U.S. patent application number 10/929401 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-03 for gateway apparatus and network system.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Haraguchi, Tatsuya, Iwase, Akinori, Ogura, Kazuhiro.
Application Number | 20050027792 10/929401 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18795686 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050027792 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iwase, Akinori ; et
al. |
February 3, 2005 |
Gateway apparatus and network system
Abstract
In a network system, only text data is displayed on a portable
telephone when access is made to a page which is made public on the
Internet by use of the portable telephone. An image of the page and
information indicating a URL of the page are stored into a
predetermined folder according to an instruction for storage of the
page from the portable telephone based on the operation by the
user.
Inventors: |
Iwase, Akinori;
(Yokosuka-shi, JP) ; Haraguchi, Tatsuya;
(Yokohama-shi, JP) ; Ogura, Kazuhiro;
(Kawasaki-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA
|
Family ID: |
18795686 |
Appl. No.: |
10/929401 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10929401 |
Aug 31, 2004 |
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09943067 |
Aug 31, 2001 |
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6799178 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/200 ;
707/E17.121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 707/99944 20130101;
G06F 16/9577 20190101; Y10S 707/99943 20130101; H04L 67/2842
20130101; H04L 67/2895 20130101; H04L 67/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/200 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 17, 2000 |
JP |
2000-316786 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A network system having a server and an image forming apparatus,
characterized in that the server comprises: first communication
means for interfacing with a mobile terminal; second communication
means for acquiring data of a page which is made public on a
network in response to a request from the first communication means
for acquiring a page which is made public on the network; and
control means for storing data of a page acquired by the second
communication means in the predetermined storage location where the
mobile terminal instructs storage of data of the page and the image
forming apparatus comprises: third communication means for
acquiring data of the page acquired by the server from the network,
from the storage location; and printing means for printing on an
image forming medium based on the data of page acquired by the
third communication means.
2. A network system according to claim 1, wherein the control means
further extracts data that can be displayed by the mobile terminal
from the data of the page acquired by the second communication
means and transmits it to the mobile terminal using the first
communication means.
3. A network system according to claim 1, wherein the server
further comprises storage means for storing information in relation
to the mobile terminal, the control means further executes
authentication processing on the mobile terminal, on the basis of
authentication data supplied by the first communication means from
the mobile terminal and information stored in the storage means,
and when the control means stores the data of the page, the control
means judges a storage location corresponding to the mobile
terminal authenticated by the authentication processing based on
the storage means, and stores the data of the page in the storage
location.
4. A network system according to claim 1, wherein the control means
stores access information to the page in the storage location,
together with the data of page acquired from the network, the image
forming apparatus further comprises operating means into which a
user inputs instructions for operation, the printing means prints
data of the page stored in the storage location where print of data
of a stored page is instructed by the operating means, and the
printing means prints the present page, accessing the present page
in accordance with the access information stored in the storage
location, the printing of the present page among the pages stored
in the storage location being instructed by the operating
means.
5. A network system according to claim 1, wherein the control means
optimizes the data of the page acquired by the network and storing
the data in the storage location.
6. A network system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming
apparatus further comprises image processing means for optimizing
the data of the page acquired from the network.
7. A network system according to claim 1, further comprising
storage means for storing user information, wherein, when acquiring
data from the storage location, user authentication is executed
based on user information stored in the storage means and
information input by the user.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/943,067, filed Aug. 31, 2001, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2000-316786, filed Oct. 17, 2000, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to a gateway apparatus used for
connecting a mobile terminal such as a portable telephone
permitting a Web page and home page which is made public on the
Internet to be read and a network system including the gateway
apparatus.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Recently, mobile terminals such as portable telephones are
widely used. Some of the mobile terminals have display sections
constructed by small-sized liquid crystal display units and have
electronic mail transmission/reception functions or Internet
connection functions in addition to portable telephone
communication functions.
[0007] On the Internet, a lot of Web server apparatuses provide
various pages. Most of the pages are created on the assumption that
they will be displayed on a display of a personal computer and
there are not so many pages which are provided for mobile terminals
such as portable telephones. Further, pages other than the pages
for the mobile terminals are often formed by use of image data
having an extremely large data amount in comparison with text
data.
[0008] Therefore, the following problems occur when pages other
than the pages for the mobile terminals on Internet are read or
observed by use of the mobile terminal such as the portable
telephone.
[0009] (1) Since the mobile terminal has only a small display
section, the page created on the assumption that it is displayed on
the display section of the personal computer is difficult to be
displayed on the display section of the mobile terminal.
[0010] (2) Since the memory capacity of a memory provided in the
mobile terminal is small, the memory capacity becomes insufficient
in some cases if a page created by use of image data having a large
data amount is simply received and stored therein.
[0011] (3) In the mobile terminal such as the portable telephone, a
charging system for making a charge according to a data amount of
transmitted/received data is applied in many cases and if a page of
a large data amount is received, communication traffic is
increased, thereby causing the communication speed to be lowered or
the communication cost to be raised. Further, if data of the page
which cannot be displayed is fetched into the mobile terminal, the
communication cost becomes wasteful for the reasons described in
the above items (1), (2).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] As described above, this invention has been made to solve
the problem that communication traffic is increased and the
communication cost becomes often wasteful if a page of a large data
amount which is provided on Internet and is difficult to be
displayed on the mobile terminal is fetched into the mobile
terminal and an object of this invention is to provide a gateway
apparatus and network system capable of displaying only displayable
information on the mobile terminal and effectively utilizing
information on Internet by use of a portable telephone while
suppressing an increase in the communication traffic and preventing
occurrence of the wasteful communication cost when a page provided
on Internet is read by use of the mobile terminal.
