JP5077178B2 - Communication apparatus and communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication system.

Various contents are released on the network. There is a server that publishes content summary information including the URL of each content and the title of each content. An example of the content summary information is feed information (Feed). As the format of the feed information, for example, there are RSS and Atom. Non-Patent Document 1 below discloses software for acquiring feed information and displaying the title of each content. When this software is installed on the PC, the user can view the title of each content. When the user clicks on the title, the PC activates the browser and accesses the URL of the content corresponding to the title. Thereby, the content is displayed on the PC.
Tomoyuki Ozu, “Displaying RSS-delivered article titles in an electric bulletin board style” Dirty News Reader ”, [Online], May 26, 2004, Impression Corporation, [Search July 29, 2008], Internet, <http://www.forest.impress.co.jp/article/2004/05/26/dirtynewsreader.html>

  When the software disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1 described above is applied to a multi-function device that can communicate with a personal computer having a printer function or a telephone function, and the title of each content is displayed on the display device of the multi-function device. There are the following problems. That is, since the multi-function device is generally arranged near the personal computer, when the personal computer is activated and operated by the user (when the screen saver is not operating), There is a high possibility that the title of each content displayed on the display device of the multi-function device is visually recognized by the user between operations. At this time, when the multi-function device shifts to the power saving mode, and when there is an incoming call to the telephone function, the sleep mode that does not output a ringing sound or an incoming call to the telephone function If the answering machine mode that responds and informs the absence is set, the multi-function device generally does not display the title of each content on the display device. As described above, when the multi-function device is switched to the power saving mode and set to the sleep mode or the answering mode, generally, the title of each content is not displayed on the display device. Although the computer is operated and there is a high possibility that the title of each content is visually recognized by the user, there is a problem that the user cannot immediately recognize the title. In addition, when the multi-function device is switched to the power saving mode and is set to the sleep mode or the answering machine mode, the multi-function device is informed to the user of the personal computer to display the title of each content on the display device. There was a problem that forced the operation to cancel the sleep mode and answering machine mode.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When there is a high possibility that the content summary information is visually recognized by the user, the content summary information is displayed without forcing the user to perform an operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device and a communication system that can be used.

In order to achieve this object, the communication device according to claim 1 is capable of accessing a device indicated by network location information of content summary information including at least a title of content and information related to the title, and a control device. A location for storing at least operation information indicating whether or not the operation state of the control device is in an operated state, and storing network location information of the content summary information Information storage means, access to the device indicated by the network location information stored in the location information storage means, and summary information acquisition means for acquiring the content summary information, and content summary information acquired by the summary information acquisition means Summary information storage means for displaying the content summary information stored in the summary information storage means. A title display means for, operating state of the communication apparatus, detecting means for detecting whether or not a sleep state in which the stop display of the content summary information to the title display unit, received from the control device determining means for determining a state in which the control device is operated based on the operation information, even when the operating state of the communication apparatus is detected to the sleep state of the said detection means, When it is determined by the determination means that the control device has been operated, an execution means for displaying the content summary information on the title display means is provided.

  The network location information is a concept including any information that can specify the location of the content summary information. As an example of the position information, for example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) can be cited. The title means a character string that is less than the entire character string of the content and reflects the content.

  A communication system according to an eighth aspect includes the communication device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects and a control device capable of communicating with the communication device.

According to the communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the operating state of the communication device is determined by the a determination unit even if they are detected by the detecting means that the sleep state is a state in which the control device is operated, control since there is a high possibility that the content summary information is viewed by the user of the control device, by the execution means, display of content summary information to the title display means Ru is executed. I it, without forcing the any operation to the user of the control device, there is an effect that it is possible to display the content summary information.

According to the communication device of the second aspect , in addition to the effect produced by the communication device of the first aspect, the communication device is provided with a printing unit having a printing mechanism for printing on a print medium, and sleep information setting means Thus, sleep information indicating that the printer is in a sleep state in which energization to the printing unit is stopped and display of the content summary information on the title display unit is stopped is set. Here, during the setting of the sleep information by the sleep information setting means, when it is determined that the control device is operated by the determination means, the execution means switches to the title display means while the energization to the printing unit is stopped. The content summary information is displayed. That is, even when the energization to the printing unit is stopped, the content summary information is displayed on the title display unit while the energization to the printing unit or the scanning unit is stopped by operating the control device. Therefore, since the energization to the printing unit is stopped, the content summary information can be displayed while maintaining the power saving state of the communication device.
According to the communication device of the third aspect , in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to the first or second aspect, when the execution unit displays the content summary information on the title display unit, the control device When it is determined by the determining means that the state has not been operated for a predetermined time, since there is a low possibility that the content summary information is visually recognized by the user of the control device, the display of the content summary information on the title display means is stopped . Therefore, by canceling the display of the content summary information on the title display means, there is an effect that the power consumed by the communication device can be reduced.

According to the communication device of the fourth aspect , in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to any one of the first to third aspects , the summary information update unit includes the operation state and determination unit of the communication device detected by the detection unit. Regardless of the operating state of the control device determined by the above, the acquisition of content summary information is instructed to the summary information acquisition means. Therefore, the content summary information stored in the summary information storage unit can be updated regardless of the operating states of the communication device and the control device. Therefore, there is an effect that the latest information can be obtained by an instruction to acquire the content summary information displayed on the content display means.

According to the communication device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the information reception means even if the operation information of the control device exceeds a predetermined time after the previous reception. if not more received is by the execution unit, display of content summary information to the title display means Ru aborted. That is, when the operation information of the control device is not more received information receiving means also exceeds a predetermined time from the reception of the last time, for example, is turned off power control device, the content summary information by the user of the control device It is determined that the possibility of being visually recognized is low. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the content summary information from being displayed on the title display unit even though the possibility that the content summary information is visually recognized by the user of the control device is reduced.

