JP5866908B2 - COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, AND PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system and a technology related thereto, and more particularly to a communication technology between a web server and a web browser.

  In the web browser, processing (display processing or the like) based on web page data (HTML data or the like) transmitted from the web server is executed.

  Further, the web browser can display not only predetermined contents but also call and execute various types of programs. For example, various types of programs such as “Java (JavaScript)” (trademark) or Adobe “Flash” (trademark) can be executed on a web browser based on data embedded in web page data.

  Specifically, the web page data describes that a predetermined program in a predetermined format (specified format) should be called, and the web browser that receives the web page data from the web server receives the web page data. Based on the description in the page data, a predetermined program in the specified format is executed.

JP 2007-287041 A

  Incidentally, for example, among image forming apparatuses such as MFPs, there are apparatuses that have a web server function and can communicate with an information communication terminal. On the other hand, various browsers are mounted on the information communication terminal which is a communication destination of the apparatus.

  In addition, there is a circumstance that the execution speed of the various types of programs described above varies depending on the type of browser installed in the information communication terminal.

  Specifically, for a certain browser, the execution speed of “Java” (trademark) is larger (high speed) than the execution speed of “Flash” (trademark). On the other hand, on the other browser, conversely, the execution speed of “Java” may be lower (slower) than the execution speed of “Flash”.

  Therefore, it cannot be said that it is efficient to always execute a predetermined process in “Flash” for a browser whose execution speed of “Java” is higher than that of “Flash”. Conversely, it cannot be said that it is efficient to always execute a predetermined process in “Java” for a browser whose execution speed of “Java” is lower than that of “Flash”.

  In addition, the technique of the said patent document 1 does not solve such a problem.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can efficiently execute processing in a terminal device using a program in a format suitable for the browser of the terminal device.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 is a communication device capable of communicating with a terminal device and having a built-in web server function, and has a plurality of formats on a web browser mounted on the terminal device. Acquisition means for acquiring each execution required time when processing is executed using each of the programs, and an optimum program format corresponding to the web browser is selected from the plurality of formats. Determination means for determining based on time, generation means for generating web page data in which a description for executing a predetermined process using the program of the optimum program format is embedded, and a page request from the web browser And transmitting means for transmitting the web page data in response.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of types of programs are programs that can be called from data describing a web page.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the plurality of types of programs include a first type of program and a second type of program, and the predetermined processing is performed. When executed at the i-th time (value i is a natural number), the transmission means receives the first web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed by the program in the first format. Transmitting to a web browser, the acquisition means acquires a first required time that is an execution required time by the program in the first format, and the predetermined processing is executed at the jth time (value j is a natural number). In this case, the transmission means transmits second web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed by the program in the second format to the web browser, and the acquisition means Said When a second required time that is an execution required time by a program of a format is acquired and the predetermined processing is executed at the k-th time (value k is a natural number, k> i and k> j) The determining means determines the optimal program format based on the first required time and the second required time, and the generating means should execute the predetermined processing in the optimal program format And generating the third web page data, and the transmission means transmits the third web page data in response to a page request from the web browser.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the plurality of types of programs include a first type of program and a second type of program, and the predetermined processing is performed. When executed at the i-th time (value i is a natural number), the transmission means receives the first web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed by the program in the first format. The information is transmitted to a web browser, the acquisition means acquires a first required time that is a time required for execution by the program of the first format, and the determination means determines the first required time as a first reference time. When the time is smaller than the time, the first format is determined as the optimum program format, and when the first required time is larger than the first reference time, the second format is different from the first format. The format And determining a candidate grams format.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the predetermined processing is executed at the jth time (value j is a natural number and j> i), The second web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed by the second format program is transmitted to the web browser, and the acquisition means requires execution by the second format program. A second required time that is a time is acquired, and the determining means has the first required time larger than the first reference time and the second required time is smaller than the second reference time. The second format is determined as the optimum program format on condition that

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first or second aspect of the invention, the plurality of types of programs include a first type of program and a second type of program, and the predetermined processing is performed. Before the actual execution, the transmission means indicates that the first test process should be executed by the first format program and the second test process should be executed by the second format program. The described test web page data is transmitted to the web browser, and the acquisition means is a time required for execution by the program of the first format executed by the web browser according to the test web page data. 1 and the time required for execution by the program in the second format executed by the web browser in accordance with the test web page data. The second required time is obtained, and the determining means determines the optimum program format based on the first required time and the second required time, and the predetermined processing is actually executed. In this case, the generation means generates specific web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed in the optimum program format, and the transmission means responds to a page request from the web browser. Then, the specific web page data is transmitted.

