JP2004127250A - Information controller, and printing method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information controller, an information printing method and system or the like in which the transmission destination or output setting is automatically switched in accordance with the kinds of contents. <P>SOLUTION: In the information control apparatus and the information printing method and system, a rule setting means stores selection information for specifying the output method of contents and the output method corresponding to the selection information as rule information and on the basis of selection information read out of contents and the rule information stored in the rule setting means, an output selecting means selects the output method of the contents. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information control device that selectively outputs information such as characters and images to a printing device connected via a network, and a printing method and system to which the information control device is applied.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various digital contents can be received via a network not only in offices but also in homes and mobile environments due to the development of network technologies such as the Internet and the use of broadband communication. These digital contents are composed of information such as characters and fine images such as photographs, alone or in combination.
[0003]
Under the above background, a plurality of printers used at home are being provided according to the purpose. That is, there are a printer connected to a personal computer at present and a non-PC printer which will become popular in the future. The non-PC printer is a printer that is connected to, for example, a television or an STB (set-top box) and outputs predetermined content in accordance with a print service provided by the television or the STB.
Such multiple printers print finely in a fine print mode even if the printing speed is slightly slower when printing content including fine images such as photographs (photo-based printers), and print information such as characters. Characters are selectively used such that characters are printed easily and at high speed (information printer). That is, the non-PC printer connected to the television or STB uses the photographic printer due to the characteristics of the digital contents handled, and the PC printer connected to the personal computer depends on the purpose of the personal computer. An information printer or a photographic printer is used. The photographic printer specifically corresponds to an ink jet printer and the like, and the information printer corresponds to a laser printer and a dot impact printer.
[0004]
Conventionally, a user changes a setting of a printer driver of a personal computer for each of a fine image such as a photograph and information such as a character, thereby obtaining a desired print performance or switching an output destination printer. Was.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when characters and the like are printed by the photographic printer, sufficient performance in terms of print quality and speed cannot be obtained as compared with the case where characters and the like are printed by the information printer. On the contrary, when a photograph is printed by the information-based printer, the image quality of the photograph is often not supported, and in most cases, a satisfactory printed matter cannot be obtained.
[0006]
In the case of using one printer, for example, the photographic printer, the user can switch the type (output setting) of the content to be output by the printer driver. However, when characters and the like are printed by a photographic printer, similar to the above, sufficient performance cannot be obtained in terms of print quality and speed. In this case, user intervention such as changing printer settings is indispensable.
[0007]
In particular, since a non-PC printer is not connected to a personal computer, it is difficult to make complicated settings, and the problem that the user needs to intervene appears remarkably. That is, in the above-mentioned non-PC printer, a configuration in which complicated settings by the user are omitted is particularly desired.
[0008]
In addition, examples of photographing devices that provide images such as photographs include digital cameras, digital video cameras, and IP (Internet Protocol) cameras. Switching the output destination printer. Even in such a case, it is desired to switch the output setting of the content without complicated setting by the user.
[0009]
Further, even when receiving and printing content information by e-mail or the like, it is desired to switch the output setting of the content without complicated settings by the user.
[0010]
As described above, conventionally, output processing with priority on an output device, such as outputting various contents as appropriate by changing the settings of an output device connected to a personal computer through a user, has been used. According to the present invention, a so-called content-priority output process, such as selecting an output device as a transmission destination having an optimum output or automatically switching the setting of an output device according to the type of received content, is realized. .
[0011]
That is, the present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information control device, an information printing method, and a system which automatically switch a destination or an output setting according to a content type. I do.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention employs the following means to achieve the above object. That is, the present invention is based on an information control device that controls transmission and reception of content between a plurality of devices connected via a network.
[0013]
Here, the rule setting means stores selection information for specifying a content output method and an output method corresponding to the selection information as rule information, and the output selection means:
A content output method is selected based on the selection information read from the content and the rule information stored in the rule setting means.
[0014]
In addition, the output selection unit has a configuration in which, when the selection information corresponding to the rule information is not included in the content, information that can be used as the selection information is obtained from the transmission source terminal that has obtained the content.
[0015]
Also, when acquiring the content, the selection information is determined based on at least one of the content acquisition mode, the content content, and the information obtained from the transmission source terminal, and the selection information is added to the content. There is a configuration that further includes an information adding unit that performs the above.
[0016]
In addition, when the output selection means cannot select an output method corresponding to the selection information, the output selection means has a configuration in which the fact is displayed on predetermined display means, and a configuration in which an alternative output method is displayed. Here, the predetermined display unit may be, for example, a device connected to the information control device via a network, in addition to the display unit connected to the information control device. Specifically, a display means such as a digital television, a portable terminal, and a personal computer is used.
[0017]
Note that the output method is for determining the terminal of the output destination or for determining the output mode.
[0018]
Further, the selection information includes the resolution information and the number of pixels of the content, the output destination information that is the output destination of the content, the shooting mode information that is information on the shooting mode, the size at the time of output of the content, the information of the source of the content, and the like. can do.
[0019]
Further, receiving means for receiving an e-mail including the above-mentioned selection information and content acquisition destination information which is a content acquisition destination address, and selecting an e-mail transfer destination based on the selection information and rule information included in the e-mail. There is a configuration including the output selection unit and a transmission unit that transmits the electronic mail to the transfer destination selected by the output selection unit.
[0020]
Further, the printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a mail receiving unit that receives an e-mail including selection information for specifying a content output method and content acquisition destination information that is a content acquisition address, and a mail reception unit. E-mail analysis means for analyzing the content acquisition destination information included in the received e-mail, and content reception for acquiring the content corresponding to the content acquisition destination information based on the content acquisition destination information analyzed by the e-mail analysis means And printing means for printing the acquired content.
[0021]
Further, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention is premised on photographing a subject with a plurality of resolutions and transmitting photographed image data to a predetermined terminal. Here, there is provided information addition means for adding selection information for specifying a content output method corresponding to the image data to the captured image data.
