Image display device and program

Abstract

To provide an image display device and a program that can reduce an access to an image server.SOLUTION: An image display device comprises: a data acquisition unit that acquires HTML data including storage destination information indicating a storage destination of an image to be displayed and text information related to the image; an image acquisition unit that inputs the text information included in the HTML data to a reasoner that is functionalized to receive input of the text information and create and output an image according to the details described in the text information, and thereby acquires the image created by the reasoner; and a display unit that displays the image acquired by the image acquisition unit on the basis of the HTML data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an image display device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) or HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) has been used as a method for obtaining information from a website (web server) on the Internet (hereinafter, HTTP and HTTPS are collectively referred to as "HTTP").

[0003] In addition, a terminal called a Web client uses a Web browser to access a Web site's URL (Uniform Resource Locator), and acquires HTML (HyperText Markup Language) data from a Web server corresponding to the URL, thereby displaying the contents of the HTML data on a screen. In addition, when a URL is specified in an image tag in the HTML data, the terminal acquires an image from the Web server (hereinafter also referred to as an image server) corresponding to the specified URL and displays the image (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Incidentally, when a large number of accesses are concentrated on a URL for HTML data that contains image tags, the number of accesses to the image server also increases. Since image data generally has a larger data volume than HTML data, the problem is that the more accesses to the image server, the greater the traffic on the Internet. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device and a program capable of reducing access to an image server. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image display device and program of the embodiment include a data acquisition unit that acquires from a Web server storage destination information indicating a storage destination of an image to be displayed and HTML data including text information related to the image, an image acquisition unit that acquires an image generated by an inference device by inputting the text information contained in the HTML data into the inference device that is functional to receive the text information and generate and output an image corresponding to the description content of the text information, and a display unit that displays the image acquired by the image acquisition unit based on the HTML data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an image display system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image display device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of HTML data received by the image display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image display device according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process related to acquisition of image data performed by the image display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the process related to acquisition of image data performed by the image display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the control unit of the image display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to the initial setting of the inference unit performed by the control unit of the image display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process related to request transmission of HTML data performed by a control unit of the image display device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to analysis of HTML data performed by the control unit of the image display device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image display device and a program will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and the components in the following embodiments include those that a person skilled in the art can easily conceive, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the scope of what is called equivalent. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations of the components can be made without departing from the spirit of the following embodiments.

[0009] 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an image display system 1. The system configuration of the image display system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0010] 1, the image display system 1 includes an image display device 2, a Web server 3, and an image server 4. The number of devices connected to the network N is not limited to that shown in the figure. The Web server 3 may be integrated with the image server 4.

[0011] The image display device 2 is a Web client and is, for example, a general device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone, or a dedicated device. The image display device 2 is connected to a Web server 3 and an image server 4 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0012] The web server 3 is an example of a server device (information processing device) that publishes (provides) HTML data on the network N. The web server 3 is realized by, for example, an information processing device such as a PC. Note that in this embodiment, the web server 3 is realized by a single device, but it may be a cloud server (or a cloud system) realized by the cooperation of multiple server devices connected to a network.

[0013] The image server 4 is an example of a server device (information processing device) that holds image data. The image server 4 is realized by, for example, an information processing device such as a PC. In this embodiment, the image server 4 is realized by a single device, but it may be a cloud server (or a cloud system) realized by the cooperation of multiple server devices connected to a network. The image server 4 may also be realized by a Web server 3.

[0014] The network N may be a wired communication line and / or a wireless communication line, may be a so-called communication network, may be a communication cable, etc. The network N may be constructed using one or more of the Internet, a mobile communication network, a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc. Furthermore, the network N may include not only wired communication but also networks using wireless communication such as 3G (3rd Generation), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) (registered trademark), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), or LTE (Long Term Evolution).

[0015] In the above-mentioned image display system 1, the image display device 2 uses a web browser to access the URL of a website published by the web server 3, and acquires HTML data from the web server 3, thereby displaying the content represented by the HTML data on a display unit 17 (see FIG. 2), which will be described later. Furthermore, in the image display device 2, when a URL is specified in an image tag in the HTML data, the image display device 2 acquires image data (hereinafter also simply referred to as image) from the image server 4 corresponding to the specified URL, and displays the image at the position specified in the HTML data.

[0016] Next, the configuration of the above-mentioned image display device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image display device 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the image display device 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, which is an example of a processor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a memory unit 14, and the like.