  The invention according to claim 7 is: a) obtaining each execution time required when processing is executed using each of a plurality of types of programs on a web browser mounted on a terminal device which is a communication destination device; B) determining an optimum program format corresponding to the web browser from the plurality of formats based on the respective execution times; and c) performing a predetermined process on the program of the optimum program format. Generating a web page data in which a description to be executed is embedded; and d) transmitting the web page data in response to a page request from the web browser. It is a program.

  The invention of claim 8 is a communication system comprising a communication device incorporating a web server function and a terminal device capable of communicating with the communication device, wherein the communication device is mounted on the terminal device. Acquisition means for acquiring each execution time when processing is executed using each of the programs of a plurality of formats on the web browser, and the web browser is selected from among the programs of the plurality of formats. Determining means for determining an optimal program format based on each execution time required; and generating means for generating web page data in which a description for executing a predetermined process using the program of the optimal program format is embedded. And transmitting means for transmitting the web page data in response to a page request from the web browser.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the communication device is an image forming device.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the eighth or ninth aspect of the invention, the terminal device is a portable terminal device.

  According to the first to tenth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently execute processing in the terminal device using a program in a format suitable for the browser of the terminal device.

It is the schematic which shows the structure of the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows schematic structure of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows operation | movement between an image forming apparatus (web server) and a terminal device (web browser). 3 is a flowchart illustrating mainly the operation of the image forming apparatus. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the operation | movement which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the web page data for a test. It is a figure which shows the source code (data before compiling) of the Flash format program utilized with web page data.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<1. First Embodiment>
<1-1. Outline of configuration>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system 1 (1A) according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1 includes a communication device 10 and a plurality of information terminal devices (also referred to as terminal devices) 50 (50a, 50b,...). The communication device 10 and each terminal device 50 can communicate with each other via the network NW. The network NW is configured by a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, and the like. Further, the connection mode to the network NW may be wired connection or wireless connection.

  The communication device 10 is also referred to as a server computer (or simply a web server) having a web (Web) server function. Here, the communication apparatus 10 is configured as an image forming apparatus 10 having a web server function. Each terminal device 50 has a web client function (web browser function). Each terminal device 50 accesses the image forming apparatus 10 as a web server by executing a web browser application software program (also simply referred to as a web browser or browser), and receives various data from the image forming apparatus 10. Receive and execute display operation based on the received data.

<1-2. Configuration of image forming apparatus>
Here, an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) is exemplified as the image forming apparatus 10.

  The MFP 10 is a device (also referred to as a multi-function device) having a scan function, a copy function, a facsimile function, a box storage function, and the like. Specifically, as shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the MFP 10 includes an image reading unit 2, a print output unit 3, a communication unit 4, a storage unit 5, an input / output unit 6, a controller 9, and the like. Various functions are realized by operating these components in a complex manner.

  The image reading unit 2 optically reads (that is, scans) a document placed at a predetermined position of the MFP 10 and generates image data of the document (also referred to as a scanned image). It is. The image reading unit 2 is also referred to as a scanning unit.

  The print output unit 3 is an output unit that prints out an image on various media such as paper based on data related to a print target.

  The communication unit 4 is a processing unit capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line or the like. Further, the communication unit 4 can perform network communication via the network NW. In this network communication, for example, various protocols such as TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) are used. By using the network communication, the MFP 10 can exchange various data with a desired partner (the terminal device 50 or the like).

  The storage unit 5 includes a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 5 stores data relating to the print job. The storage unit 5 also stores information (such as the data table TL1) regarding each terminal device that is a communication destination. In the data table TL1, “optimum program format” (described later) determined as described later is stored for each combination of each terminal device 50 (browser BW) and the URL of each page.

  The input / output unit 6 includes an operation input unit 6a that receives input to the MFP 10 and a display unit 6b that displays and outputs various types of information.

  The controller 9 is a control device that is built in the MFP 10 and controls the MFP 10 in an integrated manner. The controller 9 is configured as a computer system including a CPU and various semiconductor memories (RAM and ROM). The controller 9 implements various processing units by executing a predetermined software program (hereinafter also simply referred to as a program) PG1 stored in a ROM (for example, EEPROM) in the CPU. The program PG1 may be installed in the MFP 10 via a portable recording medium such as a USB memory or a network NW. The program PG1 is also expressed as a web server program.

  Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the controller 9 implements various processing units including a communication control unit 11, an acquisition unit 13, a determination unit 15, and a generation unit 17.

  The communication control unit 11 receives a page request (HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) request) RQ from the web browser BW installed in the terminal device 50. Further, in response to the page request RQ, the communication control unit 11 sends web page data (HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data, etc.) DT of the designated web page (designated URL: Uniform Resource Locator) to the web browser BW. Send to. That is, the communication control unit 11 executes a response operation (HTTP response) to the data request (HTTP request) RQ from the web browser BW.