[0022]
A control information setting means for setting control information for selecting a resolution at the time of photographing from among a plurality of resolutions; and a mode switching means for determining a photographing resolution based on the control information set by the control information setting means. There is also a configuration including: When the control information includes transmission destination information for specifying a predetermined terminal, the image data is transmitted to the predetermined terminal based on the transmission destination information.
[0023]
The information control device, the printing device, and the photographing device can be embodied using a computer. In this case, each of the above means is embodied by running a program on a computer.
[0024]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to provide an understanding of the present invention. It should be noted that the following embodiments are examples embodying the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.
[0025]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
The information control device according to the present embodiment is, for example, an STB (set-top box) provided in a home, an information gateway device that mediates a connection between a home LAN (Local Area Network) and an external network such as the Internet. Is applicable. The information control device may be a device having a media server function of receiving and storing contents in addition to a gateway function.
[0026]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a print system in which the information control apparatus 101, the print terminal 121, and the mobile terminal 131 cooperate.
[0027]
The information control apparatus 101 can be embodied by interconnecting the following units with a bus 108. The details of the processing of each means will be described in order.
[0028]
The information control apparatus 101 is connected to a network 141, for example, a wireless network such as Bluetooth (hereinafter abbreviated as BT) or a wireless LAN, or a wired network such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a wired network such as a USB. , E-paper (e-book) 121C and the like, a digital camera 142, and a mobile terminal 131 such as a mobile phone 131A and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) 131B.
[0029]
On the other hand, the information control terminal 101 is connected to a content server 143 via an access network (such as an Internet network such as ADSL, CATV, and FTTH) 144, a modem 145, and the like. The content server 143 has a function of receiving a connection request from the information control apparatus 101. As represented by an HTML server, the content server 143 includes newspapers, advertisements (flyers), program guides, learning materials, magazines, photographs (images). ) Etc. are configured and maintained by the server.
[0030]
First, when the information control unit 101 acquires various contents downloaded from the content server 143, images transmitted from the digital camera 142, and the like via the interface processing unit 105 and the communication port 107, the information control unit 101 temporarily stores the contents. The content is stored in the storage 104 (FIG. 2: S201).
[0031]
When storing the content, the information adding unit 106 adds selection information for selecting an output destination to the content later. Hereinafter, the addition of the selection information will be described in detail. The selection information is information for selecting, for example, a printer, which is an output device of an output destination. Hereinafter, a case where the content is an image will be described. Prior to the description of the addition of the selection information, the resolution information will be described for understanding. The resolution is a scale that represents fineness and smoothness of image quality, such as the display capability of a display, the printing capability of a printer, and the resolution capability of a scanner. It indicates how many points the unit width is expressed as a set of points. The higher (larger) the value, the more natural image quality is obtained. When the resolution is low, jaggedness called "jaggies" appears in images and characters. In the case of a display, it is represented by the number of dots to be displayed on a screen, and in the case of a printer or a scanner, it is represented by the number of dots per inch, and dpi (dots per inch) is used as a unit.
[0032]
On the other hand, a unit of colored "dots" constituting a digital image is called a pixel. A digital image expresses one image by regularly arranging square (or rectangular) pixels vertically and horizontally.
[0033]
That is, the resolution information referred to here is the “number of pixels” and the “output size” of the digital image, and may be only the “number of pixels”. Alternatively, the resolution may be a resolution expressed in dpi calculated from the “number of pixels” and the “output size”.
[0034]
That is, in the image data, information indicating the number of pixels, resolution, image size, and the like corresponds to the selection information. The selection information also includes data types such as text data, image data, and data (Web page) in which image data and text data are mixed. Further, the URL itself of the Web page indicates that the URL itself is also a Web page, and it is possible to specify a content acquisition source, which will be described later, and thus can be used as selection information.
[0035]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which selection information for selecting an output destination at the time of content output is added to an image. FIG. 3A shows an example in which resolution information is added to an image, and the resolution information is selection information. Here, File (a1) has 2 million (301) pixels, File (a2) has 1.1 million (302) pixels, and File (a3) has 2 million (303) pixels. (FIG. 2: S202). The image (content) to which the selection information is added is stored in the storage unit 104 (FIG. 2: S203). Note that the resolution information is not reproduced at the same time as reproduction (output) of an image, and is added as internal information. Further, depending on the type of content, such as an image obtained from the digital camera 142 or an image such as JPEG, the content is provided with information that can be used as selection information in advance. The usable information is, for example, resolution information, content output size information, output destination information, shooting mode information, transmission source information, and the like. It is not always necessary to add the selection information to such an image. That is, in the case of content having information that can be substituted as the selection information, the substitute information may be used as the selection information without newly adding the selection information. Of course, the above-mentioned substitute information may be added as selection information.
[0036]
Here, when the information necessary for the output destination selecting means 103 to select the output destination is not other than the location information (URL or the like) of the source of the content, for example, the location information is used for the content. The transmission source may be accessed to obtain necessary selection information.
[0037]
Specifically, for example, a search is made in a terminal that is the transmission source of the content or in a folder in which the content is stored in the terminal. The search is effective when the source terminal is a web server or the like. Here, if a text file or the like in the folder (in the terminal) contains a word such as “photo” or “landscape”, the content can be determined to be a photo.
[0038]
In this way, even when it is difficult to determine an output destination by the rule setting unit 111, which will be described later, the information control apparatus itself obtains necessary selection information from an external source such as a transmission source and sets the information as selection information. Because of the addition, selection of an appropriate output destination can be realized even for contents that do not have valid selection information.