According to the communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, when in addition to the effects of the communication apparatus according to claim 3, in which operation information of the particular control device stored in the storage means has bought predetermined time update Sarena is If the operation information of the particular control device that has not been updated the predetermined time by the storage control unit is deleted from the storage means, operation information of the control device by Ritoku constant in the operation information updating means is not all updated, display of content summary information to the title display means by the execution means Ru is aborted. Therefore, although the content summary information is less likely to be visually recognized by the user of the control device, the title of the content summary information is displayed based on the operation information of the control device before being deleted by the storage control means. there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the Rukoto continues to be uselessly displayed unit.

According to the communication apparatus according to claim 7, in addition to the effects of the communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, when the operation information stored in the storage means has bought predetermined time update Sarena is by the storage control unit, the predetermined time update that were not operation information is deleted from the storage means, when the operation information has not been all updated by the storage control means, display of content summary information to the title display means Ru is canceled by the execution unit. What I, despite the content summary information, etc. has become possible is low to be viewed by a user of the control device, the content summary information such as the operation information before the controller is deleted by the storage control means there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the Rukoto continue to be wasted displayed in the title display means.

  According to the communication system of the eighth aspect, there is an effect that the effect exhibited by the communication device according to any one of the first to seventh aspects can be exhibited.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a multi-function device system 2 in an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-function device system 2 includes a multi-function device 10, a plurality of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) 70 and 71, and a plurality of content providing servers 90 and 91. In FIG. 1, only one multi-function device 10, two PCs 70 and 71, and two content providing servers 90 and 91 are shown, but these numbers can be changed as appropriate.

  According to the multi-function device 10 of the present embodiment, the title of each content displayed on the display panel 50 of the multi-function device 10 (content title character string 140 and content update date / time information 142) by the user of the PC 70 or the PC 71. And the content summary character string 144) are likely to be visually recognized, a sleep mode in which the multi-function device 10 does not output a ringing sound from the speaker 64 when there is an incoming call to the telephone function, or a telephone function Even if the phone is set to the answering machine mode that responds to the incoming call and informs you that you are away, that is, even if it is set to the standby mode, the title of each content is displayed. The display on the panel 50 is continued without being stopped. Therefore, the multi-function device 10 can display the titles and the like of each content without forcing the user of the PC 70 or the PC 71 even if the state becomes a standby state.

  A multi-function device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a communication device that realizes a printing function, a scanner function, a telephone function, and the like, and is connected to a LAN line 4. Each of the PCs 70 and 71 is a control device that communicates with the multi-function device 10 and controls the printing function and scanner function of the multi-function device 10, and is connected to the LAN line 4. The LAN line 4 is connected to the Internet 8 via a router 6. Each of the content providing servers 90 and 91 is connected to the Internet 8.

  In the present embodiment, the content providing server 90 publishes one site, and the content providing server 91 publishes another one site. Each site contains a plurality of contents. Further, each of the content providing servers 90 and 91 stores feed information (RSS format feed information) that is summary information of a plurality of contents included in its own site. The specific contents of these pieces of information will be described later in detail.

  Next, the internal configuration of the PC 70 will be described. Since the PC 71 has the same internal configuration as the PC 70, the description thereof is omitted. The PC 70 mainly includes a CPU 72, a hard disk 74, a display unit 82, and an operation unit 84. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the PC 70 also has a network interface connected to the LAN line 4.

  The CPU 72 is an arithmetic unit and executes processing according to the basic program 76 and the resident software 78. The processing executed by the CPU 72 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. The hard disk 74 stores a basic program 76 and resident software 78.

  The basic program 76 is a program for controlling basic operations of the PC 70. The basic program 76 includes, for example, a browser for downloading and displaying content from a site on the Internet 8.

  The resident software 78 is a program for transmitting a PC activation notification indicating that the PC 70 has been activated to the multi-function device 10 and for operating in accordance with instructions from the multi-function device 10. The PC activation notification will be described in detail later. This resident software 78 is installed in the PC 70 from a computer-readable medium, for example. The resident software 78 may be downloaded from a site on the Internet 8 and installed on the PC 70, for example.

  The PC operation information transmission software 78a that realizes one of the functions of the resident software 78 is software that realizes the flowchart shown in FIG. Specifically, it is software that periodically transmits operation information indicating the operation state of the PC 70 to the multi-function device 10 (in this embodiment, every minute). The operating state of the PC 70 includes a standby state in which a screen saver for preventing screen burn-in of the display unit 82 is activated (a state in which the screen saver has not been operated for a predetermined time), and a state in which the screen saver has not been activated yet (operated). Normal state).

  The hard disk 74 stores a setting file 80. The setting file 80 includes the IP address of the multi-function device 10. The stored contents of the setting file 80 are set by a user, for example. The use of the stored contents of the setting file 80 will be described in detail later.

  The display unit 82 can display various information. The display unit 82 has a display screen larger than the display panel 50 (see FIG. 2) of the multi-function device 10. The operation unit 84 is configured by a keyboard and a mouse. The user can input various instructions and information to the PC 70 by operating the operation unit 84.

  Next, the multi-function device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multi-function device 10. The multi-function device 10 includes a control unit 12, a display panel 50, a keypad 52, a printing unit 54, a scanning unit 56, a FAX unit 58, a network interface (hereinafter referred to as “network I / F”) 60, and a PSTN interface (hereinafter referred to as “network interface”). , Referred to as “PSTN I / F”) 62 and a speaker 64. The control unit 12 and the units 50 to 64 are connected to each other via a bus line 66. The control unit 12 mainly includes a CPU 14, a ROM 16, a RAM 18, and an NVRAM 20.