  In this web page data DT, a description for executing a specific format program among a plurality of formats is embedded. Based on the description, the web browser BW can execute processing PR and the like by the program in the specific format. Here, the programs of a plurality of formats are programs that can be called from data (HTML data or the like) describing a web page. Examples of the programs of a plurality of formats include a program using a script such as “JavaScript” (Javascript) and a program (plug-in program) such as “Flash” (Flash) manufactured by Adobe.

  The acquisition unit 13 acquires each execution time required when processing is executed using each of a plurality of programs on the web browser BW installed in the terminal device 50.

  The determination unit 15 determines an “optimum program format” that is a program format suitable for the web browser BW from a plurality of programs. The determination unit 15 determines an “optimum program format” based on each execution time and the like.

  The generation unit 17 generates web page data DT in which a description for executing a predetermined process PR using an “optimum program format” program is embedded.

  The web page data DT is returned to the terminal device 50 by the communication control unit 11 or the like, and the terminal device 50 executes the process PR using the web page data DT. As the process PR, for example, a process PR1 for communicating with the image forming apparatus 10 (web server) to acquire job list information in the image forming apparatus 10 and creating display data for displaying the job list information. Is exemplified. Further, the processing PR communicates with the image forming apparatus 10 (web server) to acquire information (toner cartridge usage count information, etc.) indicating the state of consumables in the image forming apparatus 10 and displays the information. The process PR2 for creating data may be used. Further, the process PR communicates with the image forming apparatus 10 (web server) to acquire the current print setting content information of the image forming apparatus 10 and create display data for the print setting screen (setting change screen). Processing PR3 etc. may be sufficient.

<1-3. Configuration of Terminal Device 50>
The terminal device 50 is configured as a computer system including a CPU and the like. The terminal device 50 is configured as, for example, a portable information terminal device (tablet type terminal or the like). The terminal device 50 is not limited to this, and may be a stationary information terminal device (desktop computer or the like).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 50 includes a communication unit 54, an operation unit 56, a CPU 59, and the like. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the terminal device 50.

  The communication unit 54 is a processing unit that performs communication with the image forming apparatus 10 and the like through network communication.

  The operation unit 56 is configured by a touch screen, for example. The touch screen displays various types of information and accepts operation inputs from the user.

  The CPU 59 implements various processing units by executing a predetermined program PG2 (specifically, an application software program having a browser function). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the program PG2 is executed by the CPU 59 of the terminal device 50, so that the input / output control unit 61, the communication control unit 63, the process execution unit 65, and the process time measurement unit 67 are changed. Various processing units including the above are realized. The program PG2 may be installed in the terminal device 50 via a portable recording medium such as a USB memory or a network NW.

  The input / output control unit 61 controls an operation input operation and a display output operation related to the operation unit 56 (touch screen or the like) of the terminal device 50.

  The communication control unit 63 controls network communication operation with the image forming apparatus 10 and the like in cooperation with the communication unit 54.

  The process execution unit 65 executes a process PR instructed in the web page data DT transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, the processing time measuring unit 67 measures the execution time of the processing PR based on the description of the web page data DT. The measured execution time (measurement result information) is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 by the communication control unit 63 and the like.

  Here, the process PR can be executed using a plurality of types of programs. However, as described above, the processing time (in other words, the processing speed) of the process PR differs depending on which type of program is used to execute the process PR in the web browser of the terminal device 50.

  In this embodiment, as will be described later, a program format (optimum program format) suitable for the web browser of each terminal device 50 is determined, and the process PR is executed using a program of the program format. According to this, it is possible to improve the processing efficiency regarding the process PR.

<1-2. Operation>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an operation between an image forming apparatus (also referred to as a server) 10 having a web (WEB) server function and a terminal apparatus (also referred to as a client) 50 having a web browser function. FIG. 4 is a flowchart mainly showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 (server-side apparatus).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 50 sends a display instruction (also referred to as a page quest) RQ for a specific web page to the image forming apparatus 10. Here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 10 is operating in the “normal mode”.

  In response to the page request RQ, the image forming apparatus 10 prepares web page data (such as HTML data) for the specific web page. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 (the generation unit 17 or the like) creates web page data instructed that the process PR should be executed using a program in a format corresponding to the execution record. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 returns the web page data to the terminal device 50.

  The terminal device 50 executes the process PR based on the received web page data. Further, the terminal device 50 measures the time (execution required time) required to execute the process PR, and transmits the execution required time (specifically, information thereof) to the image forming apparatus 10. . The image forming apparatus 10 holds the received required execution time TM.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the process surrounded by a broken line is repeatedly executed several times.

