JP4115070B2 - Information communication system and communication terminal - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a communication terminal apparatus having a WWW browser function, for example, using a personal computer, and more specifically, an output from a personal computer connected to a communication network is properly output from a printer on the network. Information communication system that can beMuAndCommunication terminalAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, the progress of information technology has been remarkable, and the Internet has been created as a result of the progress of these technologies. Among them, by using the World Wide Web (hereinafter referred to as WWW), it is possible to obtain desired data from sites around the world via the Internet (WWW) from information sources called sites. It can be obtained.
[0003]
In this case, what is generally called a WWW browser is used. The WWW browser is currently being used mainly by personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs), and products with a WWW browser function added to a television device have been released.
[0004]
A file displayed by a WWW browser is mainly composed of a language for describing a WWW page having a relatively simple structure called HTML (HyperText Markup Language).
[0005]
A characteristic of a file described in HTML (HTML file) is that it is called a link (link part) so that other HTML files can be referred to in a certain HTML file, or in the site referred to at that time, or the site It is possible to easily set the transition function to the outside.
[0006]
In the case of a general WWW browser, for example, when a user selects and designates a specific link part of an HTML file displayed on a screen of a PC or the like, a transition function is activated, and a new HTML file designated in the link part. Processing to switch the display to (next page) is performed. At present, various new product concepts for making such functions more convenient have been proposed.
[0007]
As an example of this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-122590 discloses a device having a WWW browser function and a videophone function, in which data (measurement result) output from a measuring device connected to the device is transmitted to a wide area network. A system for forwarding to a connected server is shown.
[0008]
FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram of a videophone system including the conventional videophone apparatus disclosed in the above publication.
[0009]
In the figure, reference numeral 601 denotes a public telephone line, a wide area network (hereinafter referred to as WAN) such as ISDN or CA television network, and 602A and 602C denote devices such as a video phone device 603A and a remote control device 604 in the WAN 601. It is a network interface device such as a modem or a terminal adapter (Terminal Adapter, a digital communication signal converter) + DSU (Digital Service Unit, a subscriber line terminator) or a cable modem that converts a communication interface for connection.
[0010]
Reference numeral 603A is a videophone device, 604 is a remote control device incorporating an Internet function and a videophone function, 605 is an Internet service provider, 606 is an Internet network, and 607 is a WWW server. Reference numeral 608 denotes a measuring device, which is connected to the videophone device 603A.
[0011]
Next, the operation will be described. Output data measured by the measuring device 608 is sent to the videophone device 603A.
[0012]
In order to send the measurement data to the WWW server 607, a URL (on the Internet) that holds an input form (HTML file) for data transmission existing in the WWW server 607 on the WWW browser installed in the videophone 603A. Specifies the location of existing information resources (documents, images, etc.) on the Internet, consisting of information type, server name, port number, folder name, file name, etc.).
[0013]
A request for an HTML file is transmitted to the WWW server 607 via the network interface device 602A, the WAN 601, the Internet service provider 605, and the Internet network 606 by HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).
[0014]
In response, the WWW server 607 downloads an HTML file to the videophone 603A via the Internet network 606, the Internet service provider 605, the WAN 601, and the network interface device 602A by HTTP.
[0015]
After the measurement data is automatically input to the input form in the HTML file, the measurement data is uploaded to the WWW server 607 along the same route as the request for the HTML file. As a result, the measurement data captured by the videophone device 603A by HTTP is collected by the WWW server 607.
[0016]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional apparatus, for example, dedicated software (driver) for operating the printing apparatus is often required as an equivalent to the measuring device.
[0017]
Therefore, every time a printing device is changed (replaced), a dedicated driver and its settings are required, and the user must make settings according to the printing device each time. There was a problem that made it difficult.
[0018]
In the conventional apparatus, the measurement data of the measuring device can be sent from the user to the WWW server. Conversely, depending on the system configuration, the server administrator who manages the WWW server can send information to the user. Cannot be transmitted, and the information from the server administrator cannot be transmitted unless the user intends to receive the information.
[0019]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a first object thereof is a communication device that allows a user to easily print a WWW browser display screen in a printing device connected to the communication terminal device. Is what you get.
[0020]
A second object is to obtain a communication device that allows a user of the information processing device to print information with a printing device connected to the communication terminal device.
[0021]
A third object is to obtain an information processing apparatus capable of connecting a plurality of communication terminal apparatuses to corresponding printing apparatuses.
