JP3880164B2 - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

ＷＷＷサーバから受信するＨＴＭＬ形式のデータは別のＨＴＭＬデータにハイパーリンクすることができ、ハイパーリンクされたＨＴＭＬデータがさらに別のＨＴＭＬへハイパーリンクされている場合もある。このリンクレベルを設定するために、パラメータ１の設定が行われる。パラメータ１は指定されたＵＲＬのリンクをたどり印刷する最大のリンクレベルを設定するパラメータであり、このパラメータにより印刷するＨＴＭＬの最大リンク数が設定される。
【００８１】
パラメータ２は、印刷する最大のページ数を設定するパラメータであり、ＷＷＷサーバからのＨＴＭＬデータをソフトキー３０６（用紙選択キー）にて設定された用紙サイズにレイアウトした結果、必要となるページ数がこのパラメータ２により設定された最大のページ数を超えた場合、超えたページ以降のプリントアウトを行わないように設定される。本例では、デフォルト値としては「０」が設定され、このデフォルト値「０」では、印刷する最大のページ数を制限無しに設定する。
【００８２】
パラメータ３は、最大ページ数を超えても現在のＨＴＭＬデータは印刷する/しないの設定を行うためのパラメータであり、このパラメータはパラメータ２で設定された最大ページ数を超えた場合、1つのＨＴＭＬの文書に対しては最後まで印刷しないと困る場合があるから、ユーザによる選択が可能とした機能である。
【００８３】
パラメータ４は、他サイトのＨＴＭＬも印刷する/しないの設定を行うためのパラメータである。パラメータ１のリンクレベルを1以上に設定した場合、印刷実行したＨＴＭＬの文書が他サイトのＨＴＭＬにハイパーリンクされている場合が存在する。この場合、他サイトのＨＴＭＬ文書がユーザにとって全く興味がないホームページである可能性があるために、パラメータ４の設定により、ユーザが他サイトのＨＴＭＬも印刷する/しないを選択することを可能にする。
【００８４】
パラメータ５は、タイムアウト時間を設定するパラメータであり、このパラメータによりタイムアウト時間を設定することによって、ＴＣＰ，ＵＤＰ２５１（図５に示す）などのネットワーク関係の通信エラーが発生した場合、長時間リトライを繰り返すことが防止される。
【００８５】
パラメータ６は、ＨＴＭＬクライアントプログラム２５２において通信エラーが発生した場合にそのエラー時のリトライ回数を設定するパラメータである。
【００８６】
パラメータ７は使用するFont名称を設定するパラメータであり、パラメータ８はFont sizeの指定を行うためのパラメータである。パラメータ９はFontの太さを設定するパラメータであり、各パラメータ７，８，９はＨＴＭＬテキストデータを印字するフォントに関する設定に用いられる。
【００８７】
パラメータ１０は印刷のLeftマージン、パラメータ１１は印刷のRightマージン、パラメータ１２は印刷のTop マージン、パラメータ１３は印刷のBottomマージンをそれぞれ設定するパラメータであり、各パラメータ１０，１１，１２，１３はソフトキー３０６（用紙選択キー）により設定された用紙サイズにおける上下左右の余白幅の規定に用いられる。
【００８８】
パラメータ１４は、バックグラウンドも印刷する/しないを設定するためのパラメータであり、このパラメータの設定により、バックグラウンドが黒色などで描画されているホームページをカラーディスプレイ上で表示する場合は問題なくても、このホームページを白黒プリンタで印刷すると、テキスト部分も黒、バックグラウンドも黒くなり、テキストが判断できなくなることを未然に防止することが可能になる。
【００８９】
パラメータ１５は、ヘッダ、フッタ（URL、Page番号、印刷日付）を付けて印刷するか／しないかを設定するためのパラメータであり、このパラメータの設定により、印刷レイアウトをする段階にＷＷＷサーバ上のホームページには記述はされていないURL、Page番号、印刷日付を付け加えるか、付け加えないかを選択することができる。
【００９０】
パラメータ１６は、リンクマップを印刷するか/しないかを設定するためのパラメータであり、このパラメータを用いて、パラメータ１で印刷する最大リンクレベルを１以上に設定した場合、印刷したＨＴＭＬ文書がどのようにハイパーリンクされていたのかというリンク情報を印刷するかしないをユーザは選択することができる。
【００９１】
パラメータ１７はスタイルシートを使用するかしないかを設定するためのパラメータであり、このスタイルシートは、ＨＴＭＬのデータには印刷するフォントの名称や、フォントサイズなどが規定されていないために、ホームページをレイアウトするプログラム毎にレイアウト結果が異なることを解消するためのパラメータが記述されているデータシートである。このスタイルシートを使用する場合は、使用するシートの名称を指定する必要があり、このシートの名称を指定することによって使用するシートが指定され、この指定されたシートの情報に従ってレイアウトが行われる。
【００９２】
次に、ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３、ＨＴＴＰクライアント２５２などのプログラムを実行してＷＷＷサーバのホームページを印刷する処理手順について説明する。図１５は図１の画像形成装置におけるＷＷＷサーバのホームページを印刷する処理手順を示すフローチャート、図１６は図１５のステップＳ５０２のコマンド受け取り処理の手順を示すフローチャート、図１７は図１の画像形成装置におけるスケジュールジョブ処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。
【００９３】
ＷＷＷサーバのホームページを印刷する際には、図１５に示すように、操作部１１５よりコマンドが発行される。この操作部１１５よりコマンドが発行される場合においては、上述したように、ホームページを印刷する際に必要なパラメータが操作部１１５を用いてセットした後に、スタートキー３１９を押すことにより、操作部１１５からコア部１０を経由してネットワークＩ／Ｆ部７にプリント指示命令が発行される。
【００９４】
また、ＰＣクライアント１１からもコマンドが発行される。ＰＣクライアント１１には、操作部１１５で設定した印刷パラメータの設定プログラムが搭載され、この設定プログラムにより印刷パラメータを設定した後にこの印刷パラメータを含むプリント指示命令が発せられる。このプリント指示命令は、ＬＰＲ（プリンタ印刷用のクライアントプロトコル）によってネットワークを介してネットワークＩ／Ｆ部７に発せられる。このネットワークを流れる命令は印刷に必要なパラメータであるから、データ長はホームページから変換されたプリンタで印刷可能なデータと比較すると極めて短い。ＰＣクライアント１１から出された印刷指示命令は、ステップＳ５０１において、ネットワークＩ／Ｆ部７のアプリケーション階層のプロトコル２５４の中の１つであるＬＰＤによって受信される。
【００９５】
さらに、後述するスケジュールジョブ処理によりプリント指示コマンドが発行される。このスケジュールジョブ処理の詳細については後述する。
【００９６】
操作部１１５からのプリント指示命令、クライアントＰＣ１１からのプリント指示命令、スケジュールジョブ処理からのプリント指示命令は同一のデータフォーマットである。操作部１１５、クライアントＰＣ１１からはプリント指示命令の他に、スケジュールジョブの問い合わせ命令が発行される。操作部１１５からのスケジュールジョブの問い合あせコマンドの発行タイミングは、操作部１１５の表示画面上でソフトキー３３５（時刻指定リストキー）を押下したタイミングに設定されている。また、スケジュールジョブの削除命令（操作部表示画面では時刻指定リストの削除キー４１０を押したタイミングで発行される）、即時ジョブの問い合わせ命令（操作部表示画面ではソフトキー３３６すなわち待機ＪＯＢリストキーを押したタイミングで発行される）、即時ジョブリストの削除命令（操作部表示画面では待機ＪＯＢリストの削除キー４２７を押したタイミングとプリント動作中にＳＴＯＰキー３２１、またはリセットキー３２０が押されたタイミングで発行される）が発行される。
【００９７】
操作部１１５、ＰＣクライアント１１、スケジュールジョブ処理のいずれかから上述のコマンドが発行されると、ステップＳ５０２において、コマンド受け取り処理プログラムによりコマンド受け取り処理を実行する。
【００９８】
このコマンド受け取り処理は、図１６に示すように、まず、ステップＳ５２０において、受け取ったコマンドがスケジュールジョブの問い合わせ命令であるか否かを判定し、受け取ったコマンドがスケジュールジョブの問い合わせ命令であると、ステップＳ５２１に進み、スケジュールジョブリスト（時刻指定リスト）の取得を行い、続くステップＳ５２４で、スケジュールジョブの問い合わせ命令を発した宛先に取得したスケジュールジョブリストをメッセージとして送信して処理を終了する。ここで、操作部１１５がスケジュールジョブの問い合わせ命令を発行した場合には、操作部１１５において、受け取ったメッセージに基づき図１２に示す時刻指定リストを作成して表示する。
【００９９】
受け取ったコマンドがスケジュールジョブの問い合わせ命令でないときには、ステップＳ５２２に進み、受け取ったコマンドがスケジュールジョブの削除命令であるか否かを判定する。受け取ったコマンドがスケジュールジョブの削除命令であるときには、ステップＳ５２３に進み、スケジュールジョブの削除命令により指定されたジョブをスケジュールリストから削除し、続くステップＳ５２４で、コマンドを発した宛先に削除したスケジュールリストをメッセージとして送信して処理を終了する。ここで、操作部１１５がスケジュールジョブの削除コマンドを発行した場合、操作部１１５においては、受け取ったメッセージに基づき図１２に示す時刻指定リストを作成して表示する。
【０１００】
受け取ったコマンドがスケジュールジョブの削除命令でないときには、ステップＳ５２５に進み、受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブの問い合わせ命令であるか否かを判定する。受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブの問い合わせ命令であるときには、ステップＳ５２６に進み、即時ジョブリストを取得し、続くステップＳ５２４でコマンドを送信してきた宛先に取得した即時ジョブリストをメッセージとして送信して処理を終了する。ここで、操作部１１５が即時ジョブの問い合わせ命令を発行した場合、操作部１１５においては、受け取ったデータに基づき図１３に示す待機ＪＯＢリストを作成して表示する。