[0013] Further, another object of this invention is to provide a
network system capable of giving the contents of a page which
cannot be displayed on the mobile terminal to the user by printing
the same by use of an image forming apparatus and providing an
image which satisfies the requirement of the user by printing the
image of a page obtained at the time of access by use of the mobile
terminal or printing the newest contents of a page accessed by the
mobile terminal in a case where the contents of the page is printed
by use of the image forming apparatus.
[0014] A gateway apparatus according to one aspect of this
invention having a function of being connected to a mobile terminal
and a function of being connected to a network, comprises a modem
which makes data communication via the network; an interface which
makes data communication with a mobile terminal; and a controller
which extracts only data to be transmitted to the mobile terminal
from a page which is made public on the network according to a
request from the mobile terminal, transmits the extracted data to
the mobile terminal and causes the entire page to be stored into a
predetermined storage location if an instruction for storage of the
entire page is issued from the mobile terminal.
[0015] A network system according to another aspect of this
invention comprises a first apparatus having a function of being
connected to a mobile terminal and a function of being connected to
a network; and a second apparatus capable of making data
communication with the first apparatus; wherein the first apparatus
includes a modem which makes data communication via the network, an
interface which makes data communication with a mobile terminal,
and a controller which extracts only data to be transmitted to the
mobile terminal from a page which is made public on the network
according to a request from the mobile terminal, transmits the
extracted data to the mobile terminal and transmits data of the
entire page and information indicating a predetermined storage
location if an instruction for storage of the page is issued from
the mobile terminal and the second apparatus includes a memory
section which stores data of the entire page transmitted from the
first apparatus into the storage location specified by the first
apparatus.
[0016] A data processing method according to still another aspect
of this invention which is used by a gateway apparatus having a
modem connected to a network and an interface which makes data
communication with a mobile terminal, comprises downloading page
data which is made public on the network by use of the modem
according to a request from the mobile terminal connected via the
interface; extracting only data to be transmitted to the mobile
terminal from the page data downloaded in the above step;
transmitting the data extracted in the above step to the mobile
terminal; and causing data of the entire page to be stored into a
predetermined storage location when an instruction for storage of
the entire page is issued from the mobile terminal.
[0017] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
embodiments of the invention, and together with the general
description given above and the detailed description of the
embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic construction of a
network system according to an embodiment of this invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic construction
of a portable telephone;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the schematic construction
of a gateway server;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the schematic construction
of an Internet binder;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the schematic construction
of a digital multifunctional peripheral (MFP);
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of an address information database;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of a storage destination specifying database;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of a received mail database;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of a user information database;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of a storage destination database;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of a storage file information database;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of a printer information database;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of a printing history database;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a page provided
on the Internet by a Web server;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a display example when the
contents of the page shown in FIG. 14 are displayed on the portable
telephone;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a first page when
the page of FIG. 14 is optimized to a preset size;
[0035] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a second page
when the page of FIG. 14 is optimized to a preset size;
[0036] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example by a display
section of the portable telephone;
[0037] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a display example by the
display section of the portable telephone;
[0038] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a display example by the
display section of the portable telephone;
[0039] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a display example by a display
section of the MFP;
[0040] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a display example by the
display section of the MFP;
[0041] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a display example by the
display section of the MFP;
[0042] FIG. 24 is a diagram for illustrating data
transmitted/received between the portable telephone, gateway server
and Internet binder;
[0043] FIG. 25 is a flowchart for illustrating the process of the
gateway server; and
[0044] FIG. 26 is a diagram for illustrating data
transmitted/received between the Internet binder and MFP.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0045] There will now be described an embodiment of this invention
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0046] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic construction of a
network system according to an embodiment of this invention. As
shown in FIG. 1, the network system includes a portable telephone
(mobile terminal) 1, gateway server (gateway apparatus, first
apparatus) 2, Internet binder (second apparatus) 3, digital
multifunctional processor (MFP, image forming apparatus) 4, user PC
5, Web server 6 and the like.
[0047] The portable telephone 1 is connected to the Internet
(network) via the gateway server 2. Therefore, the portable
telephone 1 can access or read a home page or Web page (which is
hereinafter simply referred to as a page) provided by the Web
server on the Internet via the gateway server 2.
[0048] In the present embodiment, the portable telephone 1 is
explained as a mobile terminal, but this is not limitative and a
mobile terminal such as a mobile mail terminal or PDA (personal
digital assistant) which can be connected to the Internet can also
be used as the mobile terminal in the same manner.
[0049] The gateway server 2 is a gateway apparatus consisting of a
computer or the like. The gateway server 2 connects the portable
telephone 1 with the Internet 6.
[0050] The Internet binder 3 is an apparatus constructed by a
computer. The Internet binder 3 transmits or receives data to or
from a device such as the gateway server 2, MFP 4, user PC 5 via
the Internet. Further, the Internet binder 3 holds (stores) data of
a file, for example, received via the Internet.
[0051] The MFP 4 is a digital copying machine including a printing
device (printer) and image reading device (scanner) and is
connected to a public communication line. The MFP 4 is thus
connected to the Internet to transmit or receive data via the
Internet. Further, the MFP 4 includes a liquid crystal display 43
containing a touch panel.
[0052] The user PC 5 is a personal computer (PC) for the user and
is connected to the Internet.
[0053] The Web server 6 is a server apparatus existing on the
Internet to provide (make public) a home page or Web page on the
Internet. The above pages are constructed by a file described in
HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). Each page is assigned with a URL
(Uniform Resource Locator) for specifying the page. The device
which is connected to the Internet downloads the page by specifying
the URL and permits the user to read the same.