[0022]
A fourth object is to obtain a communication device that allows a user of the communication terminal device to change settings of a printing device connected to the communication terminal device.
[0023]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Information communication system according to the present inventionIs
A source specified by a source address on the first network; and
A communication means for outputting the information source address, designated by a receiving address on a second network;
Connected to the information source via the first network;
In an information communication system comprising information processing means connected to the communication means via a second network,
The communication means includes input means for inputting the information source address;
A printing control unit connected to the printing apparatus and controlling the printing apparatus;
Transmitting the information source address input from the input means to the information processing means;
The information processing means receives the information source address output from the communication means, obtains information from an information source designated by the received information source address, and prints connected to the communication means from the information Generate information for printing on the device as output information,
The communication unit receives the output information transmitted from the information processing unit, and controls the printing apparatus by the print control unit based on the output information.
It is characterized by.
[0035]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a system configuration diagram of an information processing system including a communication terminal apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, 105 is a local area network (Local Area Network; hereinafter referred to as LAN) connected by Ethernet as a second network, 101 and 103 are communication terminal devices as communication means, and 102 and 104 are communication units, respectively. Printing apparatus as output means connected to the terminal devices 101 and 103, 107 an Internet network as a first network, 106 an information processing apparatus as information processing means connected to the LAN 105 and the Internet network 107, 108 Is a WWW server (specified by a URL that is an information source address on the first network) as an information source.
[0036]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of communication terminal apparatus 101 (or 103) in FIG. Here, the communication apparatus 101 will be described.
[0037]
In the figure, 101 is the communication terminal device in FIG. 1, 207 is a remote control for input by the user, 208 is a monitor as a display device, and 102 is a printing device such as a printer.
[0038]
202 is a WWW browser unit that interprets HTML files, processes image files such as JPEG and GIF, and generates screen information based on information from the browser control unit 212, and 203 displays screen information output from the WWW browser unit 202. This is an image output unit for outputting to the monitor 208.
[0039]
204 is a communication unit that communicates with the LAN 105, 206 is an input unit that receives a remote control signal and outputs input information, 201 controls the WWW browser unit 202, the communication unit 204, and the printing apparatus 102, and is input from the input unit 206. This is a system unit that inputs information and consists of the following.
[0040]
212 controls the WWW browser unit 202 based on the control of the system control unit 211 and the information given from the communication control unit 213, and acquires information on the HTML file interpreted by the WWW browser unit 202, and the system control unit 211, A browser control unit that outputs information to the communication control unit 213 and the print screen information control unit 215.
[0041]
A communication control unit 213 controls the communication unit 204 based on information of the system control unit 211 and the browser control unit 212 and transmits communication data to the system control unit 211 and the browser control unit 212.
[0042]
Reference numeral 214 denotes print control means for controlling the printing apparatus 102 based on information from the system control unit 211. Reference numeral 215 denotes print screen information control means for generating a print screen information signal based on information from the browser control unit 212.
[0043]
Here, the system control unit 211 controls the browser control unit 212, the communication control unit 213, the print control unit 214, and the print screen information control unit 215 based on the information of the input unit 206.
[0044]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus 106 in FIG. In the figure, 302 is a WWW browser unit that interprets HTML files and processes image files such as JPEG and GIF based on information from the browser control unit 312, and generates screen information. 303 is an Internet that communicates with the Internet network. A communication unit 304 is a LAN communication unit that performs communication with the LAN.
[0045]
A system unit 301 controls the WWW browser unit 302, the Internet communication unit 303, and the LAN communication unit 304, and is configured as follows. A browser control unit 312 controls the WWW browser unit 302, and a communication control unit 313 controls the Internet communication unit 303 and the LAN communication unit 304.
[0046]
A system control unit 314 is a print information generation unit that generates print information based on screen information generated by the WWW browser unit 302. 311 is a browser control unit 312, a communication control unit 313, and a print information generation unit. The control of 314 is performed.
[0047]
FIG. 4 is a display example of the Internet home page displayed on the monitor 208 of the communication terminal apparatus 101, 401 is the content described in the HTML file, 402 is a URL indicating a so-called Internet address, 403 is a print button, 405 Is a display example of an image file. This home page is on the WWW server 108 and is composed of HTML files and image files.