[0018] The CPU 11 comprehensively controls each unit of the image display device 2. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 is a workspace in which programs and various data are expanded. The memory unit 14 stores various programs.

[0019] The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and memory unit 14 are connected to one another via a bus 15, and the CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 constitute a control unit 100 having a computer configuration. That is, the control unit 100 executes a control process of the image display device 2, which will be described later, by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 12 and the memory unit 14 and loaded in the RAM 13.

[0020] The memory unit 14 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 14 stores various programs and setting information that can be executed by the CPU 11. Here, the programs may include a program that stores a web browser program (application), etc.

[0021] The control unit 100 is connected to the display unit 17, the operation unit 18, the communication I / F 20, and the inference unit I / F 22 via the bus 15 and the controller 16. Here, the communication I / F 20 is an interface for connecting to the network N. Also, the inference unit I / F 22 is an interface for connecting to the inference unit 23 described later.

[0022] The controller 16 is connected to a display unit 17 and an operation unit 18. Based on instructions from the control unit 100, the controller 16 controls each of the connected units.

[0023] The display unit 17 is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 17 displays various information under the control of the CPU 11. The operation unit 18 is an input device such as a keyboard or a pointing device. The operation unit 18 outputs operation contents input via the input device to the CPU 11. The operation unit 18 may be a touch panel provided on the display unit 17.

[0024] Here, the inference device 23 connected via the inference device I / F 22 will be described. The inference device 23 is connected to the inference device I / F 22 via, for example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable or a Local Area Network (LAN). In other words, the inference device 23 is a device separate from the image display device 2. The image display device 2 and the inference device 23 may be defined as the image display system 1.

[0025] The inference unit 23 includes a processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in addition to a computer configuration such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The GPU is used for calculations during model learning or inference, which will be described later.

[0026] The inference unit 23 also stores a model for image generation in a non-volatile storage medium (auxiliary storage device). This model is a model that is functionalized to analyze (text encode) the contents described in a character string when the character string is input, generate (also referred to as inference) an image representing the described contents, and output the image. Note that there is no particular restriction on the method of generating the model held by the inference unit 23, and the model may be generated using a known technology related to image generation AI.

[0027] The model may be held by the image display device 2. In this case, the image display device 2 sets the model held in the memory unit 14 or the like to a state usable by the inference device 23, for example, at power-on. In this embodiment, a form in which the image display device 2 holds the model will be described.

[0028] In this embodiment, the inference unit 23 executes a process of generating an image by working in cooperation with the image display device 2. Specifically, when a character string is input from the image display device 2 (CPU 11), the inference unit 23 generates an image according to the character string and outputs the generated image to the image display device 2.

[0029] Next, an example of HTML data received by the image display device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of HTML data acquired by the image display device 2. HTML data is an example of structured data. Fig. 3 shows some of the HTML tags included in the HTML data, and shows an example of an "img" tag. Here, the "img" tag is an example of an image tag that specifies that image data is to be displayed.

[0031] The "img" tag specifies information (also called attributes) related to the image data to be displayed. The "img" tag specifies the "src" attribute, which indicates the location of the image data, and the "alt" attribute, which indicates additional information related to the image data. Here, the "src" attribute describes the URL of the image server 4, which indicates the storage destination of the image data to be displayed. The "alt" attribute describes, for example, a character string explaining the content or situation represented by the image data. The "alt" attribute is used for the purpose of displaying it in place of the image data, for example, when the image data of the "src" attribute cannot be acquired (displayed) due to poor communication on the network N.

[0032] Figure 3 shows an example where the "src" attribute and the "alt" attribute are specified for the "img" tag named "picture." Here, the location information of the image data is described by "src="https: / / XXXXX.YYYY.ZZZ / sample.png"" corresponding to the "src" attribute. In addition, the content and situation expressed by the image data is explained by "alt=" An elementary school girl waits on a bright beach for her father who has gone out fishing early in the morning"" corresponding to the "alt" attribute.

[0033] When the above HTML data is retrieved using a Web browser, the Web browser retrieves the image data of "sample.png" stored at "https: / / XXXXX.YYYY.ZZZ" from image server 4 via network N and displays it on the Web browser. Also, if the Web browser is unable to retrieve the image data of "sample.png" from image server 4 due to poor communication on network N or other reasons, it displays the text information "An elementary school girl waits on a bright beach for her father who has gone out fishing early in the morning" specified in the "alt" attribute on the Web browser.

