimensional code is present even if about 30%, about 25%, about 15%, and about 7% of the area of the two-dimensional code are missing. It is readable. The maximum number of characters is determined by the number of cells and the error correction level.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the related area LA1 included in the target document file is specified (S16 in FIG. 2), the CPU 32 uses the related area LA1 (for example, a dimension of 180 mm × 60 mm) in S50 in FIG. Then, the horizontal length (180 mm) and the vertical length (60 mm) are respectively divided by a predetermined value “3” to calculate 60 mm and 20 mm. The dimension of the related area LA1 means the dimension when the document image is printed on the paper size A4 set in the document file without being enlarged or reduced. The CPU 32 determines a small value “20 mm” of 60 mm and 20 mm as the length of one side of the two-dimensional code description area.

  Next, using the two-dimensional code determination table DT2, the CPU 32 determines a level H having the highest error correction level as an error correction level as a two-dimensional code generation condition (S52 in FIG. 3). In the modification, the CPU 32 may determine the level specified by the user as the error correction level.

  Next, the CPU 32 uses the two-dimensional code determination table DT1 to determine the cell size as a two-dimensional code generation condition (S52 in FIG. 3). Specifically, the CPU 32 acquires a dot density “600 dpi (abbreviation of Dots Per Inch)” that can be printed by the printer 200 from the printer 200. The CPU 32 specifies the number of dots “6”, “5”, and “4” per cell using the two-dimensional code determination table DT1. The CPU 32 determines the largest dot number “6” among the specified dot numbers as the dot number per cell. Next, the CPU 32 specifies the cell size “0.25 mm” corresponding to the determined dot number “6” from the two-dimensional code determination table DT1. This determines the cell dimensions.

  Subsequently, in S54 of FIG. 3, the CPU 32 divides the length of one side “20 mm” of the description area by the determined cell dimension “0.25 mm”, thereby obtaining the maximum cell that can be arranged in the storage area. The number “80 × 80” is calculated. Subsequently, using the two-dimensional code determination table DT2, the CPU 32 sets the largest number of cells “77 × 77” out of the maximum number of cells “80 × 80” as the number of cells of the two-dimensional code. decide. Further, the CPU 32 specifies “321” associated with the determined cell number “77 × 77” and the error correction level H as the number of characters of the URL using the two-dimensional code determination table DT2. .

  When the server to store the first type of content data is determined (S56 in FIG. 3), the CPU 32 generates a candidate URL (for example, http://example300.org/video... Mov). To do. If the CPU 32 determines that the candidate URL is not usable (NO in S62 in FIG. 3), the CPU 32 changes the changeable character string from among the character strings of 321 characters, and various candidate URLs can be used. It is determined whether or not there is (S62 in FIG. 3). When it is determined that the URL of the character string of 321 characters cannot be used at all (YES in S58 in FIG. 3), the CPU 32 can first reduce the cell size among the two-dimensional code generation conditions. (S64 in FIG. 3).

  The cell dimensions are determined by the number of dots per cell. The CPU 32 uses the two-dimensional code generation table DT1 to determine whether or not the number of dots per cell can be reduced. In S52 of FIG. 3, the number of dots per cell is determined to be “6” as the first generation condition. The CPU 32 determines that the number of dots per cell can be reduced, and the cell size is changed to “0.21 mm” by changing the number of dots per cell to “5”. The As a result, since the maximum number of cells that can be arranged in the storage area is “95 × 95”, the CPU 32 determines the number of cells “93 × 93” using the two-dimensional code generation table DT2. Thus, when the number of characters is changed once, the number of characters “493” is specified.

  Similarly to the above, the CPU 32 determines the availability of a URL with 493 characters, and if none is available, the CPU 32 changes the number of dots per cell to “4” to change the cell number. Change the dimension to “0.17 mm”. As a result, since the maximum number of cells that can be arranged in the storage area is “95 × 95”, the CPU 32 determines the number of cells “93 × 93” using the two-dimensional code generation table DT2. Thus, when the number of characters is changed twice, the number of characters “779” is specified.

