JP4900220B2 - Information distribution apparatus and information distribution method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information distribution apparatus and an information distribution method, and more particularly to an information distribution apparatus and an information distribution method for distributing update information in response to a request from a client terminal.

  In recent years, services (so-called RSS feeds) that provide Web site update information and the like in the form of RSS (Rich Site Summary / RDF Site Summary) data are increasing. RSS is an XML (Extensible Markup Language) -based format that can describe metadata such as page titles, addresses, headings, summaries, and update times of Web sites in a structured manner. On the other hand, a user can quickly collect update information of a website by receiving data written in the RSS format using client software called an RSS reader.

Here, Patent Document 1 below discloses an RSS management server device that classifies and provides RSS data for each category designated by a user. When the RSS management server device receives an HTTP request including a category identifier from a user's personal computer, the RSS management server device stores an RSS feed number in units of RSS feeds and a category identifier included in the HTTP request in association with each other, and an RSS feed number. Issue a URL containing While the RSS reader is running, the user's personal computer reads the URL and periodically sends an HTTP request to the URL. When receiving an HTTP request from a user, the RSS management server device extracts an RSS feed number included in the request, and specifies a category identifier stored in association with the RSS feed number. Then, the RSS data corresponding to the category identifier is extracted from the generated RSS data and transmitted to the user's personal computer.
JP 2006-244430 A

  According to the RSS management server apparatus described above, the user can register a plurality of categories desired to be distributed in the RSS management server apparatus at once. However, since the RSS data to be distributed is divided for each category and it is necessary to register and set the RSS reader for each category, the complexity of the RSS reader setting and registration work is not reduced. Further, when checking the update information, the user needs to select a category, switch the display screen, and check the update information for each category.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an information distribution apparatus and an information distribution method capable of reducing the user's troublesomeness in obtaining desired update information. Objective.

An information distribution apparatus according to the present invention is mounted on a network multifunction device having a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile function, and updates scanning, FAX reception, and FAX transmission in response to a request from a client terminal connected via the network. An information distribution apparatus that distributes information, wherein the client terminal acquires category information of update information that the client terminal desires to distribute from the client terminal, and a plurality of categories included in the category information acquired by the category information acquisition unit Update information generating means for combining category update information to generate single update information, and distribution means for distributing the single update information generated by the update information generating means in response to a request from the client terminal provided, the category includes scanning, FAX reception, FAX transmission, update information generation When a new scan, new FAX reception, or new FAX transmission occurs as an event belonging to a plurality of categories, the event content is added to the update information of the category to which the event belongs, and the update information is update be characterized by Rukoto.

The information distribution method according to the present invention is executed in a network multifunction peripheral having a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile function, and performs scanning, FAX reception, and FAX transmission in response to a request from a client terminal connected via the network. an information distribution method for distributing updates, included in the category information acquisition step and the category information acquired in the category information acquisition step of acquiring the category information of the update information by the client terminal wishes to distribute from the client terminal An update information generation step that combines the update information of a plurality of categories to generate a single update information, and a distribution step that distributes the single update information generated in the update information generation step in response to a request from the client terminal equipped with a door, the above-mentioned categories, scan, FAX In the update information generation step, when a new scan, a new FAX reception, or a new FAX transmission occurs, an event is displayed in the update information of the category to which the event belongs. Add the contents, characterized users update the update information.

According to the information distribution apparatus or the information distribution method according to the present invention, the update information of a plurality of categories desired to be distributed by the client terminal is combined and distributed to the client terminal as a single update information. Therefore, the operator of the client terminal, that is, the user does not need to perform registration registration of the RSS reader for each category, and can update information of a desired category in a lump and confirm it in a list. As a result, it is possible to reduce the troublesomeness when setting and registering the RSS reader and the troublesomeness when checking update information. In particular, according to the information distribution apparatus or information distribution method of the present invention, the event occurrence status is distributed as single update information for each category of scan, FAX reception, and FAX transmission. Therefore, the user can easily check the operation status of the network multifunction peripheral for the desired category in a batch.

  In the information distribution apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the category information acquisition unit provides the client terminal with means for presenting the acquired category information and changing the category information when acquiring the category information.

  In the information distribution method according to the present invention, it is preferable that, in the category information acquisition step, when the category information is acquired, the acquired category information is presented and a means for changing the category information is provided to the client terminal. .

  In this way, the category information setting can be easily changed from the client terminal.

In the information distribution apparatus according to the present invention, the category acquisition unit acquires the category information for each operator of the client terminal, and the update information generation unit acquires the information for each operator according to the category information acquired for each operator. Preferably, update information is generated, and the distribution means distributes single update information corresponding to the operator of the client terminal in response to a request from the client terminal.