[0054] Further, in the Web server 6, each page specified by the URL
may be updated by the operator of the Web server 6 in some cases.
Therefore, the page downloaded on the Internet in the past does not
always coincide with the present (newest) page specified by the
URL. In a case where the downloaded page is read, the stored page
can be read by temporarily storing the downloaded page and then
reading out the stored page, but if the present page specified by
the URL is read, it becomes necessary to specify the URL, newly
download the page and then read the same.
[0055] Next, the construction of the portable telephone 1 is
explained.
[0056] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the schematic construction
of the portable telephone. As shown in FIG. 2, the portable
telephone 1 includes a control section 11, display section 12,
operating section 13, memory 14, receiving section 15, transmitting
section 16, communication control section 17, antenna section 18
and power supply section 19.
[0057] The control section 11 controls the whole portable telephone
1. The display section 12 consists of a liquid crystal display unit
to display various messages. The operating section 13 includes
various types of keys such as a ten-key pad, and a cursor key to
input operation instructions.
[0058] The memory 14 includes a storage section used for storing
preset data such as a control program and user information and a
storage section used for temporarily storing various information,
control data and the like. The receiving section 15 is a speaker
for outputting a voice when conversation is made by use of the
telephone function. The transmitting section 16 is a microphone for
inputting a voice when conversation is made by use of the telephone
function.
[0059] The communication control section 17 controls communication
with an external device via the antenna section 18. The power
supply section 19 consists of a battery, for example, and supplies
electric power to various sections of the portable telephone 1.
[0060] Next, the construction of the gateway server 2 is
explained.
[0061] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the schematic construction of
the gateway server 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the gateway server 2
includes a controller 21, memory 22, hard disk drive (HDD) 23,
modem 24, portable telephone interface 25 and the like.
[0062] The controller 21 uses a CPU. The controller 21 controls all
operations of the gateway server 2 and is operated according to a
program which is previously stored. The memory 22 is used to
temporarily store various information items and control data when
the controller 21 is operated.
[0063] The HDD 23 has previously set information stored therein and
stores various data items when the gateway server 2 is operated.
Further, the HDD 23 includes databases 23a, 23b, 23c which will be
described later. The modem 24 is an interface for connection with
the Internet. The portable telephone interface 25 is an interface
for connection with the portable telephone.
[0064] Next, the construction of the Internet binder 3 is
explained.
[0065] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the schematic construction of
the Internet binder 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the Internet binder 3
includes a controller 31, memory 32, hard disk drive (HDD) 33,
modem 34 and the like.
[0066] The controller 31 uses a CPU. The controller 31 controls the
whole operation of the Internet binder 3 and is operated according
to a program which is previously stored. The memory 32 is used to
temporarily store various information items and control data when
the controller 31 is operated. The HDD 33 stores various data items
of files, for example. The HDD 33 includes databases 33a, 33b, 33c,
33d, 33e which will be described later. The modem 34 is an
interface connected to the Internet.
[0067] Next, the schematic construction of the digital
multifunctional processor 4 is explained.
[0068] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the schematic construction of
the digital multifunctional processor 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the
digital multifunctional processor 4 includes a controller 41,
memory 42, display section 43, operating section 44, scanner 45,
image processing section 46, printer 47, modem 48 and the like and
the respective constituting elements are connected to one another
via a bus 49 with the controller 41 set at the center.
[0069] The controller 41 uses a CPU. The controller 41 controls the
whole operation of the digital multifunctional processor 4 and is
operated according to a program which is previously stored. The
memory 42 is used to temporarily store various information items
and control data when the controller 41 is operated. The display
section 43 is a display constructed by a liquid crystal display
device containing a touch panel 43a. The operating section 44
includes hard keys such as a ten-key pad, cursor key and copy start
key. Various operations in the digital multifunctional processor 4
are effected by use of the hard keys of the operating section 44
and the touch panel 43a.
[0070] The scanner 45 optically scans a document and converts a
document image into image data. The image processing section 46
subjects the image data to various processes. The printer 47 prints
image data on paper. As the printer 47, various types of printers
such as an electrophotographic printer or ink jet type printer may
be considered, but in this embodiment, it is assumed that the
electrophotographic printer is used. The modem 48 is an interface
for connection with Internet.
[0071] In the above network configuration, the gateway server 2 and
Internet binder 3 are separately provided, but the storage
destination of data which the Internet binder 3 stores may be
provided in the gateway server 2 and the gateway server 2 can have
the function of the Internet binder 3.
[0072] Next, the database managed by the gateway server 2 is
explained. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the
configuration of the address information database 23a stored in the
HDD 23 of the gateway server 2. The address information database
23a indicates information of the user corresponding to the account
name and an address of the portable telephone of the user.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 6, the address information database 23a
contains items of an account name, an address of a portable
telephone, password, user ID and the like.
[0074] In the item of the account name, an account name given to
each user is recorded. In the item of the address of the portable
telephone, an address of the portable telephone of the user
corresponding to the account name is recorded.
[0075] In the item of the password, a password given to the user is
recorded. In the item of the user ID, a user ID given to the user
is recorded. The user ID may be the same as the account name or may
be different from the account name.
[0076] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of the storage destination specifying database 23b stored in the
HDD 23 of the gateway server 2. The storage destination specifying
database 23b specifies a storage destination of data previously
specified with respect to the account name.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 7, the storage destination specifying
database 23b contains items of an account name and a folder name of
the Internet binder.
[0078] In the item of the account name, an account name given to
each user is recorded. In the item of the folder name of the
Internet binder, a folder name in the HDD 33 of the Internet binder
3 which is specified according to the account name is recorded. The
folder name indicates a storage location used when image data of
the downloaded page or mail addressed to the user corresponding to
the account name is stored in the Internet binder 3.