[0048]
These files are transmitted from the WWW server 108 to the WWW browser unit 202 via the Internet network 107, the information processing device 106, the LAN 105, the communication unit 204 of the communication terminal device 101, the communication control unit 213, and the browser control unit 212. Is done.
[0049]
In the WWW browser unit 202, HTML file analysis and image file processing are performed to generate screen information, and the screen information generated on the monitor 208 via the image output processing unit 203 is displayed. The URL 402 and the print button 403 displayed on the monitor 208 are displayed by the function of the WWW browser unit 202.
[0050]
Next, an operation when the user clicks the print button 403 on the monitor 208 will be described. The user selects and clicks the print button 403 displayed on the monitor 208 using the remote controller 207. At this time, the input unit 206 receives a signal transmitted from the remote controller 207, and the input unit 206 transmits input information to the system control unit 211.
[0051]
Based on the information that the print button 403 has been clicked, the system control unit 211 sends a command to the browser control unit 212 to transmit the currently displayed URL to the print screen information control unit 215, and Information (IP address) for specifying the communication terminal device 101 is transmitted to the print screen information control means 215.
[0052]
The browser control unit 212 transmits the URL 402 of the home page currently displayed on the monitor 208 to the print screen information control unit 215.
[0053]
The print screen information control unit 215 generates a print screen information signal based on the received URL and IP address, and transmits this print screen information signal to the system control unit 211.
[0054]
The system control unit 211 transmits the print screen information signal to the information processing apparatus 106 so as to transmit the print screen information signal to the information processing apparatus 106, and the print screen information signal is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 106 via the communication unit 204 and the LAN 105.
[0055]
The information processing apparatus 106 receives the print screen information signal including the URL transmitted from the communication terminal apparatus 101 via the LAN 105 via the LAN communication unit 304 and the communication control unit 313 (information source address receiving step, these LAN communication units. 304, an information source address receiving unit is configured including the communication control unit 313.), and the system control unit 311 supplies the print information generation unit 314 with the information.
[0056]
The print information generation unit 314 connects to the home page specified by the URL included in the print screen information signal (connection process), and instructs the system control unit 311 to download the information included in the home page (this print information). The system control unit 311 downloads homepage information (HTML file, image file) from the WWW server 108 on the Internet network 107 (information acquisition step, this system control). The information acquisition means is configured including the unit 311).
[0057]
The downloaded home page is subjected to HTML file analysis and image file processing by the browser control unit 312 and the WWW browser unit 302 to generate image information.
[0058]
The print information generation unit 314 performs processing based on the generated image information so that the print apparatus 102 connected to the communication terminal apparatus 101 prints with an optimal layout when printing is performed. An information signal (output information) is generated (output information generation step. The output information generation unit includes the print information generation unit 314).
[0059]
The print information signal generated by the print information generation unit 314 is transmitted via the LAN 105 by the LAN communication unit 304 to the communication information terminal 101 having the IP address included in the print screen information signal (output information transmission step). Output information transmission means is configured including this LAN communication unit 304.)
[0060]
The communication information terminal 101 receives the print information signal transmitted from the information processing apparatus 106, and the system control unit 211 transmits the received print information signal to the print control unit 214.
[0061]
The print control unit 214 controls the printing apparatus 102 based on the received print information signal, and printing is executed by the apparatus.
[0062]
In the above description, the communication terminal apparatus 101 has been described, but the communication terminal apparatus 103 can also print a home page using the printing apparatus 103 by the same means.
[0063]
Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the information processing device 106 in the information processing system including the communication terminal device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and is equivalent to or equivalent to that shown in FIG. Are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
[0064]
In the figure, reference numeral 321 denotes a keyboard as an input means for the user of the information processing apparatus 106 to edit print information, and 322 denotes data input such as a floppy disk drive or magneto-optical disk for the user to input data. Means 323, print information storage means as storage means such as a hard disk for storing print information, 324, print information editing screen, print information is converted into screen information, and the screen information is displayed on the monitor 325 as an image output device. Is an image output processing unit.
[0065]
Further, the system configuration in the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 and the communication terminal apparatus is the same as that shown in FIG.
[0066]
Next, the operation will be described. The user of the information processing apparatus 106 generates and edits print information based on the image data input from the data input unit 322 and information input from the keyboard 321, and the generated and edited print information (transmission) Information) is stored in the print information storage means 323.
[0067]
When the user inputs a print confirmation request from the keyboard 321, the system control unit 311 transmits the print information stored in the print information storage unit 323 from the print information storage unit 323 to the image output processing unit 324. Control is performed to display a print image composed of print information on the monitor 325.
