JP2014057162A - Image forming apparatus, control method of image forming apparatus, and control program of image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which can improve display speed for local browser application.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 can use registered browser application by accessing a built-in web server 101 with a web browser 53. When the browser application is registered, an installation receiving section 121 stores a file to be used for executing the browser application in an HDD 15. At this time, the installation receiving section 121 analyzes URL (Uniform Resource Locators) corresponding to the file which is included in a description file of a web page and which is to be read when the application is executed. The URL is overwritten by an URL overwrite section 123 and the description file is stored in the HDD 15 so that the file can be read by the web browser 53 by directly referring to the HDD 15.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus control method, and an image forming apparatus control program, and in particular, an image forming apparatus capable of using an application executed using a web browser via a built-in web server, and an image The present invention relates to a forming apparatus control method and an image forming apparatus control program.

  As an image forming apparatus (scanner function, facsimile function, copying function, printer function, data communication function, and MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having a server function, facsimile apparatus, copying machine, printer, etc.), a web browser function And a web server function. In such an image forming apparatus, a built-in web server can be accessed by a web browser, and display based on data provided from the web server can be performed.

  In the following Patent Document 1, the link information in an HTML document is a URL via a check / replacement program, and when a page request is made, the page is browsed only when the user's access authorization is successfully authenticated. A document display device configured to send to is described. Patent Document 1 describes that when an income object is an HTML file, the URL contained therein is converted into a URL via a check / URL replacement program and then sent to the browser.

  In the following Patent Document 2, web server operation information is exchanged, and a load is distributed by rewriting a link destination in a web page to a web server having a lower load based on a load estimation result. A server system is described.

JP 2000-276443 A JP 2009-237835 A

  By the way, as an image forming apparatus as described above, there is an apparatus that can use an application executed using a web browser via a built-in web server. That is, in the image forming apparatus, a local browser application is installed in advance so that it can be executed via a built-in web server (local web server). The user can use the registered local browser application by accessing the web server from the web browser.

  When a local browser application is used, the web browser executed by the image forming apparatus functions in the same manner as when browsing a normal web page. That is, the web browser acquires data (for example, document data or image data of a web page) used when using the local browser application from the web server. The web browser makes the local browser application usable by displaying a web page related to the local browser application based on the acquired data.

  In other words, the local browser application is displayed as a web page in the web browser. The UI (user interface) of the local browser application can be freely set by the vendor of the local browser application. The vendor can easily set a user-friendly UI for each application. Therefore, the user can easily use the local browser application.

  However, when the local browser application can be used in this way, if it takes time to display a screen related to the local browser application, the convenience of the local browser application decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the display speed related to the local browser application.

  An effective solution for such a problem is not disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. In Patent Document 2, it is necessary to acquire operation information for rewriting a link in HTML to a server having a low load. Moreover, since the rewrite destination differs depending on the situation, it takes time to rewrite each time.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and provides an image forming apparatus, a control method for the image forming apparatus, and a control program for the image forming apparatus that can increase the display speed of the local browser application. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, each of the web browser and the web server accessible by the web browser is incorporated in an executable manner, and can be executed by accessing the web server using the web browser. The image forming apparatus that can use the application corresponds to a storage medium and a file to be read when the application is executed, which is included in at least a part of the description file that describes the contents of the web page of the application. Analyzing means for analyzing URLs (UniformResourceLocators), and judging means for judging whether a file corresponding to the URL can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed based on the analysis result of the analyzing means When, Based on the determination result of the cross-sectional section, among the parsed URL by analysis means, and changing means for changing the URL corresponding to the file is readable from the storage medium when the application is executed.

  Preferably, the changing means includes a URL described so that the web browser can access the link destination file via the web server, and the link destination of the link destination is directly referred to by the web browser without going through the web server. Change to an identification code that can access the file.

  Preferably, the application can be used when at least a part of a file group used in the application is stored in the storage medium and registered in the image forming apparatus in advance, and the changing unit registers the application. When the file is stored in the storage medium, the content of the URL is changed.

  Preferably, the analysis unit analyzes the content of the dynamic content included in the web page of the application, and the determination unit is a file readable from the storage medium related to the dynamic content based on the analysis result of the analysis unit. It is determined whether or not the URL corresponding to is in the dynamic content, and the changing unit changes the URL in the dynamic content based on the determination result of the determining unit.

  Preferably, when the determination unit determines that the file corresponding to the URL is a file that cannot be read from the storage medium when the application is executed, the image forming apparatus forms an image based on the description of the URL. An acquisition unit that acquires a file indicated by the URL from outside the apparatus and stores the file in a storage medium, and the change unit stores the URL corresponding to the file acquired by the acquisition unit on the storage medium that stores the file. Change to position.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the web browser and the web server accessible by the web browser is incorporated in an executable manner, and an application that can be executed by accessing the web server using the web browser can be used. An image forming apparatus includes a storage medium, and the image forming apparatus control method includes an application included in at least a part of a description file that describes contents of a web page of the application. An analysis step for analyzing a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) corresponding to a file to be read when the application is executed, and a file corresponding to the URL is extracted from the storage medium when the application is executed based on the analysis result of the analysis step. reading A determination step for determining whether or not the file can be read, and a file that can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed among the URLs analyzed by the analysis step based on the determination result of the determination step A change step for changing the URL to be changed.

  According to still another aspect of the present invention, each of the web browser and the web server accessible by the web browser can be executed, and an application that can be executed by accessing the web server using the web browser can be used. The image forming apparatus control program includes a storage medium, and the image forming apparatus control program is included in at least some of the description files describing the contents of the web page of the application. An analysis step for analyzing a URL (UniformResourceLocators) corresponding to a file to be read when the application is executed, and a file corresponding to the URL is executed based on the analysis result of the analysis step A determination step for determining whether or not data can be read from the storage medium, and the URL analyzed by the analysis step based on the determination result of the determination step can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed. And causing the computer to execute a change step of changing the URL corresponding to the file.

  According to these inventions, the URL corresponding to the file that can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed among the URLs included in the description file describing the contents of the web page of the application is changed. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method for the image forming apparatus, and a control program for the image forming apparatus that further increase the display speed related to the browser application.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system having an image forming apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of each apparatus of the image forming system. FIG. It is a block diagram explaining an example of the pull print function in an image forming system. It is a figure explaining a web browser function. It is a figure explaining an example of the pull print function implement | achieved by a browser application function. It is a block diagram explaining operation | movement of the image forming apparatus regarding a browser application. It is a figure explaining the example of URL rewriting. 6 is a first flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus when registering a browser application. 10 is a second flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus when registering a browser application. It is a block diagram explaining operation | movement of the image forming apparatus regarding the browser application with an external reference content. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement at the time of registration of a browser application when there exists an external reference content.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  [Overview]

  The image forming apparatus is an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having a scanner function, a copying function, a printer function, a facsimile function, a data communication function, and a server function. In the scanner function, an image of a set original is read and stored in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like. In the copying function, it is further printed (printed) on paper or the like. In the function as a printer, when a print instruction is received from an external terminal such as a PC, printing is performed on a sheet based on the instruction. In the facsimile function, facsimile data is received from an external facsimile machine and stored in an HDD or the like. In the data communication function, data is transmitted / received to / from a connected external device. In the server function, a plurality of users can share data stored in the HDD or the like.

  The image forming apparatus can execute a web browser that accesses a web server and displays a web page provided by the web server. In the present embodiment, the web server device is configured to be able to provide a browser application. The image forming apparatus can make the browser application available by accessing the web server by executing the web browser, acquiring information about the browser application, and displaying the web page.

  The image forming apparatus can execute a web server. That is, the image forming apparatus has a built-in web server. The image forming apparatus can use a built-in web browser to access a built-in web server and make a local browser application provided via the web server available.

  For example, the image forming apparatus is connected to other devices via a network to constitute an image forming system. In addition to the image forming apparatus, the image forming system includes a server apparatus that functions as an external web server. Each device is connected to be communicable with each other via a network. In addition to this, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) used by the user is connected to the network.

  In the present embodiment, a local browser application used in the image forming apparatus is registered (installed) in the image forming apparatus. When the local browser application is registered, the image forming apparatus analyzes the URL included in the description file representing the web page of the browser application. The analysis is performed on the URL corresponding to the file to be read when the browser application is executed. If the file corresponding to the URL can be read from the HDD in the image forming apparatus when the application is executed, the URL corresponding to the file is changed. As a result, the file can be read promptly when the local browser application is executed, and the execution of the local browser application can be accelerated.

  [Embodiment]

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming system having an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming system 900 includes an image forming apparatus 1, a client PC (hereinafter also referred to as a PC) 401, an external web (Web) server 501, and a management apparatus 601.

  Image forming apparatus 1, external web server 501, PC 401, and management apparatus 601 are each connected to network 800. The network 800 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network). The image forming apparatus 1, the external web server 501, the PC 401, and the management apparatus 601 can communicate with each other via the network 800. Each device may be connected to the network 800 via a LAN cable or the like, or may be connected to the network 800 by a so-called wireless LAN.

  [Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1]

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed cassette 3, a paper discharge tray 5, an operation unit 11, a control unit 20, a print unit 30, and a scan unit 40. As will be described later, the control unit 20 includes a CPU 21 (shown in FIG. 3) and the like, and controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 20 and the print unit 30 are disposed inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 has three paper feed cassettes 3 (paper feed cassettes 3a, 3b, 3c). Each paper feed cassette 3 is loaded with, for example, different sizes of paper (B5 size, A4 size, A3 size, etc.). The paper feed cassette 3 is disposed in the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be detachable from the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper loaded in each paper feed cassette 3 is fed one by one from the paper feed cassette 3 and sent to the printing unit 30 at the time of printing. Note that the number of paper feed cassettes 3 is not limited to three, and may be more or less.

  The paper discharge tray 5 is disposed above the portion of the housing of the image forming apparatus 1 where the print unit 30 is stored and below the portion where the scan unit 40 is disposed. A sheet on which an image is formed by the printing unit 30 is discharged from the inside of the housing to the discharge tray 5.

  The operation unit 11 is disposed on the upper front side (front side in FIG. 2) of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation unit 11 includes a plurality of operation buttons 11a that can be pressed by the user. In addition, the operation unit 11 is provided with a display panel 13 for displaying information to the user. The display panel 13 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provided with a touch panel. The display panel 13 displays a guidance screen for the user or displays an operation button to accept a touch operation from the user. The display panel 13 performs display under the control of the CPU 21. The operation unit 11 receives an operation input from the user. When the operation button 11a or the display panel 13 is operated by the user, the operation unit 11 transmits an operation signal or a predetermined command corresponding to the operation to the CPU 21. That is, the user can cause the image forming apparatus 1 to execute various operations by operating the operation unit 11.

  The printing unit 30 roughly includes a toner image forming unit (not shown), a paper transport unit (not shown), and a fixing device (not shown). The printing unit 30 forms an image on the paper by an electrophotographic method in which the toner image formed by the toner image forming unit is transferred to the paper.

  The paper transport unit includes a paper feed roller, a transport roller, and a motor that drives them. The paper transport unit feeds paper from the paper feed cassette 3 and transports it inside the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the paper transport unit discharges the paper on which the image is formed from the housing of the image forming apparatus 1 to the paper discharge tray 5 or the like.

  The toner image forming unit includes a photoreceptor, a developing device, an exposure device, a transfer roller, and the like. The toner image forming unit forms a toner image to be formed on a sheet, and transfers the toner image to the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit.

  The fixing device has a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing device conveys the sheet on which the toner image is formed between the heating roller and the pressure roller, and heats and presses the sheet. As a result, the fixing device melts the toner adhering to the paper and fixes it on the paper to form an image on the paper.

  The scan unit 40 is disposed on the upper part of the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. The scanning unit 40 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 41. The scanning unit 40 performs the above-described scanner function. The scanning unit 40 scans a document placed on a transparent document table with a contact image sensor and reads it as image data. Further, the scanning unit 40 reads the image data by the contact image sensor while sequentially taking in a plurality of documents set on the document tray by the ADF 41.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of each device of the image forming system 900.

  Referring to FIG. 3, image forming apparatus 1 includes HDD (an example of a storage medium) 15 and network unit 29 in addition to the above-described units. Each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to a system bus. The control unit 20 can communicate with each unit of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The HDD 15 stores print job data sent from the outside via the network unit 29, image data read by the scan unit 40, and the like. The HDD 15 stores setting information of the image forming apparatus 1 and a control program for performing various operations of the image forming apparatus 1. The HDD 15 can store a plurality of print jobs transmitted from one PC 401 or a plurality of PCs.

  In the HDD 15, for example, a cache database (DB) 15a, cache information 15b, and a history database 15c are stored. These pieces of information are generated based on a web browser function as described later and stored in the HDD 15. The HDD 15 further stores image data 15d, page information (an example of a description file) 15e, job data 15f, and the like. The page information 15e is document data described in a markup language such as HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language). The image data 15d is used, for example, in a web page displayed based on page information. The image data 15d and the page information 15e are used as described later when the browser application is executed. The image data 15d and the page information 15e are stored in the HDD 15 when the browser application is registered in the image forming apparatus 1 before the browser application is executed.

  The network unit 29 is configured by combining, for example, a hardware unit such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) and a software unit that performs communication using a predetermined communication protocol. The network unit 29 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to the network 800. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can communicate with external devices such as the PC 401 and the external web server 501 connected to the network 800. The image forming apparatus 1 can receive a print job from the PC 401 or the external web server 501. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 can transmit the image data read by the scanning unit 40 to the PC 401 or by E-mail via a mail server (not shown) or the like. The network unit 29 may be configured to be connectable to the network 800 by wireless communication.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 23, and a RAM 25. The control unit 20 is connected to the system bus together with the operation unit 11, the printing unit 30, the scanning unit 40, and the like. Thereby, the control part 20 and each part of the image forming apparatus 1 are connected so that signals can be transmitted and received.

  The CPU 21 controls various operations of the image forming apparatus 1 by executing a control program 23a stored in the ROM 23, a control program (not shown) stored in the RAM 25 or the HDD 15, and the like. When an operation signal is sent from the operation unit 11 or an operation command is sent from the PC 401 or the like, the CPU 21 executes a predetermined control program 23a in response thereto. Thereby, a predetermined function of the image forming apparatus 1 is executed in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 11 by the user.

  The ROM 23 is, for example, a flash ROM (Flash Memory). The ROM 23 stores data used for operating the image forming apparatus 1. The ROM 23 stores various control programs 23a. The ROM 23 may store function setting data of the image forming apparatus 1 and the like. The CPU 21 reads data from the ROM 23 and writes data to the ROM 23. The ROM 23 may be non-rewritable.

  The RAM 25 is a main memory of the CPU 21. The RAM 25 is used to store data necessary for the CPU 21 to execute the control program 23a.

  As described above, the scanning unit 40 performs a scanner function and reads image data from a document. The image data read by the scanning unit 40 is converted into an application data format by the CPU 21 and stored in the HDD 15 or the like. The CPU 21 can transmit image data stored in the HDD 15 or the like to the PC 401 or the like.

  [Configuration of External Web Server 501]

  With reference to FIG. 3, the external web server 501 includes a control unit 520 and an HDD 515. The control unit 520 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), a RAM (not shown), and the like, and controls the external web server 501.

  The HDD 515 stores a control program (not shown) of the external web server 501 and various information. The control unit 520 controls the external web server 501 based on the control program, whereby the web server function and other functions of the external web server 501 are executed. The external web server 501 can execute a function as a web server or a function as a file server. The external web server 501 can execute a function as an e-mail transmission server, a function of transmitting an image by facsimile, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the HDD 515 stores image data 515b and job data 515c. The image data 515b is used in a web page displayed based on page information, for example. The job data 515c is data such as a print job that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1 or the like.

  [Description of Management Device 601]

  The management apparatus 601 is a server that provides a directory service such as LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) or Active Directory (registered trademark). The management device 601 includes a control unit 620 and an HDD 615. The control unit 620 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM (not shown), a RAM (not shown), and the like, and controls the management device 601.

  The HDD 615 stores a control program (not shown) of the management apparatus 601 and information for providing a directory service. The HDD 615 stores an authentication database 615a. In the authentication database 615a, authentication information for authenticating a user who uses the image forming system 900 is managed.

  [Explanation of user authentication]

  In the present embodiment, a user can log in to the image forming apparatus 1 and use the image forming system 900 by a user authentication function performed via the image forming apparatus 1.

  The user authentication function is realized as follows, for example. In other words, in the authentication database 615a, information on a user who can authenticate the user and authentication information necessary for the authentication of the user are recorded in association with each other. The authentication information is, for example, a password set for each user. In the authentication database 615a, information related to a function permitted to be executed for each user is recorded in association with the user.

  In the user authentication function, the user operates the operation unit 11 and inputs information about the user (for example, an account name) and a password to the image forming apparatus 1. When these pieces of information are input to the operation unit 11, the CPU 21 transmits the input data to the management device 601. In the management apparatus 601, the control unit 620 refers to the authentication database 615a and determines whether or not the user can be authenticated based on the received data. If authentication is possible, the management apparatus 601 determines that the user has been authenticated, and transmits an authentication result to the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 receives the authentication result and enables execution of a function permitted to be executed for an authenticated user who has been authenticated. At this time, the authenticated user is logged in to the image forming apparatus 1.

  By the user authentication, the image forming apparatus 1 can identify a user who uses the image forming apparatus 1. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, the CPU 21 performs management (authority management) related to the use authority of the user according to the identified user for the function of the image forming apparatus 1. By performing authority management, use of a predetermined function can be restricted for each user, and a high security effect can be obtained.

  Note that the user authentication method is not limited to the above, and a known method can be adopted as appropriate. The reference destination of authentication information, the subject performing authentication, and the like may be different from those described above. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 itself has authentication information for performing user authentication, and the image forming apparatus 1 may accept an authentication request from the user and authenticate the user based on the authentication information. . In addition, for example, a card authentication method using a contact / non-contact ID card or a biometric authentication method using user's fingerprint information or vein information, etc. is used to input information such as account name and password to the user. May not be required.

  The user may log in to the image forming system 900 via the image forming apparatus 1 or the like so that each image forming apparatus 1 or the like can identify the user who has logged in to the image forming system 900. Authority management may be performed by the entire image forming system 900. At this time, for example, the management apparatus 601 may provide each apparatus with information related to the user's use authority regarding functions that can be used in the image forming system 900 and accessible locations.

  [Description of pull print function]

  In the image forming system 900, the image forming apparatus 1 can perform printing by pull printing based on job data 15f stored in the built-in HDD 15 or job data 515c stored in the external web server 501 (pull printing). function).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining an example of the pull print function in the image forming system 900.

  The pull print will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. Here, pull printing performed using the external web server 501 will be described. However, the same applies when job data 15 f is stored in the HDD 15. First, the user transmits job data 515c from the PC 401 to the external web server 501 before performing pull printing. The job data 515c is, for example, data described in a page description language (PDL) that can be processed by each image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 interprets the job data 515c as print job information, generates a raster image according to the job data 515c by using a RIP (Raster Image Processor) realized by the control unit 20 or the like, and performs printing. It can be carried out.

  The job data 515c is generated, for example, as follows and stored in the external web server 501. That is, the PC 401 includes an HDD 415 and a driver unit 455 that is realized by a CPU (not shown) executing a control program. For example, the user operates the application program on the PC 401, and instructs the PC 401 to send the document data 480 stored in the HDD 415 to the external web server 501. In response to an instruction from the user, the driver unit 455 converts the document data 480 into job data 515c, and transmits the job data 515c to the external web server 501 as a print job. That is, when pull printing is performed, the generated job data 515 c is not directly transmitted to the image forming apparatus 1 but is once spooled in the external web server 501. The control unit 520 of the external web server 501 stores the transmitted job data 515c in the HDD 515. The HDD 515 is provided with a plurality of sections for storing data, for example, called BOX. The job data 515c is stored in any BOX. Each BOX is set with an access authority that restricts users who can access the BOX. For example, the access authority for a certain BOX is such that when a specific user logs in to the image forming apparatus 1, the user can access the BOX from the image forming apparatus 1 or save data. Is set.

  When the image forming apparatus 1 receives an instruction to execute pull printing while the job data 515c is stored in the HDD 515 of the external web server 501, the image forming apparatus 1 communicates with the external web server 501. , Job data 515c is acquired. When acquiring the job data 515c, the image forming apparatus 1 executes the print job and outputs a printed matter. Here, the instruction to execute pull printing may be accepted by the control unit 20 of the image forming apparatus 1 executing the control program 23a for performing pull printing, or a browser as described later. It may be acceptable that the application is executed.

  Pull printing is performed, for example, when the user is logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 that is the output destination of pull printing. When the user performs an operation for executing pull printing in the image forming apparatus 1 to which the user has logged in, a printed matter is output in a state where the user is on the image forming apparatus 1 side. By performing pull printing in this way, a high security effect can be obtained.

  [Description of Web browser function]

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the web browser function.

  The web browser function of the image forming apparatus 1 is a function realized by causing the web browser 53 to display a web page provided by the web server on the display panel 13 so as to be viewable. The web browser 53 accesses the web server 101 or the external web server 501 built in the image forming apparatus 1 and acquires information on the web pages provided by the web servers 101 and 501.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in image forming apparatus 1, built-in web server 101 is activated and operated when CPU 21 activates a predetermined control program 23 a. The web server 101 is always functioning when the image forming apparatus 1 is powered on. When the web server 101 receives a request from inside or outside of the image forming apparatus 1, it responds to the request.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the web browser 53 is activated and operated when the CPU 21 activates a predetermined control program 23 a. For example, the web browser 53 is activated in response to a user's predetermined operation instruction via the operation unit 11 in a state where the function selection screen 63 is displayed on the display panel 13.

  The function selection screen 63 is displayed on the display panel 13 based on the control of the CPU 21. On the function selection screen 63, for example, buttons 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d for selecting various functions that can be used in the image forming apparatus 1 are arranged. The user performs an operation of designating these buttons 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d via the buttons on the display panel 13 and the operation unit 11, and thereby functions corresponding to the designated buttons 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d. Can be used. The copy button 63a corresponds to a copy function. The scan button 63b corresponds to the scanner function. The search button 63c corresponds to a search function. The web button 63d corresponds to a web browsing function. The search function is a function that allows a search operation to be performed by connecting to a predetermined search engine. The web browsing function is a function of displaying a web page provided by a desired web server so that the web page can be browsed or printing the web page. The search function and the web browsing function can be used using the web browser function. That is, when an operation for specifying the search button 63c or the web button 63d is performed, the web browser 53 is activated in the image forming apparatus 1.

  The web browser 53 generates a display image of the web page based on information for displaying the web page (for example, data described in HTML and image data included in the web page). The display image is displayed on the display panel 13.

  With the web browser function, the image forming apparatus 1 can enable browsing of web pages provided by a web server that can communicate via the network 800 including the external web server 501. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 can make it possible to browse web pages provided by the built-in web server 101. The web browser 53 requests acquisition of information (display data) for displaying a web page based on a URL specified by the user, for example, by a predetermined communication protocol (for example, HTTP) (GET). The web server that has received the request transmits display data to the web browser 53. Thereby, the web browser 53 can acquire display data.

  For example, when there is an information acquisition request from the web browser 53 for a web page provided by the web server 101, the web server 101 reads a predetermined file in the HDD 15 and transmits it to the web browser 53 as display data. . That is, page information 15e describing a web page, image data 15d corresponding to a URL described in the page information 15e, and the like are read by the web server 101 and sent to the web browser 53 as display data. Thereby, the web browser 53 can display a web page using display data.

  The URL is specified, for example, when the user directly performs an input operation via the operation unit 11 or the like. The URL is specified, for example, by performing an operation of specifying a hyperlink indicating another web page included in the web page displayed so as to be viewable.

  When the web browser 53 is functioning, the cache management unit 55 and the history management unit 57 function. The cache management unit 55 and the history management unit 57 are each realized as one function of the web browser 53. That is, the cache management unit 55 and the history management unit 57 are realized by the CPU 21 executing the control program 23a and the like.

  The cache management unit 55 stores the information acquired by the web browser 53 in the HDD 15 as cache information 15b. The cache information 15b includes page information described in a markup language and image data included in a web page browsed based on the page information. In addition to page information and image data, the cache information 15b may include information and programs used to display web pages. Further, the cache management unit 55 manages each cache information 15b using the cache database 15a. In the cache database 15a, for example, information such as URL, file name, and acquisition time is stored for the cache information. When the web browser 53 can display a web page using the cache information 15b, the web browser 53 reads the cache information 15b and displays the web page.

  The history management unit 57 manages information related to the history acquired by the web browser 53 as history information using the history database 15c. The history information includes, for example, information such as the URL of the acquired information and the acquisition time.

  The cache management unit 55 deletes the specified cache information 15b and the information in the cache database 15a related to the cache information 15b in accordance with, for example, a user operation instruction. Further, the history management unit 57 deletes a specified one of the records in the history database 15c in accordance with, for example, a user operation instruction.

  The cache management unit 55 determines whether or not one or both of the cache information 15b and the cache database 15a information related to the cache information 15b at a predetermined timing (for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the cache information 15b was stored, or at the end For example, when a predetermined time has passed since the web page was accessed. Similarly, the history management unit 57 sets a predetermined time for a record in the history database 15c (for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the history information was stored or when the web page was last accessed). The deletion may be performed at a later time.

  According to the web browser function, the user can browse the web page by operating the web browser 53 to display a desired web page on the display panel 13 or the like. Moreover, the user can browse the web page of the link destination of the hyperlink by designating the hyperlink included in the web page being browsed. When the web page is displayed by the web browser 53, the user can cause the image forming apparatus 1 to form an image for the web page being displayed by giving a predetermined operation instruction to the web browser 53.

  [Description of local browser application]

  In the present embodiment, the web server 101 is configured to be able to provide a local browser application (hereinafter simply referred to as a browser application). That is, the web server 101 functions as an application server (browser application server). The web browser 53 accesses the web server 101, acquires information related to the browser application, and displays a web page. As a result, the web browser 53 can present the browser application to the user in a usable manner. As an advantage of such a browser application method, for example, an application can be easily created in a general-purpose manner that can be read by the web browser 53. Various applications that can be used in the image forming apparatus 1 can be easily created, and the convenience of the image forming apparatus 1 can be enhanced.

  Hereinafter, a specific example of the browser application function will be described. In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, a pull print function is realized by a browser application function. As a browser application, in addition to the pull print function, it is possible to create an application for realizing various functions such as a scan transmission function. In the following description, a browser application for realizing the pull print function may be referred to as “APP1”. Other browser applications may be referred to as “APP2”. In the present embodiment, APP1 and APP2 can be used by registering, that is, installing in the image forming apparatus 1.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the pull print function realized by the browser application function.

  In the pull print function, a print job is registered in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance. That is, in step S101, a print job is transmitted from the PC 401 to the image forming apparatus 1. When the print job is transmitted, job data 15 f is stored in the HDD 15. Note that the print job may be registered in a pull print file server, an external web server 501, or the like that is different from the image forming apparatus 1.

  In step S102, when a browser application is used, the operation unit 11 receives an instruction to select a browser application installed (registered) by the installation receiving unit 121 as described below. That is, the operation unit 11 receives an instruction to use a browser application.

  In the present embodiment, in a state where a browser application is registered, a button corresponding to the browser application is displayed on the function selection screen 63. These buttons are displayed side by side on the buttons 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d corresponding to various stand-alone applications of the image forming apparatus 1. In the example shown in FIG. 6, APP1 and APP2 are registered in the image forming apparatus 1 as browser applications. The function selection screen 63 displays buttons 63a, 63b, 63c, and 63d, as well as a button 63e for operating APP1 and a button 63f for operating APP2. The user can use APP1 in the image forming apparatus 1 by performing an operation input on the button 63e. The user can use APP2 in the image forming apparatus 1 by performing an operation input on the button 63f.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, the user accepts an instruction to perform pull printing. A function selection screen 63 is displayed on the display panel 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. When an operation input is performed on the button 63e on the displayed function selection screen 63, APP1 corresponding to the button 63e is activated. That is, the web page of APP1 is displayed on the web browser 53, and the user can browse and input operations. Similarly, when an operation input is performed on the button 63f on the displayed function selection screen 63, APP2 corresponding to the button 63f is activated. That is, the APP2 web page is displayed on the web browser 53, and the user can browse and input operations.

  In step S103, when the browser application is activated, the web browser 53 requests the web server 101 for information regarding the web page. At this time, if the cache information 15b is already stored for the web page to be requested and the web page has not been updated, the web browser 53 can acquire the cache information 15b as the content of the web page. It is.

  Upon receiving a request from the web browser 53, the web server 101 acquires page information 15e corresponding to the requested web page from the HDD 15 in step S104.

  In step S105, the web server 101 transmits the acquired page information 15e to the web browser 53 as display data. Based on the received page information 15e, the web browser 53 requests or acquires data necessary for further displaying the web page. For example, when the image data 15d stored in the HDD 15 is used for displaying a web page, the web browser 53 directly acquires the image data 15d from the HDD 15 in step S106. The acquisition is performed based on the description about the location of the file (image data 15d or other types of information) in the page information 15e. At this time, if the cache information 15b is already stored for the file used for the web page, the web browser 53 can acquire the cache information 15b as the content of the web page.

  Accordingly, display data related to the web page is sent to the web browser 53 in response to a request from the web browser 53. Therefore, the web browser 53 acquires information for executing the browser application in response to an instruction to select the browser application.

  In step S107, the web browser 53 performs display on the display panel 13 based on the acquired display data. Thereby, the print instruction screen 65 of APP1 is displayed.

  Here, job selection buttons 65a and 65b, a print button 65c, a send button 65d, a next page transition button 65e, and a back button 65f are arranged on the print instruction screen 65. The print instruction screen 65 has a screen configuration that makes the user feel that it is a stand-alone application operation screen. The user can perform an operation of selecting each of these buttons 65 a to 65 f via the operation unit 11.

  The print button 65c is a button for giving an instruction to execute the print job selected by the buttons 65a and 65b. The send button 65d is a button for giving an instruction to send the data of the print job selected by the buttons 65a and 65b. The data can be transmitted, for example, by facsimile or by e-mail. The next page transition button 65e is for giving an instruction to display the next page of the current page when, for example, the number of stored print jobs is large and the print job is divided into a plurality of pages. It is a button. The back button 65f is a button for returning from the state where the print instruction screen 65 is displayed to the function selection screen 63 displayed before that. These buttons 65c to 65f are displayed in the print instruction screen 65 when predetermined image data 15d is read from the HDD 15 based on the description in the page information 15e and button images are displayed.

  The job selection buttons 65a and 65b display information on print jobs stored in the image forming apparatus 1. The user can select one of these print jobs to be printed. The display of the job selection buttons 65a and 65b and the like is dynamically performed according to the situation where the image forming apparatus 1 stores the print job. That is, when the web server 101 receives a web page display data request from the web browser 53, the web server 101 dynamically generates information related to the display of the job selection buttons 65a and 65b according to the current situation based on the page information 15e. To the web browser 53. As a result, the web browser 53 displays the web page including the dynamic content generated in this way and the static content such as the predetermined image data 15d.

  In step S108, when the user operates the print button 65c, the web browser 53 transmits instruction information according to the operation to the web server 101. Here, the instruction information includes information for specifying a print job to be printed and a print instruction for the print job. The instruction information may be information in a format for obtaining a predetermined URL, for example, or may be in a format such as another command.

  In step S109, when the web server 101 receives the instruction information, the web server 101 acquires job data 15f of the specified print job from the HDD 15.

  In step S <b> 110, the web server 101 transmits the acquired job data 15 f to the print unit 30.

  In step S <b> 111, the print unit 30 performs printing based on the job data 15 f of the print job transmitted from the web server 101. That is, the print job is executed as instructed on the print instruction screen 65.

  [Description of browser application registration]

  In the present embodiment, one browser application or a plurality of browser applications can be registered in the image forming apparatus 1. Registration of a browser application (sometimes referred to as “installation” here) means that an image is stored so that at least a part of a file group used in the application is stored in the HDD 15 in advance so that the browser application can be started quickly. This means setting to the forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, for example, registration of information (for example, URL) for acquiring information for executing the browser application (for example, information on a web page to be displayed when the browser application is activated) is performed. When the browser application is registered, a shortcut icon or the like for starting the browser application is displayed on a predetermined function selection screen so that the user can easily select it.

  Registration of the browser application is performed, for example, by causing the image forming apparatus 1 to read an archive file of the browser application and giving a predetermined instruction. The archive file is composed of a group of files for enabling the browser application to be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The archive file may be read by the image forming apparatus 1 via the PC 401 or the like, or may be read by the image forming apparatus 1 from a predetermined server through the web browser 53, for example.

  Note that only a predetermined user who is logged in to the image forming apparatus 1 by the user authentication function may be able to register the browser application. For example, it is possible to limit the registration of the browser application so that only a user having administrator authority of the image forming apparatus 1 or a user having administrator authority of the image forming system 900 can perform registration.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 regarding the browser application.

  As shown in FIG. 7, for example, registration of the browser application is performed by an installation reception unit (an example of an analysis unit, an example of a determination unit, an example of an acquisition unit) 121 and a URL rewriting unit (an example of a change unit) 123. . The installation receiving unit 121 and the URL rewriting unit 123 are realized, for example, when the CPU 21 executes a predetermined control program 23a and the like.

  When registration of the browser application is started, the installation receiving unit 121 reads the archive file and expands the file used to execute the browser application. When the installation reception unit 121 expands the files, the files are stored in the HDD 15. Note that the browser application may be executed using another file in addition to the file stored in the HDD 15 at this time. That is, the browser application can be executed via the web server 101 when at least a part of the file group used in the browser application is stored in the HDD 15 and registered in the image forming apparatus 1.

  In this embodiment, when a browser application is registered, the description file describing the content of the web page of the browser application is processed by the URL rewriting unit 123 as necessary, and then the HDD 15 Is remembered. This process will be described next.

  First, when the registration of the browser application is started, the installation receiving unit 121 analyzes the URL of the description file. At this time, the analysis symmetric file is a description file (page information) describing the contents of the web page of the registered browser application. For example, when a web page is displayed based on a plurality of description files, such as when the description file refers to another description file, at least some of the description files are analyzed. . The installation accepting unit 121 analyzes a URL corresponding to a file to be read when the browser application is executed (hereinafter also referred to as a read file) included in the description file. For example, when an image file is described with an IMG tag in the description file, a URL indicating the image file is analyzed.

  The installation receiving unit 121 and the URL rewriting unit 123 perform processing depending on whether the read file is static content or dynamic content. Here, static content refers to content whose contents do not change with time. For example, an image file corresponds to static content. The web browser 53 can directly read a static content by referring to a storage location of a file such as the HDD 15. On the other hand, dynamic content refers to content whose display content can be changed in conjunction with the web server 101 or the like. For example, the content that refers to the database every time it is displayed and displays the content of the database is the dynamic content.

  When the read file is static content, that is, when the analyzed URL corresponds to the static content, the URL of the read file in the description file is rewritten, and the read file and the description file are stored in the HDD 15. Remembered.

  Based on the analysis result, the installation reception unit 121 determines whether the read file corresponding to the URL can be read from the HDD 15 when the browser application is executed. In other words, it is determined whether the read file is stored in the HDD 15 together with the registration of the browser application, and is read from the HDD 15 when the browser application is executed.

  The URL rewriting unit 123 changes the URL corresponding to the read file based on the determination result of the installation receiving unit 121. That is, the URL in the description file is rewritten based on the position where the read file is stored in the HDD 15. The URL rewriting is performed on the URL described so that the web browser 53 can access the read file to be linked via the web server 101. At this time, the URL rewriting unit 123 changes the URL to a file path (an example of an identification code) that allows the web browser 53 to access the file by directly referring to the HDD 15 without going through the web server 101.

  On the other hand, when the read file is dynamic content, that is, when the analyzed URL corresponds to the dynamic content, processing is performed as follows.

  The installation reception unit 121 analyzes the content of the dynamic content included in the web page of the browser application at the time of analysis. Based on the analysis result, it is determined whether there is a URL associated with the dynamic content and corresponding to a file that can be read from the HDD 15. For example, it is determined whether or not a URL corresponding to an image file stored in the HDD 15 that is read when dynamic content is displayed is included in the read file.

  When it is determined that the URL corresponding to the file as described above exists in the read file, the URL rewriting unit 123 rewrites the URL. That is, the URL is rewritten based on the position of the file stored in the HDD 15 together with the read file or the position of the file already stored in the HDD 15. The URL rewriting unit 123 changes the URL so that the file can be accessed by directly referring to the HDD 15. In other words, the URL rewriting unit 123 changes the URL so that the web browser 53 can access the file without going through the web server 101.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of URL rewriting.

  The URL rewriting process as described above is performed for each content (each file) included in the description file. An example of the URL rewriting process performed on the image file will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, it is assumed that there is a logo image file having a file name “logo.jpg” as a file (application internal file) read as a part of the web page of the browser application. This logo image file is a file at a position represented as “¥ img ¥ logo.jpg” in the root folder of the browser application.

  At this time, the browser application is stored in the HDD 15 at a position represented by a path “c: ¥ app ¥ appid0001 ¥”. Then, when this browser application is registered (installed) in the image forming apparatus 1, the logo image file is represented by the HDD 15 as represented by the path “c: \ app \ appid0001 \ img \ logo.jpg”. Is remembered.

  In such a case, it is assumed that the logo image file is described to be displayed on the web page by the IMG tag including the following URL in the description file indicating the web page of the browser application. To do. That is, when such a tag is used, when the description file is read by the web browser 53, the web browser 53 sends the logo image file via the web server 101 to “http: // localhost / iws / appid0001”. / Img / ".

  <Img src = “http: //localhost/iws/appid0001/img/logo.jpg”> (before change)

  At this time, when the URL is rewritten, the IMG tag is changed as follows. That is, the web browser 53 can read the logo image file by directly referring to the HDD 15 when processing the IMG tag.

  <Img src = "c: \ app \ appid0001 \ img \ logo.jpg"> (after change)

  Even when the URL is described with a relative path, the URL may be rewritten so that the HDD 15 is directly referred to as described above.

  FIG. 9 is a first flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when registering the browser application. FIG. 10 is a second flowchart showing the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when registering the browser application.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when registering the browser application as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When registration of the browser application is started, in step S401, the installation reception unit 121 receives an instruction to register the browser application.

  In step S402, the installation reception unit 121 expands the archive file of the browser application.

  In step S405, the installation reception unit 121 reads information on the expanded file group.

  In step S407, the installation reception unit 121 determines a location where the browser application file group is stored. For example, in the HDD 15, a directory (folder) for storing a file related to the application is determined.

  In step S409, the installation reception unit 121 searches the description file among the expanded files to determine whether there is static content or dynamic content therein.

  In step S411, the installation reception unit 121 first determines whether there is unprocessed static content. If there is any unprocessed static content, the processing from step S413 to step S417 is repeated until there is no static content.

  That is, if there is static content in step S411, in step S413, the installation reception unit 121 determines whether the URL indicating the static content indicates a file in the HDD 15. In the present embodiment, the web server 101 is set to process a file at a predetermined location in the HDD 15 as a file at the local host. That is, in step S413, the installation reception unit 121 determines whether or not the URL corresponding to the static content is a localhost link.

  If the link is a local host link in step S413, in step S415, the URL rewriting unit 123 rewrites the local host link (the URL rewriting unit 123) with an identification code indicating the location (area) on the HDD 15 corresponding thereto. For example, as in the example shown in FIG. 8 described above, the URL is rewritten to the file path of the file so that the file indicated by the local host link can be directly referred to.

  In step S417, it is determined whether or not analysis has been performed for all contents included in the expanded description file. If all the contents have not been analyzed, the process returns to step S411. If all the contents have been analyzed, the process proceeds to step S425.

  Here, when there is no unprocessed static content in step S411, or when there is no local host link in step S413, the process of step S421 is performed. That is, the installation reception unit 121 determines whether there is unprocessed dynamic content. If there is no dynamic content, the process of step S417 is performed.

  If there is unprocessed dynamic content in step S421, in step S423, the installation receiving unit 121 determines whether the URL included in the dynamic content indicates a file in the HDD 15. In other words, in step S423, the installation reception unit 121 determines whether the dynamic content includes a URL that is a local host link.

  If a URL that is a local host link is included in step S423, the process of step S415 is performed. On the other hand, if a URL that is a local host link is not included in step S423, the process of step S417 is performed.

  If the processing is repeated in this manner and all contents are analyzed in step S417, the description file expanded and changed in URL is stored in a predetermined location in the HDD 15 in step S425.

  When the process of step S425 ends, a series of processes ends. Thereby, the registered browser application can be used.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, URL rewriting is performed so that some files are directly acquired from the HDD 15 when the local browser application is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the web browser 53 accesses the web server 101, the page information of the browser application is sent from the HDD 15 to the web browser 53 via the web server 101. Based on the description of the page information, the web browser 53 reads the static content stored in the HDD 15 directly from the HDD 15 as indicated by an arrow R in FIG. Information on dynamic content whose URL is not changed is acquired via the web server 101. Accordingly, the web page of the browser application is displayed based on the page information.

  The web browser 53 can directly access the HDD 15 without sending a request to the web server 101 and display an image used for the web page of the browser application. Therefore, since acquisition of such static contents can be performed without going through the web server 101, the request processing time in the web server 101 can be shortened. That is, the display speed of the web page of the browser application can be increased. For example, in this case, the web page can be displayed at a display speed substantially the same as when the web page is displayed using the cache information 15b.

  The administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 and the provider of the browser application do not adjust the URL content or file registration destination in advance, and the reference destination of the image data 15d or the like is appropriately set directly based on the configuration of the browser application. Is set. Therefore, the above effect can be obtained without imposing a burden on the administrator of the image forming apparatus 1 or the provider of the browser application.

  The operation of the present embodiment is performed by rewriting the URL of the description file of the web page and does not depend on the cache. For example, the above-described effects can be obtained at all times without depending on the restrictions related to the cache of the web browser 53, such as the cache being different for each user or the cache being cleared upon restart. In other words, the above effects can always be obtained regardless of the cache hit rate. Further, since the cache of the web browser 53 is not pressed, other operations of the web browser 53 are not affected. Since the URL is changed at the time of registration of the browser application, the web page of the browser application is promptly displayed when the browser application is used for the first time after registration.

  As a method for changing the link destination, it may be possible to replace a predetermined fixed URL with a link to a local file. Compared with such a method, the present embodiment has an advantage that flexibility is further increased. That is, the URL rewriting unit 123 can know the storage destination of the file in the web server 101. Therefore, the URL rewriting unit 123 can change the URL so that a file indicated by any URL can be directly read from the HDD 15. Thereby, the creator of the application can create the application without worrying about it. When creating a browser application, the creator can easily create a description file without being conscious of which file is used for the web page. In other words, the creator of the browser application can easily create the browser application without being aware of a predetermined rule regarding a fixed URL or the like.

  [Explanation of modification example when there is external reference content]

  Here, with respect to the browser application, a web page may be displayed using a file acquired from a device external to the image forming apparatus 1 (for example, the external web server 501). For example, the link destination of the static content described in the description file may not be the HDD 15 of the image forming apparatus 1 that is the registration destination. When there is such a file (external reference content), the image forming apparatus 1 may operate as follows.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 relating to a browser application having external reference content.

  As shown in FIG. 11, for a browser application having external reference content, the external reference content is acquired at the time of registration in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, when the external reference content is provided by the external web server 501, the installation reception unit 121 accesses the external web server 501. As a result, the installation receiving unit 121 acquires external reference content from the external web server 501. The acquired external reference content is stored in the HDD 15.

  The URL rewriting unit 123 changes the URL corresponding to the file acquired by the installation receiving unit 121 in the page information 15e of the browser application to be registered to the position on the HDD 15 in which the file is stored.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation at the time of registration of the browser application when there is external reference content.

  Thus, even when there is external reference content, the browser application is registered in the same manner as described above. First, the operation shown in FIG. 9 is performed in this case as well. Further, in the portion shown in FIG. 12, the processing of step S421 and step S423 is also performed in the same manner as described above.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 12, when it is determined in step S421 that there is no dynamic content, the process of step S431 is performed. That is, in step S431, the installation reception unit 121 checks whether or not there is an external reference content among the contents included in the expanded description file.

  If there is an external reference content in step S431, in step S433, the installation reception unit 121 acquires the external reference content from the outside.

  In step S435, the installation receiving unit 121 stores the acquired external reference content in the HDD 15.

  In step S437, the URL rewriting unit 123 changes the URL (external reference link) corresponding to the external reference content included in the description file. The URL rewriting unit 123 rewrites the external reference link to indicate the location of the HDD 15 that is the storage destination of the external reference link in step S435.

  When the process of step S437 is completed, or when there is no external reference content in step S431, the process of step S417 is performed in the same manner as when the URL that is the local host link is not included in step S423.

  Thus, since the external reference content is stored in the local HDD 15 when the browser application is registered, the external reference content can be quickly read when the browser application is used thereafter. Further, since the URL corresponding to the external reference content is rewritten, the web browser 53 can read the external reference content more quickly without using the web server 101. Therefore, the display speed related to the browser application can be further increased.

  [Others]

  Data that is directly read from the HDD by changing the URL of the description file is not limited to image data. For example, for various data such as web page style sheets (CSS (Cascading Style Sheet), XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language), etc.), the data acquisition location may be changed as described above. Thereby, the display speed of the web page of the browser application can be effectively increased.

  The execution timing of the page information analysis process and the subsequent URL change is not limited to the registration of the browser application. For example, it may be executed when the browser application is used for the first time after registration of the browser application, or when the browser application is used a predetermined number of times.

  In the case where a single web page is displayed by combining a plurality of page information, analysis and URL change may be performed for all of the page information, or only a part of the page information may have a URL. Changes may be made.

  It may be determined whether or not the URL is changed according to an attribute such as a file type corresponding to the URL. For example, the type of a tag that is referred to, the type of a file, or the like may be analyzed, and the URL may be changed so that only a specific type is read directly from the HDD.

  Whether the URL change is performed may be determined depending on whether the user authentication is performed.

  The network connecting the web server and the image forming apparatus so as to be communicable may be via the Internet. Other devices may be provided in the image forming system.

  The image forming apparatus may be a monochrome / color copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a multifunction machine (MFP) thereof. It is not limited to the one that forms an image by an electrophotographic method, and may be one that forms an image by a so-called inkjet method, for example.

  The processing in the above embodiment may be performed by software or by using a hardware circuit.

  A program for executing the processing in the above-described embodiment can be provided, or the program can be recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a ROM, a RAM, or a memory card and provided to the user. It may be. The program may be downloaded to the apparatus via a communication line such as the Internet. The processing described in the text in the above flowchart is executed by the CPU according to the program.

  The above embodiment should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 11 Operation part 13 Display panel 15 HDD of an image forming apparatus (an example of a storage medium)
15b Cache information 15d Image data 15e Page information (an example of a description file)
21 CPU
23 ROM
23a Control program 53 Web browser 101 Web server 121 Installation reception unit (an example of an analysis unit, an example of a determination unit, an example of an acquisition unit)
123 URL rewriting unit (an example of changing means)
501 External web server 515 HDD of external web server
900 Image forming system

Claims (7)

Each of the image forming apparatuses includes a web browser and a web server accessible by the web browser so as to be executable, and can use an application that can be executed by accessing the web server using the web browser. ,
A storage medium;
Analysis means for analyzing a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) corresponding to a file to be read when the application is executed, which is included in at least a part of description files describing the contents of the web page of the application When,
A determination unit that determines whether a file corresponding to the URL can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed based on an analysis result of the analysis unit;
Changing means for changing a URL corresponding to a file that can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed, among URLs analyzed by the analyzing means based on a determination result of the determining means; , Image forming apparatus.   The changing means is configured such that the web browser directly refers to the storage medium without going through the web server for a URL described so that the web browser can access the linked file through the web server. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is changed to an identification code capable of accessing the linked file. The application can be used when at least a part of a file group used in the application is stored in the storage medium and registered in the image forming apparatus in advance.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the application is registered, the changing unit changes the content of the URL based on a position where the file is stored in the storage medium. The analysis means analyzes the content of dynamic content included in the web page of the application,
The determination unit determines whether or not a URL corresponding to a file readable from the storage medium related to the dynamic content is in the dynamic content based on the analysis result of the analysis unit;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the change unit changes a URL in the dynamic content based on a determination result of the determination unit. When the determination unit determines that the file corresponding to the URL is a file that cannot be read from the storage medium when the application is executed, the image forming apparatus includes: An acquisition unit for acquiring a file indicated by the URL from the outside and storing the file in the storage medium;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit changes a URL corresponding to the file acquired by the acquiring unit to a position on the storage medium in which the file is stored. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus, which includes a web browser and a web server accessible by the web browser so as to be executable, and can use an application that can be executed by accessing the web server using the web browser. Because
The image forming apparatus includes a storage medium,
The control method of the image forming apparatus is:
An analysis step of analyzing a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) corresponding to a file to be read when the application is executed, which is included in at least a part of description files describing the contents of the web page of the application When,
A determination step of determining whether a file corresponding to the URL can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed based on an analysis result of the analysis step;
A changing step of changing a URL corresponding to a file that can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed, based on the determination result of the determining step. And control method of image forming apparatus. A control program for an image forming apparatus, which includes a web browser and a web server accessible by the web browser so as to be executable, and can use an application that can be executed by accessing the web server using the web browser Because
The image forming apparatus includes a storage medium,
The control program for the image forming apparatus is:
An analysis step of analyzing a URL (Uniform Resource Locators) corresponding to a file to be read when the application is executed, which is included in at least a part of description files describing the contents of the web page of the application When,
A determination step of determining whether a file corresponding to the URL can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed based on an analysis result of the analysis step;
A changing step of changing a URL corresponding to a file that can be read from the storage medium when the application is executed out of the URLs analyzed by the analyzing step based on the determination result of the determining step; An image forming apparatus control program to be executed.

Images