【０１０１】
受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブの問い合わせ命令でないときには、ステップＳ５２７に進み、受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブ削除命令であるか否かを判定する。受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブ削除コマンドであるときには、ステップＳ５２８に進み、指定されたジョブがＨＴＴＰクライアント２５２またはＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３により実行中であるか否かを判定する。指定されたジョブが実行中でないときには、ステップＳ５２９に進み、即時ジョブリストから指定されたジョブを削除し、続くステップＳ５２４で、削除したジョブリストをコマンドを発した宛先にメッセージとして送信して処理を終了する。ここで、操作部１１５が即時ジョブの削除コマンドを発行した場合、操作部１１５においては、受け取ったメッセージに基づき図１３に示す待機ＪＯＢリストを更新して表示する。
【０１０２】
削除するように指示されたジョブがＨＴＴＰクライアント２５２またはＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３により実行中であるときには、ステップＳ５３０に進み、キャンセルフラグを立てて処理を終了する。
【０１０３】
受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブ削除命令コマンドでないときには、ステップＳ５３１に進み、受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブプリント命令であるか否かを判定し、受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブプリントコマンドでないときには、スケジュールジョブのプリントコマンドであると判断してステップＳ５３２で、このジョブをスケジュールジョブに登録して処理を終了する。
【０１０４】
受け取ったコマンドが即時ジョブプリントコマンドであるときには、図１５に示すステップＳ５０４のＨＴＴＰクライアント２５２の処理へ移行する。ＨＴＴＰクライアント２５２、ＨＴＴＰ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３は、メモリを大量に消費しないように、１度に複数のジョブを並列的に処理することは行わず、既に別の処理が動作中である場合には、この即時ジョブプリントコマンドジョブにより指定されたジョブは、即時ジョブリストに登録され、処理が終り次第実行されることになる。
【０１０５】
図１５に示すステップＳ５０４においては、ＨＴＴＰクライアント２５２によりＷＷＷサーバからホームページのデータであるＨＴＭＬデータ、画像データなどを取得するための動作を実行する。
【０１０６】
このＨＴＴＰクライアント２５２による動作が終了すると、ステップＳ５０５に進み、キャンセルフラグが立っているか否かを判定する。ここで、キャンセルフラグが立っていた場合には、ステップＳ５０９に進み、印刷中止処理を実行し、続くステップＳ５１０で、プリントをキャンセルしたことを示すメッセージを操作部１１５に送信して終了をする。キャンセルフラグが立っていない場合には、ステップＳ５０６に進み、ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３による処理を開始する。ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３の処理では、ＷＷＷサーバから取得したデータに基づきプリンタ部２が印刷可能な印刷データを生成する。
【０１０７】
ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３の処理終了後、ステップＳ５０７に進み、再度キャンセルフラグが立っているか否かを判定する。ここで、キャンセルフラグが立っていた場合には、上述したように、ステップＳ５０９で印刷中止処理を実行し、続くステップＳ５１０で、プリントをキャンセルしたことを示すメッセージを操作部１１５に送信して終了をする。キャンセルフラグが立っていない場合には、ステップＳ５０８に進み、ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３で作成した画像データをコア部１０へ送信して処理を終了する。画像データを受け取ったコア部１０はリーダ部１を介してプリンタ部２へ転送し、プリンタ部２では、カセット２０４またはカセット２０５から対応するサイズの用紙を給紙し、この用紙に印刷を行う。
【０１０８】
次に、スケジュールジョブ処理について図１７を参照しながら説明する。
【０１０９】
スケジュールジョブ処理は、毎分１回定期的に起動される。スケジュールジョブとは、ソフトキー３３２（印刷時刻キー）またはソフトキー３３３（定期巡回キー）により実行の日時がセットされたジョブである。
【０１１０】
スケジュールジョブ処理では、図１７に示すように、まず、ステップＳ５４１において、スケジュールジョブがあるか否かを判定し、スケジュールジョブがないときには、本処理を終了する。スケジュールジョブがあるときには、ステップＳ５４２に進み、このスケジュールジョブに対して設定された印刷時刻が到来したか否かを判定し、スケジュールジョブに対して設定された印刷時刻が到来していないときには、処理を終了する。スケジュールジョブに対して設定された印刷時刻が到来しているときには、ステップＳ５４３に進み、プリント指示コマンドを送信して処理を終了する。このプリント指示コマンドが送信されると、上述したように、即時ジョブプリントが上記ステップＳ５０２のコマンド受け取り処理で受信され、このコマンドにより上記Ｓ５１１において指定された時刻にＷＷＷサーバをアクセスしてホームページの印刷が行われることになる。
【０１１１】
次に、ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３が行うハイパーリンク処理について図１８を参照しながら説明する。図１８は図１の画像形成装置におけるＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３が行うハイパーリンク処理を示すフローチャートである。
【０１１２】
ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３はＨＲＥＦオプションがあると、ＨＲＥＦ処理を起動する。このＨＲＥＦ処理では、図１８に示すように、まずステップＳ５５１において、ファイル名の接尾辞が.au または.sndであるか否かを判定し、接尾辞が.au または.sndであるときには、処理を終了する。すなわち、接尾辞が.au または.sndのファイルは、 AU/μ-lawフォーマットのサウンドファイルであり、これらのファイルは無視される。
【０１１３】
接尾辞が.au または.sndのいずれでもないときには、ステップＳ５５２に進み、ファイル名の接尾辞が.aifまたは.aiff であるか否かを判定し、接尾辞が.aifまたは.aiff であるときには、処理を終了する。すなわち、接尾辞が.aifまたは.aiff のファイルは、AIFF/AIFC フォーマットのサウンドファイルであり、これらのファイルは無視される。接尾辞が.aifまたは.aiff のいずれでもないときには、ステップＳ５５３に進み、ファイル名の接尾辞が.wavであるか否かを判定する。接尾辞が.wavであるときには、処理を終了する。接尾辞が.wavのファイルは、WAV のフォーマットのサウンドファイルであり、このファイルは無視される。
【０１１４】
接尾辞が.wavでないときには、ステップＳ５５４に進み、ファイル名の接尾辞が.mp2であるか否かを判定する。接尾辞が.mp2であるときには、処理を終了する。接尾辞が.mp2のファイルは、MPEG Audioフォーマットのファイルであり、このファイルは無視される。接尾辞が.mp2でないときには、ステップＳ５５５に進み、ＨＲＥＦに続くＩＭＧタグを検索し、ファイル名の後にISMAP の記述があるか否かを判定する。ファイル名の後にISMAP の記述があると、クリカブルマップのＣＧＩであると判断して処理を終了し、ＷＷＷサーバへのアクセスを行わない。ファイル名の後にISMAP の記述がなければ、ステップＳ５５６に進み、ハイパーリンク処理を実行し、処理を終了する。
【０１１５】
以上より、本実施の形態では、ＨＲＥＦオプションがあると、ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３によりＨＲＥＦ処理を起動し、このＨＲＥＦ処理で、取得するファイルがサウンドファイル、またはＣＧＩであることを認識すると、ＷＷＷサーバへのアクセスを停止するから、印刷が無駄になるような不要なデータの取得を未然に防止することができる。
【０１１６】
また、ＰＣクライアント１１を介さずにネットワーク上のＷＷＷサーバからデータを直接取得することができる。
【０１１７】
なお、本実施の形態では、ネットワークの通信プロトコルにＴＣＰ/ＩＰを用いて説明したが、ＩＰＸ／ＳＰＸ、Ａｐｐｌｅ Ｔａｌｋなどの通信プロトコルを用いても同様の効果が得られる。また、クライアントＰＣ１１との通信プロトコルにＬＰＲ，ＬＰＤを用いているが、これに代えて、ＨＴＴＰ、ＦＴＰなどの通信プロトコルを用いても同様の効果が得られる。
【０１１８】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明によれば、ネットワーク上のＷＷＷサーバから情報処理装置を介さずにデータを直接取得することができるとともに、印刷が無駄になるような不要なデータの取得を未然に防止することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の画像形成装置の実施の一形態の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】リーダ部１およびプリンタ部２を一体的に設けた画像入出力デバイスの構成を示す断面図である。
