JP4922986B2 - Image processing apparatus and browsing control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus such as a multi-function printer (MFP).

  Some multi-function copiers having a function of storing document images and a FAX (Facsimile) transmission / reception function are provided with a function of browsing stored document images and FAX transmission / reception images. In recent years, RSS (Rich Site Summary, Really Simple Syndication, RDF (Resource Description Framework) Site Summary), which is an XML (Extensible Markup Language) based format for describing metadata such as website headings and summaries in a structured manner. Devices that can use and distribute metadata such as FAX transmission / reception history have been provided (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By performing RSS distribution, browsing is possible with a general-purpose browser compatible with RSS without requiring dedicated browsing software.

A client such as a PC (Personal Computer) that has received the RSS distribution determines whether or not to refer to the image itself after browsing the bibliographic information and thumbnail images included in the RSS with a general-purpose browser. In response to this, the image file is accessed and the contents are browsed. Access to the image body file is performed by selecting a link (hot text or the like) of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the image body file included in the bibliographic information (mouse click or the like).
JP 2006-50373 A

  As described above, according to RSS distribution, there is an advantage that an image can be easily browsed by a general-purpose browser. However, when bibliographic information and thumbnail images included in RSS are used alone, it is difficult to determine whether the image is desired. Often there is. In other words, if bibliographic information alone cannot be used to make a decision, it is necessary to make a decision based on the thumbnail image. However, the thumbnail image cannot read detailed characters and figures, and cannot determine whether the content is desired. There are many cases. In addition, since the thumbnail image is an image of a representative page such as the first page, in the case of a document image or a FAX transmission / reception image over a plurality of pages, images on other pages cannot be read.

  For this reason, there are many cases where it is necessary to refer to the main body of the image, but if the content is not desired after browsing the main body of the image, the screen returns to the browsing screen for bibliographic information etc. This process must be repeated, preventing the continuity of work and making efficient browsing impossible.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing an efficient browsing operation on stored document images and the like. It is in.

  In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, document storage means for storing document information including scanned images and FAX transmission / reception images by a plurality of users, and the document storage Metadata output means for generating and distributing metadata of document information stored in the means, display shaping file providing means for providing a display conversion file linked from the metadata, and link from the metadata The gist of the present invention is an image processing apparatus that includes a zooming process file providing unit that provides a zooming process file and a document information providing unit that reads and provides document information required at the time of display from the document storage unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the image processing apparatus further includes an authentication unit that authenticates a logged-in user and provides user information, and the metadata output unit includes the user According to the information, metadata about document information with viewing authority can be generated and distributed, and the document information providing means can distribute document information with viewing authority according to the user information.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the zooming process file is a display file converted by the display conversion file. A mapping script for associating display elements included in the file with zooming processing and an event processing script for performing zooming processing on the display elements in response to a user operation can be provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the document storage unit hierarchically stores the document information according to the components of the document information. Can be managed.

  Further, as described in claim 5, in the image processing apparatus according to claim 4, the metadata output means distributes the metadata according to a hierarchy of components of the document information. Can do.

  In addition, as described in claim 6, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the metadata may be an RSS feed that is an XML-based format. it can.

  Further, as described in claim 7, in the image processing device according to claim 6, the display conversion file is an XSL file for converting and generating the RSS feed into an HTML format. Can do.

  Further, as described in claim 8, in the image processing device according to claim 6, the display conversion file is a shaping script file and a CSS file for converting and generating the RSS feed into an HTML format. Can be.

  Moreover, it can comprise as a browsing control method, as described in Claims 9-16.

  In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to freely zoom in / zoom out by designating display elements displayed on the screen. This makes it possible to perform an efficient browsing operation.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the MFP 1 as an image processing apparatus, the client 3 such as a PC operated by the user U, and the RSS distribution from the MFP 1 are mediated (the RSS feed distributed from the MFP 1 is accumulated and provided to the client 3). An RSS server 4 is connected via the network 2. When the RSS feed is directly provided from the MFP 1 to the client 3, the RSS server 4 can be omitted.

  The MFP 1 includes a document storage unit 11 that holds document images (main body images, thumbnail images) and bibliographic information (dates, titles, creators, summaries, etc.), and analyzes the contents of the document images (character regions, image regions). And the like, and an RSS feed is generated based on the document image, bibliographic information, etc. held in the document storage unit 11 and added to the network 2 side. RSS output unit 13 to output, XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language) file and zooming script file linked to the RSS feed output from RSS output unit 13, and XSL / script storage unit 14 to provide upon request, browsing And an authentication processing unit 15 that performs an authentication process when it is necessary to limit who can do it.

  The client 3 is provided with a general-purpose browser 31 that receives an RSS feed, an XSL file, and a script file from the MFP 1 or the RSS server 4, generates an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file therefrom, and displays the screen. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the information flow in the system of FIG.

  In FIG. 2, the document storage unit 11 of the MFP 1 manages document images and bibliographic information divided into a hierarchy of documents, pages, and regions. That is, the document is composed of a single or a plurality of pages, and each page includes a single or a plurality of areas. In addition, when it is not necessary to subdivide the hierarchy to the area, it is not necessary to provide the area hierarchy. On the other hand, it is also possible to expand the region into sub-regions or the like that are subdivided.

  The XSL / script storage unit 14 of the MFP 1 can perform a zooming operation on the XSL file F2 for converting / generating the RSS feed into the HTML format and the display element (object) included in the generated HTML file. A zooming script file F3 is stored. The XSL file F2 can also separate the style sheet description as another CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file. The zooming script file F3 is a mapping script file that maps (maps) display elements included in the generated HTML file to zooming processing, and event processing that performs zooming processing in response to a mouse or keyboard operation by the user U. It consists of a script file.

  The RSS output unit 13 generates an RSS feed F <b> 1 based on the information held in the document storage unit 11 and distributes it to the client 3 or the RSS server 4. The RSS feed F1 is linked to the XSL file F2 and the zooming script file F3. When the browser 31 processes the RSS feed F1, the XSL file F2 and the zooming script file F3 are read.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between various files and the like, and is an example applied to a print log and a FAX log.

  In FIG. 3, a print log HTML file F4a is generated from the common mapping script portion of the print log RSS feed F1a, the print log XSL file F2a, the print log mapping script file F3a, and the common zooming script file F3c. A FAX log HTML file F4b is generated from the common mapping script portion of the FAX log RSS feed F1b, the FAX log XSL file F2b, the FAX log mapping script file F3b, and the common zooming script file F3c.

  Then, when the user U performs a mouse operation on the print log HTML file F4a or the FAX log HTML file F4b, zooming processing is performed by the operation of the event processing script portion of the common zooming script file F3c.

  4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of RSS feed hierarchies. FIGS. 4A to 4C are examples of the print log RSS feed F1a, and FIGS. 4D and 4E are examples of the FAX log RSS feed F1b.

  The print log RSS feed F1a is composed of a top print log RSS feed F1a-1 as shown in (a), and includes a plurality of document entries Ea-1. The document entry Ea-1 is composed of a document RSS feed F1a-2 as shown in (b) and includes a plurality of page entries Ea-2. The page entry Ea-2 is composed of a page RSS feed F1a-3 as shown in (c), and includes a plurality of area entries Ea-3.

  The FAX log RSS feed F1b is composed of the top FAX log RSS feed F1b-1 as shown in (d), and includes a plurality of FAX document entries Eb-1. The entry Eb-1 of the FAX document is composed of a FAX document RSS feed F1b-2 as shown in (e), and includes a plurality of pages of entries Eb-2. Further, it may be subdivided to the region level.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an RSS feed and an XSL file, where (a) illustrates an example of an RSS feed F1, and (b) illustrates an example of an XSL file F2.

  In (a), the RSS feed F1 includes a description “<? Xml-stylesheet ref =” zooming. xsl "?>", a description "<title> MFP: 192.168.21.12 ... </ title>" indicating the URL of the MFP that performs RSS output, and a description "<entry>. .. </ entry> ".

  In (b), the XSL file F2 includes a description “<link rel =“ stylesheet ”href =”. / Hogehge. css "type =" text / css ">" "<link rel =" stylesheet "href =". / Hgoe. css “type =“ text / css ”//>” and a description of the link to the zooming script file “<script type =“ text / javascript ”src =”. / Zooming. js "> // </ script>".

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of block element description and zooming object description in the HTML file F4 generated from the RSS feed F1, the XSL file F2, and the zooming script file F3.