[0039]
Subsequently, for example, when an instruction to output the image is received from the user, the extracting unit 102 extracts a corresponding content from the content stored in the storage unit 104 and transmits the extracted content to the output destination selecting unit 103. The output selection unit 103 that has received the content selects an output destination of the content according to the rule set by the rule setting unit 111, and outputs the content to the print terminal 121 via the communication port 107, the interface processing unit 105, and the network 141. (Either the information printer 121A, the photographic printer 121B, or the e-paper / e-book 121C). The instruction from the user can be received, for example, by receiving an instruction such as printing from the mobile terminal 131 via a wireless network. The selection of the output destination by the output destination selection means 103 is performed as follows.
[0040]
That is, the output destination selecting unit 103 refers to the rule information 400 stored in the rule setting unit 111. The rule information is stored, for example, in a table format as shown in FIG. 4, and is stored in association with the selection information 401 and the output destination 402.
[0041]
Here, the output destination selecting unit 103 reads the selection information included in the content, searches the selection information 401 of the rule information 400 for data that matches the selection information, and obtains a corresponding output destination 402. For example, in the above example, if the selection information stored in the image is 1.5 million pixels, “1.3 million pixels or more” 403 of the selection information 401 corresponds, and the output destination is a photographic printer, that is, the photographic printer 121B. Become. Of course, when there are a plurality of photographic printers, an ID, a serial number, an IP address, and the like that can identify each printer are stored in the output destination 402, and one printer is selected based on this (FIG. 2: S204).
[0042]
When the selection of the output destination is completed, the output destination selection means 103 transmits the content to the selected output destination (here, for example, the photographic printer 121B) (FIG. 2: S205).
[0043]
Each output destination device that has received the content outputs (eg, prints) the content (FIG. 2: S206).
[0044]
As described above, the selection information is added to the content as necessary, and the output destination is selected according to a predetermined rule, whereby the transmission destination can be automatically switched according to the content type.
[0045]
Although the number of pixels is added as the selection information in the above example, output destination information may be added as the selection information. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, File (b1) and File (b3) indicate "Photo" (311 and 313) indicating a photographic printer, and File (b2) indicates "Info" indicating an information printer. (312) is added as selection information of each content.
[0046]
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, “Photo” 404 and “Info” 405 are applied as selection information 401 as rules.
[0047]
FIG. 3C shows an example in which shooting mode information is added to the selection information. Here, File (c1) and File (c3) have "Pre (= precision: precision)" (321, 323) indicating shooting in the fine mode, and File (c2) has "Coa () indicating shooting in coarse mode. = Coarse: coarse) ”(322) is added as each selection information.
[0048]
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, “Pre” 406 and “Cor” 407 are applied as selection information 401 as rules.
[0049]
Further, the size at the time of outputting the content may be added as the selection information. In this case, for example, if the content is A3 size, the rule information is set so that the content is output to an output device (such as a printer) capable of outputting A3 size.
[0050]
When selecting an output destination based on selection information added to the content by the output destination selection unit 103, for example, output destination information such as an ID, a serial number, and an IP address that can identify a printer as an output device, If it is not possible to find the output device to be used, inform the source of the content or the output instruction of the content, etc., and the output destination information of the alternative output device candidate, and continue the current output process. It may be inquired about whether or not (FIG. 2B: S20401 No → S20402). In response to this inquiry, the processing is continued only when the continuation is selected (FIG. 2B: S20403 Yes → S205).
[0051]
In this way, even when the corresponding output device cannot be found, it is possible to appropriately deal with the inability to output the content after reflecting the intention of the source or output instructor of the content. .
[0052]
When an output destination (printer) is selected based on the selection information added to the content by the output destination selection unit 103, if a corresponding output device or an appropriate output device cannot be found, another output device is selected. A preview image may be generated and displayed on (a television or the like) (FIG. 2C: No in S20411 → S20412). In response to this display, processing is continued only when continuation is selected (FIG. 2C: S20413 Yes → S205).
[0053]
Specifically, for example, when an attempt is made to print a content using the font X, the predetermined printer A does not have the font X, and the information control device does not have the font X. In such a case, usually, the content is printed using a substitute font. However, the print image at this time has a different impression from that using the original font X. If such a content is printed as it is, there is a possibility that the printed matter will be contrary to the user's will. In order to avoid such a problem, if the information processing apparatus cannot find an appropriate output device, it outputs an output image when the above-mentioned alternative font is used, for example, to a television or the like before outputting it to the alternative output device. A preview image or the like is output once using the output device.
[0054]
In this way, the user can confirm the expected output state based on the preview image before outputting with the alternative output device. The display of the preview image at that time may be performed by using a device connected to the information control device via a network, for example, a display unit such as a digital television, a portable terminal, or a personal computer. With this configuration, even if the information control device does not have a display unit suitable for previewing the content, the content can be previewed by the display unit of the substitute device, and a printed material contrary to the user's intention can be output. Problems can be avoided.
[0055]
What has been described above is an example in which the output destination selecting unit switches the output destination according to the content. The following is an example in which the output mode is switched according to the content.
[0056]
At present, some popular printers have a plurality of output modes. At the time of printing a photograph, for example, by setting the photograph mode, printing suitable for the photograph is performed. On the other hand, when printing characters and the like, for example, by setting to a character mode, control is performed such as printing at high speed and suppressing consumption of ink and the like.
[0057]
When such a printer is connected to a personal computer, the user changes, for example, driver settings according to the content. However, as described above, in particular, non-PC printers are not connected to a personal computer, which makes it difficult to perform complicated settings. Further, since the input device is poor, there is a configuration in which user intervention as much as possible, that is, complicated settings, etc. is omitted. desired.
[0058]
Therefore, the information control device 101 includes the output mode selection means 109. While the above-mentioned output destination selecting means 103 has selected the output destination based on the content and the rule information, the output mode selecting means 109 switches the output mode based on the content and the rule information.