【図３】図１の画像形成装置のリーダ部１の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図４】図１の画像形成装置のコア部１０の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図５】図１の画像形成装置のネットワークＩ／Ｆ部におけるプログラム構成を示す図である。
【図６】図３のリーダ部１に設けられている操作部１１５の構成を示す図である。
【図７】操作部１１５におけるコピーモードの表示の一例を示す図である。
【図８】操作部１１５に表示されるＷｅｂプリントモードの操作画面例を示す図である。
【図９】操作部１１５に表示されるＷｅｂプリントモードの操作画面例を示す図である。
【図１０】操作部１１５に表示されるＷｅｂプリントモードの操作画面例を示す図である。
【図１１】操作部１１５に表示されるＷｅｂプリントモードの操作画面例を示す図である。
【図１２】操作部１１５に表示されるＷｅｂプリントモードの操作画面例を示す図である。
【図１３】操作部１１５に表示されるＷｅｂプリントモードの操作画面例を示す図である。
【図１４】操作部１１５に表示されるＷｅｂプリントモードの操作画面例を示す図である。
【図１５】図１の画像形成装置におけるＷＷＷサーバのホームページを印刷する処理手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１６】図１５のステップＳ５０２のコマンド受け取り処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１７】図１の画像形成装置におけるスケジュールジョブ処理の手順を示すフローチャートである。
【図１８】図１の画像形成装置におけるＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ２５３が行うハイパーリンク処理を示すフローチャートである。
【図１９】従来のＷＷＷサーバに保持されている情報の印刷を行うシステムを示す概要図である。
【符号の説明】
１ リーダ部
２ プリンタ部
３ 画像入出力制御部
７ ネットワークＩ／Ｆ部
１０ コア部
１１ ＰＣクライアント
１２ イントラネットＷＷＷサーバ
１３ インターネットＷＷＷサーバ
１４ インターネット網
１１４，１２３ ＣＰＵ
２５０ ＩＰ
２５１ ＴＣＰ，ＵＤＰ
２５２ ＨＴＴＰクライアント
２５３ ＨＴＭＬ Ｐａｒｓｅｒ
２５４ アプリケーション階層のプロトコル[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for printing data stored in a WWW server.andImage formationTo the lawRelated.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the recent networking of information, a WWW (World Wide Web) server holding various information and dedicated software (hereinafter referred to as a browser) for accessing this server using HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) A system has been realized in which an on-board computer is connected via a network (Internet or Intranet) and information on a WWW server can be referred to from the computer. In this system, the information on the WWW server can be stored in the computer by the browser. Therefore, when the user instructs the printer to print out the information once stored in the computer, the WWW server is used by the printer. The above information can be printed out.
[0003]
A system for printing information stored in the WWW server will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a system for printing information stored in a conventional WWW server.
[0004]
In this system, as shown in FIG. 19, a PC client 11 equipped with a browser can be connected to an intranet WWW server 12 via an intranet, and can be connected to an Internet WWW server 13 via an internet network 14. . Further, a printer 15 shared with other clients including the PC client 11 is connected on the intranet.
[0005]
When the PC client 11 acquires information such as homepage data of the intranet WWW server 12, a browser on the PC client 11 is first activated. Next, this browser accesses the intranet WWW server 12 and acquires information held in the WWW server 12. This acquired information is displayed on the display of the PC client 11.
[0006]
Similarly, when acquiring information such as homepage data of the Internet WWW server 13, the information is acquired by accessing the Internet WWW server 13 via the Internet network 14, and the acquired information is displayed on the display.
[0007]
When printing the acquired information, a print menu is activated from the browser on the PC client 11, and the acquired information is converted into print data that can be printed by the printer 15 by the browser and transmitted to the printer 15. The printer 15 that has acquired the print data executes print processing based on the acquired data.
[0008]
The HTML document data from the WWW server describes an HREF option indicating a hyperlink destination. The HREF option is an option that is absolutely necessary for the anchor tag <A>.
[0009]
For example, if <A HREF="foo.html"> click here </A> is described as <P>, the browser will display "here"Click" is displayed, and if "here" is clicked with the mouse, the display moves to "foo.html".
[0010]
In addition, there is a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) on the homepage. In this CGI process, when data is sent from a browser to a WWW server in a form format or the like, a CGI script operates on the WWW server. The WWW server creates the processing result as HTML format data, and transmits the created HTML format data to the browser. A browser that receives data in HTML format operates to display this data.
[0011]
One of the CGIs is a clickable map. The clickable map is pasted as an image on the homepage, and when this image is clicked, it operates to display a designated URL. The HTML that operates the clickable map is described as follows.
[0012]
<A HREF="/cgi-bin/imagemap/foo"> <IMG SRC = "/ map / foo.gif" ISMAP> </A>
If written like this, the browser displays the foo.gif image in the / map directory.