  Further, when none of the URLs having 779 characters can be used, the CPU 32 cannot change the number of dots per cell to “4” or less (NO in S64 of FIG. 3). Therefore, the CPU 32 changes the error correction level from “level H” to “level Q” (S70 in FIG. 3). Thus, when the number of characters is changed three times, the number of characters “1041” is specified. If the URL is not determined, the CPU 32 lowers the error correction level until the error correction level becomes “level L” (YES in S68 of FIG. 3). Thereby, when the number of characters is changed four times, the number of characters “1451” is specified, and when the number of characters is changed five times, the number of characters “1853” is specified.

  Furthermore, even if the error correction level is “level L”, if the URL is not determined, the CPU 32 reduces the number of characters one by one from “1852” until the URL is determined (S74), and the candidate URL. Is generated.

  According to the above method, the two-dimensional code and the URL can be determined according to the two-dimensional code generation condition determined by the CPU 32. Also, the number of characters in the URL can be changed by changing the two-dimensional code generation conditions. Also, URLs with various numbers of characters can be generated by changing the two-dimensional code generation conditions. For example, in a situation where a large number of users (for example, hundreds of thousands) cause the data supply server 10 to execute the generation process of FIG. 2, a large number (for example, a few Million) URLs may have to be generated. According to the above configuration, since URLs with various numbers of characters can be generated, unique URLs can be determined for each of a large number of first type content data even in the above situation. it can.

  Further, since the URL is determined while decreasing the number of characters included in the URL one by one (S74 in FIG. 3), the URL can be determined without increasing the size of the two-dimensional code.

(Effect of this embodiment)
Referring to FIG. 5, the document image DI represented by the document file received at S10 is compared with the print image PI formed by the printing process using the document file generated at S32. The image DI includes an image TX representing text, a related area LA1 of moving image data, and a related area LA2 of audio data. On the other hand, the image PI includes a document image DI, a notification image NI1 that notifies that moving image data is described in the document file, a notification image NI2 that notifies that voice data is described in the document file, and 2 Dimension codes TC1 and TC2.

  The notification image NI1 has the same dimensions as the related area LA1. The two-dimensional code TC1 is overlapped with the notification image NI1. Thereby, by confirming the print image PI, it is possible to know that the moving image data related to the notification image NI1 can be accessed by using the two-dimensional code TC1. Further, the user can access the moving image data using the print image PI. The dimension of the two-dimensional code TC1 is determined according to the dimension of the related area LA1. For this reason, it can be prevented that the size of the two-dimensional code TC1 becomes too large and the notification image NI1 cannot be confirmed. As a result, it is possible to generate a document file in which the two-dimensional code TC1 having an appropriate size indicating the URL is described. The same applies to the two-dimensional code TC2.

(Correspondence)
The data supply server 10, the printer 200, and the storage servers 300 and 400 are examples of “data supply device”, “output unit”, “memory area”, and “memory area”, respectively. The document file generated in S30 is an example of “output image data”. The URL is an example of “access information”, the two-dimensional codes TC1 and TC2 are examples of “specific images”, and the print image PI is an example of “output images”.

  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) The “data supply device” is not limited to the data supply server 10 and may be another device such as a PC or a multi-function device that is communicably connected to an external device. The “memory area” is not limited to the storage server 300 but may be the memory 34 of the data supply server 10 or a memory of the PC 100 or the like. The “output unit” is not limited to the printer 200, and may be a display device such as a monitor. In this modification, the data supply server 10 may acquire the pixel pitch, resolution, screen size, and the like as the output performance of the output device.

(2) In the above embodiment, the data supply server 10 transmits the generated document file by specifying the address information included in the processing information received in S10 of FIG. 2 as the transmission destination (for example, the printer 200). (S32 in FIG. 2). However, the data supply server 10 may transmit the generated document file to the transmission source (for example, the PC 100) of the document file received in S10 of FIG. In this case, when the document file transmission source receives the document file generated by the data supply server 10, the document file transmission source may transmit the document file to a device (for example, the printer 200) that should process the document file.