[0059]
FIG. 5 shows an example of rule information referred to by the output mode selection means 109. The rule information 500 includes selection information 501 and an output mode 502. Further, the information adding means 106 adds selection information indicating the type of the content to the content acquired from the content server 143, for example. Specifically, the selection information indicating the type includes text data 503, the number of pixels 504, 505, a photo (Photo) 506, a Web page 507, and the like. That is, if, for example, a Web page (content) has been acquired from the content server 143, the information adding unit 106 adds selection information called “Web page” to the content constituting the Web page.
[0060]
When outputting the Web page, the output mode selection means 109 reads the selection information included in the Web page, and selects the corresponding “Web page” mode 508 by referring to the rule information 500.
[0061]
Next, the output mode selection unit 109 changes the setting of the driver corresponding to the printer that outputs the Web page to “Web page”, and transmits the Web page to the printer.
[0062]
As described above, by adding the selection information to the content as necessary and selecting (changing) the output mode according to a predetermined rule, it is possible to automatically switch the output mode according to the content type. Become. As a result, even when outputting to a non-PC printer, user intervention can be minimized. It goes without saying that the load on the user can be reduced even when the data is output to a printer connected to a normal personal computer.
[0063]
When the type of the content can be determined by the format of the content, it is not always necessary to add the selection information. In the case of text data in a text file format, the output mode selecting means 109 may output the output mode as “document mode”.
[0064]
Next, an example will be described in which the information control apparatus 101 receives content from the content server 143 and outputs the content to an output destination based on a rule set in the rule setting unit in advance.
[0065]
In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, the selection information 601 of the rule information 600 stores the content server 143 and information 603 for specifying a predetermined content in the content server 143. The output destination 602 stores information on a device (printer) to be an output destination. Note that the information 603 for specifying the content can be rephrased as a content ID, and the content ID corresponds to a URL, a file name, or the like.
[0066]
First, the information control apparatus 101 presents the content ID to the content server 143 and transmits a content transmission request. In response to this, the content transmitted from the content server 143 is added with the content ID by the information adding unit 106 and recorded in the storage unit 104. However, when outputting directly, it is not always necessary to save in the storage means 104.
[0067]
Next, when the extracting unit 102 extracts the content stored in the storage unit 104 and transmits the content to the output destination selecting unit 103, the output destination selecting unit 103 transmits the content to the designated device based on the rule information 600. Output. That is, for example, when the selection information “www.aaa.bbb.xx.jp/aaa.html” is added to the content, the selection information 603 in FIG. 6 corresponds to the content. Will be output.
[0068]
As described above, by using the selection information as the information (content ID) of the transmission source of the content, it is possible to output the acquired content from an appropriate output device as appropriate. It is possible to automatically output the target content from the target device without the intervention of the user. For example, when the user subscribes to the content such as news from a certain content server, the convenience of the user can be particularly improved.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, a usage scene of the information control apparatus related to distribution and printing of an electronic newspaper will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the description overlapping with the first embodiment will be omitted.
[0069]
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a print system in which the information control device 701, the print terminal 121, and the mobile terminal 131 according to the second embodiment cooperate.
[0070]
Conventionally, newspapers distributed on paper have various types of information such as newspaper articles, newspaper advertisements, TV program guides, and insert flyers. Also in electronic newspapers, it is preferable to provide a dedicated server according to the characteristics of the information as shown in FIG. 7 in order to cope with various kinds of information.
[0071]
That is, the insert flyer server 711 is a server that distributes special sale information, job offer information, and the like in the area designated by the newspaper subscriber. The TV program guide distribution server 712 is a server that distributes TV channel program information that can be received in an area specified by a newspaper subscriber. The receivable TV channel may be different for each individual, so the TV channel is customized for each newspaper subscriber. It may be possible. The newspaper advertisement distribution server 713 is a server that distributes advertisements such as corporate advertisements that have been published in newspapers in conventional paper newspapers. The newspaper article distribution server 714 is a server that distributes newspaper articles. The newspaper distribution destination management server 715 is a server that manages a newspaper subscription contractor and a newspaper distribution destination.
[0072]
First, the subscriber signs a newspaper subscription contract from the mobile terminal 131 or the personal computer 146 through an electronic procedure on the homepage of the subscription contract or by visiting a solicitor. In the case of a recruiter's visit, information necessary for setting for each individual may be answered in a questionnaire format, and the collected information may be input to a newspaper distribution destination management server or the like.
[0073]
In addition, the subscriber designates, in advance, the information control device 701 of the newspaper distribution destination and the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the print terminal for push printing from the mobile terminal 131 or the personal computer 146. Here, as the print terminal 121, an information system printer 121A or an electronic paper / electronic book 121C that can print at a high speed to some extent is preferable.
[0074]
In addition, the subscriber may be able to select his or her favorite from the following five subscription methods.
[0075]
Hereinafter, a detailed operation for realizing the above-described subscription method will be described.
[0076]
First, the first method will be described. The subscriber connects to the newspaper distribution destination management server 715 from the mobile terminal 131 (such as the mobile phone 131A or the PDA 131B) or the personal computer 145 to receive the content (newspaper article, newspaper advertisement, TV program guide, insert flyer, etc.). The e-mail address and the distribution time of the information control device 701 installed on the user side (hereinafter referred to as distribution destination information) are registered.
[0077]
The distribution destination information is stored in, for example, the newspaper distribution destination management server 715. The contents of the content distribution servers 711 to 714 are updated at appropriate timings. For example, if the content of the newspaper article distribution server 714 is distributed every day at 1:00 am, about one hour before the distribution starts Will be updated by
[0078]
In this state, the newspaper distribution destination management server 715 transmits an e-mail including the information 800 shown in FIG. 8 to the registered e-mail address, for example, at the distribution time. That is, the e-mail creating means constituting the newspaper distribution destination management server 715 includes selection information 801 such as a type of content held by each of the content distribution servers 711 to 714 and a content which is an address of the content server corresponding to the selection information. The acquisition source information 802 is paired and stored in an electronic mail. The selection information stored in the e-mail is the same as the selection information described in the first embodiment.
[0079]
The contents of the information 800 will be specifically described. Although the information 800 includes a plurality of pieces of selection information, it is assumed that only one pair is included in operation.
[0080]
The selection information 803 that constitutes the information 800 is text data, and the corresponding content acquisition destination information 804 points to, for example, a “chirashi.htm” file in the insert flyer distribution server 711. This means that the file “chirash.htm” in the insert flyer distribution server 711 is text data. Similarly, for example, the selection information 805 indicates an image file having 1.3 million pixels or more, and the corresponding content acquisition destination information 806 indicates a file “newsA.htm” in the newspaper article distribution server 714. This means that the file “newsA.htm” in the newspaper article distribution server 714 is an image file having 1.3 million pixels or more.
[0081]
The e-mail including the information 800 created by the e-mail creation means is transmitted to the registered e-mail address at a predetermined time. Next, in the information control device 701 that has received the e-mail via the e-mail transmitting / receiving means 703, the output destination selecting means 103 analyzes the information 800 included in the e-mail, and according to the first embodiment, The destination of the electronic mail is determined based on the rule information described above. The rule information used here corresponds to the rule information 400 described in the first embodiment, and the output destination 402 stores an IP address and an e-mail address.
[0082]
When the output destination selecting unit 103 determines the transfer destination of the electronic mail, the electronic mail transmitting / receiving unit 703 transmits the electronic mail to each print terminal 121.
[0083]
Subsequently, in the print terminal 121 (here, the photographic printer 121B) that has received the e-mail via the e-mail receiving means, the e-mail analyzing means analyzes the information 800 included in the e-mail and acquires the content. Based on the destination information 802, a corresponding content is acquired from the newspaper article distribution server 714 via, for example, the network 141, and the printing unit prints the content.
[0084]
With such a configuration, it is possible to output a plurality of types of contents distributed from a plurality of distribution servers from appropriate output devices (printing devices). In addition, since each distribution server does not need to send the content to the print terminal, it is possible to distribute the content with a reduced load on each distribution server.
[0085]
Next, the second method will be described. The subscriber connects to the newspaper distribution destination management server 715 from the mobile terminal 131 or the personal computer 145, and prints a print terminal 121 (information printer 121A or e) for push printing with the information control device 701 installed on the subscriber side receiving the content. The distribution destination information such as the IP address of the paper e-book 121C and the distribution time is registered.
[0086]
The newspaper distribution destination management server 715 notifies the registered distribution destination information to each content distribution server (newspaper distribution server 714, newspaper advertisement distribution server 713, TV program guide distribution server 712, insert flyer distribution server 711, etc.). .
[0087]
Each of the content distribution servers 711 to 715 distributes each content to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination information when the distribution time registered by the subscriber is reached.
[0088]
The information control device 701 on the subscriber side receives the content distributed from each of the content distribution servers 711 to 715, and temporarily stores the content in the storage unit 104. An output destination is set for each content in the rule setting unit 111, and the information control device 701 sequentially outputs the content stored in the storage unit 104 to the information printer 121A based on the setting of the rule setting unit 111. .
[0089]
The information system printer 121A receives the print data of the content from the information control device 701, and sequentially prints out the data.
[0090]
Next, the third method will be described. In this method, after previewing the content on the mobile terminal 131 or the like, the content to be printed is selected and output to the print terminal 121.
[0091]
The process up to the content distribution by each of the content distribution servers 711 to 715 is the same as in the second method.
[0092]
The information control device 701 on the subscriber side receives the content distributed from each of the content distribution servers 711 to 715, and temporarily stores the content in the storage unit 104.
[0093]
After previewing the content stored using the mobile terminal 131, the subscriber selects the content to be printed out and sends a command to the information control device 701 to output the content to the print terminal 121.
[0094]
The information control device 701 receives a print output command from the mobile terminal 131 and outputs it to the information printer 121A.
[0095]
The information printer 14A receives the print data of the content from the information control device 10 and prints out the content.
[0096]
Next, a fourth method will be described. In this method, when storing the content in the storage unit 104 of the information control device 701, the subscriber prints out the content on demand from the mobile terminal 131 based on the content ID issued for each content.
[0097]
Up to the distribution of the content by each of the content distribution servers 711 to 715, it is the same as the second and third methods.
[0098]
The information control device 701 on the subscriber side receives the content distributed from each of the content distribution servers 711 to 715, and temporarily stores the content in the storage unit 104.
[0099]
The information control device 701 issues an ID for each content stored in the storage unit 104, and transmits the ID to the mobile terminal 131 by e-mail.
[0100]
The subscriber transmits a print command together with the content ID from the mobile terminal 131 to the information control device 701.
[0101]
The information control device 701 receives the content ID and the print command from the mobile terminal 131, and outputs print data of the content corresponding to the ID to the information printer 121A.
[0102]
The information printer 121A receives print data of the content from the information control device 701 and prints out the content.
[0103]
Next, a fifth method will be described. In this method, when storing the content in the storage unit of the information control device 701, the content with the ID issued for each content is output to the e-paper / e-book 121C. The subscriber prints out the content on demand from the epaper / ebook 121C.
[0104]
The processes up to the distribution of the contents by the content distribution servers 711 to 715 are the same as the second, third, and fourth methods.
[0105]
The information control device 701 on the subscriber side receives the content distributed from each of the content distribution servers 711 to 715, and temporarily stores the content in the storage unit 104.
[0106]
The information control device 701 issues an ID for each content stored in the storage unit 104, and outputs the ID-added content to the e-paper / e-book 121C.
[0107]
The subscriber sends a print command together with the content ID to the information control apparatus 10 from the e-paper / e-book 121C.
[0108]
The information control device 701 receives the content ID and the print command from the epaper / ebook 121C, and outputs print data of the content corresponding to the ID to the information printer 121A.