[0013]
When this image is clicked with the mouse, the clicked coordinates are transmitted to the WWW server. The WWW server operates to select a corresponding HTML document based on the clicked position and send it to the browser.
[0014]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional system described above, when printing the information held by the WWW servers 12 and 13, the PC client 11 converts the information of the WWW servers 12 and 13 into data that can be printed by the printer 15. As a result, the processing load of the PC client 11 increases, and when other programs are executed in parallel, there may be a problem in executing the processing.
[0015]
Also, the print data often has a large size, and since this print data is transmitted to the printer 15 via the network, the load on the network becomes heavy and the operation of other systems connected on the network It may cause trouble.
[0016]
Further, as described above, the HTML document has a hyperlink function, and can link to another HTML document described by HREF = "foo.html". In the browser, foo. The display moves to html.
[0017]
In a system that directly prints an HTML document of a WWW server without printing after being displayed on a browser, when printing a plurality of HTML documents linked using the link function, HREF = "foo.html" Search the described part and print html. However, what is described as HREF = is not necessarily an HTML document, and may be CGI. When accessing the CGI, it is often necessary to transmit data to the server. However, in this direct printing system, means for transmitting parameters to the CGI is not provided.
[0018]
For example, in the clickable map, if the clicked coordinates are not passed, an error occurs, and an HTML document in which error information is written is created on the WWW server. As a result, an HTML document in which error information meaningless and meaningless to the user is printed is printed.
[0019]
There are also files on the homepage that are completely unrelated to printing, such as audio files. An example of this file is an audio file. Until this audio file is accessed and analyzed, it is not known whether it is a file that can be handled, so useless data will be sent over the network.
[0020]
An object of the present invention is to obtain data directly from a WWW server on a network without going through an information processing apparatus, and to prevent unnecessary data from being printed in advance. Forming equipmentandImage formationThe lawIt is to provide.
[0025]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus for performing printing based on data held by a WWW server on a network, printing means for performing printing based on data held by the WWW server, and WWW Document data acquisition means for acquiring document data held by the WWW server from the server via the network, and a link destination linked from the document data acquired by the document data acquisition means is a clickable map CGI (Common Determining means based on a predetermined description, and if the link destination is determined to be a CGI of a clickable map, the CGI is not accessed.
[0029]
  BookIn order to achieve the above object, the invention provides an image forming method in an image forming apparatus for performing printing based on data held by a WWW server on a network, and performing printing based on data held by the WWW server. A link map linked from the document data acquired in the document data acquisition step, the document data acquisition step of acquiring the document data held by the WWW server via the network, and the clickable map And determining whether the link destination is a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) based on a predetermined description, and if the link destination is determined to be a CGI of a clickable map, the CGI is not accessed It is characterized by.
[0030]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0031]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2, and an image input / output control unit 3. The reader unit 1 reads an image of a document and outputs image data corresponding to the document image to the printer unit 2 and the image input / output control unit 3. The printer unit 2 records an image corresponding to the image data from the reader unit 1 and the image input / output control unit 3 on a recording sheet. The image input / output control unit 3 connects the reader unit 1, and includes a facsimile unit 4, a file unit 5, a network I / F unit (network interface unit) 7, a formatter unit 8, an image memory unit 9, and a core unit 10. .
[0033]
The facsimile unit 4 decompresses the compressed image data received via the telephone line, transfers the decompressed image data to the core unit 10, compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10, and compresses the compressed image data. This circuit transmits image data via a telephone line. A hard disk 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 4, and the received compressed image data can be temporarily stored in the hard disk 12.
[0034]
A magneto-optical disk drive 6 is connected to the file unit 5, and the file unit 5 compresses the image data transferred from the core unit 10 and is set in the magneto-optical disk drive 6 together with a keyword for retrieving the image data. Write to magneto-optical disk. The file unit 5 searches the compressed image data stored in the magneto-optical disk based on the keyword transferred via the core unit 10, reads and decompresses the searched compressed image data, and stores the decompressed image data in the core. Forward to part 10.
[0035]
The network I / F unit 7 has an interface for connecting the image input / output control unit 3 to the network. This network is composed of an intranet, and a plurality of intranet WWW servers 12 are connected to the intranet, and are connected to an Internet network 14 that extends throughout the world. An enormous number of Internet WWW servers 13 exist in the Internet network 14, and each WWW server 12, 13 publishes a home page. In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, information on each homepage can be acquired from each WWW server 12 and 13 via the network I / F unit 7.
[0036]
The formatter unit 8 is a circuit that develops code data representing an image transferred from a computer connected to the network I / F unit 7 into image data that can be printed by the printer unit 2.
[0037]
The image memory unit 9 is a circuit that temporarily stores image data.
[0038]
Although the core unit 10 will be described later, the core unit 10 controls the flow of data between each block of the reader unit 1, the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, the network I / F unit 7, the formatter unit 8, and the image memory unit 9. To do.
[0039]
Next, the configuration of the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an image input / output device in which the reader unit 1 and the printer unit 2 are integrally provided.
[0040]
As shown in FIG. 2, the reader unit 1 is equipped with a document feeding device 101. The document feeding device 101 feeds documents one by one from the last page onto the platen glass 102 in order. After the reading operation is completed, the document on the platen glass 102 is discharged.
[0041]
When the document is conveyed onto the platen glass 102, the lamp 103 is turned on and the movement of the scanner unit 104 is started. The original is exposed and scanned by the movement of the scanner unit 104, and reflected light from the original at the time of exposure scanning is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as a CCD) 109 via mirrors 105, 106, 107 and a lens 108. It is burned. Thus, the scanned image of the original is read by the CCD 109, and the CCD 109 converts the optically read image into image data by photoelectric conversion and outputs the image data. Image data output from the CCD 109 is subjected to predetermined processing, and then transferred to the printer unit 2 and the core unit 10 of the image input / output control unit 3 via a video bus (not shown).
[0042]
In the printer unit 2, the image data output from the reader unit 1 is input to the laser driver 201. The laser driver 201 drives the laser emission unit 221 based on the input image data. That is, the laser emission unit 221 is driven so as to emit laser light corresponding to the image data output from the reader unit 1. The laser beam is irradiated while being scanned on the photosensitive drum 202, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 202.
[0043]
The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 202 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developing device 203. In addition, at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, a recording sheet is fed from one of the cassette 204 and the cassette 205, and the recording sheet is conveyed between the photosensitive drum 202 and the transfer unit 206. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 202 is transferred onto the recording paper fed by the transfer unit 206.
[0044]
The recording paper on which the developer image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 207, and the fixing unit 207 fixes the developer image on the recording paper by heat-pressing the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 207 is discharged by the discharge roller 208, and the sorter 220 stores the discharged recording paper in each bin and sorts the recording paper. Note that the sorter 220 operates to store the recording paper in the uppermost bin when the sorting is not set. If double-sided recording is set, the recording paper is transported to the position of the discharge roller 208, and then the rotation direction of the discharge roller 208 is reversed so that the flapper 209 guides it to the refeed conveyance path. Yes. When multiple recording is set, the flapper 209 is switched so that the recording paper is not conveyed to the discharge roller 208 and is guided to the refeed conveyance path. The recording sheet guided to the refeed conveyance path is fed again between the photosensitive drum 202 and the transfer unit 206 at the timing described above.
[0045]
Next, the configuration of the reader unit 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the reader unit 1 of the image forming apparatus of FIG.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 3, the image data output from the CCD 109 is converted into digital data by analog / digital conversion by the A / D / SH unit 110, and shading correction is performed on the digital data. The image data processed by the A / D / SH unit 110 is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the image processing unit 111, and also stored in the image input / output control unit 3 via the I / F unit (interface unit) 113. Transferred to the core unit 10. The image processing unit 113 performs various types of image processing such as trimming processing, and the I / F unit 113 manages an interface with the core unit 10 such as capturing data including image data transferred from the core unit 10.