  Specifically, when executing the i-th (value i is a natural number) (here, the first) process PR, the first form of the program PM1 is used, and the j-th (value j is a natural number, j> i) When executing the process PR (second time here), the second-format program PM2 is used. Then, the k-th time (value k is a natural number, k> i, and k> j) (here, the third and subsequent times) according to the time required for executing each process PR during both executions. A program format (optimum program format) used when executing the process PR is determined. When each process PR is executed, the corresponding web page data DT1, DT2, DT3 is transmitted from the image forming apparatus 10 to the terminal device 50, respectively. In addition, when the process PR is executed after the third time, the measurement operation for the execution required time for the process PR and the notification operation for the execution required time are not performed.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing such an operation (mainly on the server side).

  In steps S11 and S12, a branching process is performed based on how many times the access from the browser BW of the specific terminal device 50 is performed. If it is determined that the access is the first time, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S13. If it is determined that the access is the second time, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S15. If it is determined in step S12 that the access is the third or subsequent time, the process proceeds to step S17.

  (1) When the process PR is actually executed for the first time, the process proceeds from step S11 to step S13. In step S <b> 13, the generation unit 17 generates first web page data DT <b> 1 in which it is described that a predetermined process PR should be executed by a first format program PM <b> 1 (for example, a “JavaScript” format program). . Specifically, data corresponding to the first format program is selected from a plurality of data (description data) prepared in advance corresponding to the plurality of format programs, and the first data is selected based on the selected data. One web page data DT1 is generated. Then, the communication control unit 11 transmits the first web page data DT1 toward the web browser BW of the terminal device 50 (see also FIG. 3).

  The terminal device 50 executes the process PR based on the received web page data, measures the time required for executing the process PR, and transmits the time required for execution (specifically, the information) to the image forming apparatus 10. (See step B11 in FIG. 3).

  The image forming apparatus 10 holds the received required execution time TM. Specifically, the acquisition unit 13 acquires and holds the first required time TM1, which is the required time for execution by the program PM1 in the first format (step S14 in FIG. 4).

  (2) When the process PR is actually executed for the second time, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S15. In step S15, the generation unit 17 generates the second web page data DT2 in which it is described that the predetermined process PR should be executed by the second format program PM2 (for example, the “Flash” format program). . Specifically, data corresponding to the program in the second format is selected from a plurality of data (description data) prepared in advance corresponding to the programs in a plurality of formats, and the data based on the selected data is selected. 2 web page data DT2 is generated. Then, the communication control unit 11 transmits the second web page data DT2 to the web browser BW of the terminal device 50 (see also FIG. 3).

  The terminal device 50 executes the process PR based on the received web page data, measures the time required for executing the process PR, and transmits the time required for execution (specifically, the information) to the image forming apparatus 10. (See step B12 in FIG. 3).

  The image forming apparatus 10 holds the received required execution time TM. Specifically, the acquisition unit 13 acquires and holds the second required time TM2, which is the required time for execution by the program PM2 in the second format (step S16 in FIG. 4).

  (3) Thereafter, when the process PR is actually executed after the third time, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S17. In step S17, the determination unit 15 determines the “optimum program format” based on the first required time TM1 and the second required time TM2. Specifically, the determination unit 15 determines the format (relatively high-speed format) corresponding to the smaller one of the two required times TM1 and TM2 as the “optimum program format”. Then, the generation unit 17 generates the third web page data DT3 in which it is described that the predetermined process PR should be executed in the optimum program format. Here, the third web page data DT3 is the same as one of the first web page data DT1 and the second web page data DT2.

  For example, when it is determined that the time TM1 is shorter than the time TM2, that is, the processing speed of the first format program PM1 is higher (high speed) than the processing speed of the second format program PM2, step S17 to step S18. Proceed to In step S18, the generation unit 17 generates the same data as the first web page data DT1 as the third web page data. Thereafter, the communication control unit 11 sends the determined third web page data DT3 (the same data as the first web page data DT1) to the web request of the terminal device 50 in response to the page request RQ from the web browser BW. Send to browser BW.

  Conversely, when it is determined that the time TM2 is shorter than the time TM1, that is, the processing speed of the second format program PM2 is higher (high speed) than the processing speed of the first format program PM1, step S17 to step S17 are performed. Proceed to S19. In step S19, the generation unit 17 generates the same data as the second web page data DT2 as the third web page data. Thereafter, the communication control unit 11 sends the determined third web page data DT3 (the same data as the second web page data DT2) to the web page of the terminal device 50 in response to the page request RQ from the web browser BW. Send to browser BW.

  The terminal device 50 executes processing PR and the like based on the received web page data (see step B13 in FIG. 3). In addition, when the process PR is performed after the third time, the operation for measuring the execution required time for the process PR is not required.