[0109]
The information printer 121A receives the print data of the content from the information control device 701 and prints out the content.
[0110]
Next, FIG. 9 shows an example in which the information control device 701 generates an ID and additional information for the content when the content downloaded from the content server 143 is stored in the storage unit 104 and notifies the mobile terminal 131 of the user by e-mail. It will be described using FIG.
[0111]
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the information generation unit 702 and the e-mail transmission unit 703 storing the content to which the ID is added.
[0112]
The information generation unit 702 of the information control device 701 issues an ID to each content when storing the content downloaded from the content server 143. As the content ID of the image information, for example, img0001 and an ID are added. For the content ID of a newspaper article or the like, for example, inf0001 and an ID are added.
[0113]
When the content is an image, the information generating unit 702 generates a thumbnail of the image, and when the content is a newspaper article or the like, creates an abstract from the headline of the article.
[0114]
The electronic mail transmitting unit 703 transmits the content ID and the additional information generated by the information generating unit 702 to the user's mobile terminal 131 as an electronic mail A or an electronic mail B as shown in FIG.
(Embodiment 3)
The information control device according to the third embodiment is, for example, an information gateway that switches and outputs information such as characters and images according to the performance of the printing device connected to the network and the resolution of the information, as in the first embodiment. Device. The information control device may be a device having both a gateway function and a media server function.
[0115]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a broadband-compatible print system in cooperation with an information control device, a print terminal, a mobile terminal, and an IP camera.
[0116]
Here, the description overlapping with the first and second embodiments will be omitted, and the operation of the print system in cooperation with an IP (= Internet Protocol) camera will be described.
[0117]
IP cameras 11X and 11Y in FIG. 11 are installed at remote locations, and are connected to information control device 1001 via modem 145 and access network 144. The IP cameras 11X and 11Y have two shooting modes, a fine shooting mode and a coarse shooting mode, and can select an image of the IP camera desired to be viewed from the mobile terminal 131 or the like and switch the shooting mode.
[0118]
The IP cameras 16X and 16Y in FIG. 10 are installed, for example, at the entrance of a home where the information control device 1001 is installed, and are connected to the information control device 1001 via a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like. The IP cameras 16X and 16Y have the same functions as the IP cameras 11X and 11Y, and can be remotely operated from a mobile terminal.
[0119]
First, an example of printing a still image of a video image captured by the IP cameras 11X and 11Y installed at remote locations will be described. The user specifies the IP address of the IP camera 11X or 11Y from the mobile terminal 131 shown in FIG. 10 to the rule setting unit 111 of the information control device 1001, and the information control device 1001 shoots with the IP cameras 11X and 11Y. The selected video is selectively received. This can be achieved by the same mechanism as the connection with each of the servers 711 to 715 in the second embodiment.
[0120]
The user monitors the image captured by the IP camera from the mobile terminal 131, and sets the IP address of the favorite IP camera, the shooting mode, and the print output destination corresponding to the shooting mode in the rule setting unit 111.
[0121]
Here, it is assumed that the IP camera 11X and the detailed shooting mode have been selected, and the following description will be made. The information control device 1001 receives the above setting by the user to the rule setting unit 111 and requests the IP camera 11X to transmit an image (video) shot in the detailed mode as the shooting mode. Upon receiving a transmission request from the information control device 1001, the IP camera 11X switches to a detailed shooting mode when the current setting is a rough shooting mode. If the current setting is the detailed shooting mode, the current setting is maintained.
[0122]
Subsequently, the IP camera 11X transmits the captured video to the mobile terminal 131 via the information control device 1001.
[0123]
The user sends a print command to the information control device 1001 while watching the video from the IP camera 11X on the mobile terminal 131.
[0124]
The information control device 1001 receives a print command from the mobile terminal 131, and outputs print data of an image held at a timing when the image print command of the IP camera 11X is received to the photographic printer 121B.
[0125]
The photographic printer 121B receives print data of an image from the information control device 1001 and prints out the data.
[0126]
Next, a case where the shooting mode of the IP camera 11X is set to be switched every predetermined time will be described.
[0127]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of IP camera 11X in the present embodiment.
[0128]
The IP camera 11X is an IP camera that receives control information from the information control device 1001 and shoots while switching the shooting mode at predetermined time intervals. Such an IP camera can be embodied by mutually connecting the units described below with a bus 11X09.
[0129]
That is, the image capturing unit 11X01 captures an image of a subject captured in the IP camera 11X. The first image receiving unit 11X02 detects a signal from the photographing unit 11X01 as fine image data. The second image receiving unit 11X03 detects a signal from the photographing unit 11X01 as coarse image data. The mode switching unit 11X04 switches between image data detected by the first image receiving unit 11X02 and image data detected by the second image receiving unit 11X03 based on the setting of the control information setting unit 11X05, and stores the image data via the bus 11X09. Send to means 11X06. The storage unit 11X06 stores the image data received from the mode switching unit 11X04 via the bus 11X09. The communication port 11X07 is connected to the access network 12 via the interface processing unit 11X08, and transmits an image (video) stored in the storage unit 11X06 to the information control device 1001.
[0130]
Hereinafter, an operation in the case where the shooting mode of the IP camera 11X switches at predetermined time intervals will be described.
[0131]
The user sets the control information of the IP camera 11X in the rule setting unit 111 of the information control device 1001 from the mobile terminal 131 or the personal computer 146.
[0132]
Here, the “control information” refers to a communication time (start time, end time) with the IP camera, a switching interval between a fine shooting mode and a coarse shooting mode, an interval for transmitting a still image of a shot video, and the like. .
[0133]
The information control device 1001 transfers the control information set in the rule setting unit 111 to the IP camera 11X.
[0134]
Upon receiving the control information from the information control device 1001, the IP camera 11X sets the communication time, the mode switching interval, the interval for transmitting the still image of the captured video, and the like to the control information setting unit 11X05.
[0135]
Next, when the communication start time set in the control information setting unit 11X05 comes, the IP camera 11X temporarily stores a still image of the captured video in, for example, the storage unit 11X06, and then the information adding unit 11X10 adds the selection information to the image. The information is added and transmitted to the information control device 1001. Here, the selection information corresponds to the above-described shooting mode, and includes a fine shooting mode, a coarse shooting mode, a resolution, the number of pixels, and the like.
[0136]
In this case, while switching the shooting mode by the mode switching unit 11X04 based on the mode switching interval set in the control information setting unit 11X05, the still image of the video stored in the storage unit 11X06 with the shooting mode information added thereto is transferred to the communication port. 11X07, the interface processing means 11X08, the access network 144, and the modem 145 to transfer the information to the information control apparatus 1001.
[0137]
When the information control device 1001 receives the still image to which the shooting mode information is added from the IP camera 11X, it temporarily stores the still image in the storage unit 104.
[0138]
Next, the extraction unit 102 transmits the image stored in the storage unit 104 to the output destination selection unit 103, and the output destination selection unit 103 obtains the added shooting mode information (selection information).
[0139]
Subsequently, the output destination selection unit 103 selects an output destination of the image based on the selection information and the rule information (for example, the rule information 500) stored in the storage unit. When the shooting mode information is “Pre (= precision: precise)” indicating a fine shooting mode, the output destination selecting unit 103 outputs a still image to the photographic printer 121B. On the other hand, when the shooting mode is “Coa (= Coarse: coarse)” representing the rough shooting mode, the output destination selecting unit 103 outputs the still image to the information system printer 121A as described in the first embodiment. It is.
[0140]
As described above, the selection information for specifying the content output method is added to the image data captured by automatically switching the resolution of the captured image according to the date and time of shooting, the shooting time interval, the subject, and the like. Output, it is possible to automatically switch the output destination of the image data selectively photographed based on the selection information.
[0141]
In the above description, the IP camera 11X has at least two shooting modes, and the mode switching control has been described. However, two IP cameras capable of shooting in the fine mode and two IP cameras capable of shooting in the coarse mode are switched. Control may be performed as follows.
[0142]
The shooting modes of the IP camera are not limited to the fine mode and the coarse mode.
[0143]
The present invention is also applicable to a configuration in which a plurality of shooting modes and a plurality of IP cameras are combined.
[0144]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the present invention, it is possible to automatically switch the transmission destination according to the content type by adding the selection information to the content as necessary and selecting the output destination according to a predetermined rule. It becomes.
[0145]
Further, the selection information is added to the content as necessary, and the output mode is selected (changed) according to a predetermined rule, whereby the output mode can be automatically switched according to the content type. This can minimize the intervention of the user even when outputting to a non-PC printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a print system in which an information control device, a print terminal, and a mobile terminal according to a first embodiment cooperate;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the information control device according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which selection information for selecting an output destination at the time of content output is added to an image.
FIG. 4 is a first example of rule information regarding an output destination.
FIG. 5 is an example of rule information regarding an output mode.
FIG. 6 is a second example of rule information regarding an output destination.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electronic newspaper print system in cooperation with an information control device, a print terminal, and a mobile terminal according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an example of information included in an electronic mail.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining operations of an information generation unit and an e-mail transmission unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a print system in cooperation with an information control device, a print terminal, a mobile terminal, and an IP camera according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of an IP camera according to a third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Information control device
102 Extraction means
103 Output destination selection means
104 storage means
105 Interface processing means
106 information adding means
107 Communication port
108 Bus
109 Output mode selection means
110 E-mail transmission means
111 Rule setting means
121 print terminal
121A Information printer
121B Photo Printer
121C e-paper / e-book
131 Mobile Terminal
131A mobile phone
131B PDA
141 Network
142 Digital Camera
143 Content Server
144 access network
145 modem

Claims (29)

In an information control device that controls transmission and reception of content between a plurality of devices connected via a network,
Rule setting means for storing selection information for specifying a content output method and an output method corresponding to the selection information as rule information,
Output selection means for selecting a content output method based on the selection information read from the content and the rule information stored in the rule setting means;
An information control device comprising: 2. The output selection unit according to claim 1, wherein when the content does not include selection information corresponding to the rule information, the output selection unit obtains information usable as the selection information from a transmission source terminal that has obtained the content. 3. Information control device. At the time of obtaining the content, the selection information is determined based on at least one of the content acquisition mode, the content content, and the information obtained from the transmission source terminal, and information addition for adding the selection information to the content. 3. The information control device according to claim 2, further comprising a unit. The information control device according to claim 1, wherein the output selection means displays on a predetermined display means that the output method corresponding to the selection information cannot be selected, on a predetermined display means. 5. The information control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said output selection means further displays an alternative output method on a predetermined display means. The information control device according to claim 1, wherein the output method is an output destination or an output mode. The information control device according to claim 6, wherein the selection information is resolution information indicating a resolution of the content. The information control device according to claim 7, wherein the resolution information includes a number of pixels. 7. The information control device according to claim 6, wherein the selection information is output destination information that is an output destination of the content. The information control device according to claim 6, wherein the selection information is shooting mode information that is information on a shooting mode. 7. The information control device according to claim 6, wherein the selection information is a size at the time of outputting the content. The information control device according to claim 6, wherein the selection information is information on a transmission source of the content. Further, receiving means for receiving an e-mail including the selection information and content acquisition destination information which is an address of a content acquisition destination,
The output selection means for selecting a destination of the e-mail based on the selection information and the rule information included in the e-mail,
2. The information control device according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the electronic mail to the transfer destination selected by the output selection unit. In a control method for controlling transmission and reception of content between a plurality of devices connected via a network,
A rule setting step of storing selection information for specifying a content output method and an output method corresponding to the selection information as rule information;
An output selection step of selecting a content output method based on the selection information read from the content and the rule information stored in the rule setting step;
A control method characterized by comprising: A computer that controls the transmission and reception of content between multiple devices connected via a network,
A rule setting step of storing selection information for specifying a content output method and an output method corresponding to the selection information as rule information;
An output selection step of selecting a content output method based on the selection information read from the content and the rule information stored in the rule setting step;
A program that executes A computer that controls the transmission and reception of content between multiple devices connected via a network,
A rule setting step of storing selection information for specifying a content output method and an output method corresponding to the selection information as rule information;
A receiving step of receiving an e-mail including the selection information and content acquisition destination information which is an address of an acquisition destination of the content,
An output selection step of selecting a transfer destination of the electronic mail based on the selection information included in the electronic mail and the rule information stored in the rule setting step; A sending step of sending an email,
A program that executes Mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail including content selection destination information that is selection information for specifying a content output method and a content obtainment address,
E-mail analyzing means for analyzing the content acquisition destination information included in the e-mail received by the e-mail receiving means,
Based on the content acquisition destination information analyzed by the email analysis means, a content reception unit that acquires a content corresponding to the content acquisition destination information,
Printing means for printing the acquired content;
A printing device comprising: 18. The printing apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the content acquisition destination information is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of a transmission source of the content. The content receiving means, when the URL has a hierarchical structure, receives the content of each layer below the layer indicated by the URL,
19. The printing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the printing unit receives the content of each layer. A mail receiving step of receiving an e-mail including selection information for specifying a content output method and content acquisition destination information that is a content acquisition address,
An email analyzing step of analyzing content acquisition destination information included in the email received in the email receiving step,
Based on the content acquisition destination information analyzed in the email analysis step, a content reception step of acquiring a content corresponding to the content acquisition destination information,
A printing step of printing the acquired content;
A program that causes a computer to execute. In a printing system configured between an information control device that controls transmission and reception of content between a plurality of devices connected via a network and a plurality of printing devices,
The information control device includes:
Rule setting means for storing selection information for specifying a content output method and an output method corresponding to the selection information as rule information;
Receiving means for receiving an e-mail including the selection information and content acquisition destination information which is an address of a content acquisition destination,
Output selection means for selecting a destination of the e-mail based on the selection information and the rule information included in the e-mail,
Transmitting means for transmitting the e-mail to the transfer destination selected by the output selecting means,
The printing device,
Mail receiving means for receiving the electronic mail from the information control device,
E-mail analyzing means for analyzing the content acquisition destination information included in the e-mail received by the e-mail receiving means,
Based on the content acquisition destination information analyzed by the email analysis means, a content reception unit that acquires a content corresponding to the content acquisition destination information,
Printing means for printing the acquired content;
A printing system comprising: Further, the transmitting device corresponding to the content acquisition destination information,
E-mail creating means for creating an e-mail including the selection information and the content acquisition destination information,
22. The printing system according to claim 21, further comprising a transmission unit configured to transmit the electronic mail created by the electronic mail creation unit to the information control device. In a content printing method performed between a plurality of devices connected via a network,
A receiving step of receiving an e-mail including selection information for specifying a content output method and content acquisition destination information that is a content acquisition address,
The transfer destination of the e-mail is determined based on the selection information included in the e-mail, the selection information for specifying the content output method, and the rule information that is the information corresponding to the output method corresponding to the selection information. Output selection step to select,
A transmitting step of transmitting the e-mail to the transfer destination selected in the output selecting step,
An email receiving step of receiving the email,
An email analyzing step of analyzing content acquisition destination information included in the email received in the email receiving step,
Based on the content acquisition destination information analyzed in the email analysis step, a content reception step of acquiring a content corresponding to the content acquisition destination information,
A printing step of printing the acquired content;
A printing method, comprising: In a photographing apparatus for photographing a subject at a plurality of resolutions and transmitting photographed image data to a predetermined terminal,
An image capturing apparatus, comprising: information adding means for adding selection information for specifying a content output method corresponding to the image data to the captured image data. Further, control information setting means for setting control information for selecting a resolution at the time of shooting out of the plurality of resolutions,
The photographing apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising: a mode switching unit that determines the resolution of the photographing based on the control information set by the control information setting unit. 26. The imaging device according to claim 25, wherein the control information includes destination information for specifying the predetermined terminal, and the image data is transmitted to the predetermined terminal based on the destination information. A computer that shoots an object at a plurality of resolutions and transmits image data of the shot to a predetermined terminal,
An information adding step of adding selection information for specifying a content output method corresponding to the image data to the captured image data;
A transmitting step of transmitting the image data to which the selection information is added to the predetermined terminal,
A program that executes In a printing system that prints image data captured by a capturing device that captures an object at a plurality of resolutions from a predetermined printing device via a network,
The photographing device,
Information adding means for adding selection information for specifying the output method of the image data corresponding to the image data to the captured image data;
Transmitting means for transmitting the image data to which the selection information is added to an information control device that controls transmission and reception of the content,
The information control device includes:
Rule setting means for storing selection information for specifying an output method of image data and an output method corresponding to the selection information as rule information,
Output selecting means for selecting a printing apparatus as an output destination of image data based on the selection information read from the image data and the rule information stored in the rule setting means, and transmitting the image data to the printing apparatus And a printing system comprising: In a printing method of photographing a subject at a plurality of resolutions and printing the photographed image data from a predetermined printing device via a network,
An information adding step of adding selection information for specifying the output method of the image data, corresponding to the image data, to the captured image data;
Output of the image data based on the selection information read from the image data, selection information for specifying an output method of the image data, and rule information that is information corresponding to an output destination corresponding to the selection information. An output selection step of selecting a destination printing apparatus and transmitting the image data to the printing apparatus;
A printing method, comprising:

Images