[0034] Incidentally, when a large number of accesses are concentrated on a URL for HTML data that includes an image tag, the number of accesses to the image server 4 also increases. Since image data generally has a larger data volume than HTML data, there is a problem that the more the number of accesses to the image server 4 increases, the more the traffic volume on the Internet increases.

[0035] For example, in the case of the HTML data shown in Figure 3, if there is a concentration of accesses to the URL "https: / / XXXXX.YYYY.ZZZ" described in the "src" attribute to obtain the image data "sample.png," that is, to the image server 4, a large amount of image data will be communicated over the network N. This will increase the amount of communication over the Internet and the load on the image server 4.

[0036] Therefore, the image display device 2 of this embodiment is provided with a functional configuration for solving the above-mentioned problems such as an increase in communication traffic, etc. Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the image display device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0037] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the image display device 2. As shown in Fig. 4, the image display device 2 includes an initial setting unit 111, a browser unit 112, and a display control unit 113 as functional components.

[0038] Specifically, the control unit 100 (CPU 11) of the image display device 2 realizes the above-mentioned functional configuration by executing a program stored in the memory unit 14. Note that in this embodiment, the above-mentioned functional configuration is a software configuration realized by cooperation between the processor of the image display device 2 and the program, but is not limited to this, and a part or all of the functional configuration may be realized as a hardware configuration using a dedicated circuit or the like.

[0039] The initial setting unit 111 performs initial setting of the inference unit 23 connected to the inference unit I / F 22. Specifically, when the image display device 2 is started up or in response to an operation from the operation unit 18, the initial setting unit 111 sets the above-mentioned model related to image generation to a state in which the inference unit 23 can use it, using an API (Application Programming Interface) or the like.

[0040] Furthermore, when the initial setting of the inference unit 23 is completed, the initial setting unit 111 stores information indicating the result of the initial setting (hereinafter, also referred to as a setting completion flag) in the RAM 13 or the memory unit 14.

[0041] Specifically, when the initial setting unit 111 is able to set the above-mentioned model related to image generation to a state usable by the inference unit 23, the initial setting unit 111 sets the value of the setting completion flag to "1" indicating usable. On the other hand, when the initial setting unit 111 is unable to set the above-mentioned model related to image generation to a state usable by the inference unit 23 due to reasons such as the inference unit 23 not being connected to the inference unit I / F 22, the initial setting unit 111 sets the value of the setting completion flag to "0" indicating unusable.

[0042] The browser unit 112 is an example of a data acquisition unit and an image acquisition unit. For example, it is realized by a Web browser program or the like. The browser unit 112 starts and displays a Web browser that serves as a UI (User Interface) for accessing the Web server 3 and the image server 4. Specifically, when an instruction to start the Web browser is received from the operation unit 18, the browser unit 112 starts the Web browser and displays a screen representing the Web browser on the display unit 17.

[0043] Furthermore, when browser unit 112 receives an input of a URL via operation unit 18, it accesses Web server 3 described in the input URL via network N and requests HTML data. When Web server 3 receives a request for HTML data from browser unit 112, it transmits the HTML data to image display device 2. Then, image display device 2 receives (acquires) the HTML data from Web server 3.

[0044] Next, the browser unit 112 analyzes the acquired HTML data and determines whether or not the HTML data contains an image tag (an "img" tag). If the "img" tag is included, the browser unit 112 executes a process for acquiring image data described in the "img" tag depending on whether the inference unit 23 is available or not.

[0045] Specifically, when the setting completion flag is “1”, the browser unit 112 determines that the inference device 23 is usable, and inputs the text information described in the “alt” attribute of the “img” tag to the inference device 23. Then, the browser unit 112 acquires the image data generated from the text information by the inference device 23 via the inference device I / F 22.

[0046] The image data generated by the inference unit 23 is not the same as the image data of the URL described in the "src" attribute, but represents the content of the text information described in the "alt" attribute. Therefore, by using the image data generated by the inference unit 23 as a substitute for the image data specified by the URL, the content represented by the original image data can be presented to the user.

[0047] Furthermore, if the setting completion flag is "0", the browser unit 112 determines that the inference unit 23 cannot be used, and requests image data from the image server 4 by accessing the URL described in the "src" attribute of the "img" tag. Then, the browser unit 112 receives the requested image data from the image server 4.