  The CPU 14 is an arithmetic device, and executes processing according to the programs 16a to 16e stored in the ROM 16. The processing executed by the CPU 14 will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS. The ROM 16 is a non-writable nonvolatile memory that stores the programs 16a to 16e.

  The basic function program 16 a is a program for controlling basic operations of the multi-function device 10. The basic function program 16a includes, for example, a program for generating display data displayed on the display panel 50. The basic function program 16a includes a program for controlling each of the units 50 to 64 such as the printing unit 54, the scanning unit 56, and the FAX unit 58, for example.

  The Internet connection program 16 b is a program for connecting to the Internet 8. The feed information analysis program 16c is a program for analyzing feed information acquired from the content providing servers 90 and 92 and creating information for display on the display panel 50 (hereinafter referred to as “display information”). . The feed information display program 16d is a program for displaying display information. The PC management program 16e is a program for executing processing according to the PC activation notification transmitted from the PCs 70 and 71. More specifically, the PC management program 16e is a program for storing information (for example, an IP address and a PC host name) related to the PC from which the PC activation notification is transmitted in a PC information storage area 18d of the RAM 18 described later. is there.

  The RAM 18 is a readable / writable volatile memory having the storage areas 18a to 18d. The basic function work area 18a is a storage area for storing various data generated in the course of processing being executed in accordance with the basic function program 16a. The feed information analysis work area 18b is a storage area for storing various data created in the course of processing being executed in accordance with the feed information analysis program 16c. The display information storage area 18c is a storage area for storing display information created according to the feed information analysis program 16c. The PC information storage area 18d is a storage area for storing information related to the PC that is the transmission source of the PC activation notification.

  The sleep flag 18e is a flag that is set to ON when the sleep mode is set to stop the energization of the printing unit 54 and the scanning unit 56 and stop the display of the title of each content on the display panel 50. . In the sleep mode, when there is an incoming call to the telephone function, a ringing sound is output from the speaker 64. The sleep flag 18e is set to OFF when the keypad 52 is operated or when control is performed from the PCs 70 and 71. Thereby, the multi-function device 10 cancels the setting of the sleep mode. Further, after the sleep flag 18e is set to OFF, if the operation of the keypad 52 or the control from the PCs 70 and 71 is not performed for a predetermined time (in this embodiment, 3 minutes), the multi-function device 10 sleeps again. Since the mode is set, the sleep flag 18e is set to ON again accordingly.

  The sleep flag 18f is a flag that is turned on by a user operation. When the sleep flag 18f is turned on, the sleep flag 18e is turned on to set the sleep mode, that is, the energization of the printing unit 54 and the scanning unit 56 is performed. Is stopped and the display of the title of each content on the display panel 50 is stopped, and the sleep mode is set so as not to output a ringing sound from the speaker 64 when an incoming call is made to the telephone function. The sleep flag 18f is turned off when the sleep mode is canceled by a user operation. Further, in the main processing described later with reference to FIG. 6, when the sleep flag 18e is turned off when the good night flag 18f is turned on, the setting for not outputting a ringing sound from the speaker 64 when an incoming call is made to the telephone function is maintained. As it is, the display of the title of each content on the display panel 50 is set to be performed.

  The answering machine flag 18g is a flag that is turned on by a user operation. When the answering machine flag 18g is turned on, the sleep flag 18e is turned on and the sleep mode is set, that is, the print unit 54 or the scan unit 56 is connected. After stopping the energization and stopping the display of the title of each content on the display panel 50, when there is an incoming call to the telephone function, the answering mode is set to respond to the incoming call and to notify the absence. Set. Note that the answering machine flag 18g is turned off when the answering machine mode is canceled by a user operation. Further, in the main processing described later with reference to FIG. 6, when the answering machine flag 18g is on and the sleep flag 18e is turned off, when there is an incoming call to the telephone function, the incoming call is answered and the answering is made. Is maintained in a state in which the title of each content is displayed on the display panel 50.

  Note that when all of the sleep flag 18e, the sleep flag 18f, and the answering machine flag 18g are set to OFF, the multi-function device 10 is set to the normal state.

  The PC operation information storage area 18h transmits the operation information transmitted from the PC excluding the default PC (hereinafter referred to as “default PC”) stored in the default PC information storage area 20c described later, and the operation information. This is a memory for storing the host name of the PC. The default PC operation information storage area 18i is a memory for storing operation information received from a default PC stored in a default PC information storage area 20c described later and the host name of the default PC that has transmitted the operation information. If no information related to the default PC is stored in the default PC information storage area 20c, the received operation information and host name are not stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i but in the PC operation information storage area 18h. Remembered.

  The NVRAM 20 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory having the storage areas 20a to 20c. The basic function parameter storage area 20a is a storage area for storing various parameters (for example, settings in the print function, settings in the scan function, etc.) used when the CPU 14 executes processing according to the basic function program 16a.

  The URL storage area 20b is a storage area for storing the URL of the feed information that each of the content providing servers 90 and 91 has. Note that the user needs to register to receive the content providing service from each of the content providing servers 90 and 91. This registration may be executed using the multi-function device 10 or using the PCs 70 and 71. For example, when the user performs registration for receiving the content providing service from the content providing server 90 using the PC 70, the feed information URL of the content providing server 90 is transmitted from the PC 70 to the multi-function device 10. Thereby, the URL of the feed information of the content providing server 90 is stored in the URL storage area 20b.

  The default PC information storage area 20c stores the IP address and host name of the default PC selected by the user in advance, that is, information for identifying the default PC. When the user inputs the IP address or host name of a desired default PC (for example, PC 70 which is a regular PC) into the multi-function device 10, the input IP address or host name is stored in the default PC information storage area 20c. Is done.