[0047]
The image processing unit 111 and the I / F unit 113 are controlled by the CPU 114 according to the setting content set by the operation unit 115. For example, when a copy mode for performing copying by performing trimming processing on the operation unit 115 is set, the CPU 114 executes trimming processing in the image processing unit 111, and the image data on which the trimming processing has been performed is performed on the printer unit 2. Control to transfer to. When the facsimile transmission mode is set on the operation unit 115, the CPU 114 performs control so that image data and a control command corresponding to the set mode are transferred from the I / F unit 113 to the core unit 10.
[0048]
Such control by the CPU 114 is executed according to a control program stored in the memory 116. The memory 116 is also used as a work area for the CPU 114.
[0049]
Next, the configuration of the core unit 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the core unit 10 of the image forming apparatus of FIG.
[0050]
The core unit 10 includes an I / F unit 122 with the reader unit 1, and image data transferred from the reader unit 1 is transferred to the image data processing unit 121 via the I / F unit 122 and the reader unit The control command from 1 is transferred to the CPU 123. The image data processing unit 121 performs image processing such as image rotation processing and scaling processing on the input image data as necessary, and the image data subjected to the image processing by the image data processing unit 121 is a reader unit. 1 is transferred to the facsimile unit 4, the file unit 5, or the network I / F unit 7 via the I / F unit 120 according to the control command transferred from 1.
[0051]
Also, code data representing an image input via the network I / F unit 7 is transferred to the image data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the formatter unit 8 to be developed into image data. After being transferred to the processing unit 121, it is transferred to the printer unit 2 via the facsimile unit 4 or the I / F unit 122. The image data received by the facsimile unit 4 is transferred to the image data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the printer unit 2, the file unit 5, or the network unit 7. The image data output from the file unit 5 is transferred to the image data processing unit 121 and then transferred to the printer unit 2, facsimile unit 4, or network unit 7.
[0052]
The CPU 123 controls the transfer of data between the blocks according to the control program stored in the memory 124 and the control command transferred from the reader unit 1, and controls the execution of image processing by the image data processing unit 121. The memory 124 is also used as a work area for the CPU 123.
[0053]
In this way, processing that combines various functions such as reading of an original image, printing of an image, transmission / reception of an image, storage of an image, and input / output of data from a computer can be performed with the core unit 10 as a center. is there.
[0054]
Next, a program configuration in the network I / F unit 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a program configuration in the network I / F unit of the image forming apparatus of FIG.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 5, the program in the network I / F unit 7 includes an IP (Internet Protocol) 250, a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), a UDP (User Datagram Protocol) 251, an application layer protocol 254, and a plurality of applications 252. , 253.
[0056]
The IP 250 is an Internet protocol layer that provides a service for sending a message from a source host to a destination host in cooperation with a relay node such as a router. The most important information for delivering a message is the address of the origination and destination, and the address of the origination and destination is managed by the IP 250. The IP 250 is used to route the message to the destination host via the Internet network according to the address information.
[0057]
TCP, UDP 251 is a transport layer that provides a service for delivering a message from a sending application process to a receiving application process. TCP is a connection-type service and guarantees a high level of communication reliability, but UDP is a connectionless service and does not guarantee reliability.
[0058]
The application layer protocol 254 defines a plurality of protocols, including TELNET as a remote login service, FTP as a file transfer service, SNMP as a network management protocol, LPD as a server protocol for printer printing, There is HTTPd, which is a WWW (World Wide Web) server protocol.
[0059]
As applications, there are provided an HTTP client 252 for acquiring data from a WWW server, and an HTML parser 253 for converting the acquired HTML data and image data into a data format for printing on recording paper.
[0060]
Next, the configuration of the operation unit 115 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation unit 115 provided in the reader unit 1 of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a copy mode display in the operation unit 115.
[0061]
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the operation unit 115 includes a liquid crystal display unit provided with a touch panel, and a plurality of hard keys 318 to 321. For example, when the copy mode is set, the liquid crystal display unit displays a window 300 for displaying the current state and soft keys 301 to 316 for performing various settings. In this figure, the window 300 is currently in a state where copying is possible, and it is displayed that one copy is printed with an A4 paper size at an enlargement ratio of 100%.
[0062]
A soft key 301 is a guide key for instructing display of appropriate advice when the operation is not known. Soft keys 302 to 304 are mode change keys. When the soft key 302 is pressed, the copy mode is selected. The soft key 303 selects the FAX mode, and the soft key 304 selects the Web print mode. A soft key 305 is a key for displaying other mode keys that are not currently displayed. When this key is pressed, a printer mode key and a FILE mode key are displayed.
[0063]
A soft key 306 is a paper selection key. When this key is pressed, a paper selection input screen shown in FIG. 7A is displayed, and a paper size is selected by an input operation on the paper selection input screen. When the paper size is selected, paper is fed from the cassettes 204 and 205 containing the paper of the selected size. A soft key 307 is a key for displaying a processing menu screen for performing settings related to image processing. Settings such as trimming, masking, negative / positive reversal, and shadow processing are performed using the processing menu screen displayed by the key. It can be carried out. A soft key 308 is a key for displaying a menu screen for setting processing related to duplex printing. Using the menu screen displayed by this key, a single-sided original to a single-sided original, a single-sided original to a double-sided original, and a double-sided original to double-sided One setting can be selected from the three settings for copying on a document. A soft key 309 is an applied zoom key that displays a menu screen that is set so that the vertical and horizontal enlargement ratios can be changed.
[0064]
A soft key 310 is a sorter key, and when this key is pressed, a menu screen related to the sorter 220 shown in FIG. 7B is displayed. When sort is selected on this menu screen, a plurality of copies are sorted and discharged one by one for each bin of the sorter 220. When the staple sort is selected, the sorted print is set to be stapled. When the group sort is selected, it is set so that a plurality of copies of the original printed on the same page are discharged to the same bin.
[0065]
A soft key 311 is a document mixture key, and is a key for instructing whether documents of different sizes are mixed or only documents of the same size are stacked. If mixed document of different sizes is designated, the document size is checked every time scanning is performed. If mixed document is not designated, the document size is set to be checked only for the first page. A soft key 314 is an equal magnification key for returning the enlargement ratio to a setting of 100%, and soft keys 315 and 316 are reduction and enlargement keys for displaying a menu for setting the enlargement ratio and the reduction ratio, respectively.
[0066]
As the hard keys, a ten key 318, a start key 319, a reset key 320, and a STOP key 321 are provided. In this screen example, the numeric keypad 318 is used for inputting the number of copies to be printed. When the reset key 320 is pressed, parameters required for copying are returned to their default values. The parameters necessary for copying are set before the start of copying, and when the start key 319 is pressed after setting each necessary parameter, the copying operation is started. The copy operation is interrupted by pressing the STOP key 321 and the reset key 320 after starting the copy.
[0067]
Next, an example of the WEB print mode operation screen displayed on the operation unit 115 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 14 are diagrams showing examples of operation screens in the web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115. FIG.
[0068]
When setting the WEB print mode, as shown in FIG. 8, first, a soft key 304 (Web print mode key) is pressed, and a window 300 displaying the current state of the WEB print mode is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit. Is done. In this example, the window 300 displays printing in A4 paper size, 100% enlargement ratio, and printing one copy. In addition, on the liquid crystal display unit, soft keys 301 to 306 and 310 for performing the same setting instruction as in the copy mode and soft keys 332 to 339 for performing a setting instruction different from that in the copy mode are displayed.