  According to the operation as described above, the “optimum program format” corresponding to the web browser BW of the terminal device 50 is selected from the programs in a plurality of formats at the time of the third and subsequent web page accesses. This is determined based on the execution required times TM1 and TM2 at the time of access (at the time of the first and second access). Then, the web page data DT3 in which the description for executing the predetermined process PR is embedded using the program of the optimum program format is generated, and the web page data DT3 is transmitted to the requesting web browser BW. .

  Therefore, since the process PR is executed by a program in the format suitable for the web browser of the request source apparatus 50 (optimum program format), the process PR in the terminal apparatus 50 is efficiently executed.

  The “optimum program format” may differ depending on the contents of the process PR. Therefore, it is preferable that the optimum program format is determined for each content (type) of the process PR by executing the above operation for each process PR. Specifically, it is preferable that the optimum program format is determined for each web page (each URL) accompanied by a different process PR. The determined “optimum program format” is preferably stored for each combination of the terminal device 50 (browser BW) and the URL of each page in the data table TL1.

  By the way, in recent years, portable information communication terminals have been frequently used as information communication terminals. However, the processing speed of a portable information communication terminal is often slower than the processing speed of a stationary information communication terminal.

  In such a situation, when a portable information communication terminal is used as the terminal device 50 in the embodiment, the process PR is executed in the terminal device 50 using the optimum program format for the browser BW of the terminal device 50. Is done. Therefore, even in a portable information communication terminal having a relatively low processing capability (relatively low speed), it is possible to efficiently execute the processing PR and increase the processing speed.

<2. Second Embodiment>
The second embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment. Below, it demonstrates centering on difference with 1st Embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, when the predetermined process PR is actually executed at the i-th time (value i is a natural number) (for example, the first time), the communication control unit 11 uses the first format program PM1 to execute the predetermined process PR. The first web page data DT1 describing that the process PR is to be executed is transmitted to the web browser BW of the terminal device 50. The acquiring unit 13 acquires a first required time TM1 that is a required time for execution by the program PM1 in the first format. Then, when the first required time TM1 is smaller than the first reference time TH1 (for example, 100 ms (milliseconds)), the determination unit 15 determines “first format” as the optimum program format. On the other hand, when the first required time TM1 is longer than the first reference time TM1, the determination unit 15 provisionally determines the “second format” different from the first format as the optimal program format. This “second format” program is used for the next and subsequent accesses. The determination unit 15 determines the “second format” as the optimum program format on condition that the second required time TM2 (time required for execution by the program PM2 in the second format) is smaller than the second reference time TM2. .

  Below, such an aspect is demonstrated in detail.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in steps S <b> 21 and S <b> 22, a branching process is performed based on how many times the access from the browser of the specific terminal device 50 is. If it is determined that the access is the first time, the process proceeds from step S21 to step S13. If it is determined that the access is the second time, the process proceeds from step S22 to step S24. If it is determined that the access is from the third time onward, the process proceeds from step S22 to step S26.

  (1) Specifically, when the process PR is actually executed for the first time in the normal mode, the process proceeds from step S21 to step S13. In step S <b> 13, the generation unit 17 generates first web page data DT <b> 1 in which it is described that a predetermined process PR should be executed by a first format program PM <b> 1 (for example, a “Java” format program). . Then, the communication control unit 11 transmits the first web page data DT1 toward the web browser BW of the terminal device 50.

  The terminal device 50 executes the process PR based on the received web page data, measures the time required for executing the process PR, and transmits the time required for execution (specifically, the information) to the image forming apparatus 10. .

  The image forming apparatus 10 holds the received required execution time TM. Specifically, the acquisition unit 13 acquires and holds the first required time TM1, which is the required time for execution by the program PM1 in the first format (step S14 in FIG. 5).

  In the next step S23, a comparison process between the first required time TM1 and the first reference time TH1 is executed.

  When the first required time TM1 is smaller than the first reference time TH1, the determination unit 15 determines (determines) “first format” as the optimal program format. The reference time TH1 is a predetermined value (for example, 100 milliseconds) as the reference required time for the process PR. That is, it is determined that the process PR is continuously executed using the “first format” program after the second time.

  On the other hand, when the first required time TM1 is longer than the first reference time TM1, the determination unit 15 does not determine (determine) the “first format” as the optimum program format. In this case, the determination unit 15 determines “second format” as a candidate for the optimum program format.

  (2) When the process PR is actually executed for the second time in the normal mode, the process proceeds from step S22 to step S24.

  In step S24, it is determined whether or not the optimal program format has been determined (determined) (specifically, whether or not “first format” has been determined (determined) as the optimal program format).