(3) The “document file” is not limited to the PDF format file, and may be a data format file (for example, a PPT format file) in which the first type of content data can be described. In general, a “document file” is a file in which content data that can be changed or cannot be changed while an image represented by the document file is displayed on a display device. It is.

(4) In the above embodiment, the data supply server 10 specifies the first type of content data by sequentially checking the contents of one or more object data described in the document file (see FIG. 2 S12). However, the data supply server 10 specifies the character string indicating the data format of the first type of content data from the character strings described in the document file (for example, the character string “FLV”), thereby One type of content data may be specified.

(5) In the above embodiment, the data supply server 10 generates a document file having the same data format (that is, PDF format) as the document file received from the external device, and transmits it to the printer 200 or the like. However, the data supply server 10 may generate data having a data format (for example, PDL format) different from that of the document file received from the external device and transmit the data to the printer 200 or the like.

(6) The “first type of content data” is not limited to moving image data and audio data. The “first type content data” may be, for example, three-dimensional data representing a three-dimensional shape. The three-dimensional data can rotate the three-dimensional shape represented by the three-dimensional data in a state where the image represented by the document file is displayed on the display device. The “first type of content data” is represented by data that cannot be obtained all the information included in the content data by printing or expressing in two dimensions (for example, displayed on a two-dimensional display), that is, content data. Data from which at least some of the information is missing).

  Alternatively, the “first type of content data” refers to content whose display contents cannot be changed while an image represented by a document file is displayed on a display device, such as image data representing a still image or text data. Data may be included. That is, among the content data described in the document file, the content data to be stored in the memory area may be “first type content data”, and the content data that should not be stored in the memory area is “ It may be “second type content data”. Note that whether or not the content data is to be stored in the memory area may be determined by the user.

(7) In the above embodiment, the data supply server 10 receives the document file describing the first type of content data (S10 in FIG. 2), and executes the generation process in FIG. However, the data supply server 10 outputs a document file to be output (for example, data representing a business card) and first type content data (for example, profile data of a person described on the business card) related to the document file. It may be acquired separately. In this case, in S <b> 16 of FIG. 2, the CPU 32 may specify the margin portion of the acquired document file as the related area. The above configuration is included in the configuration of “determining a description area for describing a specific image in an output image represented by output image data”.

(8) In the above embodiment, in the URL determination process, the data supply server 10 first changes the cell size, then changes the error correction level, and finally changes the two-dimensional to change the number of characters in the URL. Decrease the number of characters without changing the code generation conditions. However, the URL determination process is not limited to the order of the above embodiments. For example, the data supply server 10 may change the error correction level first, then change the cell size, and finally reduce the number of characters itself. Further, the data supply server 10 may not change one of the error correction level and the cell size. Alternatively, the data supply server 10 may reduce the number of characters itself without changing the two-dimensional code generation conditions.

(9) In the above embodiment, the data supply server 10 determines the description area of the two-dimensional code itself (S52 in FIG. 3). However, the data supply server 10 may determine a description region of an image including a two-dimensional code and a margin that goes around the two-dimensional code. The above configuration is included in the configuration of “determining a description area for describing a specific image in an output image represented by output image data”.

(10) In the above embodiment, the data supply server 10 generates a matrix type two-dimensional code. However, the data supply server 10 may generate one of a stack type two-dimensional code, a barcode, a character string, and a path name indicating the URL determined in S18. For example, when a character string or path name is generated, the data supply server 10 determines the character size as the generation condition instead of the two-dimensional code generation conditions (that is, the cell size and error correction level). Also good. The process of this modification is an example of a “condition determining unit that determines a condition to be satisfied by a specific image”.

(11) The “access information” may be a path name other than the URL, the IP address of the server storing the first type of content data, the file name of the file containing the first type of content data, and the like. Generally speaking, the “access information” may be information that can specify the first type of content data stored in a specific memory area.