[0048] Then, browser unit 112 displays the acquired image data on display unit 17 based on the HTML data. Specifically, browser unit 112 displays the acquired image data on the Web browser together with information such as text data included in the HTML data based on display settings such as layout defined in the HTML data. If the HTML data does not include an image tag, the information such as text data included in the HTML data is displayed on the Web browser.

[0049] In this way, when the inference unit 23 is available, the browser unit 112 inputs the text information described in the "alt" attribute of the "img" tag in the HTML data to the inference unit 23, obtains the image data generated by the inference unit 23, and displays it on the Web browser. This makes it possible for the image display device 2 to reduce access to the image server 4.

[0050] The display control unit 113 is an example of a display unit. The display control unit 113 displays various information on the display unit 17. Specifically, the display control unit 113 cooperates with the browser unit 112 to display a Web browser on the display unit 17. The display control unit 113 also displays image data and the like acquired by the browser unit 112 on the Web browser.

[0051] The following describes the operation of the image display device 2. First, the operation of the image display device 2 relating to acquisition of image data will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process related to acquisition of image data performed by the image display device 2. In Fig. 5, a case will be described in which the setting of the inference device 23 is normally completed in the initial setting of the inference device 23.

[0053] When the image display device 2 is turned on by a user operation via various UIs (step S1), the control unit 100 starts up the initial setting unit 111 (step S2).

[0054] When the initial setting unit 111 is started, it performs initial setting of the inference unit 23 (step S3). If the initial setting of the inference unit 23 ends normally, the inference unit 23 notifies the initial setting unit 111 that the setting is completed (step S4). In addition, in response to the notification in step S4, the initial setting unit 111 sets the value of the setting completion flag to "1".

[0055] Next, when a user operation via various UIs instructs the start of a web browser (step S5), the control unit 100 starts the browser unit 112 (step S6). Next, the browser unit 112 starts the web browser in response to the start instruction in step S6 (step S7). When the start of the web browser is completed, the browser unit 112 notifies the control unit 100 that the web browser has started (step S8). Next, the display control unit 113 cooperates with the browser unit 112 to cause the web browser to be displayed on the display unit 17 (step S9).

[0056] Next, when a URL including the address of the Web server 3 is input to the Web browser by a user operation (step S10), the browser unit 112 accepts the input of the URL via the Web browser (step S11). The browser unit 112 accesses the input URL to request HTML data from the Web server 3 (step S12). When the Web server 3 receives the request for HTML data, it transmits the HTML data to the image display device 2 (browser unit 112) that made the request (step S13).

[0057] The browser unit 112 that receives the HTML data from the Web server 3 analyzes the received HTML data. If the analyzed HTML data contains an "img" tag, the browser unit 112 inputs text information described in the "alt" attribute of the "img" tag to the inference unit 23 (step S14).

[0058] When the inference unit 23 receives text information from the browser unit 112, it generates image data according to the content of the text information (step S15). Next, the inference unit 23 outputs the generated image data (step S16). Then, when the browser unit 112 obtains the image data output from the inference unit 23, it displays the obtained image data on the Web browser (step S17).

[0059] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the process related to acquisition of image data performed by the image display device 2. Here, Fig. 6 shows an example of operation when the setting of the inference device 23 does not end normally during the initial setting of the inference device 23. Note that a description of steps common to the case where the setting of the inference device 23 shown in Fig. 5 ends normally will be omitted.

[0060] If the initial setting of the inference device 23 does not end normally, the inference device 23 notifies the initial setting unit 111 that the setting did not end normally (step S40). In response to the notification in step S40, the initial setting unit 111 sets the value of the setting completion flag to "0".

[0061] The browser unit 112 that receives the HTML data from the Web server 3 analyzes the received HTML data. If the analyzed HTML data contains an "img" tag, the browser unit 112 accesses the image server 4 at the URL described in the "src" attribute of the "img" tag, and requests image data (step S21).

[0062] When the image server 4 receives the request from the browser unit 112, it transmits image data to the image display device 2 (browser unit 112) that made the request (step S22). Then, the browser unit 112 displays the image data received from the image server 4 on the Web browser (step S23).

[0063] Next, an example of a process performed by the image display device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0064] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the control unit 100 of the image display device 2. First, the initial setting unit 111 performs initial setting of the inference unit 23 by a subroutine described later (step S71). Note that the Web browser is started up after the initial setting of the inference unit 23.

[0065] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether or not an operation to instruct execution of a shutdown has been received (step S72). If an operation to instruct execution of a shutdown has been received (step S72; Yes), the control unit 100 executes a shutdown process to transition the image display device 2 to an off state. Note that the off state here may be a power-off state or a sleep mode state in which power consumption is reduced.

[0066] If the operation to instruct execution of shutdown is not received (step S72; No), the browser unit 112 judges whether or not the URL of the Web server 3 has been input to the Web browser via the operation unit 18 (step S73). If the URL of the Web server 3 has not been input to the Web browser (step S73; No), the control unit 100 returns the process to step S72. If the URL of the Web server 3 has been input to the Web browser (step S73; Yes), the browser unit 112 requests HTML data from the URL by a subroutine described later (step S74). Next, the browser unit 112 returns the process to step S72.

[0067] Next, an example of processing related to the initial setting of the inference unit 23 performed by the image display device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0068] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to the initial setting of the inference unit 23 performed by the control unit 100 of the image display device 2. Note that a series of steps shown in FIG. 8 is a subroutine of step S71 shown in FIG.

[0069] First, when the initial setting unit 111 receives an input from the operation unit 18, the initial setting unit 111 sets a model generated by machine learning in the inference unit 23 using an API (step S81). Next, the initial setting unit 111 determines whether the setting in step S81 has been normally completed (step S82).

[0070] If the initial setting of the inference unit 23 has been completed normally (step S82; Yes), the initial setting unit 111 sets the value of the setting completion flag to "1" (step S83) and stores it in the memory unit 14. Then, the process proceeds to step S72 in FIG.

[0071] 7. If the initial setting of the inference unit 23 does not end normally (step S82; No), the initial setting unit 111 sets the value of the setting completion flag to "0" (step S84) and stores it in the memory unit 14. Then, the process proceeds to step S72 in FIG.

[0072] Next, a process for transmitting a request for HTML data performed by the image display device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0073] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a process related to sending a request for HTML data, which is performed by the control unit 100 of the image display device 2. Note that the series of steps shown in FIG. 9 is a subroutine of step S74 shown in FIG.

[0074] First, the browser unit 112 accesses the Web server 3 described in the URL inputted to the Web browser, and transmits a request for HTML data (step S91).

[0075] Next, the browser unit 112 receives HTML data from the Web server 3 as a response to the request sent in step S91 (step S92). Next, the control unit 100 analyzes the HTML data by a subroutine described later (step S93). Next, the browser unit 112 cooperates with the display control unit 113 to display the image data stored in the RAM 13 on the display unit 17 (step S94). Then, the browser unit 112 returns the process to step S72 in FIG. 7.

[0076] Next, a process relating to the analysis of HTML data performed by the image display device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0077] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing related to the analysis of HTML data performed by the control unit 100 of the image display device 2. Note that the series of steps shown in FIG. 10 is a subroutine of step S93 shown in FIG.

[0078] First, the browser unit 112 sequentially reads tags included in the HTML data (step S101) and judges whether the read tag is an "img" tag or not (step S102). If the read tag is not an "img" tag (step S102; No), the control unit 100 executes processing of the read tag (step S103) and proceeds to step S110, which will be described later. If the read tag is an "img" tag (step S102; Yes), the control unit 100 judges whether the value of the setting completion flag stored in the memory unit 14 is "1" or not (step S104).

[0079] If the value of the setting completion flag stored in the memory unit 14 is "0" (step S104; No), the browser unit 112 requests image data from the URL (image server 4) described in the "src" attribute of the "img" tag (step S105). Then, in response to the request from the browser unit 112, the browser unit 112 stores the image data transmitted from the image server 4 in the RAM 13 (step S106).

[0080] Furthermore, if the value of the setting completion flag stored in the memory unit 14 is "1" (step S104; Yes), the control unit 100 determines whether or not the "alt" attribute is described in the "img" tag (step S107).

[0081] Here, if the "alt" attribute is not described in the "img" tag (step S107; No), the process proceeds to step S105. If the "alt" attribute is described in the "img" tag (step S107; Yes), the control unit 100 inputs the text information described in the "alt" attribute of the "img" tag to the inference unit 23 (step S108). Next, the control unit 100 obtains image data inferred from the text information by the inference unit 23, and stores the image data in the RAM 13 (step S109).

[0082] Next, the browser unit 112 judges whether the read tag is the last tag included in the HTML data (step S110). If the read tag is not the last tag included in the HTML data (step S110; No), the process returns to step S101. If the read tag is the last tag included in the HTML data (step S110; Yes), the process proceeds to step S94 in FIG.

[0083] As described above, in the image display device 2 of this embodiment, when HTML data including storage destination information indicating the storage destination of an image to be displayed and text information related to the image is acquired from the Web server 3, the text information included in the HTML data is input to the inference device 23 that is functionally configured to receive the input of text information, generate and output an image according to the description of the text information, thereby acquiring an image generated by the inference device 23. Then, the image display device 2 displays the acquired image based on the HTML data.

[0084] Therefore, when the inference unit 23 is available, the image display device 2 can input the text information included in the HTML data to the inference unit 23, obtain the image data generated by the inference unit 23, and display it on the Web browser. This makes it possible for the image display device 2 of this embodiment to reduce access to the image server 4 and reduce the amount of communication of image data on the Internet.

[0085] The above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate by changing a part of the configuration or function of the above-described device. Therefore, some modified examples of the above-described embodiment will be described below as other embodiments. Note that the following mainly describes the differences from the above-described embodiment, and a detailed description of the common points with the contents already described will be omitted. The modified examples described below may be implemented individually or in appropriate combination.

[0086] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, when the initial setting of the inference device 23 has been completed normally, if an “alt” attribute is written in an “img” tag in HTML data received from the Web server 3, the text information written in the “alt” attribute is input to the inference device 23. However, the configuration may be such that whether or not the inference device 23 can be used is determined based on the number of characters of the text information written in the “alt” attribute.

[0087] For example, if the number of characters of the text information described in the "alt" attribute is 10 or more, the inference device 23 is used, and if the number of characters is less than 10, the inference device 23 is not used. With the above-mentioned configuration, more text information is input to the inference device 23, so that it is expected that the accuracy of the image data inferred by the inference device 23 will improve.

[0088] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, text information described in the “alt” attribute of the “img” tag in the HTML data is input to the inference device 23, and image data generated by the inference device 23 is obtained. However, if a unique image tag that specifies the display of an image is defined instead of the “img” tag, text information related to the unique image tag that specifies the display of an image may be input, and the image data generated by the inference device 23 may be obtained.

[0089] With the above-described configuration, it is possible to achieve the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment even for images that are not specified by the "img" tag.

[0090] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the inference unit 23 and the image display device 2 are separate entities. However, the image display device 2 may have the functions of the inference unit 23.

[0091] The program executed by the image display device 2 of the embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc).

[0092] The program executed by the image display device 2 of the embodiment may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by the image display device 2 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0093] Moreover, the program executed by the image display device 2 of the embodiment may be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0094] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These new embodiments and their modifications can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 Image display system 2 Image display device 3. Web Server 17 Display section 18 Control section 23 Reasoner 100 Control section 111 Initial setting section 112 Browser section 113 Display control unit [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0096] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3881182

Claims

1. a data acquisition unit that acquires HTML data from a web server; an image acquisition unit that inputs the text information included in the HTML data to an inference device that is functionally configured to receive the text information, generate an image corresponding to the description of the text information, and output the image when the HTML data includes storage destination information indicating a storage destination of an image to be displayed and text information related to the image; and a display unit that displays the image acquired by the image acquisition unit based on the HTML data; An image display device comprising:

2. the image acquisition unit switches between acquiring an image generated by the inference unit and acquiring an image from a storage location indicated by the storage location information, depending on whether the inference unit is available. The image display device according to claim 1 .

3. the image acquisition unit extracts the text information from an image tag that is included in the HTML data and that specifies the display of an image; The image display device according to claim 1 .

4. When the text information is not included in the image tag, the image acquisition unit acquires an image from a storage destination indicated by the storage destination information. The image display device according to claim 3 .

5. the image acquisition unit switches between acquiring an image generated by the inference unit and acquiring an image from a storage destination indicated by the storage destination information, depending on the number of characters described in the text information; The image display device according to claim 1 .

6. a data acquisition unit that acquires HTML data from a web server; an image acquisition unit that inputs the text information included in the HTML data to an inference device that is functionally configured to receive the text information, generate an image corresponding to the description of the text information, and output the image when the HTML data includes storage destination information indicating a storage destination of an image to be displayed and text information related to the image; and a display unit that displays the image acquired by the image acquisition unit based on the HTML data; A program that makes a computer function as a

Images