[0068]
When the user performs input (transmission operation) from the keyboard to print the print information stored in the print information storage unit 323 using the printing apparatus 102 connected to the print information communication terminal apparatus 101 The system control unit 311 controls to transmit the desired print information stored in the print information storage unit 323 to the communication terminal device 101 as a print information signal (the accumulated transmission information is output in the output information generation step). Send as output information.)
[0069]
Note that the communication terminal apparatus 101 performs printing in the printing apparatus 102 by means similar to the operation described in the first embodiment.
[0070]
Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the information processing apparatus 106 in the information processing system including the communication terminal apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. The description is omitted. In the figure, reference numeral 331 denotes a printing device table storage unit that stores a printing device table that associates a communication terminal device with a printing device connected to the communication terminal device.
[0071]
The system configuration in the present embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 and the communication terminal device is the same as that shown in FIG.
[0072]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the printing apparatus table. In the figure, 451 is an IP address that identifies the communication terminal apparatus 101, and 452 is information that identifies the printing apparatus 102 connected to the communication terminal apparatus 101.
[0073]
Next, the operation will be described. The IP address of the communication terminal apparatus 101 is set to 192.168.1.10, and the connected printing apparatus 102 is set to Laser PrinterXX-XXXX (setting corresponding to the user name “Sato” in FIG. 7).
[0074]
When the user of the communication terminal apparatus 101 clicks the print button 403 in FIG. 4, a print screen information signal is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 106 as described in the first embodiment.
[0075]
The information processing apparatus 106 that has received the print screen information signal generates a screen signal as in the first embodiment.
[0076]
In the first embodiment, the print information signal is generated by the print information generation unit 314. However, in the present embodiment, the print information generation unit 314 has a printing device table (stored in the printing device table storage unit 331). With reference to the output means correspondence table), a print information signal that is printed with a layout optimal for the printing apparatus connected to the communication terminal apparatus that has transmitted the print screen information signal is generated.
[0077]
That is, in this case, since the IP address included in the print screen information signal is 192.168.1.10, the IP address 192.168.1.10 in the IP address 451 of the printing apparatus table is selected.
[0078]
In addition, as a connected printing device, a Laser in information 452 that specifies a printing device (information indicating a connected printing device and having a plurality of pieces of printing device information in advance) 452.
PrinterXX-XXXX is specified.
[0079]
The print information generation unit 314 generates a print information signal that can be printed with an optimal layout in the LaserPrinterXX-XXXX, which is the printing device 102 of the communication terminal device 101 having the IP address 192.168.1.10. Printing is performed from the printing apparatus 102 by the same procedure as in the first embodiment.
[0080]
Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of communication terminal apparatus 101 in the information processing system including the communication terminal apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as or equivalent to that shown in FIG. Are given the same reference numerals as in FIG.
[0081]
In the figure, reference numeral 221 denotes a printing apparatus designation input means for converting information input by the user and information for specifying the communication terminal apparatus into a printing apparatus designation signal and outputting it.
[0082]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the information processing device 106 in the information processing system including the communication terminal device according to the present embodiment. The same or corresponding parts as those shown in FIG. The same reference numerals as those in FIG.
[0083]
In the figure, reference numeral 341 denotes a WWW server unit that implements the WWW server function, 342 denotes a server control unit that controls the WWW server unit 341, and 343 denotes a printing device table ( Printing device table conversion means for converting the output means table).
[0084]
FIG. 10 is an example of a home page distributed by the WWW server unit 341 of the information processing apparatus 106 and can be browsed on the communication terminal apparatus 101.
[0085]
501 in FIG. 10 is the URL of this homepage, 502-504 are selection buttons called radio buttons, and the user clicks one of these selection buttons 502-504, for example, as shown in FIG. Select the printer.
[0086]
Reference numeral 505 denotes a setting button which is clicked when setting the selected printing apparatus, and reference numeral 506 denotes a cancel button which is clicked when canceling the selection of the printer in the example shown in FIG.
[0087]
Next, the operation will be described. When the user of the communication terminal device 101 (IP address 192.168.1.10) connects the XXX company XX-XXX as the printing device 102 (for example, this is the user name shown in FIG. 7) When the connected printing device corresponding to “Sato” (or IP address “192.168.1.10”) is changed from “Laser Printer XX-XXXX” to “XXX Company XX-XXXXXX”), The user displays the home page shown in FIG. 10 on communication terminal apparatus 101 and selects radio button 502 using remote controller 207.