(12) In the above embodiment, the file is stored directly under the storage server (for example, the storage server 300), but the file may be stored in a folder composed of one or more layers. In this case, the URL character string may include a character string indicating the folder names of all layers in which the file is stored, in addition to the host name and file name of the storage server. Further, the number of characters determined in S54 of FIG. 3 may include the number of characters in the character string indicating the folder name. As the storage server folder, a folder created in advance in the storage server may be used, or the data supply server 10 may cause the storage server to create a folder having a designated folder name.

(13) In the above embodiment, each unit of the data supply server 10 is realized by software, but at least one of the units of the data supply server 10 may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

  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.

2: Communication system, 10: Data supply server, 30: Control unit, 100: PC, 200: Printer, 300, 400: Storage server, DT1, DT2: Two-dimensional code determination table, DI: Document image, PI: Print image , TC1, TC2: two-dimensional code, LA1, LA2: related area, NI1, NI2: notification image

Claims (10)

A data supply device for supplying output image data obtained using a document file,
An area determination unit for determining a description area for describing a specific image indicating access information for accessing the first type of content data related to the document file in the output image represented by the output image data When,
A number-of-characters determination unit that determines a first number of characters of the access information, wherein the first number of characters is the number of characters that can be indicated by the specific image having a size that fits within the determined description area; The character number determining unit;
An access information determination unit that determines, as the access information, a first character string having a character number equal to or less than the determined first character number;
A storage control unit for storing the first type of content data in a memory area specified using the determined access information;
A data generation unit that generates the output image data using the document file and the access information, wherein the output image data represents the output image in which the specific image is described in the description area , The generation unit;
A data supply apparatus comprising: a supply unit that supplies the generated output image data to an output unit. The data supply device further includes:
A data specifying unit for specifying the first type of content data from the document file in which one or more pieces of content data including the first type of content data are described;
The first type of content data is data in which the output content can be changed in a state where the output image is displayed on a display device.
The generation unit is configured to output the output image representing the output image in which a notification image for notifying that the first type of content data is described in the document file is disposed at a position overlapping the description area. Generate data,
The data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the area determination unit determines the first number of characters so that a dimension of the specific image is smaller than a dimension of the notification image. The document file includes the first type content data and the second type content data,
The second type of content data is data in which the output content does not change in a state where the output image is displayed on the display device,
The data supply device according to claim 2, wherein the data generation unit generates the output image data that does not include the first type of content data but includes the second type of content data. The data supply device further includes:
A condition determining unit for determining a condition to be satisfied by the specific image;
4. The data supply device according to claim 1, wherein the character number determination unit determines the first character number using a determined first condition. 5. When the first character string having the first number of characters cannot be determined as the access information,
The condition determining unit determines a second condition different from the first condition;
The number-of-characters determination unit determines the second number of characters of the access information using the determined second condition instead of the first condition,
The data supply device according to claim 4, wherein the access information determination unit determines a second character string having the determined second number of characters as the access information. When the first character string cannot be determined as the access information,
The character number determination unit determines the third character number that is the third character number of the access information and is smaller than the character number included in the first character string,
6. The data supply device according to claim 1, wherein the access information determination unit determines a third character string having the determined third number of characters as the access information. 7. The data supply device is connected to a storage server for storing data;
The data supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the storage control unit uploads the first type of content data to the storage server.   The first type content data includes data that can change a displayed image in a state where an image represented by the document file is displayed. Data supply device. The output unit includes a print execution unit,
The data supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit supplies the generated output image data to the print execution unit. A computer program for a data supply device for supplying output image data obtained by using a document file, the computer mounted on the data supply device performs the following processing:
Region determination processing for determining a description region for describing a specific image indicating access information for accessing the first type of content data related to the document file in the output image represented by the output image data When,
A character number determination process for determining a first character number of the access information, wherein the first character number is a character number that can be indicated by the specific image having a size that fits within the determined description area. The number-of-characters determination process;
An access information determination process for determining, as the access information, a first character string having a character number equal to or less than the determined first character number;
A storage control process for storing the first type of content data in a memory area identified using the determined access information;
Data generation processing for generating the output image data using the document file and the access information, wherein the output image data represents the output image in which the specific image is described in the description area , The generation process;
A computer program for executing supply processing for supplying the generated output image data to an output unit.

Images