[0079] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of the received data database 23c stored in the HDD 23 of the
gateway server 2. The received data database 23c records the
history of received data such as pages downloaded by the gateway
server 2.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 8, the received data database 23c is
constructed by items of a serial number, account name, page data
file, URL, transfer text file and the like.
[0081] In the item of the serial number, a consecutive number as
the serial number is recorded. The serial number is a number given
in a recording order of a corresponding item. In the item of the
account name, an account name given to each user is recorded. In
the item of the page data file, a file of page data is recorded
when the downloaded page is stored as image data. In the item of
the URL, a URL of the page recorded in the item of the page data
file on the Internet is recorded.
[0082] In the item of the text file, a text file consisting only of
text data extracted from the page downloaded by the gateway server
2 is recorded. The file consists only of text data. The text file
is a file of data transferred to the portable telephone 1 when the
page is accessed or read via the gateway server 2 by use of the
portable telephone 1.
[0083] Next, a database managed by the Internet binder 3 is
explained.
[0084] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of the user information database 33a stored in the HDD 33 of the
Internet binder 3. In the user information database 33a, data used
for authenticating the user when an external device is connected to
the Internet binder 3 is stored.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 9, the user information database 33a
consists of items of an account name, full name, password, user ID
and the like.
[0086] In the item of the account name, an account name given to
each user is recorded. In the item of the full name, the name (full
name) of the user is recorded. In the item of the password, a
password given to the user is recorded. In the item of the user ID,
a user ID of the user corresponding to the account name is
recorded.
[0087] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of the storage destination database 33b stored in the HDD 33 of the
Internet binder 3. In the storage destination database 33b, a
predetermined folder name with respect to the account name is
recorded.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 10, the storage destination database 33b
consists of an account name, folder name and the like.
[0089] In the item of the account name, an account name given to
each user is recorded. In the item of the folder name, a folder
name in which user data corresponding to the account name is stored
is recorded. For example, in the folder, image data of a page
downloaded by the gateway server 2 according to the operation of
the portable telephone by the user is recorded.
[0090] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of the storage file information database 33c stored in the HDD 33
of the Internet binder 3. The storage file information database 33c
indicates the contents of data stored in each folder of the HDD
33.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 11, the storage file information database
33c consists of a serial number, account name, folder name, page
data file, URL, and the like.
[0092] In the item of the serial number, a consecutive number as a
serial number is recorded. The serial number is a number given in a
recording order of corresponding items. In the item of the account
name, an account name given to each user is recorded. In the item
of the folder name, a folder name in the HDD 33 for recording data
received by the user corresponding to the account name is
recorded.
[0093] In the item of the page data file, a file of image data of a
page downloaded by the gateway server 2 according to the operation
by the user corresponding to the account name is recorded. In the
item of the URL, the URL of a page recorded in the item of the page
data file on the Internet is recorded. In the item of the page data
file or URL, information indicating one of the page data file and
URL which is utilized by the user is recorded.
[0094] The user information database 33a, storage destination
database 33b and storage file information database 33c are
databases used by the Internet binder 3 to manage image data of the
page and URL of the page.
[0095] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of the printer information database 33d stored in the HDD 33 of the
Internet binder 3. The printer information database 33d determines
a printer which can be used by the Internet binder 3. Further, in
the printer information database 33d, the functions of the
available printer are indicated.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 12, the printer information database 33d
consists of an available printer name, address of the printer,
printer ability and the like.
[0097] In the item of the available printer name, an available
printer name or names are recorded. In the item of the address of
the printer, an address indicating the location of the printer
recorded in the item of the available printer name on the network
is recorded. In the item of the printer ability, information
indicating the ability of the printer recorded in the item of the
available printer name is recorded. For example, as the ability of
the printer, information indicating color or monochrome printing,
printing resolution, printable paper size and the like is
recorded.
[0098] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration
of the printing history database 33e stored in the HDD 33 of the
Internet binder 3. The printing history database 33e indicates the
data printing history stored in the Internet binder 3. Therefore,
data indicating the printing history is recorded in the printing
history database 33e each time printing is performed.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 13, the printing history database 33e
contains items of an account name, printer name, time of use of the
printer and the like.
[0100] In the item of the account name, an account name given to a
user who has used the printer is recorded. In the item of the
printer name, the name of the printer used for printing is
recorded. In the item of the time of use, time at which printing
has been done (time at which the printer has been used) is
recorded.
[0101] Next, a case wherein access is made from the portable
telephone to a page provided by the Web server is explained.
[0102] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a page 70
provided by the Web server 6 on the Internet. The page 70 shown in
FIG. 14 is constructed by a banner "1" 71, banner "2" 72, text 73,
advertisement banner 74 and the like. The page 70 provided on the
Internet is created by assuming that it will be displayed on
displays of personal computers.
[0103] The page is formed in HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), for
example. The banner "1" 71, banner "2" 72 and advertisement banner
74 are formed to carry advertisements and are created as image
information. The text 73 is formed by use of a character code.
[0104] The page is provided with a URL on the Internet and the Web
server is permitted access to it, 6 by specifying the URL.
[0105] Assume now that the user specifies the URL by use of the
portable telephone 1 to access the page provided by the Web server
6 via the gateway server 2. In this case, the entire page of the
specified URL cannot be displayed on the display section 12 of the
portable telephone 1. Therefore, the gateway server 2 extracts only
text data from the page of the accessed URL and transfers the same
to the portable telephone 1. As a result, the portable telephone 1
displays only the text data in the page of the specified URL on the
display section 12.