  The mapping script included in the zooming script file F3 includes a class description “class =“ thumbnail ”” included in the descriptions 301 and 302 of the block element “<div ...>... </ Div>” in FIG. Focusing on “class =“ summary ””, for example, “thumbnail” corresponds to the representative image, “summary” corresponds to the summary, and the ID “id =“ 01 ”” “id =“ 02 ””. To the ID of the zooming object description.

  (B) shows an example of the structure of the zooming object description, and a zooming object description 303 is provided corresponding to each object to be displayed in the HTML file F4. The zooming object description 303 includes “id” for identifying an object, “initZoomFactor” indicating a zoom value at the time of initial display, “relatedTo” indicating a relationship and a propagation ratio of other objects that propagate a zoom operation to the object, and the like. Parameters are set. In “id”, the ID of the corresponding block element (FIG. 6A) is set by the mapping script. In “initZoomFactor”, a value indicating the degree of zoom is set (for example, “0.0” is displayed in the original display size, a positive value is set to enlarge, and a negative value is set. It is reduced by setting.) In “relatedTo”, for example, “children: 0.8” can be propagated at a ratio of “0.8” to other objects included in the object. In addition, by setting “brother: −0.5”, “0.5” with a reverse polarity with respect to another object in parallel with the object (when the object zooms in, the other object is zoomed out). "Can be propagated at a ratio of"

  Further, the zooming object description 303 includes an included zooming object behavior description 304 that defines a display behavior for each of the other objects included. The included zooming object behavior description 304 includes “zoomFactor” indicating the range of zoom values in which the object is displayed, “id” identifying the object, “Size” indicating the display size corresponding to the range of zoom values, and the like. The parameter is set. In “id”, the ID of the corresponding block element (FIG. 6A) is set by the mapping script. “ZoomFactor” is set to “0.0 1.0”, for example, so that the zoom value of the parent object is displayed in the range of “0.0” to “1.0”. By setting “0.1 1.0”, when the zoom value is “0.0”, it can be displayed when it is not displayed and becomes “0.1”. In “Size”, for example, when the object is an image, “20% 50%” is set, so that the image size is changed in a range of 20% to 50% corresponding to the range of “zoomFactor”. be able to. When the object is text (character string), the character size is changed in the range of 8pt to 12pt corresponding to the range of “zoomFactor” by setting “8pt 12pt” (pt: a point indicating the character size). Can be made. When a constant size is used regardless of the zoom value, a single value such as “50%” or “8 pt” can be used.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, when the user U specifies the user ID, password, and the like for the browser 31 and logs in to the MFP 1 (step S <b> 101), the browser 31 performs authentication processing (basic authentication or the like) with the MFP 1. (Step S102). If the authentication is successful, a message to that effect is returned. If the authentication is not successful, an error is returned. If it is not necessary to ensure security for browsing, login and authentication processing can be omitted. Further, it is possible to change subsequent processing when logged in and when not logged in.

  Next, when the user U requests the browser 31 to display a list (step S103), the browser 31 acquires RSS from the MFP 1 (step S104), and subsequently, XSL, zooming script based on the description of the link included in RSS. Then, thumbnail images and the like are sequentially acquired from the MFP 1 (steps S105 to S107). At this time, in the MFP 1, when the user U who has requested the list display is not logged in to the own apparatus (MFP 1), the RSS 1, XSL, zooming script, thumbnail image, etc. are not provided, or the provided contents are security. It can be limited to a range where there is no problem.

  Next, the browser 31 generates and displays HTML based on the acquired RSS, XSL, zooming script, thumbnail image, and the like (step S108). That is, the browser 31 generates HTML by applying XSL and a zooming script to RSS, and displays this.

  After that, when the user U performs a zooming operation on the browser 31 by a mouse operation or a keyboard operation (step S109), the browser 31 acquires insufficient information from the MFP 1 as necessary (step S110), and responds to the zooming operation. Display is performed (step S111). The insufficient information is, for example, information on the object when it becomes necessary to display an object that was not displayed before the zooming operation.

  8 to 13 are diagrams showing examples of screen display in the browser 31. FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows an example of an initial browsing screen 311, in which a plurality (eight in the figure) “document” objects 312 are displayed in an equal size. In the “document” object 312, a “title” object 313, a “creator” object 314, and a “creation date” object 315 are displayed. As these objects 313 to 315 are displayed at the time of initial display, the start value of “zoomFactor” (FIG. 6B) is set to the same value as “initZoomFactor” of the parent zooming object description. In addition, the start value of “zoomFactor” of the object not displayed at this time is set to a value larger than “initZoomFactor” of the parent zooming object description.

  When the zooming operation is performed without selecting any “document” object 312 on the browsing screen 311 in FIG. 8, for example, the browsing screen 311 when the upward scrolling operation is performed in the margin of the browsing screen 311. This example is shown in FIG. In FIG. 9, a plurality of “document” objects 312 are enlarged uniformly, and a “representative image” object (thumbnail image) 316 that has not been displayed is displayed. By setting “children: 1.0” or the like in “relatedTo” (FIG. 6B) in the zooming object description of the object of the entire screen including a plurality of “document” objects 312, a plurality of “documents” is set. The object 312 is enlarged evenly. In addition, the start value of “zoomFactor” of the “representative image” object 316 is set to a value larger than “initZoomFactor” of the zooming object description of the parent “document” object 312, and thus exceeds a certain zoom value. Display is made at the time. Note that the “document” object that can no longer fit in the display area is pushed out of the box, and the number of displays is reduced from 8 to 6. This is performed by the display function of the normal browser 31.

  FIG. 10 shows an example of the browsing screen 311 when a specific “document” object 312 is selected and a zooming operation is performed on the browsing screen 311 of FIG. In FIG. 10, only the selected “document” object 312 is enlarged, and the other “document” objects are reduced. The “document” object 312 is enlarged by setting “broter: −1.0” or the like in “relatedTo” (FIG. 6B) in the zooming object description of the “document” object 312. At the same time, other “document” objects can be reduced at the same rate. In the selected “document” object 312, a “representative image” object 316 is enlarged, and a “summary” object 317 and a “page image” object 318 that have not been displayed so far are displayed. The “summary” object 317 and the “page image” object 318 are that the start value of “zoomFactor” is set to a value larger than “initZoomFactor” of the zooming object description of the parent “document” object 312. Display is performed when the zoom value is exceeded. In the other “document” objects, all the objects are further reduced.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of the browsing screen 311 when a specific “document” object 312 is selected and a zooming operation is further performed on the browsing screen 311 of FIG. In FIG. 11, only the selected “document” object 312 is further enlarged, and the other “document” objects are further reduced. In the selected “document” object 312, the “summary” object 317 is enlarged and the number of “page image” objects 318 is increased. In the other “document” objects, the “creator” object and the “representative image” object that have been displayed so far are removed, and the “title” object and the “creation date” object are displayed. The range of “zoomFactor” (FIG. 6B) of the “creator” object and the “representative image” object is set to be out of the range with a negative zoom value of a certain size. It is not displayed when the zoom value is exceeded.

  In the browsing screen 311 of FIG. 11, a specific “document” object 312 is selected to perform further zooming operation, and a specific “page image” object 318 in the “document” object 312 is further selected to perform zooming operation. FIG. 12 shows an example of the browsing screen 311 when the operation is performed. In FIG. 12, only the selected “document” object 312 is further enlarged, and the other “document” objects are further reduced. In the selected “document” object 312, the number of “page image” objects 318 displayed is increased, and the “page image” object subjected to the zooming operation is enlarged. In the other “document” objects, the “creation date” object displayed until then is removed, and only the “title” object is displayed.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of display when a zooming operation is performed on a specific area. That is, when the “region” object 319 is selected from the “page image” object 318 in (a) and the zooming operation is performed, the “region detailed information” object 320 is displayed as shown in (b). The “area detailed information” object 320 includes “image file (URL information)” “title” “thumbnail (URL information)” “key (URL information)” “name” “type” “text” “surrounding text” “ “X0 (position)”, “Y0 (position)”, “X1 (position)”, “Y1 (position)”, and the like are displayed.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment described above, the HTML file for screen display is generated using the XSL file F2 (FIG. 2 and the like). However, in the second embodiment, the XSL file is not used, and Javascript or the like is used. An HTML file for screen display is generated by using a shaping script file and a CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) file. Generation of an HTML file using an XSL file takes a long time for conversion, so it takes a long time to display the screen. However, by using a shaping script file and a CSS file, an HTML file can be generated at high speed. The time until screen display is performed can be shortened.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the first pattern in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 14, an MFP 1 as an image processing apparatus and a client 3 such as a PC operated by a user U are connected via a network.

  The MFP 1 includes a document storage unit 11 that holds document images (main body images, thumbnail images) and bibliographic information (dates, titles, creators, summaries, etc.), and analyzes the contents of the document images (character regions, image regions) Etc.) and an area identification unit 12 for adding information related to the area to the document storage unit 11.

  In addition, the MFP 1 responds to a display request from the browser 31 of the client 3 with an HTML providing unit 16 that provides an HTML file of an operation screen including a login area, a document image held in the document storage unit 11, bibliographic information, and the like. An RSS output unit 13 that generates an RSS feed based on the request and outputs it to the request source, and a script storage unit 141 that holds various script files linked to the RSS feed output from the RSS output unit 13 and provides them according to the request A CSS storage unit 142 that holds the CSS file and provides it in response to a request, and an authentication processing unit 15 that performs a user authentication process.

  The script storage unit 141 holds a mapping script file F31 for each display target list, a shaping script file F32 for each display target list, and a common common zooming script file F33 that does not depend on the display target list.

  The mapping script file F31 corresponds to the print log mapping script file F3a and the FAX log mapping script file F3b in FIG. 3, and is a file that associates a document model such as a FAX log and a print log with a zooming operation.

  The shaping script file F32 is a script file by JavaScript or the like describing the same processing as that performed by the XSL file F2 of FIG. 2, that is, the conversion processing itself from the RSS feed to the HTML file. That is, the layout specified by the CSS file F5 is set corresponding to the document model. Also, it shows how to go back to metadata and detailed images (pages, areas, etc.) according to the model. For example, a relationship such as “/ {$ page no} {$ region no}” can be traced back. In addition, information without access right becomes missing information in the model. In this case, masking can be realized by replacing it with a substitute image or the like.

  The common zooming script file F33 corresponds to the common zooming script file F3c of FIG. 3, and is a basic script for zooming.

  The CSS storage unit 142 holds a CSS file F5 for each display target list linked to the shaping script file F32 of the script storage unit 141.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the second pattern in the second embodiment, in which the authentication processing unit 15 is provided outside the MFP 1. By separating the authentication processing unit 15 from the MFP 1, it is possible to use an existing authentication system arranged on the network, and it is not necessary to newly set user information including authority. Delivery time and cost can be reduced.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the third pattern in the second embodiment. The HTML application unit 16, the script storage unit 141, and the CSS storage unit 142 are cut out from the second pattern illustrated in FIG. 5 is arranged on top. As a result, the MFP 1 only needs to have a function capable of storing documents and outputting an RSS feed. Therefore, the range of models that can be used as the MFP 1 is expanded, and existing products can be used effectively.

  17 to 19 are sequence diagrams showing examples of processing in each of the above patterns.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the first pattern shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 17, when the user U makes a display request to the browser 31 (step S201), the browser 31 acquires the HTML file of the operation screen including the login area from the HTML providing unit 16 and displays it (step S202). .

  On the other hand, when the user U logs in by specifying the user ID, password, etc. to the browser 31 (step S203), the browser 31 requests the authentication processing unit 15 for authentication with the user ID, password, etc. If the authentication is successful, an authentication token is acquired (step S204). If authentication is not successful, an error is returned.

  Next, when the user U performs, for example, a FAX list acquisition operation on the browser 31 (step S205), the browser 31 requests the RSS output unit 13 to acquire an RSS feed with an authentication token (step S206). The RSS output unit 13 asks the authentication processing unit 15 to confirm the authentication token. If the authentication token is confirmed, the RSS output unit 13 acquires user information (step S207), and the RSS output unit 13 outputs an RSS feed to the browser 31 (step S208). . If verification is not successful, an error is returned.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of an RSS feed output to the browser 31 immediately after the authentication, and a description 101 indicating a link to the common zooming script file F33, a description 102 indicating a link to the shaping script file F32, and a mapping A description 103 indicating a link to the script file F31 is included. Also, a description 104 of initial display content is included.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of initial display content included in the RSS feed, in which a plurality of items surrounded by <div>... </ Div> tags are described. The RSS output unit 13 performs filtering of items included in the RSS feed based on the user information obtained by the authentication token confirmation performed in advance by the authentication processing unit 15. That is, in the document storage unit 11, whether to display according to the user authority is set as additional information for each unit of the document, page, and area, and the RSS output unit 13, for example, displays only the items for the document with the browsing authority. Include in feed. In FIG. 21, for example, when the current user does not have the viewing authority for a description 105 of an item, the description 105 of the item is not included in the RSS feed.

  Returning to FIG. 17, the browser 31 sequentially acquires the common zooming script file F33, the shaping script file F32 (including the CSS file F5), and the mapping script file F31 from the RSS output unit 13 based on the description of the link included in the RSS feed. (Steps S209 to S211). Further, a necessary file such as a thumbnail image is acquired from the RSS output unit 13 in accordance with the acquired script content (step S212).

  Next, the browser 31 generates and displays an HTML file based on the acquired common zooming script file F33, shaping script file F32, mapping script file F31, thumbnail image, and the like (step S213). That is, the browser 31 executes the common zooming script file F33, the shaping script file F32 (including the CSS file F5), and the mapping script file F31, thereby generating an HTML file from the RSS feed and displaying it. Note that the generated HTML file includes a zooming object description 303 (FIG. 6) for zooming operation.

  Thereafter, when the user U performs a zooming operation on the browser 31 by a mouse operation or a keyboard operation (step S214), the browser 31 requests the RSS output unit 13 to acquire insufficient information as necessary (step S215). . The insufficient information is, for example, information on the object when it becomes necessary to display an object that was not displayed before the zooming operation.

  The RSS output unit 13 checks the user information and the access right (step S216), and returns an appropriate FAX image, metadata, etc. according to the user information and the access right to the browser 31 (step S217). Then, the browser 31 performs display according to the zooming operation (step S218). Display examples by the zooming operation are the same as those shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of display masking in the process of zooming operation. In the browsing screen 311, a “title” object 313, a “creation date” object 315, a “summary” object 317, a “representative image” object 316, etc. Only those having the viewing authority for the current user are displayed, and the other “creator” object 314, “page image” object 318, etc. are masked and cannot be seen. As a masking method, there are various methods such as completely blanking, mosaic processing, and display in a blurred state.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram showing a processing example of the second pattern shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 18, when the user U makes a display request to the browser 31 (step S221), the browser 31 acquires and displays the HTML file of the operation screen including the login area from the HTML providing unit 16 (step S222). .

  On the other hand, when the user U logs in by specifying the user ID, password, etc. to the browser 31 (step S223), the browser 31 requests the HTML providing unit 16 for authentication with the user ID, password, etc. (Step S224), the HTML providing unit 16 transfers the request to the authentication processing unit 15. If authentication is successful, the HTML providing unit 16 acquires an authentication token (Step S225), and transfers the authentication token to the browser 31 (Step S226). . If authentication is not successful, an error is returned.

  Next, when the user U performs, for example, a FAX list acquisition operation on the browser 31 (step S227), the browser 31 requests the RSS output unit 13 to acquire an RSS feed with an authentication token (step S228). The RSS output unit 13 asks the authentication processing unit 15 to confirm the authentication token. If the authentication token is confirmed, the RSS output unit 13 acquires user information (step S229), and the RSS output unit 13 outputs an RSS feed to the browser 31 (step S230). . If verification is not successful, an error is returned.

  Next, the browser 31 sequentially obtains the common zooming script file F33, the shaping script file F32 (including the CSS file F5), and the mapping script file F31 from the RSS output unit 13 based on the description of the link included in the RSS feed (step). S231 to S233). Further, a necessary file such as a thumbnail image is acquired from the RSS output unit 13 according to the content of the acquired script (step S234).

  Next, the browser 31 generates and displays an HTML file based on the acquired common zooming script file F33, shaping script file F32, mapping script file F31, thumbnail image, and the like (step S235). That is, the browser 31 executes the common zooming script file F33, the shaping script file F32 (including the CSS file F5), and the mapping script file F31, thereby generating an HTML file from the RSS feed and displaying it.

  Thereafter, when the user U performs a zooming operation on the browser 31 by a mouse operation or a keyboard operation (step S236), the browser 31 requests the RSS output unit 13 to acquire insufficient information as necessary (step S237). .

  The RSS output unit 13 checks the user information and the access right (step S238), and returns an appropriate FAX image, metadata, etc. according to the user information and the access right to the browser 31 (step S239). Then, the browser 31 performs display according to the zooming operation (step S240).

  FIG. 19 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing of the third pattern shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 19, when the user U makes a display request to the browser 31 (step S251), the browser 31 acquires and displays an HTML file of the operation screen including the login area from the HTML providing unit 16 (step S252). .

  On the other hand, when the user U logs in by specifying the user ID, password, etc. to the browser 31 (step S253), the browser 31 requests the HTML providing unit 16 for authentication with the user ID, password, etc. (Step S254), the HTML providing unit 16 transfers the request to the authentication processing unit 15. If the request is successfully authenticated, the HTML providing unit 16 acquires an authentication token (Step S255), and transfers the authentication token to the browser 31 (Step S256). . If authentication is not successful, an error is returned.

  Next, when the user U performs, for example, a FAX list acquisition operation on the browser 31 (step S257), the browser 31 requests the HTML providing unit 16 to acquire an RSS feed with an authentication token (step S258). The HTML providing unit 16 asks the authentication processing unit 15 to confirm the authentication token, and if confirmed, obtains user information (step S259), and the HTML providing unit 16 outputs an RSS feed to the browser 31 (step S260). . If verification is not successful, an error is returned.

  Next, the browser 31 sequentially obtains the common zooming script file F33, the shaping script file F32 (including the CSS file F5), and the mapping script file F31 from the HTML providing unit 16 based on the description of the link included in the RSS feed (Steps). S261-S263). Further, a file such as a necessary thumbnail image is acquired from the RSS output unit 13 via the HTML providing unit 16 according to the acquired script content (steps S264 to S266). The browser 31 may acquire a necessary file such as a thumbnail image directly from the RSS output unit 13.

  Next, the browser 31 generates and displays an HTML file based on the acquired common zooming script file F33, shaping script file F32, mapping script file F31, thumbnail image, and the like (step S267). That is, the browser 31 executes the common zooming script file F33, the shaping script file F32 (including the CSS file F5), and the mapping script file F31, thereby generating an HTML file from the RSS feed and displaying it.

  After that, when the user U performs a zooming operation on the browser 31 by a mouse operation or a keyboard operation (step S268), the browser 31 acquires an insufficient information as needed via the HTML providing unit 16 and the RSS output unit 13. (Steps S269 and S270).

  The RSS output unit 13 checks the user information and the access right (step S271), and returns an appropriate FAX image, metadata, etc. according to the user information and the access right to the browser 31 via the HTML providing unit 16 (step S272, S273). The browser 31 may request the RSS output unit 13 directly to acquire the missing information.

  Then, the browser 31 performs display corresponding to the zooming operation (step S274).

  17 to 19, the browser 31 executes the common zooming script file F33, the shaping script file F32 (including the CSS file F5), and the mapping script file F31 to generate an HTML file. Instead, the HTML providing unit 16 generates the HTML file by executing the common zooming script file F33, the shaping script file F32 (including the CSS file F5), and the mapping script file F31, and provides the generated HTML file to the browser 31. It may be.

<Summary>
As described above, the embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages.
(1) Since it is based on RSS distribution, browsing can be performed by a general-purpose browser that is standardly installed in a client such as a PC.
(2) Since you can specify the object displayed on the screen and zoom in / out freely, until you are satisfied with the content you want without disturbing the continuity of work You can browse in detail.
(3) Overall, an efficient browsing operation can be performed.