In the information distribution method according to the present invention, category information is acquired for each operator of the client terminal in the category acquisition step, and the operator is determined according to the category information acquired for each operator in the update information generation step. Preferably, update information is generated every time, and in the distribution step, single update information corresponding to the operator of the client terminal is distributed in response to a request from the client terminal.

  Usually, the category of update information desired to be distributed is often different for each operator of the client terminal, that is, for each user. In this case, the update information of the category that the user wants to distribute is generated and distributed for each user. Therefore, it is possible to individually cope with different desires for each user.

  Here, the update information generation unit preferably generates update information for an event related to the operator among events belonging to the category included in the category information.

  In the update information generation step, update information is preferably generated for events related to the operator among events belonging to the category included in the category information.

  Generally, even if events are included in the same category, there are a mixture of events related to the operator of the client terminal, that is, the user, and those not related to the user. In this case, an event related to the user is selected and update information is generated. Therefore, update information related to the user, that is, update information that is estimated to be more important to the user can be selectively distributed. As a result, the user can efficiently check only the update information with high importance related to him / her.

According to the present invention, since the update information of a plurality of categories included in the category information acquired from the client terminal is combined to generate a single update information, the user at the time of acquiring desired update information Can be alleviated. In particular, according to the present invention, the event occurrence status is distributed as a single update information for each category of scan, FAX reception, and FAX transmission. Can be easily confirmed.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Here, a case where the information distribution apparatus according to the embodiment is installed in a network multifunction device will be described as an example.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system including a network multi-function peripheral equipped with an information distribution apparatus. The communication system shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a client terminal 2 that is a distribution destination of update information (hereinafter also referred to as “RSS data”) and a client terminal 2 via the Internet 3 to generate RSS data and a client terminal. 2 is mainly composed of a network multifunction peripheral 1 that distributes RSS data in response to a request from 2. In FIG. 1, an example of a communication system in which one client terminal 2 is connected to the network multifunction device 1 is shown, but a plurality of client terminals may be connected to the network multifunction device 1.

  The network multifunction device 1 has functions of a Web server in addition to the functions of copy, printer, scanner, facsimile, and IFAX (Internet facsimile). For example, the network multifunction peripheral 1 generates RSS data of categories such as scanning, FAX reception, and FAX transmission, and distributes RSS data to the client terminal 2 by the Web server function. Here, the Web server function is a function for executing a predetermined HTTP task by accessing from a client terminal data such as RSS data described in XML or data such as a home page described in HTML. The HTTP task includes, for example, a task of transferring and displaying database data to a client terminal and executing predetermined processing such as image data format conversion and download.

  A block diagram showing the configuration of the network multifunction device 1 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the network multifunction peripheral 1 includes a control unit 10, a reading unit 11, a recording unit 12, a display unit 13, an operation unit 14, a ROM 15, a RAM 16, an image storage unit 17, a codec 18, a modem 19, and an NCU 20. The IFAX control unit 21, the LAN interface 22, and the information distribution device 30 are configured to be communicable with each other via a bus 40.

  The control unit 10 is realized by a CPU, for example, and integrally controls the hardware configuring the network multifunction peripheral 1 by executing a program stored in the ROM 15. The reading unit 11 reads an image with a CCD or the like and outputs it as image data. The recording unit 12 is an electrophotographic printer, and prints out image data output from the reading unit 11, image data received by a facsimile, and the like on a sheet.

  The display unit 13 is a display device using an LCD or the like, and displays the operation state of the Internet multifunction peripheral 1 and various setting contents. The operation unit 14 includes keys necessary for operating the network multifunction peripheral 1, such as a numeric keypad, an abbreviated key, a start key, and various function keys. The ROM 15 stores various programs necessary for the operation of the network multifunction device 1. The RAM 16 is realized by SRAM, DRAM, or the like, and temporarily stores data generated when the program is executed.

  The image storage unit 17 is configured by a DRAM or the like, and stores the image data output from the reading unit 11, the received image data, and the like. The codec 18 encodes and compresses the image data and decodes the image data that has been encoded and compressed. The modem 19 performs modulation / demodulation between a digital signal and an analog signal. The NCU 20 is connected to the modem 19 and controls the connection between the modem 19 and the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 5.

  The IFAX control unit 21 uses the Internet environment and transmits the read transmission original as image data (TIFF / PDF format) attached to an e-mail. The IFAX control unit 21 receives a mail from the POP server every set time and automatically prints out. The LAN interface 22 is an interface through which the network MFP 1 is communicably connected to the LAN 4. The LAN 4 is connected to the Internet 3 via the router 6.