[0106] For example, if the URL of the page 70 as shown in FIG. 14
is accessed from the portable telephone 1 via the gateway server 2,
the gateway server 2 extracts only the text 73 as text data from
the page 70 and transfers the same to the portable telephone 1.
Further, the gateway server 2 transfers information indicating that
no text is present to the portable telephone if no text data is
extracted from data of the downloaded page.
[0107] That is, the gateway server 2 distinguishes image data and
text data while downloading the page of the URL specified by the
portable telephone 1 and extracts the text data. In this case, the
gateway server 2 determines data received in the form of image data
such as gif, jpg, for example, as image data and determines data
based on character data such as a character code as text data.
[0108] As described above, the gateway server 2 extracts only text
data from the page of the specified URL and transfers the same to
the portable telephone 1 when the URL is specified from the
portable telephone 1. As a result, data of an amount which cannot
be displayed on the display of the portable telephone is not
transferred, no wasteful communication traffic occurs and only
displayable data can be efficiently displayed on the portable
telephone.
[0109] Next, a case wherein the page accessed by the portable
telephone 1 is printed by use of the MFP 4 is explained.
[0110] FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrams showing print examples when the
page 70 shown in FIG. 14 is printed by the MFP 4.
[0111] Assume now that the user specifies a desired URL by use of
the portable telephone 1 to access a page provided by the Web
server 6 via the gateway server 2. Then, as described above, the
gateway server 2 transfers only text data of the page of the
specified URL to the portable telephone 1. Therefore, only the text
data of the page of the specified URL is displayed on the display
section 12 of the portable telephone 1 as shown in FIG. 15.
[0112] Further, if the user specifies storage of the page on the
portable telephone 1 side, the portable telephone 1 makes a request
of storage of the page with respect to the gateway server 2. In
response to the request, the gateway server 2 performs the process
for storing the page which is specified to be stored from the
portable telephone. When receiving the page storage request from
the portable telephone, the gateway server 2 stores the image data
of the downloaded page and the URL of the page in the Internet
binder 3. At this time, the image data of the downloaded page is
converted into image data which is optimized to be efficiently
accommodated in a preset size and then stored into the Internet
binder 3.
[0113] The image data of the page stored in the Internet binder 3
by the above storage process (the image of the page at the time of
storage) or the image of the page specified by the URL (the image
of the present page) can be read out and printed on paper by the
MFP 4.
[0114] FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrams showing print examples when the
page shown in FIG. 14 is printed by the MFP 4.
[0115] For example, if it is assumed that the page 70 shown in FIG.
14 is printed in an A4 size or B5 size, the image of the page 70 is
converted (optimized) to be accommodated in a preset size, for
example, A4 size or B5 size as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. The
optimized image is printed on A4 size or B5 paper by the MFP 4.
[0116] That is, when receiving an instruction for storage of the
entire page from the user who accessed the URL by use of the
portable telephone, the gateway server 2 stores the image data of
the downloaded page and the URL of the page into the Internet
binder 3. After this, if the user attempts to print the image of
the page stored in the Internet binder 3 or the image of the
present page by use of the MFP 4, the image of the stored page or
the image of the present page based on the URL is printed by
operating the MFP 4.
[0117] As a result, the image data of the page printed by the MFP 4
has been optimized according to a preset size by the gateway server
2. That is, the image of the page stored in the Internet binder 3
is optimized by the gateway server 2 when it is stored into the
Internet binder 3. Further, in a case where the image of the
present page based on the URL is printed, the gateway server 2
downloads the page from the URL when a printing instruction is made
by the MFP 4 and then the image is optimized by the gateway server
2 when the downloaded data is transmitted to the MFP 4.
[0118] As described above, in this embodiment, the preset size
optimized is a predetermined size, but this is not limitative and
the size can be optimized to a size which the user specifies by use
of the portable telephone 1 or MFP 4.
[0119] FIGS. 16 and 17 are diagrams showing examples when the page
shown in FIG. 14 is optimized according to a preset size. The
gateway server 2 forms image data by enlarging or reducing
constituting elements of the page, or re-arranging them to change
the layout and efficiently arrange them in a preset size.
[0120] In the example shown in FIG. 14, the banner "1" 71, banner
"2" 72 and advertisement banner 74 are downloaded as image data and
the text 73 is downloaded as character data such as a character
code.
[0121] When a page having the constituting elements formed of the
image data and the constituting elements formed of the text data is
optimized, the gateway server 2 enlarges or reduces the
constituting elements of the image data and efficiently arranges
them to accommodate them in a preset size. Further, the gateway
server 2 determines an area in which the text data of the page is
arranged and arrange the text document in the area.
[0122] For example, when the image of the page 70 shown in FIG. 14
is optimized as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the gateway server 2
changes magnification of the length of the banner "1" 71 in the
lateral direction so that the length of the banner in the lateral
direction can be accommodated in the length in the lateral
direction of an area P1 of preset size. The thus changed banner "1"
71a is arranged in the upper portion of the area P1 of preset
size.
[0123] Further, the gateway server 2 changes magnification of the
length of the banner "2" 72 in the longitudinal direction so that
the length of the banner "2" 72 in the longitudinal direction can
be accommodated in a space of the area P1 in which the banner "1"
71 has been arranged. The thus changed banner "2" 72a is arranged
in the left-side portion of the space of the area P1 in which the
banner "1" 71 has been arranged.
