Image formation apparatus

Abstract

To easily print or store only specific files within a webpage.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 1 includes: an image formation unit 12 that forms images on recording media and perform printing; a browser 104; an extraction unit 102 that extracts predetermined types of files from a website indicated by web browsing history information that has address information of the website and access date / time information by using the browser 104; and a control unit 100 that outputs the files extracted by the extraction unit 102. The control unit 100 controls an operation of the image formation unit 12 to perform the output by printing the files extracted by the extraction unit 102 or storing the files extracted by the extraction unit 102 in a predetermined storage destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a browser function. [Background technology]

[0002] An information processing device equipped with a browser function is capable of accessing websites and printing web pages. The following Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe printing the entire web page acquired using a browser. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 6,738,841 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,119 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are times when a user wants to print only a specific portion of a web page, rather than the entire web page. For example, a user may want to print only a document on a web page, or only an image (such as a photograph) on a web page. However, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above cannot achieve this. After accessing a web page, the user must select the file to be printed from among files on the web page, such as photographs and downloadable data, and then print the file.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to make it possible to easily print or save only specific files within a web page. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium and prints it, an extraction unit that uses a browser function to access a website indicated by web browsing history information having website address information and access date and time information, and extracts a predetermined type of file from the website, and a control unit that outputs the files extracted by the extraction unit, and the control unit controls the operation of the image forming unit to print the files extracted by the extraction unit, or to save the files extracted by the extraction unit in a predetermined storage destination, thereby outputting the files. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, a predetermined type of file is extracted from a desired website and printed or saved, so that only a specific file within the website can be easily printed or saved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by a control unit in the image forming apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the main internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having multiple functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an original feeding section 6, an original reading section 5, an image forming section 12, a fixing section 13, a paper feeding section 14, an operation section 47, a network interface section 91, and a storage section 8. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured so that an external storage medium 7 such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory can be detachably attached thereto.

[0011] The document feeder 6 is configured to be openable and closable by a hinge or the like (not shown) on the top surface of the document reading unit 5, and functions as a document pressing cover when reading a document placed on a platen glass (not shown). The document feeder 6 is also an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document placement tray (not shown), and supplies documents placed on the document placement tray to the document reading unit 5.

[0012] A description will be given of a case where a document reading operation is performed by the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 5 optically reads an image of a document supplied to the document reading unit 5 by the document feeding unit 6 or a document placed on the platen glass, and generates image data. The image data generated by the document reading unit 5 is stored in an image memory or the like (not shown).

[0013] A description will be given of an image forming operation performed by the image forming apparatus 1. Based on image data generated by a document reading operation, image data stored in an image memory or the like, image data received from a computer connected via a network, and the like, the image forming unit 12 forms a toner image on a recording paper as a recording medium fed from a paper feed unit 14. The image forming unit 12 includes a photoconductor drum, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer device, and the like.

[0014] The fixing unit 13 applies heat and pressure to the recording paper on which the toner image has been formed by the image forming unit 12, thereby fixing the toner image to the recording paper, and the recording paper that has been subjected to the fixing process is discharged to a discharge tray (not shown). The paper supply unit 14 includes a paper supply cassette.

[0015] The operation unit 47 receives instructions, such as an instruction to execute an image forming operation, from an operator regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 47 includes a display unit 473 that displays operation guides and the like for the operator. The operation unit 47 also receives input of instructions from the user based on the user's operation (touch operation) on the operation screen displayed on the display unit 473 via a touch panel that the display unit 473 has.

[0016] The display unit 473 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The display unit 473 is equipped with a touch panel. When the operator touches a button or key displayed on the screen, the touch panel receives an instruction associated with the touched position.

[0017] The network interface unit 91 is a communication interface for transmitting and receiving various data to and from an external device (eg, a server) within a local area or on the Internet.

[0018] The storage unit 8 is a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various control programs, etc. The storage unit 8 also includes a browser program 81 for reading information on each website on the Internet and browsing the website.

[0019] The control unit 10 includes a processor, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and a dedicated hardware circuit. The processor is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a micro processing unit (MPU). The control unit 10 includes a control unit 100, an acquisition unit 101, an extraction unit 102, a processing unit 103, and a browser 104.

[0020] The control unit 10 functions as a control unit 100, an acquisition unit 101, an extraction unit 102, and a processing unit 103 by the operation of the processor in accordance with a control program stored in the storage unit 8. The control unit 10 also functions as a browser 104 by the operation of the processor in accordance with a browser program 81 stored in the storage unit 8. However, the control unit 100 and the like can each be configured by a hardware circuit, regardless of the operation of the control unit 10 in accordance with the control program. The same applies to each embodiment below unless otherwise stated.

[0021] The browser 104 reads information about each website on the Internet and performs processing to display the website. The browser 104 also stores web browsing history information, including address information and access date and time information of accessed websites, in a file format such as JSON in a predetermined browsing history storage location in the storage unit 8.

[0022] The control unit 100 is responsible for controlling the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 100 is connected to the document feeding unit 6, the document reading unit 5, the image forming unit 12, the fixing unit 13, the paper feeding unit 14, the operation unit 47, the network interface unit 91, the storage unit 8, and the external storage medium 7, and performs drive control of each of these units. For example, the control unit 100 executes various processes necessary for image formation by the image forming apparatus 1.

[0023] The acquisition unit 101 acquires the web browsing history information from the browsing history storage location. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires the web browsing history information from the browsing history storage location in the memory unit 8, and acquires the web browsing history information stored in the external storage medium 7.

[0024] The extraction unit 102 uses the browser 104 to extract files of predetermined types from the website indicated by the web browsing history information. For example, the extraction unit 102 extracts data with extensions such as pdf, doc, txt, html, etc. from the website, and further image data with extensions such as jpg, bmp, png, etc. as files of predetermined types. In this way, document files are extracted from the website, and image data with extensions such as jpeg and png are extracted from the website, thereby extracting image files from the website.

[0025] The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display an operation screen SC1, an example of which is shown in Fig. 2. The user sets the type of file to be extracted by the extraction unit 102 on the operation screen SC1.

[0026] The operation screen SC1 displays radio buttons R1 to R3 and an operation key K1 labeled "Save Settings." The radio button R1 is a button for setting a document file as the file type. The radio button R2 is a button for setting an image file as the file type. The radio button R3 is a button for setting both document files and image files (All) as the file type. The control unit 100 accepts each instruction associated with each of the radio buttons and operation keys, and sets the content indicated by each instruction.

[0027] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for the operation key K1 via the touch panel, the control unit 100 stores the settings currently being accepted on the operation screen SC1 in the memory unit 8 as extraction conditions for the extraction unit 102 to extract a file.

[0028] The control unit 100 executes a process for outputting the file extracted by the extraction unit 102. The control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 to print the file extracted by the extraction unit 102, or to store the file extracted by the extraction unit 102 in a predetermined storage destination (for example, the storage unit 8 or the external storage medium 7), thereby performing the above-mentioned output.

[0029] The processing unit 103 narrows down the websites that are the targets of file extraction by the extraction unit 102. For example, the processing unit 103 narrows down the websites based on both or either one of a period and a keyword.

[0030] Based on the access date and time information contained in the web browsing history information, the processing unit 103 limits the scope of file extraction by the extraction unit 102 to websites accessed within a predetermined period of time. Also, based on the address information contained in the web browsing history information, the processing unit 103 excludes websites whose domain names contain predetermined keywords from the websites that are the subject of file extraction by the extraction unit 102.

[0031] The period that is a filtering condition for filtering out websites is set by the user on an operation screen SC2, such as the example shown in FIG.

[0032] The operation screen SC2 displays radio buttons R11 to R15 and an operation key K2 labeled "Save Settings." The radio button R11 is a button for setting "Current Date Only" as the period. The radio button R12 is a button for setting "Last Week" as the period. The radio button R13 is a button for setting "Last Month" as the period. The radio button R14 is a button for setting the period by date. Below the radio button R14, a text box TX1 for inputting a start date and a text box TX2 for inputting an end date are displayed. The radio button R15 is a button for setting the period to unlimited (All). The control unit 100 accepts each instruction associated with each of the radio buttons and operation keys and sets the content indicated by each instruction.