  The information distribution device 30 has a function as a Web server, and includes a category information acquisition unit 31, an update information generation unit 32, and a distribution unit 33.

  The category information acquisition unit 31 is the category information of RSS data that the client terminal 2 desires to distribute, for example, “scan”, “transmission”, “reception”, “shared reception”, “bulletin board”, “unread”, “disk remaining shortage”, to Folder / FTP "or the like is acquired from the client terminal 2 and registered. Here, the category information acquisition unit 31 presents the registered category information and provides the client terminal 2 with a category registration screen for changing the registration of the category information when acquiring the category information. Details of this category registration screen will be described later. That is, the category information acquisition unit 31 functions as category information acquisition means described in the claims.

  The update information generation unit 32 combines the RSS data of the categories included in the category information acquired by the category information acquisition unit 31 and generates a single RSS data. Further, the update information generation unit 32 generates an event belonging to a category included in the category information, for example, when “new scan”, “new FAX reception / transmission”, “update of bulletin board content”, and / or a predetermined event occurs. At timing, the event content is added to the RSS data of the category to which the event belongs, and the RSS data is updated.

  At that time, the update information generation unit 32 determines whether or not the event is an event related to the operator of the client terminal 2, that is, the user. Update the RSS data of the category to which it belongs. More specifically, for example, RSS data is updated when a fax addressed to a user is received, and RSS data is not updated when a fax addressed to another user is received. When a plurality of client terminals are connected to the network multifunction peripheral 1, the update information generation unit 32 generates and updates RSS data for each client terminal, that is, for each user who is an operator of the client terminal. Note that when an event related to all users occurs, such as a bulletin board update, the RSS data of all users is updated. As described above, the update information generation unit 32 functions as update information generation means described in the claims.

  The distribution unit 33 distributes the single RSS data generated by the update information generation unit 32 in response to a request from the client terminal 2. More specifically, the update information generation unit 32 is mounted as a file system accessible by the distribution unit 33, and the RSS data file stored in the update information generation unit 32 is based on a unique URL when viewed from the client terminal 2. Identified. When the client terminal 2 connects to the distribution unit 33 and requests distribution of RSS data specified by this URL, the distribution unit 33 reads out RSS data corresponding to the URL specified in the distribution request from the update information generation unit 32. And distributed to the client terminal 2. That is, the distribution unit 33 functions as a distribution unit described in the claims.

  The client terminal 2 is a personal computer used by a user, and is equipped with an RSS reader for sending and receiving RSS data via the Internet 3 according to HTTP. The user accesses the information distribution apparatus 30 mounted on the network multifunction peripheral 1 via the RSS reader that operates on the client terminal 2 and requests distribution of RSS data. In addition, the user accesses the information distribution apparatus 30 via a Web browser running on the client terminal 2 and browses a Web application for registering category information, thereby registering category information desired to be distributed. .

  Next, the operation of the information distribution device 30 mounted on the network multifunction peripheral 1 and the RSS data distribution method by the information distribution device 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a processing procedure of RSS data distribution processing. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of the category registration screen of the client terminal 2. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of RSS data generated by the information distribution device 30.

(Category registration process)
When the user activates the Web browser of the client terminal 2 and performs an operation for accessing the category registration screen prepared by the information distribution apparatus 30, the client terminal 2 accepts this operation and receives an HTTP as a category registration screen request. A request is transmitted (step S100). When receiving the category registration screen request via the Internet 3, the information distribution device 30 reads the stored category registration screen data and registered category information, and transmits them to the client terminal 2 as an HTTP response (step S102). .

  Upon receiving the category registration screen data and the registered category information, the client terminal 2 displays a category registration screen on which the registered category information is presented. An example of the category registration screen displayed on the client terminal 2 is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example in which eight categories of “scan”, “transmission”, “reception”, “shared reception”, “bulletin board”, “unread”, “disk shortage”, and “Scan to Folder / FTP” can be selected. Yes. The user can change the registration of the category information by clicking the check box corresponding to each category with the mouse and selecting the category of RSS data desired to be distributed (step S104). FIG. 4 illustrates a state where two types of categories “transmission” and “bulletin board” are selected. Further, the user can set the number of data to be stored and distributed by setting the number of items from the display screen. That is, when this value is exceeded, the oldest data is erased. FIG. 4 shows a state where “15” is set as the number of items.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued. When the category selection is completed and the user clicks the transmission button, the client terminal 2 accepts this operation and transmits the category information to the information distribution apparatus 30 (step S106). On the other hand, when receiving the category information, the information distribution apparatus 30 associates the received category information with information that can specify the user, such as identification information of the client terminal 2, a user login name, or an ID number, for example. The category information is registered for each user (step S108).