  The present invention has been described above by the preferred embodiments of the present invention. While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Obviously you can. In other words, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the details of the specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the system concerning the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the flow of information. It is a figure which shows the relationship between various files. It is a figure which shows the example of the hierarchy of RSS feed. It is a figure which shows the example of an RSS feed and an XSL file. It is a figure which shows the example of the description of the block element in the produced | generated HTML file, and a zooming object description. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process example of 1st Embodiment. It is FIG. (1) which shows the example of the screen display with a browser. It is FIG. (2) which shows the example of the screen display with a browser. It is FIG. (3) which shows the example of the screen display with a browser. It is FIG. (4) which shows the example of a screen display with a browser. It is FIG. (5) which shows the example of the screen display with a browser. It is FIG. (6) which shows the example of the screen display with a browser. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the 1st pattern in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the 2nd pattern in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the 3rd pattern in 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process example of a 1st pattern. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process example of a 2nd pattern. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process example of a 3rd pattern. It is a figure which shows the example of the RSS feed output to a browser immediately after authentication. It is a figure which shows the example of the content for initial display contained in an RSS feed. It is a figure which shows the example of the masking of the display in the process of zooming operation.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Document storage part 12 Area | region identification part 13 RSS output part 14 XSL / script storage part 141 Script storage part 142 CSS storage part 15 Authentication processing part 16 HTML provision part 2 Network 3 Client 31 Browser 4 RSS server F1 RSS feed F1a Print log RSS Feed F1b FAX log RSS feed F2 XSL file F2a Print log XSL file F2b FAX log XSL file F3 Zooming script file F3a Print log mapping script file F3b FAX log mapping script file F3c Common zooming script file F4 HTML file F4a Print log HTML file F4b FAX log HTML file F31 Mapping script file F 32 Format script file F33 Common zooming script file F5 CSS file 5 Web application server

Claims (16)

Document storage means for storing document information including scanned images and FAX transmission / reception images by a plurality of users;
Metadata output means for generating and distributing metadata of document information stored in the document storage means;
A display shaping file providing means for providing a display conversion file linked from the metadata;
A zoom processing file providing means for providing a zoom processing file linked from the metadata;
An image processing apparatus comprising: document information providing means for reading out and providing document information requested at the time of display from the document storage means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.
An authentication means for authenticating a user who logs in and providing user information;
The metadata output means generates and distributes metadata about document information with viewing authority according to the user information,
The document information providing means distributes document information with viewing authority according to the user information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The above zooming file is
A mapping script for associating display elements included in the display file converted by the display conversion file with the zooming process;
An image processing apparatus comprising: an event processing script that performs a zooming process on the display element in response to a user operation. In the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
An image processing apparatus characterized in that the document storage means hierarchically manages document information according to components of the document information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4.
The image processing apparatus, wherein the metadata output means distributes the metadata in accordance with a hierarchy of components of document information. In the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image processing apparatus, wherein the metadata is an RSS feed that is an XML-based format. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6.
The image conversion apparatus, wherein the display conversion file is an XSL file for converting and generating the RSS feed into an HTML format. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6.
The image conversion apparatus, wherein the display conversion file is a shaping script file and a CSS file for converting and generating the RSS feed into an HTML format. A document accumulating step for accumulating document information including scanned images and fax transmission / reception images by a plurality of users;
A metadata output process for generating and distributing metadata of the stored document information;
A display shaping file providing step for providing a display conversion file linked from the metadata;
A zooming process file providing step of providing a zooming process file linked from the metadata;
A browsing control method comprising: a document information providing step of reading and providing document information required at the time of display. In the browsing control method according to claim 9,
Further comprising an authentication step of authenticating a logged-in user and providing user information;
The metadata output step generates and distributes metadata about document information with viewing authority according to the user information,
The browsing control method characterized in that the document information providing step distributes document information having browsing authority according to the user information. In the browsing control method according to any one of claims 9 and 10,
The above zooming file is
A mapping script for associating display elements included in the display file converted by the display conversion file with the zooming process;
An browsing control method, comprising: an event processing script that performs a zooming process on the display element in response to a user operation. The browsing control method according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
The browsing control method characterized in that the document storage step hierarchically manages the document information according to the components of the document information. In the browsing control method according to claim 12,
The browsing control method according to claim 1, wherein the metadata output step distributes the metadata according to a hierarchy of components of the document information. In the browsing control method according to any one of claims 9 to 13,
The browsing control method, wherein the metadata is an RSS feed that is an XML-based format. In the browsing control method according to claim 14,
The browsing control method, wherein the display conversion file is an XSL file for converting and generating the RSS feed into an HTML format. In the browsing control method according to claim 14,
The browsing control method, wherein the display conversion file is a shaping script file and a CSS file for converting and generating the RSS feed into an HTML format.