  If the “first format” is determined as the optimum program format, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the same process as step S13 is executed. The re-measurement of the required time TM1 is not performed.

  If the “first format” is not determined as the optimum program format, the process proceeds from step S24 to step S15.

  In step S15, the generation unit 17 generates the second web page data DT2 in which it is described that the predetermined process PR should be executed by the second format program PM2 (for example, the “Flash” format program). . Then, the communication control unit 11 transmits the second web page data DT2 toward the web browser BW of the terminal device 50.

  The terminal device 50 executes the process PR based on the received web page data, measures the time required for executing the process PR, and transmits the time required for execution (specifically, the information) to the image forming apparatus 10. .

  The image forming apparatus 10 holds the received required execution time TM. Specifically, the acquisition unit 13 acquires and holds a second required time TM2 that is a time required for execution by the program PM2 in the second format (step S16).

  In the next step S25, a comparison process between the second required time TM2 and the second reference time TH2 is executed.

  When the second required time TM2 is smaller than the second reference time TH2 (for example, 100 milliseconds), the determination unit 15 determines the “second format” that is a candidate for the optimal program format as the optimal program format. (Determine. The reference time TH2 is a value determined in advance as the reference required time for the process PR, and is, for example, the same value as the value TH1. That is, in the second and subsequent times, it is determined that the “second format” is the optimum program format.

  On the other hand, when the second required time TM2 is larger than the second reference time TM2, the determination unit 15 does not determine (determine) the “second format” as the optimum program format.

  (3) Furthermore, when the process PR is actually executed after the third time in the normal mode, the process proceeds from step S22 to step S26.

  In step S26, it is determined whether or not the optimum program format has been determined (confirmed).

  If the “first format” is determined as the optimum program format, the process proceeds from step S26 to step S27. In step S27, the same process as step S13 is executed. The re-measurement of the required time TM1 is not performed.

  When the “second format” is determined as the optimum program format, the process proceeds from step S26 to step S28. In step S28, the same process as step S15 is executed. The re-measurement of the required time TM2 is not performed.

  If the optimum program format has not been determined, the process proceeds from step S26 to step S29.

  In step S29, the determination unit 15 determines that both the “first format” and the “second format” are not compatible with the browser BW. Then, error processing (step S29) is performed. For example, a web data page including a message indicating that both “first format” and “second format” are not compatible with the browser BW is created and transmitted. In this case, it is preferable that a request for resetting the reference times TH1 and TH2 is also made.

  According to the operation as described above, the optimum program format corresponding to the web browser is determined by the execution time TM1 and the reference time TH1 for the i-th access (value i is a natural number) (here, the first time). It is determined based on the comparison result or the like. Specifically, when the first required time TM1 is smaller than the first reference time TH1, the first format is determined as the optimum program format. Further, when the first required time TM1 is larger than the first reference time TM1, at the j-th access (value j is a natural number and j> i) (that is, at the subsequent access) The required execution time TM2 by the program PM2 in the second format different from the first format is acquired. When the first required time TM1 is larger than the first reference time TM1 and the second required time TM2 is smaller than the second reference time TH2, the second format is determined as the optimum program format. The

  Therefore, since the process PR is executed by a program in a format (optimal program format) suitable for the request-source web browser, the process PR in the terminal device 50 is efficiently executed.

<3. Third Embodiment>
The third embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment (and the second embodiment). Below, it demonstrates centering on difference with 1st Embodiment.

  In the first embodiment, when the actual process PR is performed in the normal mode, the execution required time for the process PR is measured, and the optimum program format is determined based on the execution required time. ing.

  In the third embodiment, the test process RT in the test mode is executed before the actual process PR is executed in the normal mode, and the optimum program format is determined based on the result of the test process RT. Then, the actual process PR in the normal mode is executed using the program in the optimum program format.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation according to the third embodiment.

  Specifically, prior to the execution of the actual process PR (execution of the process PR in the normal mode), first, the test access operation (execution of the process RT in the test mode) (within the dotted rectangular area on the upper side in FIG. 6) Is executed. For example, a test web page in the image forming apparatus 10 is accessed from the web browser BW of the terminal device 50, and processing RT in the test mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is executed.

  This web page is composed of, for example, test web page data DT5 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of test web page data DT5, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing source code (data before compiling) of a Flash format program used in the web page data DT5.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the web page data DT5, the first test process RT1 should be executed with the first format program PM1, and the second test process RT2 should be executed with the second format program PM2. The effect is described. Here, the first test process RT1 and the second test process RT2 are the same process.

  More specifically, the function “inform_server1 (execution1 ())” described in “JavaScript” is called in the first line of the “body” portion of the web page data DT5. The function “execution1” is a function that returns a difference value between the time immediately before the start of the test process RT1 and the time immediately after the end of the test process RT1, as described in the vicinity of the center of FIG. It is a function that measures and returns time TB1. The function “inform_server1” is a function for notifying the server of an argument (here, the value of the function “execution1” = the time TB1). This function “inform_server1” also describes that processing by “JavaScript” is executed. In FIG. 7, the detailed contents of the test process RT1 are omitted.

  Thus, in the “body” portion of the web page data DT5, it is described that the first test process RT1 should be executed with the program PM1 in the first format (program based on “JavaScript”).

  Further, the object code “flash_object.swf” by “Flash” is called after the first line of the “body” portion of the web page data DT5. As described above, FIG. 8 shows the source code of the flash object “flash_object.swf”. As shown in FIG. 8, the function “execution2” measures a function that returns a difference value between the time immediately before the start of the test process RT2 and the time immediately after the end of the test process RT2, that is, the execution time TB2 of the test process RT2. And return the function. The function “inform_server2” is a function that notifies the server of an argument (here, the value of the function “execution2” = the time TB2). This function “inform_server2” also describes that processing by “Flash” is executed. In FIG. 8, the detailed contents of the test process RT2 are omitted.

  As described above, the “body” portion of the web page data DT5 also describes that the second test process RT2 should be executed by the program PM2 of the second format (program by “Flash”).

  Then, the communication control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the test web page data DT5 to the web browser BW of the requesting terminal device 50 (see step S30 in FIG. 6).

  Based on the received web page data, the terminal device 50 first executes the test process RT1, measures the execution time TB1 of the test process RT1, and transmits the execution time TB1 to the image forming apparatus 10. (See step B31 in FIG. 6). The required execution time TB1 is also expressed as the required execution time of the test process RT1 by the program PM1 of the first format executed by the web browser BW according to the test web page data DT5.

  Then, the acquisition unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 10 receives and acquires the required execution time TB1 (step S31).

  Next, the terminal device 50 executes the test process RT2 based on the received web page data, measures the required execution time TB2 of the test process RT2, and sends the execution required time TB2 to the image forming apparatus 10. Transmit (see step B32 in FIG. 6). The required execution time TB2 is also expressed as the required execution time of the test process RT2 by the program PM2 of the second format executed by the web browser BW according to the test web page data DT5.

  Then, the acquisition unit 13 of the image forming apparatus 10 also receives and acquires the execution required time TB2 (step S32).

  The determining unit 15 determines an optimal program format based on the first required time TB1 and the second required time TB2 (step S33).

  For example, it is determined that the format corresponding to the smaller one of the first required time TB1 and the second required time TB2 is the “optimum program format”.

  Thereafter, when the predetermined process PR is actually executed, the “program in the optimum program format” determined in step S33 is used (step S40).

  Specifically, when a specific page in the image forming apparatus 10 is accessed from the web browser BW of the terminal device 50 and the page request RQ from the web browser BW is received by the image forming apparatus 10, the generating unit 17 Specific web page data DT6 describing that the predetermined process PR should be executed in the “optimum program format” is generated.

  If it is determined in step S33 that the optimal program format is the first format, the web page data DT6 is generated as data describing that the process PR is to be executed by the program PM1 in the first format. . On the other hand, if it is determined in step S33 that the optimum program format is the second format, the web page data DT6 is generated as data describing that the process PR is executed by the program PM2 in the second format. Is done.

  Then, in response to the page request RQ from the web browser BW, the communication control unit 11 transmits the web page data DT6 toward the web browser BW of the terminal device 50.

  The terminal device 50 executes the process PR based on the received web page data DT6. That is, the process PR is executed by a program in the optimal program format.

  According to the operation as described above, the optimum program format corresponding to the web browser is determined based on the measurement results of the execution required times TM1 and TM2 in the test mode. Therefore, in the normal mode, the process PR is executed by a program in a format (optimum program format) suitable for the request-source web browser, so that the process PR in the terminal device 50 is efficiently executed.

<4. Other>
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the contents described above.