[0124] Next, the gateway server 2 determines an area in which the
text 73 is displayed in a space of the area P1 in which the banner
"1" 71a and banner "2" 72a have been arranged. The area in which
the text 73 is displayed is acquired on the right side of the
banner "2" 72a. In this case, the text which cannot be accommodated
in the space of the area P1 of preset size is arranged in an area
P2 of preset size. Thus, an image having the banner "1" 71a, banner
"2" 72a and text 73b arranged as image data of the first page is
formed in the area P1 of preset size. Further, a text 73c which
cannot be accommodated in the area P1 of preset size is arranged in
the upper position of the area P2 of preset size as image data of
the second page.
[0125] Finally, the gateway server 2 determines the position in
which the advertisement banner 74 is arranged. The advertisement
banner 74 is arranged in a space of the area P2 in which the text
73c has been arranged. In this case, the gateway server 2 changes
magnification of the length of the advertisement banner 74 in the
lateral direction so that it can be accommodated in the length of
preset size in the lateral direction. The thus changed
advertisement banner 74a is arranged in a position directly below
the text 73c. As a result, the text 73c and advertisement banner
74a are arranged in the area P2 of preset size.
[0126] As described above, the gateway server 2 stores an image of
the page which is optimized according to the paper size used in the
MFP 4 into the Internet binder 3 when an instruction for storage of
the page is issued from the portable telephone. The MFP reads out
and prints a stored and optimized image. Thus, the MFP 4 can
provide a printed image obtained by printing the page accessed by
the portable telephone in an optimized form for the user.
[0127] Further, when the URL is specified by the MFP 4, the gateway
server 2 downloads the present page of the URL, optimizes the
downloaded page according to the paper size used in the MFP 4 and
then transmits the same to the MFP 4. The MFP 4 receives the image
of the optimized page from the gateway server 2 and prints the
same. Thus, a printed image obtained by printing the page of the
URL specified by the MFP in an optimized form can be provided for
the user.
[0128] Next, a display example displayed on the display section 12
of the portable telephone 1 is explained.
[0129] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a display example of a log-in
screen displayed on the display section 12 when log-in is made from
the portable telephone 1 to the Internet via the gateway server 2.
In the log-in screen of FIG. 18, a user ID input column, password
input column, selection column of "OK" and the like are
displayed.
[0130] On the above display screen, the user inputs the user ID and
password by operating the operating section 13. At this time, data
items input as the user ID and password are displayed on the
respective input columns. If the user ID and password are
satisfied, the user selects "OK". As a result, the portable
telephone 1 starts the process for connection to the Internet via
the gateway server 2.
[0131] FIG. 19 shows an example in which an address (URL) input
screen is displayed which is used for accessing a page provided by
the Web server 6 on the Internet from the portable telephone 1
after the portable telephone 1 logs in the gateway server 3.
[0132] In the display example shown in FIG. 19, an address (URL)
input column and "OK" selection column are displayed. On the above
display screen, the user inputs an address by operating the
operating section 13. At this time, the URL input as the address is
displayed in the address input column. If the address displayed in
the input column is satisfied, the user selects "OK". As a result,
the portable telephone 1 starts the process for connection to the
URL via the gateway server 2.
[0133] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example in which the page of
an address specified on the address input screen is displayed on
the display section 12 of the portable telephone 1.
[0134] In the display example shown in FIG. 20, only the text of
the page specified on the address input screen is displayed on the
display section 12.
[0135] On the display screen shown in FIG. 20, if the user
specifies a "storage" selection column, the gateway server 2
optimizes the downloaded page according to the preset size. The
optimized image data and information indicating the URL are stored
in the Internet binder 3.
[0136] At this time, it is assumed that the storage destination in
the Internet binder 3 is previously set for each user by the
storage destination specifying table 23b. Further, in this case,
the folder name of the storage destination is fixedly set by a
predetermined folder, but it is possible for the user to specify
the folder of the storage destination by use of the portable
telephone 1. At this time, the folder name of the storage
destination is instructed together with storage of information to
be stored from the portable telephone 1 to the gateway server 2. In
the Internet binder 3 which has received the above instruction,
data received from the gateway server 2 is stored into the
specified folder irrespective of the predetermined folder.
[0137] Next, a case wherein the image of the present page in the
URL or the image of the page stored in the Internet binder 3 is
printed by the MFP 4 is explained.
[0138] FIGS. 21 to 23 are diagrams showing display examples of the
display section 43 of the MFP 4 when the attached file is printed
by use of the MFP 4.
[0139] First, the user inputs a user ID and password by operating
the touch panel 43a and operating section 44 when the image of the
present page in the URL or the image of the page stored in the
Internet binder 3 is printed by use of the MFP 4.
[0140] FIG. 21 shows a display example of an input screen of the
user ID and password. On the input screen shown in FIG. 21, a user
ID input column and password input column are displayed on the
display section 43 and a "return" key and "log-in" key are
displayed by a touch panel 43a. While the above input screen is
being displayed, the user inputs a user ID and password. Then, if
the input user ID and password meet the requirement, the user
touches the "log-in" key by use of the touch panel 43a.
[0141] Then, the controller 41 of the MFP 4 transmits the user ID
and password as log-in data to the Internet binder 3 by use of the
modem 48. In the Internet binder 3, the user authentication process
is effected by use of the log-in data received based on the user
information table 33a. If the user is authenticated by the user
authentication process, the Internet binder 3 makes connection with
the MFP 4. The Internet binder 3 which has made connection with the
MFP 4 reads out a page data file and URL by use of the table 33c
based on the user ID transmitted from the MFP 4. Then, the Internet
binder 3 transmits the file name of the readout page data file and
URL to the MFP 4.
[0142] Then, as shown in FIG. 22, the MFP 4 displays a selection
screen (document selection screen) used for selecting a page to be
printed on the display section 43 based on the received file name
and URL. On the selection screen, file names are displayed on the
touch panel 43a as titles used for specifying the page and URL of
the page. The user selects the page displayed on the selection
screen by use of the touch panel 43a and then touches the
"selection" key.