[0088]
Further, by clicking the setting button 505, the printing apparatus designation input unit 221 is given information that the radio button of the IP address 192.168.1.10 and 502 of the communication terminal apparatus 101 is selected.
[0089]
The printing apparatus designation input unit 221 generates a signal 452 (referred to as a printing apparatus designation signal 452; output means designation information) for designating the printing apparatus based on this information, and the generated printing apparatus designation signal 452 is generated. Is transmitted to the system control unit 211.
[0090]
The system control unit 211 transmits the received printing apparatus designation signal 452 to the information processing apparatus 106. In the information processing apparatus 106, the received printing apparatus designation signal 452 is input to the printing apparatus table conversion unit 343, and the printing stored in the printing apparatus table storage unit 343 is performed based on the input printing apparatus designation signal 452. The device table is changed (that is, here, the case where the connected printing device of the printing device designation signal 452 has been changed is shown. That is, the correspondence relationship of the output means is changed).
[0091]
FIG. 11 shows an example of the printing device table after the printing device designation signal 452 is changed. The printing device designation signal 452 in FIG. 7 is changed to the printing device designation signal 462 shown in FIG. 11 (example in the figure). Then, it was changed to XXX Company XXX-XXXXXX).
[0092]
In the information processing terminal 106, a print information signal corresponding to the print screen information signal from the communication terminal apparatus 101 is generated with reference to the changed printing apparatus table (FIG. 11).
[0093]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
[0094]
  In the present inventionAccording toConnected to communication meansMarkPrintingIn placeSince processing for generating optimal output information is performed by the information processing means connected to the first network, the processing by the communication means is simplified and the cost of the communication means can be reduced.
                                                                            more than
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram according to the first to fourth embodiments.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication terminal apparatus according to the first to third embodiments.
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an example of a display screen in the communication terminal device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an example of a printing apparatus table according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a communication terminal apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an information processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an example of a display screen in the communication terminal device according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 11 is an example of a printing apparatus table according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a conventional information processing apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
101, 103 Communication terminal device, 102, 104 Printing device, 105 LAN, 106 Information processing device, 107 Internet network, 108 WWW server.

Claims (5)

A source specified by a source address on the first network; and
A communication means for outputting the information source address, designated by a receiving address on a second network;
Connect via said first network prior Symbol sources,
In an information communication system comprising information processing means connected to the communication means via a second network ,
The communication means includes input means for inputting the information source address;
A printing control unit connected to the printing apparatus and controlling the printing apparatus;
Transmitting the information source address input from the input means to the information processing means;
The information processing means receives the information source address output from the communication means, obtains information from an information source designated by the received information source address, and prints connected to the communication means from the information Generate information for printing on the device as output information,
The communication unit receives the output information transmitted from the information processing unit, and controls the printing apparatus by the print control unit based on the output information.
An information communication system. The output information includes a control signal for controlling a printing apparatus, and the printing control unit of the communication unit controls the printing apparatus based on a control signal included in the output information. Information communication system. The information processing means includes a printing apparatus table that stores a correspondence relationship of the printing apparatuses connected to the communication means, and refers to the printing apparatus table when the communication means is designated, and the printing apparatus table The information communication system according to claim 1, wherein the information communication system is configured to generate output information corresponding to a designated printing apparatus . Information processing means includes a printing device table for storing a plurality of printing apparatus information stored in advance, a plurality of printing apparatus information which is previously stored in the printer table and sends it to the communication means, a plurality of the said transmission receiving the printing device specifying information selected based on the printing apparatus information from the previous SL communication means, the correspondence between the printing apparatus corresponding to the communication means which is stored in the printing apparatus according to the printing device specifying information thus received The information communication system according to claim 3 to be changed.   In a communication terminal that displays screen information of an information source specified by an information source address connected via a network,
  An input means for inputting a print request for the displayed screen information;
  A print screen information signal generating means for generating a print screen information signal based on an information source address of the screen information and information for specifying the communication terminal based on the print request;
  A print screen information signal transmitting means for transmitting a print screen information signal;
  Print information signal receiving means for receiving a print information signal generated by an information processing apparatus connected via a network;
  Print control means for controlling a printing apparatus based on the print information signal;
  Including communication terminals.

Images