[0069]
The soft key 339 is a key for displaying a menu screen for performing processing settings related to double-sided printing, and each WWW server such as the intranet WWW server 12 and the Internet WWW server 13 is displayed using the menu screen displayed by the key. When printing data from, it is possible to set whether to print on one side or on both sides. The setting contents related to double-sided printing by the soft key 339 are different from the setting contents by the soft key 308 in the copy mode screen (shown in FIG. 6). However, in the FAX mode and the printer mode, The same content is set. In this screen example, the numeric keypad 318 is used for setting the number of copies as in the screen in the copy mode.
[0070]
A soft key 331 is a URL key. This URL key also serves as an input screen for the domain name of each WWW server such as the intranet WWW server 12 and the Internet WWW server, and the file name of the HTML data to be acquired. When the soft key 331 is pressed, a virtual alphabet keyboard (not shown) is displayed, and a character string for designating the above data is input using the virtual alphabet keyboard.
[0071]
The soft key 332 is a printing time key, and the printing time key is a key for accessing a WWW server and opening a window for setting a date and time for acquiring HTML format data, an image file, and the like. When the soft key 332 is pressed, the window shown in FIG. 9 is opened. In this window, as shown in FIG. 9, first, the cursor blinks so as to prompt the user to input the print date 350, and the date for printing is set by inputting a numerical value from the numeric keypad 318. When the input of the print date 350 is completed, the cursor moves to the input field for the print time 351 and blinks to prompt the input. Similar to the input to the print date 350, a numerical value indicating the print time is input from the numeric keypad 318, and the print time is set. When the input of the printing time 351 is completed, an OK key 352 is displayed. By pressing the OK key 352, the printing time is set and the screen shown in FIG. 8 is switched again. Since the data of the WWW server may not be acquired correctly in a time zone with a lot of network traffic, this time zone can be avoided by specifying the print time in this way.
[0072]
The soft key 333 is a periodic patrol key for periodically accessing the WWW server and executing printing, and when the periodic patrol key is pressed, a window shown in FIG. 10 is displayed. In this window, as shown in FIG. 10, soft keys including a day of the week key 360, an interval (day) key 361, an interval (month) key 362, and a print time key 363 are displayed, and a day of the week key 360 and an interval (day) are displayed. By using the soft keys such as the key 361 and the interval (month) key 362, it is possible to select whether to enter an interval for periodically visiting the WWW server in units of days of the week, in units of days, or in units of months. . Of these three soft keys 360, 361, and 362, only one soft key is active, and when one key is selected, setting items by other keys are cancelled. For example, when the day of the week key 360 is selected, seven keys from the month key 364 to the day key 370 are valid. A plurality of these keys can be selected. When selected, the keys are displayed in black. When pressed again in the selected state, the selection is canceled and displayed in white. When the interval (day) key 361 is selected, the cursor moves to the day input field 371 and blinks, and the date interval for accessing the WWW server is set by inputting a numerical value from the numeric keypad 318 in the input field 317. The When the interval (month) key 362 is selected, the cursor moves to the month input field 372 and blinks. By inputting a numerical value from the numeric keypad 318, the month interval for accessing the WWW server is set. Is done.
[0073]
When the print time key 363 is pressed, the cursor moves to the time input field 373 and blinks, and a time for accessing the WWW server is set by inputting a numerical value from the numeric keypad 318 in this input field 373.
[0074]
When each data is set in this way and the OK key 362 is pressed, the periodic patrol parameters are determined and the screen is switched to the screen shown in FIG. 8 again.
[0075]
A soft key 334 is a Book Mark key for displaying the BOOK MARK window shown in FIG. 11. When the KEY is pressed, the BOOK MARK window is opened. In this window, as shown in FIG. 11, a list describing each URL already registered (5 registered URLs from 380 to 384 can be displayed on one screen) is displayed. When the key 386 is pressed, the URL list scrolls up, and when the down arrow key 387 is pressed, the URL list scrolls down. When the registration key 385 is pressed, the URL of the WWW server input with the soft key 331 (URL key) shown in FIG. 8 is additionally registered in this list. When any of the URL description portions 380 to 384 on the URL list is pressed, the URL of the pressed description portion is selected and data is set in the soft key 331 (URL key). When the delete key 388 is pressed, the URL selected by pressing the description portion 380 to 384 of each URL on the URL list is deleted from the URL list.
[0076]
The soft key 335 is a time designation list key for displaying the time designation list shown in FIG. In this time designation list, as shown in FIG. 12, a job designated by a soft key 332 (print time designation key) or a soft key 333 (periodic patrol designation key) is registered. The display items of the time designation list are URL 405, print date 406, and print time 407. In this time designation list, five registered URLs 400 to 404 can be displayed on one screen, and the list can be scrolled up by the up arrow key 408 and the list can be scrolled down by the down arrow key 409. . Further, when any one of the area portions 400 to 404 on the list is pressed, the URL described in the pressed area portion is selected, and when the delete key 410 is pressed while the URL is selected, the URL is selected. The URL is deleted from the time designation list. In this example of the time designation list, the job 400 is a job registered by day of the week using the soft key 333 (periodic patrol designation key), and the day of the week to be executed is displayed in association with the job. The designated number of days is displayed in association with the job 401 designated at the daily interval. The designated number of months is displayed in association with the jobs 403 and 404 designated on a monthly basis. A job 402 is a job registered by a soft key 332 (print time designation key), and the designated print date is displayed in association with the job.
[0077]
The soft key 336 is a standby JOB list key for displaying the standby JOB list window shown in FIG. 13. When this key is pressed, URLs 420 to 424 of the standby jobs are described as shown in FIG. A standby JOB list is displayed. If there are many jobs waiting to be executed, the list scrolls up when the up arrow key 425 is pressed and down when the down arrow key 426 is pressed. Further, when any one of the area portions 420 to 424 on the list is pressed, the job described in the pressed area portion is selected, and when the delete key 427 is pressed with this job selected, the selected job is selected. Is deleted from the waiting JOB list.
[0078]
The soft key 337 is a log key for displaying the log list shown in FIG. 14. In this log list, as shown in FIG. 14, the result of accessing the WWW server in the WEB print mode is described. The access results are listed in job order, and the oldest items that have exceeded the maximum number are automatically deleted. Specifically, the log list display items include URL 437, date 438, time 439, and result display 440. URL 437 indicates the URL of the accessed WWW server. Date 438 and time 439 indicate the date and time when the WWW server is accessed. When the WWW server is normally accessed and the data acquired from the WWW server can be printed out, it is described as normal end as shown in the result display 440 of each URL 430, 433, 434. On the other hand, when the user interrupts printing with the reset key 320, the reset end is described as URL 431, and when printing cannot be performed normally due to the network status or the WWW server status, the URL 432 Is described as an error end. This list can be scrolled up with the up arrow key 435 and down with the down arrow key 436.
[0079]
The soft key 338 is a detailed setting key for displaying a menu screen for setting parameters described in Table 1.
[0080]
[Table 1]

HTML format data received from a WWW server can be hyperlinked to other HTML data, and the hyperlinked HTML data may be further hyperlinked to another HTML. In order to set the link level, parameter 1 is set. Parameter 1 is a parameter for setting the maximum link level for tracing and printing the link of the specified URL, and the maximum number of HTML links to be printed is set by this parameter.
[0081]
Parameter 2 is a parameter for setting the maximum number of pages to be printed. As a result of laying out the HTML data from the WWW server in the paper size set by the soft key 306 (paper selection key), the required number of pages is determined. When the maximum number of pages set by this parameter 2 is exceeded, it is set not to perform printout after the exceeding pages. In this example, “0” is set as the default value, and with this default value “0”, the maximum number of pages to be printed is set without limitation.
[0082]
Parameter 3 is a parameter for setting whether or not the current HTML data is printed even if the maximum number of pages is exceeded. When this parameter exceeds the maximum number of pages set in parameter 2, one HTML is set. This is a function that can be selected by the user because there is a case where it is difficult to print to the last document.
[0083]
Parameter 4 is a parameter for setting whether or not to print HTML of other sites. When the link level of parameter 1 is set to 1 or higher, there is a case where the HTML document that has been printed is hyperlinked to the HTML of another site. In this case, since there is a possibility that the HTML document of the other site is a homepage that is not of interest to the user at all, the setting of parameter 4 allows the user to select whether or not to print the HTML of the other site. .
[0084]
Parameter 5 is a parameter for setting a time-out period. By setting a time-out period with this parameter, when a network-related communication error such as TCP or UDP 251 (shown in FIG. 5) occurs, a long retry is repeated. It is prevented.
[0085]
Parameter 6 is a parameter for setting the number of retries when an error occurs in the HTML client program 252 when the communication error occurs.
[0086]
The parameter 7 is a parameter for setting a font name to be used, and the parameter 8 is a parameter for specifying the font size. The parameter 9 is a parameter for setting the font thickness, and the parameters 7, 8, and 9 are used for setting a font for printing HTML text data.
[0087]
Parameter 10 is a left margin for printing, parameter 11 is a right margin for printing, parameter 12 is a top margin for printing, parameter 13 is a parameter for setting a bottom margin for printing, and parameters 10, 11, 12, and 13 are software. Used to define the vertical and horizontal margin widths in the paper size set by the key 306 (paper selection key).
[0088]
The parameter 14 is a parameter for setting whether or not the background is also printed. By setting this parameter, there is no problem in displaying a home page drawn with a black background on a color display. When this home page is printed by a black and white printer, the text portion is also black and the background is black, so that it is possible to prevent the text from being determined.
[0089]
The parameter 15 is a parameter for setting whether or not to print with a header and footer (URL, page number, print date), and on the WWW server at the stage of print layout by setting this parameter. You can choose whether or not to add URLs, page numbers, and print dates that are not described on the home page.
[0090]
The parameter 16 is a parameter for setting whether or not to print the link map. When the maximum link level to be printed is set to 1 or more by using this parameter, which of the HTML documents is printed. Thus, the user can select whether or not to print the link information indicating whether or not the hyperlink has been made.
[0091]
Parameter 17 is a parameter for setting whether or not to use a style sheet. Since the style sheet does not specify the name of the font to be printed, the font size, etc. This is a data sheet in which parameters for eliminating the difference in layout result for each program to be laid out are described. When this style sheet is used, it is necessary to specify the name of the sheet to be used. By specifying the name of this sheet, the sheet to be used is specified, and the layout is performed according to the information of the specified sheet.
[0092]
Next, a processing procedure for printing a home page of a WWW server by executing a program such as HTML Parser 253 or HTTP client 252 will be described. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for printing the home page of the WWW server in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a command receiving process procedure in step S502 of FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is an image forming apparatus of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of scheduled job processing in FIG.
[0093]
When printing the home page of the WWW server, a command is issued from the operation unit 115 as shown in FIG. When the command is issued from the operation unit 115, as described above, the parameters necessary for printing the home page are set by using the operation unit 115, and then the start key 319 is pressed, thereby operating the operation unit 115. A print instruction command is issued to the network I / F unit 7 via the core unit 10.
[0094]
A command is also issued from the PC client 11. The PC client 11 is loaded with a print parameter setting program set by the operation unit 115. After setting the print parameter by the setting program, a print instruction command including the print parameter is issued. This print instruction command is issued to the network I / F unit 7 via the network by LPR (printer printing client protocol). Since the command flowing through this network is a parameter necessary for printing, the data length is extremely short compared with data printable by a printer converted from a home page. The print instruction command issued from the PC client 11 is received by the LPD which is one of the application layer protocols 254 of the network I / F unit 7 in step S501.
[0095]
Further, a print instruction command is issued by a schedule job process described later. Details of the schedule job processing will be described later.
[0096]
The print instruction command from the operation unit 115, the print command from the client PC 11, and the print command from the schedule job process have the same data format. In addition to the print instruction command, the operation unit 115 and the client PC 11 issue a schedule job inquiry command. The timing for issuing an inquiry command for a scheduled job from the operation unit 115 is set to the timing at which the soft key 335 (time designation list key) is pressed on the display screen of the operation unit 115. Also, a schedule job deletion command (issued when the time designation list deletion key 410 is pressed on the operation unit display screen), an immediate job inquiry command (soft key 336, that is, a standby JOB list key on the operation unit display screen). Issued at the time of pressing), immediate job list deletion command (timing when the delete key 427 of the standby JOB list is pressed on the operation unit display screen) and timing when the STOP key 321 or the reset key 320 is pressed during the printing operation Is issued).
[0097]
When the above-described command is issued from any of the operation unit 115, the PC client 11, and the scheduled job process, the command receiving process is executed by the command receiving process program in step S502.
[0098]
In this command receiving process, as shown in FIG. 16, first, in step S520, it is determined whether or not the received command is a schedule job inquiry command. If the received command is a schedule job inquiry command, In step S521, a schedule job list (time designation list) is acquired. In subsequent step S524, the acquired schedule job list is transmitted as a message to the destination that issued the schedule job inquiry command, and the process ends. Here, when the operation unit 115 issues a schedule job inquiry command, the operation unit 115 creates and displays a time designation list shown in FIG. 12 based on the received message.
[0099]
If the received command is not a scheduled job inquiry command, the process advances to step S522 to determine whether or not the received command is a scheduled job deletion command. If the received command is a schedule job deletion command, the process advances to step S523 to delete the job specified by the schedule job deletion command from the schedule list, and in the subsequent step S524, the schedule list deleted at the destination that issued the command Is sent as a message to finish the process. When the operation unit 115 issues a schedule job deletion command, the operation unit 115 creates and displays a time designation list shown in FIG. 12 based on the received message.
[0100]
If the received command is not a scheduled job deletion instruction, the process advances to step S525 to determine whether or not the received command is an immediate job inquiry instruction. If the received command is an immediate job inquiry command, the process advances to step S526 to acquire an immediate job list, and in step S524, the acquired immediate job list is transmitted as a message to the destination to which the command has been transmitted, and the process ends. To do. Here, when the operation unit 115 issues an immediate job inquiry command, the operation unit 115 creates and displays a standby JOB list shown in FIG. 13 based on the received data.
[0101]
If the received command is not an immediate job inquiry command, the process advances to step S527 to determine whether or not the received command is an immediate job deletion command. If the received command is an immediate job deletion command, the process advances to step S528 to determine whether or not the designated job is being executed by the HTTP client 252 or the HTML parser 253. When the designated job is not being executed, the process proceeds to step S529, where the designated job is deleted from the immediate job list, and in the subsequent step S524, the deleted job list is transmitted as a message to the destination that issued the command for processing. finish. When the operation unit 115 issues an immediate job deletion command, the operation unit 115 updates and displays the standby JOB list shown in FIG. 13 based on the received message.
[0102]
If the job instructed to be deleted is being executed by the HTTP client 252 or the HTML parser 253, the process proceeds to step S530, a cancel flag is set, and the process is terminated.
[0103]
If the received command is not an immediate job deletion command, the process advances to step S531 to determine whether or not the received command is an immediate job print command. If the received command is not an immediate job print command, the schedule job print command is determined. In step S532, this job is registered in the schedule job, and the process ends.