[0143] Then, the MFP 4 displays a print setting screen as shown in
FIG. 23 on the display section 43. On the print setting screen,
various settings at the time of printing are made and whether an
image of the page at the time of storage or an image of the present
page based on the URL is printed as a page to be printed is
determined.
[0144] For example, on the print setting screen shown in FIG. 23, a
"storage-time" key 81 and "present" key 82 can be selected by use
of the touch panel 43a. The "storage-time" key 81 is used for
instructing printing of a page obtained when the page is downloaded
from the Web server 6. Further, the "present" key 82 is used for
instructing printing of the newest page according to the URL
instead of the page obtained when the page is downloaded from the
Web server 6.
[0145] That is, there is always a possibility that the page
provided on the Internet by the Web server 6 is updated. Therefore,
even if the page is a page specified by the same URL, the contents
of the page at the actual downloading time and the contents of the
present page are different from each other in some cases. For
example, there is a strong possibility that a page of news or
weather forecast may be frequently updated. There seems a
possibility that the user who has accessed such a page by use of
the portable telephone 1 wants to see either the page displayed at
the access time or the newest page.
[0146] That is, in a case where the user wants to see the news
displayed when access is made by use of the portable telephone 1,
the user cannot get information which he wants to get in some cases
even if the newest page is printed, but the user can get
information which he wants to get if the page at the time of access
is printed.
[0147] Further, in a case where the user wants to get the newest
information such as weather forecast or traffic information, the
newest information cannot be obtained in some cases if the page
downloaded at the time of access by use of the portable telephone 1
is printed, but the user can get the newest information if the
newest information is printed based on the URL.
[0148] As described above, in a case where a page is printed by the
MFP 4 after the page provided by the Web server 6 is accessed by
use of the portable telephone 1, it is permitted to select printing
of the page obtained at the time of access or printing of the
newest page. Therefore, the contents of the page satisfying the
user's requirement can be printed.
[0149] Next, data transmitted/received between the portable
telephone 1, gateway server 2 and Internet binder 3 is
explained.
[0150] FIG. 24 is a diagram for illustrating data
transmitted/received between the portable telephone 1, gateway
server 2 and Internet binder 3. Further, FIG. 25 is a flowchart for
illustrating the process of the gateway server 2. In this example,
the operation for storing a URL specified by the portable telephone
1 and information of the page of the URL into the Internet binder 3
is explained.
[0151] First, the user selects a function of connection to Internet
on a menu screen (not shown) of the portable telephone 1. Then, the
portable telephone 1 makes a connection request to the gateway
server 2 so as to be connected to the Internet. Thus, if the
portable telephone 1 makes a request for connection (step S1), the
gateway server 2 transfers a log-in screen to be displayed on the
display section 12 of the portable telephone 1 as shown in FIG. 18
to the portable telephone 1 (step S2).
[0152] When the portable telephone 1 receives the log-in screen
from the gateway server 2, it displays the log-in screen as shown
in FIG. 18 on the display section 12 and suggests inputting the
user ID and password to the user. If the user inputs the user ID
and password on the log-in screen, the portable telephone 1
transmits log-in data to the gateway server 2 based on the input
user ID and password (step S3).
[0153] When receiving the log-in data from the portable telephone
1, the gateway server 2 determines permission or non-permission of
the log-in according to whether or not the received user ID and
password coincide with the user ID and password recorded on the
address information database 23a. If the log-in is permitted in the
above determination step, the gateway server 2 determines that
connection with the portable telephone 1 is set up and the process
for connection with the portable telephone 1 is completed (step
G1).
[0154] If it is determined in the above determining step that the
log-in of the portable telephone 1 is permitted, the gateway server
2 transfers an address input screen to be displayed on the display
section 12 of the portable telephone 1 as shown in FIG. 19 to the
portable telephone 1 (step S4).
[0155] When receiving the address input screen from the gateway
server 2, the portable telephone 1 displays the address input
screen as shown in FIG. 19 on the display section 12 and suggests
inputting an address (URL) to the user. If the user inputs a URL on
the address input screen, the portable telephone 1 transmits the
input URL to the gateway server 2 (step S5).
[0156] When receiving the URL from the portable telephone 1 (step
G2), the gateway server 2 accesses the page of the URL and
downloads the page (step G3). When downloading the page, the
gateway server 2 extracts only text data from data of the
downloaded page and forms a file of text data (step G4). When
extraction of text data from the entire page is completed, the
gateway server 2 transmits the extracted text data as the display
contents to the portable telephone 1 (step S6, step G5). At this
time, the gateway server 2 transmits a message indicating that
there is no text as the display contents to the portable telephone
1 if no text data is extracted from the page at all.
[0157] When receiving the display contents from the gateway server
2, the portable telephone 1 displays the received display contents
on the display section 12 as shown in FIG. 20. If the user
instructs storage of the page by selecting the "storage" selection
column 75 in the display state as shown in FIG. 20, the portable
telephone 1 transmits an instruction for storage of the page to the
gateway server 2 (step S7).
[0158] When receiving the instruction for storage from the portable
telephone 1 (step G6), the gateway server 2 starts the process for
storing the page into the Internet binder 3 (step G7). In the
process for storing the page, the gateway server 2 optimizes the
downloaded page according to a preset size. When forming data of
the optimized page, the gateway server 2 transmits a request for
user authentication with respect to the user who has issued the
instruction for storage to the Internet binder 3 (step S8). At this
time, the user ID and password transmitted from the portable
telephone 1 as the log-in data in the step S3 are transmitted as
data used for user authentication from the gateway server 2 to the
Internet binder 3.