[0033] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for the operation key K2 via the touch panel, the control unit 100 stores the setting received on the operation screen SC2 at this time in the storage unit 8 as a narrowing-down condition for the processing unit 103 to narrow down the websites. For example, if "last week" is registered as the period, the processing unit 103 limits the websites that have been accessed in the last week to those that are subject to file extraction.

[0034] Regarding keywords, the control unit 100 receives add and delete instructions from the user via the operation screen and operation unit 47 (not shown). The control unit 100 stores the keywords set by the user in the memory unit 8 as narrowing-down conditions. For example, if "O△□×" is registered as a keyword, the processing unit 103 excludes websites whose domain names contain "O△□×". This makes it possible to use keywords to exclude malicious websites and the like from the targets of file extraction.

[0035] Next, an example of a process of collecting files from a website in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in Fig. 4. This process is performed when the operation unit 47 receives a user instruction to output (print and save) a specific part (specific file) of a website previously viewed. Here, the website indicated by the web browsing history information stored in the storage unit 8 will be used as an example for the description.

[0036] The acquisition unit 101 judges whether or not web browsing history information exists in the storage unit 8 (the browsing history storage location of the storage unit 8) (S1). When the acquisition unit 101 judges that the web browsing history information does not exist in the storage unit 8 (NO in S1), it causes the display unit 473 to display a pop-up screen indicating that fact (S2). After this, the process ends.

[0037] On the other hand, when acquiring unit 101 determines that web browsing history information exists in storage unit 8 (YES in S1), it acquires the web browsing history information from storage unit 8 (S3). Processing unit 103 determines, based on access date and time information contained in the web browsing history information acquired by acquiring unit 101, whether or not the websites indicated by the web browsing history information include a website that was accessed within the period registered as the narrowing down condition (S4).

[0038] If the processing unit 103 determines that there is no website that has been accessed within the period registered as the narrowing condition (NO in S4), it causes the display unit 473 to display a pop-up screen indicating that (S5). After that, this process ends.

[0039] On the other hand, if the processing unit 103 determines that there is a website that was accessed within the period registered as the above-mentioned narrowing down condition (YES in S4), it narrows down the websites that are the subject of file extraction by the extraction unit 102 (S6).

[0040] Specifically, the processing unit 103 limits the scope of file extraction to websites accessed within the period registered as the above-mentioned narrowing down condition based on the access date and time information contained in the web browsing history information, and further excludes from the websites subject to file extraction those whose domain names contain the keywords registered as the above-mentioned narrowing down condition based on the address information contained in the web browsing history information.

[0041] After the processing unit 103 has narrowed down the search results, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a site list indicating websites from which files will be extracted by the extraction unit 102 (S7). This provides the user with an opportunity to select a website.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen having a site list displayed on display unit 473. On operation screen SC3 shown in Fig. 5, a site list L1 is displayed, along with an operation key K3 marked "OK." On site list L1, the address of each website is displayed, along with a check box CB for each address. Based on the user's operation of operation key K3 and check box CB on operation screen SC3, operation unit 47 accepts the selection of a website.

[0043] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for the operation key K3 (i.e., an instruction to complete user selection) via the touch panel (YES in S8), the extraction unit 102 causes the browser 104 to access the website corresponding to the checked check box CB (i.e., the website selected by the user), and extracts files from the website in accordance with the extraction conditions described above (S9).

[0044] For example, when the radio button R1 labeled "Document File" is selected in the operation screen SC1 shown in FIG. 2 and a document file is stored as the extraction condition, the extraction unit 102 extracts files with extensions such as pdf, doc, txt, and html from the website selected by the user.

[0045] Furthermore, when the radio button R2 labeled "Image File" is selected in the operation screen SC1 and an image file is stored as the extraction condition, the extraction unit 102 extracts files with extensions such as jpeg and png from the website selected by the user.

[0046] Furthermore, when the radio button R3 marked "All" is selected in the operation screen SC1 and document files and image files are stored as the extraction conditions, the extraction unit 102 extracts files with extensions such as pdf, doc, txt, and html, and files with extensions such as jpeg and png, from the website selected by the user.

[0047] The control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a file list showing the files extracted by the extraction unit 102 from the website selected by the user (S10). This provides the user with an opportunity to select a file. For example, the control unit 100 displays thumbnails of the files extracted by the extraction unit 102 side by side on the display unit 473, and displays a check box in association with each thumbnail.

[0048] When operation unit 47 receives an instruction to complete user selection via the touch panel (YES in S11), extraction unit 102 extracts the files selected by the user from the website based on the user selection from the file list received by operation unit 47 via browser 104 (S12).

[0049] Next, the control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display an operation screen SC4 as shown in FIG. 6 (S13). This allows the user to confirm the file output method (print or save). The operation screen SC4 shown in FIG. 6 displays radio buttons R21 and R22 and an operation key K4 marked "OK." The radio button R21 is a button for setting print as the file output method. The radio button R22 is a button for setting save as the file output method. When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction for the operation key K4 via the touch panel, the control unit 100 accepts the content set in the operation screen SC4 as the output method.

[0050] When the operation unit 47 receives an instruction from the operation key K4 while the radio button R21 is selected ("Print" in S13), the control unit 100 controls the operation of the image forming unit 12 and the like to print the file extracted by the extraction unit 102 in S12 (S14). After this, the process ends.

[0051] On the other hand, when radio button R22 is selected and operation unit 47 accepts an instruction to operation key K4 ("Save" in S13), control unit 100 causes file extracted by extraction unit 102 in S12 to be saved in storage unit 8 (S15). After this, this process ends. Note that the destination for saving the file is not limited to storage unit 8, and control unit 100 may save the file in, for example, external storage medium 7.

[0052] According to the above embodiment of the present invention, a predetermined type of file is extracted from a website (a collection of web pages) and printed or saved. Therefore, it is possible to easily print or save only a specific part (specific file) of a web page.

[0053] In addition, the websites from which files are extracted can be narrowed down using a period or keywords, so that websites that are highly important to the user can be included in the range of the extraction targets, and websites that are less important to the user or malicious websites can be excluded from the range of the extraction targets. In addition, the types of files to be extracted can be set by the user, improving usability.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the files to be extracted are divided into two categories, document files and image files, but the division of files is not limited to this. In another embodiment, the extraction unit 102 may receive, for example, a designation by extension via the operation unit 47, and divide the files by extension, so that even if the files are document files, the extraction unit 102 extracts files with the extension pdf but does not extract files with the extension doc.

[0055] In addition, while the above embodiment describes extracting a file from a website and outputting a specific portion of the webpage, if the website selected by the user does not contain an extractable file that satisfies the above extraction conditions, the control unit 100 may output the entire webpage.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. In addition, in the above embodiment, the configuration and processing shown in the above embodiment using Figures 1 to 6 are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration and processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1. Image forming device 12 Image forming section 47 Operation section 100 Control section 102 Extraction part 103 Processing section 104 Browser 473 Display section

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms and prints an image on a recording medium; an extraction unit that uses a browser function to access a website indicated by web browsing history information having website address information and access date and time information, and extracts a predetermined type of file from the website; a control unit that outputs the file extracted by the extraction unit, The control unit controls the operation of the image forming unit to print the file extracted by the extraction unit or to store the file extracted by the extraction unit in a predetermined storage location, thereby performing the output.

2. a processing unit that narrows down websites from which files are extracted by the extraction unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit limits the scope of file extraction by the extraction unit to websites accessed within a predetermined period of time based on access date and time information contained in the web browsing history information.

3. a processing unit that narrows down websites from which files are extracted by the extraction unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit excludes websites whose domain names contain predetermined keywords from the websites from which the extraction unit extracts files, based on address information contained in the web browsing history information.

4. A display unit; An operation unit that accepts input of instructions, Furthermore, the control unit controls the display of the display unit to display on the display unit a site list indicating websites from which files are to be extracted by the extraction unit; the extraction unit extracts the predetermined type of file from a website selected by a user based on a user selection from the site list accepted by the operation unit; The control unit displays, on the display unit, a file list showing the files extracted by the extraction unit from the website selected by the user; The extraction unit further extracts a file selected by the user based on a user selection from the file list accepted by the operation unit; 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit outputs the file further extracted by the extraction unit based on a user selection.

Images