[0104]
If the received command is an immediate job print command, the process proceeds to the processing of the HTTP client 252 in step S504 shown in FIG. The HTTP client 252 and the HTTP Parser 253 do not process a plurality of jobs in parallel at one time so that a large amount of memory is not consumed. If another process is already in operation, this immediate job The job designated by the print command job is registered in the immediate job list and is executed as soon as the processing is completed.
[0105]
In step S504 shown in FIG. 15, the HTTP client 252 executes an operation for acquiring HTML data, image data, and the like, which are homepage data, from the WWW server.
[0106]
When the operation by the HTTP client 252 is completed, the process proceeds to step S505, and it is determined whether or not a cancel flag is set. If the cancel flag is set, the process proceeds to step S509 to execute a print canceling process, and in a subsequent step S510, a message indicating that the print is canceled is transmitted to the operation unit 115 and the process is terminated. If the cancel flag is not set, the process proceeds to step S506, and processing by the HTML parser 253 is started. In the processing of the HTML parser 253, print data that can be printed by the printer unit 2 is generated based on the data acquired from the WWW server.
[0107]
After the processing of the HTML parser 253 is completed, the process proceeds to step S507, and it is determined again whether or not the cancel flag is set. If the cancel flag is set, as described above, the print cancellation process is executed in step S509, and in step S510, a message indicating that the print is canceled is transmitted to the operation unit 115, and the process ends. do. If the cancel flag is not set, the process proceeds to step S508, the image data created by the HTML parser 253 is transmitted to the core unit 10, and the process is terminated. Upon receiving the image data, the core unit 10 transfers the image data to the printer unit 2 via the reader unit 1, and the printer unit 2 feeds paper of a corresponding size from the cassette 204 or the cassette 205 and prints on the paper.
[0108]
Next, schedule job processing will be described with reference to FIG.
[0109]
The scheduled job process is periodically started once every minute. The scheduled job is a job in which the execution date and time is set by the soft key 332 (print time key) or the soft key 333 (periodic patrol key).
[0110]
In the schedule job process, as shown in FIG. 17, first, in step S541, it is determined whether or not there is a schedule job. If there is no schedule job, this process ends. When there is a schedule job, the process proceeds to step S542, where it is determined whether the print time set for the schedule job has arrived, and when the print time set for the schedule job has not arrived, processing is performed. Exit. When the print time set for the scheduled job has arrived, the process proceeds to step S543, where a print instruction command is transmitted and the process ends. When this print instruction command is transmitted, as described above, an immediate job print is received in the command receiving process in step S502, and the WWW server is accessed by the command at the time designated in S511 to print the home page. Will be done.
[0111]
Next, hyperlink processing performed by the HTML parser 253 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing hyperlink processing performed by the HTML parser 253 in the image forming apparatus of FIG.
[0112]
If there is an HREF option, the HTML parser 253 activates the HREF process. In this HREF process, as shown in FIG. 18, first, in step S551, it is determined whether the suffix of the file name is .au or .snd. If the suffix is .au or .snd, Exit. That is, files with the suffix .au or .snd are AU / μ-law format sound files, and these files are ignored.
[0113]
If the suffix is not .au or .snd, the process proceeds to step S552, where it is determined whether the suffix of the file name is .aif or .aiff. If the suffix is .aif or .aiff The process is terminated. That is, files with the suffix .aif or .aiff are AIFF / AIFC format sound files, and these files are ignored. If the suffix is neither .aif nor .aiff, the process advances to step S553 to determine whether the file name suffix is .wav. If the suffix is .wav, the process is terminated. Files with the suffix .wav are sound files in WAV format and are ignored.
[0114]
If the suffix is not .wav, the process advances to step S554 to determine whether the suffix of the file name is .mp2. If the suffix is .mp2, the process ends. Files with the suffix .mp2 are MPEG Audio format files and are ignored. If the suffix is not .mp2, the process proceeds to step S555, where an IMG tag following HREF is searched, and it is determined whether there is a description of ISMAP after the file name. If ISMAP is described after the file name, it is determined that the CGI is a clickable map and the process is terminated, and access to the WWW server is not performed. If there is no description of ISMAP after the file name, the process proceeds to step S556, where hyperlink processing is executed, and the processing ends.
[0115]
As described above, in the present embodiment, if there is the HREF option, the HTML parser 253 starts the HREF process, and when the HREF process recognizes that the file to be acquired is a sound file or CGI, access to the WWW server is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the acquisition of unnecessary data that would waste printing.
[0116]
Further, data can be directly obtained from a WWW server on the network without using the PC client 11.
[0117]
Although the present embodiment has been described using TCP / IP as the network communication protocol, the same effect can be obtained by using a communication protocol such as IPX / SPX or Apple Talk. Further, although LPR and LPD are used as the communication protocol with the client PC 11, the same effect can be obtained by using a communication protocol such as HTTP or FTP instead.
[0118]
【The invention's effect】
  As explained above, according to the present invention,,NeData can be directly acquired from the WWW server on the network without going through the information processing apparatus, and unnecessary data that can be printed can be prevented from being acquired.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of an image input / output device in which a reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2 are integrally provided.
3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reader unit 1 of the image forming apparatus in FIG.
4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a core unit 10 of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1;
5 is a diagram showing a program configuration in a network I / F unit of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. FIG.
6 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit 115 provided in the reader unit 1 of FIG. 3. FIG.
7 is a diagram showing an example of a copy mode display on the operation unit 115. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a web print mode displayed on the operation unit.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a web print mode displayed on the operation unit.
10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen in a web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115. FIG.
11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115. FIG.
12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115. FIG.
13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a web print mode displayed on an operation unit 115. FIG.
14 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen in a web print mode displayed on the operation unit 115. FIG.
15 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for printing a home page of a WWW server in the image forming apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure of command reception processing in step S502 of FIG.
17 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of scheduled job processing in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1;
18 is a flowchart showing a hyperlink process performed by HTML Parser 253 in the image forming apparatus of FIG.
FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing a system for printing information stored in a conventional WWW server.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reader section
2 Printer section
3 Image input / output controller
7 Network I / F section
10 Core part
11 PC client
12 Intranet WWW server
13 Internet WWW server
14 Internet network
114,123 CPU
250 IP
251 TCP, UDP
252 HTTP client
253 HTML Parser
254 Application Layer Protocol

Claims (5)

In an image forming apparatus for performing printing based on data held by a WWW server on a network,
Printing means for performing printing based on data held by the WWW server;
Document data acquisition means for acquiring document data held by the WWW server from the WWW server via the network;
Determination means for determining whether a link destination linked from the document data acquired by the document data acquisition means is a clickable map CGI (Common Gateway Interface) based on a predetermined description;
When it is determined that the link destination is a CGI of a clickable map, the image forming apparatus is characterized by not accessing the CGI. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined description is a description of ISMAP after a file name. Wherein the clickable map, the image is clicked on with a mouse, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 clicked coordinate is equal to or delivered to the WWW server. In the processing of the CGI, when data is transmitted to the WWW server from the image forming apparatus, CGI scripts running on the WWW server, claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the result of the process is created The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. In an image forming method in an image forming apparatus for performing printing based on data held by a WWW server on a network,
A printing process for performing printing based on data held by the WWW server;
A document data acquisition step of acquiring document data held by the WWW server via the network from the WWW server;
A determination step of determining whether a link destination linked from the document data acquired in the document data acquisition step is a clickable map CGI (Common Gateway Interface) based on a predetermined description,
When it is determined that the link destination is a CGI of a clickable map, the image forming method is characterized by not accessing the CGI.

Images