(RSS data generation processing)
For example, when the “transmission” category and the “bulletin board” category are registered, the information distribution apparatus 30 combines the RSS data of the “transmission” and “bulletin board” categories to generate a single RSS data. Further, the information distribution apparatus 30 reads the communication history information and the bulletin board information when “new FAX transmission” and “update of bulletin board contents” occur and / or at a predetermined timing. The RSS data of “transmission” and “bulletin board” is updated based on the information (step S110). At that time, the information distribution apparatus 30 determines whether or not the update information is related to the user, and updates the RSS data of the corresponding category when it is determined that the update information is related. More specifically, the RSS data is updated when a user's FAX is transmitted, and the RSS data is not updated when another user's FAX is transmitted. Note that the update of the bulletin board is content related to all users, so when the content of the bulletin board is updated, the RSS data of the “bulletin board” category is updated.

  Here, an example of the RSS data generated by the information distribution apparatus 30 is shown in FIG. For example, when the “transmission” category and the “bulletin board” category are registered, as shown in FIG. 5, the RSS data of the “transmission” category and the RSS data of the “bulletin board” category are combined to form a single RSS. Data is generated. In the channel element 200 in the RSS data, basic information related to the entire RSS data is described. The content of the channel element 200 includes a title element 210, a link element 211, a description element 212, an item element 213, and the like. The title element 210 represents the title of the RSS data, and the link element 211 represents the URL of the site handled by the RSS data. The description element 212 describes the contents and functions of the site handled by the RSS data.

  The item element 213 is an array of elements representing RSS data of the “transmission” category. The contents of the item element 213 include a title element 220, a link element 221, a description element 222, and the like. The title element 220 describes the title of RSS data in the “transmission” category. The link element 221 represents the URL of RSS data in the “transmission” category. The description element 222 describes the RSS data in the “transmission” category.

  Below the item element 213 of the “transmission” category, the item elements 214 of the “bulletin board” category are described successively. The content of the item element 214 of the “Bulletin Board” category is the same as or similar to the content of the item element 213 of the “Transmission” category, and the description thereof is omitted here.

(RSS data distribution processing)
Returning to FIG. 3, the description will be continued. While starting the RSS reader (step S112), the client terminal 2 periodically transmits an HTTP request for requesting RSS data distribution to the URL of the information distribution apparatus 30 (step S114). On the other hand, the information distribution apparatus 30 distributes the RSS data of the “reception” and “bulletin board” categories shown in FIG. 5 to the RSS reader as a response to the HTTP request (step S116). The RSS reader displays the acquired RSS data of the “reception” and “bulletin board” categories on the display of the client terminal 2 (step S118). Thereby, the user can confirm the update information of the desired category in a list.

  According to the present embodiment, by selecting a category on the category registration screen displayed on the client terminal 2, a plurality of categories for which RSS data distribution is desired can be registered in the information distribution apparatus 30 in a batch. . Therefore, it becomes possible to easily register and register a category for which distribution is desired.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, RSS data of a plurality of categories desired to be distributed are collected and distributed to the client terminal 2 as a single RSS data. Therefore, the user does not need to register and set the RSS reader for each category, and can acquire RSS data of a desired category in a batch. As a result, it is possible to reduce the complexity of setting and registering the RSS reader and the trouble of checking update information.

  According to this embodiment, a category for which distribution is desired is registered for each user, and RSS data of each category is generated and distributed for each user. Therefore, it is possible to individually cope with different desires for each user.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, even if it is an event contained in the same category, the event relevant to a user is selected and RSS data is produced | generated. Therefore, RSS data related to the user, that is, RSS data that is estimated to be more important to the user can be selectively distributed. As a result, the user can efficiently check only the RSS data with high importance related to him / her.

  Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the information distribution apparatus 30 is incorporated in the network multifunction peripheral 1, and for example, the event occurrence status for each category such as “scan”, “reception”, and “transmission” is a single RSS data be delivered. Therefore, the user can easily check the operation status of the network multifunction peripheral 1 for the desired category in a batch.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, the present invention is installed in a network multifunction peripheral, but the configuration and function sharing of the network multifunction peripheral are not limited to the above embodiment.

  In the above embodiment, the RSS data is updated when an event occurs. However, instead of updating the RSS data every time an event occurs, all event information is temporarily stored in the memory, and the client A configuration may be adopted in which RSS data is generated from accumulated event information belonging to a category for which distribution is desired when there is a request for distribution of RSS data from the terminal 2.

  In the above embodiment, the network multifunction device 1 and the client terminal 2 are connected via the Internet 3. However, instead of the Internet, it may be configured to be connected by a network such as an intranet, a LAN, or a WAN. . Further, the number and types of categories that can be registered are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, restarting of the network multifunction peripheral may be added to the above-described category.

  In the above embodiment, it is determined whether or not RSS data is generated by determining whether or not it is related to the user. However, the degree of association is obtained, and the RSS data is generated when the degree is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It is good.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the communication system containing the network multifunction device by which the information delivery apparatus which concerns on embodiment is mounted. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the network multifunction device by which the information delivery apparatus which concerns on embodiment is mounted. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process sequence of the RSS data delivery process by the information delivery apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the category registration screen of a client terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the RSS data produced | generated by the information delivery apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Network MFP 2 Client Terminal 3 Internet 4 LAN
5 PSTN
6 router 10 control unit 11 reading unit 12 recording unit 13 display unit 14 operation unit 15 ROM
16 RAM
17 Image storage unit 18 Codec 19 Modem 20 NCU
21 IFAX Control Unit 22 LAN Interface 30 Information Distribution Device 31 Category Information Acquisition Unit 32 Update Information Generation Unit 33 Distribution Unit

Claims (10)

An information distribution device that is installed in a network multifunction peripheral having a printer, scanner, and facsimile function and distributes update information for scanning, FAX reception, and FAX transmission in response to a request from a client terminal connected via the network. And
Category information acquisition means for acquiring category information of update information that the client terminal desires to distribute from the client terminal;
Update information generating means for generating a single update information by combining update information of a plurality of categories included in the category information acquired by the category information acquiring means;
A distribution unit that distributes the single update information generated by the update information generation unit in response to a request from the client terminal ;
The category includes scanning, FAX reception, FAX transmission,
The update information generation means adds an event content to the update information of the category to which the event belongs when a new scan, a new FAX reception, or a new FAX transmission occurs as an event belonging to the plurality of categories. An information distribution apparatus for updating the update information.   The said category information acquisition means provides the said client terminal with the means to change this category information while presenting the acquired category information, when acquiring the said category information. Information distribution device. The category information acquisition means acquires the category information for each operator of the client terminal,
The update information generation unit generates update information for each operator according to the category information acquired for each operator,
The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit distributes single update information corresponding to an operator of the client terminal in response to a request from the client terminal.   The information distribution apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the update information generation unit generates the update information for an event related to the operator among events belonging to a category included in the category information.   When the update information generating unit generates the single update information by combining the update information of a plurality of categories included in the category information, the update information generation unit is configured as basic information related to the entire single update information. 5. The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein single update information in which elements expressing update information of each of the plurality of categories are continuously described is generated. An information distribution method that is executed in a network multifunction device having a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile function and distributes update information for scanning, FAX reception, and FAX transmission in response to a request from a client terminal connected via a network. And
Category information acquisition step for acquiring from the client terminal the category information of the update information that the client terminal desires to distribute;
An update information generation step of generating a single update information by combining update information of a plurality of categories included in the category information acquired in the category information acquisition step;
A distribution step of distributing the single update information generated in the update information generation step in response to a request from the client terminal ,
The category includes scanning, FAX reception, FAX transmission,
In the update information generation step, when a new scan, a new FAX reception, or a new FAX transmission occurs as an event belonging to the plurality of categories, an event content is added to the update information of the category to which the event belongs. An information delivery method characterized by updating the update information. In the category information acquiring step, when obtaining the category information, according to means for changing the category information while presenting the acquired category information to Claim 6, characterized in that it provides to the client terminal Information distribution method. In the category information acquisition step, the category information is acquired for each operator of the client terminal,
In the update information generation step, according to the category information acquired for each operator, generate update information for each operator,
Wherein the delivery step, in response to a request from the client terminal, information delivering method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that to deliver a single update information corresponding to the operator of the client terminal. 9. The information distribution method according to claim 8 , wherein, in the update information generation step, the update information is generated for an event related to the operator among events belonging to a category included in the category information. In the update information generation step, when the update information of a plurality of categories included in the category information is combined to generate the single update information, the content of basic information related to the entire single update information is the information distribution method according to any one of claims 6-9, characterized in that to produce a single update information element representing a plurality of categories each update information is described in succession.

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