  For example, in the third embodiment, the case where the format corresponding to the smaller one of the first required time TB1 and the second required time TB2 is determined as the “optimum program format” is exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Specifically, the ratio VR1 between the first required time TB1 and the first reference time TH10 is calculated, and the ratio VR2 between the second required time TB2 and the second reference time TH20 is calculated. The optimal program format may be determined based on the magnitude relationship between VR1 and VR2. The first reference time TH10 is a reference value for the required time for the first test process RT1, and the second reference time TH20 is a reference value for the required time for the second test process RT2. When both test processes RT1 and RT2 have the same processing content, the reference times TH10 and TH20 may be set to the same value. When the processing load of the test process RT1 is about 10 times larger than the processing load of the other test process RT2, the reference time TH10 may be set to a value about 10 times the reference time TH20.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the required times TM1 and TM2 of the processing PR in the terminal device 50 are calculated on the terminal device 50 side (specifically, the processing time measuring unit 67) is illustrated. It is not limited. For example, in the first and second embodiments, the required times TM1 and TM2 of the processing PR in the terminal device 50 may be calculated on the image forming apparatus 10 side. More specifically, the image forming apparatus 10 stores the transmission time of the execution start instruction for the processing PR to the terminal device 50 and the reception time of the processing completion notification from the terminal device 50. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 may calculate the difference between the two times (the transmission time of the execution start instruction and the reception time of the process completion notification) as the execution time of the process PR.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication system 10 Image forming apparatus (communication apparatus)
50 Terminal device BW Web browser DT Web page data PR Each processing RT Test processing

Claims (10)

A communication device capable of communicating with a terminal device and incorporating a web server function,
An acquisition means for acquiring each execution time required when processing is executed using each of a plurality of programs on a web browser installed in a terminal device;
A determining means for determining an optimum program format corresponding to the web browser from the plurality of formats based on each execution time;
Generating means for generating web page data in which a description for executing a predetermined process using the program of the optimum program format is embedded;
Transmitting means for transmitting the web page data in response to a page request from the web browser;
A communication apparatus comprising: The communication device according to claim 1,
The plurality of types of programs are programs that can be called from data describing a web page, respectively. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of programs include a first program and a second program,
When the predetermined process is executed at the i-th time (value i is a natural number),
The transmission means transmits first web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed by the program in the first format to the web browser,
The acquisition means acquires a first required time that is an execution required time by the program of the first format,
When the predetermined process is executed at the jth time (value j is a natural number),
The transmission means transmits second web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed by the program in the second format to the web browser,
The acquisition means acquires a second required time that is an execution required time by the program of the second format,
When the predetermined process is executed at the k-th time (value k is a natural number, k> i and k> j),
The determining means determines the optimal program format based on the first required time and the second required time,
The generating means generates third web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed in the optimum program format;
The communication device transmits the third web page data in response to a page request from the web browser. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of programs include a first program and a second program,
When the predetermined process is executed at the i-th time (value i is a natural number),
The transmission means transmits first web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed by the program in the first format to the web browser,
The acquisition means acquires a first required time that is an execution required time by the program of the first format,
The determining means includes
If the first required time is less than the first reference time, the first format is determined as the optimum program format;
When the first required time is larger than the first reference time, a communication apparatus is characterized in that a second format different from the first format is determined as a candidate for the optimum program format. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein
When the predetermined process is executed at the j-th time (value j is a natural number and j> i),
The transmission means transmits second web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed by the program in the second format to the web browser,
The acquisition means acquires a second required time that is an execution required time by the program of the second format,
The determination means sets the second format as the optimum program format on the condition that the first required time is longer than the first reference time and the second required time is shorter than the second reference time. A communication apparatus characterized by being determined as The communication device according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of programs include a first program and a second program,
Before the predetermined process is actually executed,
The transmission means includes test web page data describing that the first test program should be executed by the first format program and that the second test process should be executed by the second format program To the web browser,
The acquisition means includes
A first required time which is an execution required time by the program of the first format executed by the web browser according to the test web page data;
A second required time which is an execution required time by the program of the second format executed by the web browser according to the test web page data;
Get
The determining means determines the optimal program format based on the first required time and the second required time,
When the predetermined process is actually executed,
The generating means generates specific web page data describing that the predetermined processing should be executed in the optimum program format,
The communication device transmits the specific web page data in response to a page request from the web browser. a) obtaining each execution time required when processing is executed using each of a plurality of programs on a web browser mounted on a terminal device which is a communication destination device;
b) determining an optimum program format corresponding to the web browser from the plurality of formats based on the respective execution times;
c) generating web page data in which a description for executing a predetermined process using the program of the optimum program format is embedded;
d) transmitting the web page data in response to a page request from the web browser;
For causing a server computer to execute A communication system,
A communication device with a built-in web server function;
A terminal device capable of communicating with the communication device;
With
The communication device
Obtaining means for obtaining each execution required time when processing is executed using each of a plurality of types of programs on a web browser mounted on the terminal device;
A determining means for determining an optimum program format corresponding to the web browser from the plurality of formats based on each execution time;
Generating means for generating web page data in which a description for executing a predetermined process using the program of the optimum program format is embedded;
Transmitting means for transmitting the web page data in response to a page request from the web browser;
A communication system comprising: The communication system according to claim 8,
The communication system is an image forming apparatus. The communication system according to claim 8 or 9,
The communication system, wherein the terminal device is a portable terminal device.

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