  The display panel 50 is a display device that displays various information. The display screen of the display panel 50 is smaller than the display screen of the PCs 70 and 71. The display panel 50 functions as a touch panel. The keypad 52 is composed of a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions and information to the multi-function device 10 by operating the keypad 52.

  The printing unit 54 has a printing mechanism such as an ink jet type or a laser type. The scanning unit 56 has a reading mechanism such as a CCD or CIS. The FAX unit 58 executes various operations for executing FAX communication.

  The network I / F 60 is connected to the LAN line 4. The multi-function device 10 can communicate with the PCs 70 and 71 and can access the Internet 8. The PSTN I / F 62 is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) (not shown). The PSTN is used when performing FAX communication or telephone communication. The speaker 64 is a sound emitting device that outputs a ringing sound when an incoming call is made by the telephone function.

  Next, the contents stored in the URL storage area 20b (see FIG. 2) of the NVRAM 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the URL storage area 20b. The URL storage area 20b can store the URL 102 of the feed information of each content providing server 90, 91. In other words, the URL storage area 20b can store the URL 102 of the feed information of each site. In the example of FIG. 3, n URLs 102 are stored. Each URL 102 is assigned an identification number 100. In the present embodiment, the identification number 100 is represented by the symbol “i”.

  Next, the contents stored in the display information storage area 18c (see FIG. 2) of the RAM 18 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the display information storage area 18c. The display information storage area 18c can store the display information 112 for each URL stored in the URL storage area 20b. In other words, the display information storage area 18c can store the display information 112 for each site stored in the URL storage area 20b.

  As described above, the URL storage area 20b stores n (n is an integer of 1 or more) URLs 102 (see FIG. 3). For this reason, n pieces of display information 112 are also stored in the display information storage area 18c. Each display information 112 is given an identification number 110. In the present embodiment, the identification number 110 is represented by the symbol “i”. The identification information 110 and the identification information 100 used in the URL storage area 20b are the same information.

  Next, the data structure of each display information 112 will be described. The display information 112 includes site information 120. The site information 120 includes a site title character string 122 and feed update date / time information 124. The site title character string 122 is a character string of a site title. The feed update date / time information 124 is information related to the date / time (latest update date / time) when the feed information was updated in the content providing server.

  The display information 112 includes updated content information 132. The number of update content information 132 is equal to the number of content that the site has. For example, in FIG. 4, the display information 112 corresponding to “i = 0” includes m pieces of update content information 132 (m is an integer equal to or greater than 1). This means that the site corresponding to “i = 0” has m contents. For example, when content related to weather forecast and content related to sports exist in a predetermined site, the display information 112 corresponding to the site has two pieces of updated content information 132. Each update content information 132 is given an identification number 130. In the present embodiment, the identification number 130 is represented by a code “j”.

  Each update content information 132 includes a content title character string 140, content update date / time information 142, a content summary character string 144, and a content URL 146. In the case of the above-described example, the update content information 132 corresponding to the content related to the weather forecast includes the information 140 to 146, and the update content information 132 corresponding to the content related to the sport also includes the information 140 to 146.

  The content title character string 140 is a character string of the content title. The content update date / time information 142 is information related to the date / time when the content is updated in the content providing server (latest update date / time). The content summary character string 144 is a summary of character strings included in the content. In other words, the content summary character string 144 is a character string that is more than the title of the content, less than the entire character string of the content, and is a character string that reflects the contents of the content. The content URL 146 is a content URL.

  In the present embodiment, the multi-function device 10 displays at least the content title character string 140, the content update date / time information 142, and the content summary character string 144 described above on the display panel 50. However, the multi-function device 10 can further display the content URL 146 on the display panel 50.

  Next, a PC operation information transmission process executed by the CPU 72 of the PC 70 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a PC operation information transmission process executed by the PC 70. This PC operation information transmission process is a process that is started to be executed by the PC operation information transmission software 78a when the PC operation information transmission software 78a is started as the resident software 78 (see FIG. 1) is started. is there. The PC operation information transmission process is also executed in the PC 71, but the process is the same as that of the PC 70, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  In the PC operation information transmission process, first, the CPU 72 determines whether or not one minute has elapsed after transmission of the operation information (S31). Timing after transmission of the operation information is performed by a clock device (not shown) built in the PC 70. The CPU 72 determines whether or not one minute has elapsed by counting the time of the clock device. Note that immediately after the PC operation information transmission process is started, the CPU 72 has not yet transmitted operation information. Therefore, immediately after the PC operation information transmission process is started, the CPU 72 skips S31, executes the process of S32, and then shifts to the process of S31.

  In the process of S31, if the CPU 72 determines that one minute has passed after the transmission of the operation information (S31: Yes), the CPU 72 transmits the operation information (S32). On the other hand, if the CPU 72 determines that one minute has not yet elapsed after transmission of the operation information (S31: No), the CPU 72 repeatedly executes the process of S31 until one minute has elapsed.

  By this PC operation information transmission process, the PC 70 can transmit operation information indicating the operation state of the PC 70 to the multi-function device 10 every minute.

  Next, processing executed by the CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Prior to the description of FIGS. 6 to 9, processing not shown as a flowchart will be described. The CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10 executes the following processing according to the PC management program 16e (see FIG. 2). Here, each time the PCs 70 and 71 are activated, a PC activation notification is transmitted to the multi-function device 10. The CPU 14 constantly monitors whether this PC activation notification is received via the network I / F 60. When determining that the PC activation notification has been received, the CPU 14 stores the IP address and host name included in the received PC activation notification in the PC information storage area 18d (see FIG. 2). This series of processing is executed by the CPU 14.

  Next, the main process executed by the CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing main processing executed by the multi-function device 10. The main process is started when the power of the multi-function device 10 is turned on. The main process is repeatedly executed during the power-on period of the multi-function device 10.

  In the main process, first, feed information analysis update processing is executed (S41). Here, the feed information analysis update process executed by the CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the feed information analysis update process. The feed information analysis update process is a process in which the CPU 14 acquires and analyzes the feed information and updates the feed information stored in the display information storage area 18c.

  In the feed information analysis update process, first, the CPU 14 waits until the update time is reached (S61). The update time may be set by a user or may be determined by a program, for example. In the present embodiment, the update time is set every 30 minutes. The update time is measured by a clock device (not shown) incorporated in each of the PCs 70 and 71.

  When the update time is reached in the process of S61, the CPU 14 proceeds to the process of S62. In the process of S62, the CPU 14 acquires the number of URLs (the number of sites) stored in the URL storage area 20b (see FIG. 2) of the NVRAM 20 (S62). As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, n URLs are stored in the URL storage area 20b. For this purpose, the CPU 14 acquires “n” in the process of S62.

  Next, the CPU 14 initializes the counter i (S63). Thereafter, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the counter i is smaller than n (S64). When the CPU 14 determines that the counter i is smaller than n (S64: Yes), the CPU 14 proceeds to the processing after S65 for updating the storage contents of the display information storage area 18c.

  In the process of S65, the CPU 14 acquires the URL of the i-th site from the URL storage area 20b. For example, when acquiring the URL of the zeroth site, “http://www.example0.com” is acquired in the example of FIG. Next, under the control of the Internet connection program 16b, the CPU 14 accesses the URL acquired in the process of S65 and acquires feed information (S66). The feed information includes site information 120 and updated content information 132 shown in FIG. The CPU 14 creates the display information 112 shown in FIG. 4 by analyzing the feed information (S67).

  Then, the CPU 14 stores the display information 112 created in the process of S67 in the display information storage area 18c (S68). For example, when the display information 112 of the zeroth site is created, the CPU 14 clears the old display information 112 associated with the number “i = 0” and associates it with the number “i = 0”. Display information 112 is stored.

  Thereafter, the CPU 14 adds 1 to the counter i (S69), and returns to the process of S64. If the CPU 14 determines that the counter i is equal to n (S64: No), the CPU 14 determines that the update of the storage contents of the display information storage area 18c is completed, and ends this feed information analysis update processing.

  As described above, the latest feed information of each site can be stored in the display information storage area 18c by executing the feed information analysis update process regardless of the operating state of the multi-function device 10 and the PCs 70 and 71. Therefore, the title of each content displayed on the display panel can be updated.

  Returning to the description of FIG. After the process of S41, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the sleep flag 18e is on (S42). When determining that the sleep flag 18e is on (S42: Yes), the CPU 14 determines whether or not the good night flag 18f is on (S43). When the CPU 14 determines that the good night flag 18f is on (S43: Yes), the CPU 14 proceeds to the processing of S45.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 14 determines in the process of S43 that the good night flag 18f is off (S43: No), it determines whether the answering machine flag 18g is on (S44). When determining that the answering machine flag 18g is on (S44: Yes), the CPU 14 proceeds to the process of S45.

  In the process of S45, the CPU 14 determines whether or not information for identifying the default PC is stored in the default PC information storage area 20c (S45). If the CPU 14 determines that the information for identifying the default PC is stored (S45: Yes), it acquires the latest operation information of the default PC from the default PC operation information storage area 18i (S46), and proceeds to the process of S48. Transition. On the other hand, if the CPU 14 determines that the information for identifying the default PC is not stored (S45: No), the CPU 14 determines that the default PC is not set by the user, and the PC latest information is stored in the PC operation information storage area 18h. Operation information is acquired (S47), and the process proceeds to S48.

  Here, referring to FIG. 8, the latest operation information of the PC excluding the default PC is stored in the PC operation information storage area 18h, and the latest operation information of the default PC is stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i. The PC operation information storage process, which is a process for storing the data, will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a PC operation information storage process executed by the CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10. The PC operation information storage process is a process executed when the operation information transmitted from the PCs 70 and 71 is received by the network I / F 60.

  In the PC operation information storage process, first, the CPU 14 acquires the current time, that is, the time when the operation information is acquired from a built-in clock device (not shown) (S71). Next, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the received operation information is for the default PC stored in the default PC information storage area 20c (S72). When the CPU 14 determines that the received operation information is that of the default PC stored in the default PC information storage area 20c (S72: Yes), the received operation information is set to the received operation information using the time acquired from the clock device as the reception time. The association, the reception time, and the operation information are stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i (S73).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 14 determines that the received operation information is not for the default PC stored in the default PC information storage area 20c (S72: No), the received operation information is obtained using the time acquired from the clock device as the reception time. The reception time and the operation information are stored in the PC operation information storage area 18h (S74). Note that when the process of S73 or S74 is completed, the CPU 14 ends the PC operation information storage process.

  Further, referring to FIG. 9, the resident software 78 of the PCs 70 and 71 cannot be detected only by executing the PC operation information storage process shown in FIG. A PC operation information detection process for detecting that the state has been turned off will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a PC operation information detection process executed by the CPU 14 of the multi-function device 10. The PC operation information detection process is a process that is repeatedly executed when operation information is stored in either the PC operation information storage area 18h or the default PC operation information storage area 18i.

  In the PC operation information detection process, first, the CPU 14 determines whether or not 3 minutes have elapsed since the operation information was stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i (S81). Note that the three minutes are measured by a built-in clock device (not shown). If the CPU 14 determines that three minutes have elapsed since the operation information is stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i (S81: Yes), the operation information stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i is deleted (S81: Yes). S82).

  The process of S82 will be described in detail. If power is supplied to the PCs 70 and 71 and the resident software 78 is activated, the PC operation information transmission process shown in FIG. 5 is executed, and the operation information is transmitted from the PCs 70 and 71 every minute. Therefore, if power is supplied to the PCs 70 and 71 and the resident software 78 is activated, three minutes will not elapse after the operation information is stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i. Accordingly, when 3 minutes have elapsed since the operation information is stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i, the activation of the resident software 78 of the PCs 70 and 71 has been completed, or the power of the PCs 70 and 71 has been terminated. Indicates that is turned off.

  Here, when the activation information of the PC in which the activation of the resident software 78 is completed or the power is turned off continues to be stored in the PC operation information storage area 18i while indicating the normal state. Even though the content title character string 140 and the like are less likely to be visually recognized by the user of the PC, the content title character string 140 and the like are continuously displayed on the display panel 50. Therefore, the CPU 14 deletes the operation information stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i in the process of S82, and thereafter, the activation of the resident software 78 is completed or the power is turned off. This prevents the operation information of the PC in the state from being acquired. As described above, by deleting the operation information of the PC in which the activation of the resident software 78 is completed or the operation information of the PC in which the power is turned off, the operation information of these PCs is changed to S48. In the process of S48, only the operation information of the PC whose power is turned on and the resident software 78 is activated can be used.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 14 determines in the process of S81 that three minutes have not elapsed since the operation information is stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i (S81: No), the operation is performed in the PC operation information storage area 18h. It is determined whether or not 3 minutes have elapsed since the information was stored (S83). If the CPU 14 determines that 3 minutes have elapsed since the operation information is stored in the PC operation information storage area 18h (S83: Yes), the CPU 14 deletes the operation information stored in the PC operation information storage area 18h (S84). . The reason is the same as the process of S82, that is, the process of deleting the operation information in the default PC operation information storage area 18i described above.

  In the process of S83, when the CPU 14 determines that 3 minutes have not elapsed since the operation information was stored in the PC operation information storage area 18h (S83: No), the process proceeds to S81. Thereby, the processing after S81 is repeatedly executed. In addition, CPU14 will complete | finish this PC operation information detection process, if the process of S82 or the process of S83 is performed.

  According to the PC operation information detection process described above, it is detected that the activation of the resident software 78 of the PCs 70 and 71 has been completed, or that the power of the PCs 70 and 71 has been turned off. PC operation information can be deleted. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the acquisition of the operation information of the PC in which the activation of the resident software 78 has been completed or the power has been turned off. Accordingly, although the PC operation information before deletion indicating the normal state is continuously acquired and the content title character string 140 and the like are less likely to be visually recognized by the PC user, the content title character string 140 is not displayed. Etc. can be prevented from being displayed on the display panel 50 in vain.

  Returning to the description of FIG. When the process proceeds to S48, the CPU 14 determines whether or not at least one of the operation states indicated by the operation information is in the normal state (S48). If the CPU 14 determines that at least one piece of operation information is in a normal state (S48: Yes), the CPU 14 determines that the content title character string 140 or the like is likely to be visually recognized by the PC user, and the content title character string 140 The process proceeds to S49 and subsequent steps in which the content update date / time information 142 and the content summary character string 144 are scroll-displayed on the display panel 50 of the multi-function device 10.

  On the other hand, in the process of S48, the CPU 14 determines that at least one of the operation states indicated by the operation information is not in a normal state, that is, all of the operation states indicated by the operation information are in a standby state (S48: No), it is determined that the content title character string 140 or the like is unlikely to be visually recognized by the PC user, and the content title character string 140, the content update date / time information 142, and the content summary character string 144 are not scroll-displayed ( S56). That is, the scroll display of the content title character string 140, the content update date / time information 142, and the content summary character string 144, which is performed when the good night flag 18f or the answering machine flag 18g is turned on, is maintained. Thereafter, the main process is terminated.

  As described above, when a default PC is set (in the case of S45: Yes), if at least one of the default PCs is in a normal state (S48: Yes), no default PC is set. In the case (S45: No), if at least one of the PCs excluding the default PC is in a normal state (S48: Yes), the CPU 14 recognizes the content title character string 140 and the like by the user of the PC. The content title character string 140, the content update date / time information 142, and the content summary character string 144 are scroll-displayed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the content title character string 140 or the like from being displayed on the display panel 50 when the user of the PC 70 or 71 visually recognizes the display panel 50.

  On the other hand, as described above, when a default PC is set (S45: Yes), if all of the default PCs are in a standby state (S48: No), the default PC is set. If not (S45: No), if all of the PCs other than the default PC are in a standby state (S48: No), the CPU 14 visually recognizes the content title character string 140 and the like by the PC user. It is determined that there is a low possibility of being scrolled, and the scroll display of the content title character string 140 or the like is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the content title character string 140 and the like from being displayed wastefully on the display panel 50 and to suppress the power consumed by the multi-function device 10.

  When the CPU 14 determines No in the process of S44 and when it determines Yes in the process of S48, the CPU 14 turns off the sleep flag 18e (S49) and cancels the sleep mode (S50). Then, the CPU 14 acquires the content title character string 140, the content update date / time information 142, and the content summary character string 144 from the display information storage area 18c, and scrolls and displays them on the display panel 50 (S51).

  Thereafter, the CPU 14 determines whether or not the operation of the keypad 52 and the control from the PCs 70 and 71 (the non-operation state and the non-control state) have continued for 3 minutes after the process of S49 (S52). ). If the CPU 14 determines that the no-operation state and the no-control state have not continued for 3 minutes after the processing of S49 (S52: No), the CPU 14 returns to the processing of S51. On the other hand, if the CPU 14 determines that the no-operation state and the no-control state have continued for 3 minutes after the processing of S49 (S52: Yes), the CPU 14 turns on the sleep flag 18e (S53). Then, the CPU 14 ends the scroll display on the display panel 50 (S54), sets the sleep mode (S55), and ends this main process.

  If the CPU 14 determines in step S42 that the sleep flag 18e is not on (S42: No), the CPU 14 determines that the multi-function device 10 is in the normal state, and the content title character string 140 and the content update date / time information 142 The process proceeds to S51 and subsequent steps in which the content summary character string 144 is scroll-displayed on the display panel 50.

  The CPU 14 determines that the good night flag 18f is off in the process of S43 (S43: No), and determines that the answering machine flag 18g is off in the process of S44 (S44: No), the sleep flag. It is determined that only 18e is turned on, the sleep flag 18e is turned off, and the content title character string 140, the content update date / time information 142, and the content summary character string 144 are scrolled to the display panel 50 of the multi-function device 10. The process proceeds to the processing after S49 to be displayed.

  As described above, in the main process, the CPU 14 transmits the operation information stored in the default PC operation information storage area 18i or the PC operation information storage area 18h in step S48, that is, from the PCs 70 and 71 every minute. Using the operation information, the operation state of each PC excluding the default PC and the default PC is determined. Therefore, the CPU 14 can determine whether to perform display on the display panel 50 according to the latest possibility that the content title character string 140 and the like are visually recognized by the user of the PC.

  Further, in the main process, the CPU 14 determines that each PC from the PC operation information storage area 18h only when the information for identifying the default PC is not stored in the default PC information storage area 20c (only in the case of S45: No). The operation information is acquired (S47), and then the determination by the process of S48 is performed. Here, for example, when there is one default PC and there are several tens of PCs excluding the default PC, the time spent for the processing of S47 and the processing of S48 thereafter becomes enormous. However, in the main process, as described above, only when the information for identifying the default PC is not stored in the default PC information storage area 20c (only in the case of S45: No), the process of S47 and the subsequent process of S48 Is running.

  As described above, according to the multi-function device 10 of the present embodiment, the title of each content displayed on the display panel 50 of the multi-function device 10 by the user of the PC 70 or 71 (content title character string 140 and content update). When there is a high possibility that the date and time information 142 and the content summary character string 144) are visually recognized, the multi-function device 10 may enter a sleep mode that does not output a ringing sound from the speaker 64 when an incoming call is made to the telephone function. When a call arrives at the telephone function, the title of each content is set even if the answering machine mode is set to answer that call and that it is in answering mode, that is, in the standby state. The display on the display panel 50 is continued without being stopped. Therefore, the multi-function device 10 can display the titles and the like of each content without forcing the user of the PC 70 or the PC 71 even if the state becomes a standby state.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  In the multi-function device 10 of the present embodiment, in the process of S52 of the main process shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 14 is in a state in which the operation of the keypad 52 and the control from the PCs 70 and 71 are not performed (no operation state and no control state). If it is determined that the operation has continued for 3 minutes after the processing of S49 (S52: Yes), the sleep flag 18e is turned on (S53), the scroll display on the display panel 50 is terminated (S54), and the sleep mode is set. However, it is not limited to this (S55).

  That is, the CPU 14 determines that the operation of the keypad 52 and the control from the PCs 70 and 71 are not performed (no operation state and no control state) have continued for 3 minutes after the processing of S49 (S52: Yes). ), Before proceeding to the processing of S53, when the processing of S45 to S48 is executed again, and in the processing of S48 executed again, it is determined that the operating state indicated by at least one piece of operating information is the normal processing. (S48: Yes), while the process of S51 is continued, and in the process of S48 executed again, when it is determined that the operation state indicated by all the operation information is the standby process (S48: No), S53 It is good also as a structure which transfers to this process.

  In the case of this configuration, even after the processing of S49, even if the no-operation state and the no-control state continue for 3 minutes or more, the titles of the contents on the display panel 50 (content title character string 140 and content update date / time information 142) And the content summary character string 144) can be continuously displayed.

  In the above-described configuration, even after the no-operation state and the no-control state continue for 3 minutes or more after the processing of S49, the titles of the contents on the display panel 50 (content title character string 140 and content update date / time information 142) When the display of the content summary character string 144) is continued, it is considered that the update time of the feed information may be reached, but with the following configuration, each site stored in the display information storage area 18c You can update the feed information to the latest information.

  That is, only the processing of S61 (waiting for update time) executed in the multi-function feed information analysis update processing (S41) is made independent from the multi-function feed information analysis update processing (S41), and the processing of S61 is performed by interrupt processing. When it is determined that the update time has been reached in the process of S61, the process after S62 may be executed. According to this configuration, when the display of the title of each content on the display panel 50 is continued, even if the update time is reached, the feed information of each site stored in the display information storage area 18c is ensured. Can be updated with the latest information.

  In the present embodiment, the target for displaying the title of each content is the multi-function device 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, an object on which the display panel 50 can be mounted, such as a scanner device, a printer device, or a telephone, may be used as a target for displaying the title of each content. In the case of this configuration, the title of each content can be displayed on the display panel 50 provided in the scanner device, the printer device, or the telephone.

  Further, in the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, the multi-function device 10 and the PCs 70 and 71 are connected to each other via a cable (wired), but this is not a limitation. That is, a wireless communication interface may be provided in each of the multi-function device 10 and the PCs 70 and 71, and the multi-function device 10 and the PCs 70 and 71 may be electrically connected by wireless communication using the wireless communication interface.

  In the present embodiment, each of the content providing servers 90 and 91 stores both the content and the feed information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and stores the server and the feed information for storing the content. The server for doing may be comprised separately.

  In the present embodiment, the multi-function device 10 does not have a browser program. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the multi-function device 10 may have a browser program. In the case of this configuration, the multi-function device 10 can download the content and display it on the display panel 50.

It is the figure which showed the outline of the multi-function device system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of a multi-function device. It is the figure which showed an example of the memory content of a URL storage area. It is the figure which showed an example of the memory content of a display information storage area. It is the flowchart which showed PC operation information transmission processing performed by PC. 6 is a flowchart illustrating main processing executed by the multi-function device. It is the flowchart which showed the feed information analysis update process performed by a multi-function device. 5 is a flowchart showing a PC operation information storage process executed by the multi-function device. 6 is a flowchart illustrating PC operation information detection processing executed by the multi-function device.

Explanation of symbols

2 Multi-function machine system (an example of a communication system)
10 Multi-function device (an example of a communication device)
16b Internet connection program (an example of part of summary information acquisition means)
18b Feed information analysis work area (an example of summary information storage means)
18e sleep flag (an example of sleep information, an example of a part of detection means)
18f Good night flag (an example of a part of detection means)
18g answering machine flag (an example of a part of detection means)
18h PC operation information storage area (an example of storage means)
18i default PC operation information storage area (an example of storage means)
20b URL storage area (an example of position information storage means)
20c Default PC information storage area (an example of storage means)
50 Display panel (example of title display means)
52 keypad (an example of sleep information setting means)
70, 71 Personal computer (an example of a control device)
90, 91 Content providing server (an example of a device indicated by network location information)
S41 Multi-function device feed information analysis update processing (an example of summary information update means)
S42 to S44 Main processing (an example of part of the detection means)
S48 Main processing (an example of determination means )
S48: Yes main processing (an example of execution means)
S72 , S73 PC operation information storage processing (an example of operation information update means)
S72 to S74 PC operation information storage processing (an example of storage control means)
S81-S84 PC operation information detection processing (an example of storage control means)
PC operation information storage processing (an example of information receiving means )

Claims (8)

The device indicated by the network position information of the content summary information including at least the title of the content and the information related to the title is accessible and configured to be able to communicate with the control device. A communication device capable of receiving at least operation information indicating whether or not the device is operated;
Location information storage means for storing network location information of the content summary information;
Summary information acquisition means for accessing the device indicated by the network location information stored in the location information storage means and acquiring the content summary information;
Summary information storage means for storing content summary information acquired by the summary information acquisition means;
Title display means for displaying content summary information stored in the summary information storage means;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the operating state of the communication device is a sleep state in which display of the content summary information on the title display means is stopped ;
Determining means for determining whether or not the control device is operated based on operation information received from the control device;
Wherein even when the operating state of the communication device by the detection means is detected as the a sleep state when the control device is determined to be in the state of being operated by said determining means, said title display means A communication apparatus, comprising: execution means for executing display of the content summary information. A printing unit having a printing mechanism for printing on a print medium;
Sleep information setting means for setting sleep information indicating that the printing section is in a sleep state in which energization is stopped and display of the content summary information on the title display means is stopped,
The execution means includes
When it is determined that the control device has been operated by the determination unit while the sleep information setting unit is setting the sleep information, the content to be displayed on the title display unit while the energization to the printing unit is stopped The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein summary information is displayed. The determination means determines whether the control device is operated or whether the control device is not operated for a predetermined time based on the operation information received from the control device.
When the execution means is displaying the content summary information on the title display means and the determination means determines that the control device is not operated for a predetermined time, the title display means 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display of the content summary information is stopped . Regardless of the operation state of the communication device detected by the detection unit and the operation state of the control device determined by the determination unit, the summary information acquisition unit is instructed to acquire the content summary information. the communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a summary information updating means for updating the content summary information stored in the summary information storage unit. Comprising information receiving means for receiving operation information transmitted from the control device;
The execution means displays the content summary information on the title display means when the operation information transmitted from the control device is not received by the information reception means even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last reception. the communication apparatus according to claim 1, characterized that you cancel 4. It is configured to be connectable to the one or more control devices,
If the one or more controllers are connected, a storage control means for storing the operation information of the particular controller selected by the user from the one or more controllers in the storage means,
Information receiving means for receiving operation information transmitted from the one or more control devices;
Based on the operation information of the received control apparatus by the information receiving means, and an operation information updating means for updating the operation information of the particular control device stored in the storage unit by the storage control unit,
The storage control means
If the operation information of the particular control device stored in the storage means by the operation information updating means tinged predetermined time update Sarena, the storage means the operation information of the particular control device that has not been updated the predetermined time Removed from
The execution means includes
If the operation information of the particular control device is not all updated by the operation information updating unit, the communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein that you cancel the display of the content summary information to the title display means . It is configured to be connectable to the one or more control devices,
Information receiving means for receiving operation information transmitted from the one or more control devices;
When the one or more control devices are connected, the operation information of the control device received by the information receiving means is stored in the storage means, and the operation information of the control device received by the information receiving means Storage control means for updating the operation information of the control device stored in the storage means based on
The storage control means
If the稼 Dojo report stored in said storage means has bought predetermined time update Sarena, deletes the operation information has not been updated the predetermined time from the storage means,
The execution means includes
It said storage when Ri稼 Dojo report has not been all updated by the control unit, the communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein that you cancel the display of the content summary information to the title display means. A communication system comprising the communication device according to claim 1 and a control device capable of communicating with the communication device.

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