[0159] The Internet binder 3 performs the user authentication
process based on the user ID and password received from the gateway
server 2. The user authentication process is performed by
determining whether or not the user ID and password received from
the gateway server 2 coincide with the contents recorded on the
user information database 33a. When the user is authenticated by
the user authentication process, the Internet binder 3 transmits
notification indicating that the user has been authenticated to the
gateway server 2 (step S9).
[0160] When receiving information indicating that the result of the
user authentication is "OK" from the Internet binder 3, the gateway
server 2 transmits an instruction for storage of storage
information including the URL and the data of the optimized page to
the Internet binder 3 (step S10). As the instruction for storage,
information used for specifying a folder of the storage destination
based on the storage destination specifying database 23b is
transmitted.
[0161] When receiving the instruction for storage of the storage
information, the Internet binder 3 determines whether or not the
storage information can be stored in the specified storage
destination based on the account name and folder name recorded on
the storage destination database 33b. If it is determined in the
above determination process that the storage information can be
stored in the specified storage destination, the Internet binder 3
transmits notification for permitting (giving "OK" for) storage of
the storage information to the gateway server 2 (step S11).
[0162] When receiving notification of permission of storage from
the Internet binder 3, the gateway server 2 transfers the storage
information to the Internet binder 3 (step S12). After this, when
the gateway server 2 terminates transfer of the storage
information, it transmits notification indicating termination of
transfer of the storage information to the Internet binder 3 (step
S13).
[0163] While the storage information is being transferred thereto
from the gateway server 2, the Internet binder 3 sequentially
stores the information indicating the URL and image data of the
optimized page into a specified folder. When receiving notification
indicating termination of transfer of the storage information from
the gateway server 2, the Internet binder 3 records the respective
items of the storage file information database 33c and transmits
notification indicating completion of storage of the storage
information to the gateway server 2.
[0164] As described above, when a page provided on the Internet by
the Web server is accessed by the portable telephone, only text
data is displayed on the portable telephone and information
indicating the URL of the page and the image of the page is stored
into the predetermined folder in response to the page storage
instruction from the portable telephone based on the operation by
the user.
[0165] As a result, only text data displayable on the portable
telephone is extracted from the page and transmitted to and
displayed on the portable telephone without transmitting data of
the entire page to the portable telephone. Further, information of
the page can be stored so that the page can be read or printed
according to the instruction from the portable telephone.
Accordingly, only data which can be utilized on the portable
telephone can be transmitted without transmitting useless data
which cannot be used on the portable telephone and there occurs no
useless communication. Further, information of the page can be
stored according to the instruction from the portable telephone and
the applicability thereof is enhanced.
[0166] Next, transmission/reception of data between the Internet
binder 3 and the MFP 4 is explained.
[0167] FIG. 26 is a diagram for illustrating data
transmitted/received between the Internet binder 3 and the MFP 4.
In this example, the operation effected when the user prints a
present page based on the URL or image data of a page stored in the
Internet binder 3 is explained.
[0168] First, when a present page based on the URL or image data of
a page stored in the Internet binder 3 is printed, the user
performs the log-in operation on the log-in screen as shown in FIG.
21 in the MFP 4. Log-in data input on the log-in screen is
transmitted to the Internet binder 3 (step S21).
[0169] The Internet binder 3 performs the user authentication
process based on the log-in data transmitted from the MFP 4. At the
time of authentication of the user, the Internet binder 3 transmits
information indicating the URL and a file name indicating image
data of the page which the user stores as document information to
the MFP 4 based on the storage file information database 33c (step
S22).
[0170] When receiving the document information from the Internet
binder 3, the MFP 4 displays a document selection screen for
selecting one of pages (documents) to be printed as shown in FIG.
22 on the display section 43 based on the received document
information. The user selects one of the pages to be printed on the
document selection screen.
[0171] Then, the MFP 4 displays a print setting screen as shown in
FIG. 23 on the display section 43. The user selects the
"storage-time" key 81 used for selecting printing of image data on
the page at the time of storage into the Internet binder 3 or the
present key 82 used for selecting printing of the image of the
present page in the URL and then specifies the "print" key.
[0172] Then, the MFP 4 transmits a document selection instruction
including information indicating the selected page (document) and
information indicating which one of the image of the stored page
and the image of the present page in the URL is printed to the
Internet binder 3 (step S23). When receiving the document selection
instruction from the MFP 4, the Internet binder 3 transmits
printing data of the selected page to the MFP 4. As a result, the
MFP 4 prints the page received as printing data from the Internet
binder 3.
[0173] Further, in the above example, the gateway server 2
downloads data of a page based on the URL and optimizes the
downloaded page when an image of the present page is printed, but
the MFP 4 can perform the process for downloading data of a page
based on the URL and optimizing the downloaded page.
[0174] As described above, an image of a page accessed by the
portable telephone is stored in a predetermined folder and the
stored page is printed by use of the image forming apparatus. As a
result, even if the entire page cannot be displayed on the portable
telephone, the image of the page can be printed by use of the image
forming apparatus and the user can read the entire page by use of
the printed page.
[0175] Further, since the image of the page printed by the MFP 4 is
optimized according to the printing size, the contents of the page
can be provided in an easily observable form for the user.
[0176] Information of a page accessed by the portable telephone and
the address of the page are stored and whether the contents of the
page at the storage time are printed or the present page of the
above page is printed can be selectively determined.
[0177] Therefore, the contents of the page at the storage time or
the newest contents of the stored page can be selectively printed
according to selection by the user and the applicability thereof by
the user can be enhanced.
[0178] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *