JP2003167724A - Server device, server application using system, and server application using method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Problem] Perform advanced image editing and text editing via a network. SOLUTION: A character data receiving unit 6 which receives character data transmitted from a terminal device 1 via a network,
An image data receiving unit 6 that receives image data transmitted from the terminal device 1 via the network, an editing unit 6 that edits the received character data and image data in response to an editing request from the terminal device 1, An image file conversion unit 6 that converts the edited character data and image data into image files, and transmits the converted image files to the terminal device 1 via a network in response to a transmission request from the terminal device 1 This is realized by including the transmission unit 6.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a server device, a server application utilization system, and a server application utilization method for executing a predetermined process on the side of a server device connected via a network according to an instruction from a terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, with the spread of PCs (Personal Computers) in homes, users of PCs use various application programs to perform advanced image editing and
It is becoming possible to easily edit texts and perform other tasks such as printing.

In particular, when creating a New Year's card that has been conventionally required to be requested to a professional printing company in the case of creating a New Year's card to be performed every year, an application program having an advanced editing function and a storage capacity are required. PC with a large-capacity HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a high-processing CPU (Central Processing Unit)
Also, since color printers capable of high-quality printing have begun to be provided at relatively low prices, it is becoming possible to print at a level comparable to New Year's cards created by professional printers even at home.

[0004]

However, purchasing a high-performance PC just for creating a New Year's card is too expensive for a user who usually only makes emails and creates simple sentences. There is such a problem.

Further, the application program for creating a New Year's card is upgraded every year by incorporating new functions, and it is necessary for the user to purchase new software or upgrade each year in order to use the new functions. There is a problem that expenses will increase.

On the other hand, while a high-performance and multi-function PC is provided at a low price, it is better than a PC equipped with a limited number of functions most frequently used by users, such as a network communication function, an image display function, and a printing function. An inexpensive terminal device is provided.

[0007] Such a terminal device has the advantages that the operability is improved by limiting the functions, and the terminal device can be lightened and thus is convenient to carry.

However, since such a terminal device has limited functions, it is not equipped with a high storage capacity HDD, memory, CPU with high processing capacity, etc. Since it is difficult to edit or the like, there is a problem that, for example, it is impossible to create a New Year's card that is higher than a level that can be created on a PC with such a terminal device.

Therefore, the present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in order to be able to provide it to many users, only the functions that are frequently used by users are specialized and installed. An object of the present invention is to provide a server device, a server application utilization system, and a server application utilization method that provide advanced image editing and text editing in a terminal device.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a server device according to the present invention comprises a terminal device having a printing means for printing an image file and a server device connected via a network. A character data receiving means for receiving character data transmitted from the terminal device via the network; an image data receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the terminal device via the network; Editing means for editing the character data received by the character data receiving means and the image data received by the image data receiving means in response to an editing request from the terminal device; and character data edited by the editing means, An image file conversion means for converting image data into an image file, and an image file converted by the image file conversion means. Le in response to a transmission request from the terminal apparatus, characterized by comprising a transmitting means for transmitting over the network to the terminal device.

In order to achieve the above object, a server application utilization system according to the present invention is a server application utilization system in which a terminal device and a server device are connected via a network, and the terminal device is Character data transmitting means for transmitting character data to the server device via a network, image data transmitting means for transmitting image data to the server device via the network, and data transmitted from the server device via the network. And an image file receiving means for receiving the image file received by the image file receiving means, and a printing means for printing the image file received by the image file receiving means. The server device is characterized in that the character data transmitted from the character data transmitting means via the network. Character data receiving means for receiving data and the image data Image data receiving means for receiving image data transmitted via a network from a data transmitting unit, and the character data received by the character data receiving means,
Editing means for editing the image data received by the image data receiving means in response to an editing request from the terminal device;
In response to a transmission request from the terminal device, the image file conversion means for converting the character data edited by the editing means and the image data into an image file, and the image file converted by the image file conversion means And an image file transmitting means for transmitting the image file to the terminal device via a network.

In order to achieve the above object, a server application using method according to the present invention is a server application using method of a server application using system in which a terminal device and a server device are connected via a network. The terminal device transmits character data to the server device via the network, image data to the server device via the network, and the server device is transmitted from the terminal device via the network. Received character data, received image data transmitted from the terminal device via the network, and edited the received character data and the received image data in response to an edit request from the terminal device. Then, convert the edited character data and image data into an image file. The converted image file is transmitted to the terminal device via the network in response to a transmission request from the terminal device, and the terminal device transmits the image file transmitted from the server device via the network. It is characterized by receiving and printing the received image file.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a server device according to the present invention,
Embodiments of a server application utilization system and a server application utilization method will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The present invention is applied to the server application utilizing system shown as a schematic diagram in FIG.

The server application utilizing system is
The terminal device 1, the monitor 2, the input device 3, the image input device 4, the printer 5, and the server device 6 are provided.

The terminal device 1 has a monitor I as shown in FIG.
/ F (interface) 11 and input device I / F 12
, Image input device I / F 13, and network connection I / F
F14, printer buffer 15, printer I /
An F16, a CPU 17, and a memory 18 are provided.

The monitor I / F 11 is an interface for connecting the terminal device 1 and the monitor 2.

The input device I / F 12 is an interface for connecting the terminal device 1 and the input device 3.

The image input device I / F 13 is an interface for connecting the terminal device 1 and the image input device 4. Further, the image input device I / F 13 may be an interface to which a removable medium such as a semiconductor memory 43 capable of storing an image file is attached.

The network connection I / F 14 is an interface for connecting the terminal device 1 and the network. The terminal device 1 has a network connection I / F 14
Is connected to the server device 6 on the network via the network.

The printer buffer 15 temporarily stores a file to be printed out by the printer 5, and outputs the stored file to the printer I / F 16. By temporarily accumulating files to be printed out in the printer buffer 15, the CPU 17 is released from the printout processing, and other processing can be executed during the printout processing which takes a relatively long time. Becomes

The printer buffer 15 temporarily stores, for example, the image file output from the network connection I / F 14, and outputs the image file to the printer I / F 16.

The printer I / F 16 is an interface for connecting the terminal device 1 and the printer 5.

The CPU 17 centrally controls each functional unit of the terminal device 1.

The memory 18, as a client program in the terminal device 1, is a software such as a web browser for browsing a web page written in HTML transmitted from a web server, and an FTP (File).
Transfer Protocol) FTP client application software (hereinafter, also referred to as an FTP client application) is stored for exchanging files with a server.

The FTP client application is
For example, application software that can easily transfer files depending on the GUI environment. FTP
The client application inputs the PUT command and the file name to copy the file to the F of the server device 6.
By transferring to the TP server and inputting the GET command and the file name, the specified file is downloaded from the FTP server of the server device 6.

The memory 18 can store an image file, and the image file stored in the memory 18 can be transferred to the server device 6 by FTP.

Here, referring again to FIG. 1, the description of the configuration of the server application utilizing system will be continued.

The monitor 2 is a monitor I / F 1 connected to the terminal device 1.
A liquid crystal panel or the like, which is connected via 1 and outputs and displays character data and image data to present to the user.

The input device 3 connects the input device I / I to the terminal device 1.
It is an input interface that is connected via the F12 and allows the user to input commands and data to the terminal device 1.

The input device 3 is, for example, a keyboard 31 for inputting commands and data by key input, a touch panel 32 for inputting predetermined operations, commands, and data with a user's finger or pen.

The image input device 4 is an input device which is connected to the terminal device 1 via the image input device I / F 13 and through which a user inputs an image.

The image input device 4 is, for example, a CCD (Char
ge-Coupled Device) is used to convert images into electrical signals, and digital data is converted to semiconductor memory or FD (Flexible D
a digital camera 41 which is a camera for recording in isk),
For example, the scanner 42 converts an input image into an electric signal that can be processed by the terminal device 1. In addition, the image input device 4
May be a removable medium such as a semiconductor memory 43 having a capacity capable of recording image data.

The printer 5 is a printer I / O connected to the terminal device 1.
The output device is connected via F16 and prints data processed by the terminal device 1 on paper or the like and outputs the data.

The server device 6 is on the network,
The terminal device 1 connected to the network is connected via the network connection I / F 14.

The server device 6 has a database 61, and stores character data and image data transmitted from the terminal device 1 via the network in a directory for each user who uses the server application using system. The database 61 included in the server device 6 includes
For example, it holds material data used for a New Year's card to be edited and can be arbitrarily selected and used by the user during the editing process.

The server device 6 uses a HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) as a server program to exchange a hypertext such as a web page with the terminal device 1 as a client (hereinafter referred to as a web server). ), FTP
An FTP server program (hereinafter, referred to as an FTP server) that performs file transfer with the terminal device 1 that is a client using (File Transfer Protocol) is stored in a storage unit (not shown). Each server program is activated as needed and exchanges data with the terminal device 1.

Further, the server device 6 holds various application programs usable by the terminal device 1 via the network in a storage unit (not shown).

The application program usable in the server device 6 is, for example, an application program for editing a New Year's card. The application program for editing the New Year's card can edit not only the text but also the image input from the terminal device 1 via the network in an arbitrary layout.

The edited New Year's card data is stored in the server device 6.
Is converted into an image file in a printable file format, for example, a bitmap file format, and downloaded by the terminal device 1.

The bit map is a system in which one of the bit data in the memory corresponds to one pixel which is the smallest element of the display surface to which color or luminance can be independently assigned. By converting the data into a bitmap file, screen output or print output can be controlled on a pixel-by-pixel basis, so any graphics or text in multiple fonts can be freely displayed or printed.

The application program provided by the server device 6 is, for example, HTML (HyperTex).
Web page written in t Markup Language) and W
It is realized by an external program activated on the eb server side.
An interface having a function of activating an external program on the Web server side in response to a request from the browser of the client and returning the result to the client side is called a CGI (Common Gateway Interface).

An external program created on the Web server side according to the CGI specifications is called a CGI script. The CGI script can be written in various development languages such as Perl and Java (registered trademark), as long as it conforms to the CGI specifications, regardless of the development language.

The program usable in CGI is not limited to a script which is a text file in which programs and macros are described, and an execution file in C language or the like can be used as long as it conforms to the specifications. In this case, the CGI script is called a CGI program.

In the following description, for the sake of explanation, CGI
Although described as a script, it is also possible to use the above-mentioned CGI program.

As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal device 1 and the monitor 2 are provided with a radio communication antenna, a frequency modulator, a demodulator, etc. (not shown), so that the data communication can be performed wirelessly. Good. At this time, monitor 2
It is assumed that the user can control the terminal device 1 by inputting various commands from the monitor 2 with a shape and weight that are convenient to carry.

For example, DSSS (Direct Sequence Spectrum Sprea) is used for wireless communication between the terminal device 1 and the monitor 2.
d) Adopt a modulation method and use frequencies in the 2.4 GHz band. Thereby, various functions of the terminal device 1 can be used via the monitor 2 within a radius of about 30 m from the terminal device 1.

When the control device 1 and the monitor 2 exchange data by wireless communication as shown in FIG. 3, the monitor 2 has an interface for connecting the keyboard 31 of the input device 3 described above, An interface for mounting the semiconductor memory 43 of the image recording device 4 may be provided.

Next, using the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, as an example of the operation of using the application program provided in the server device 6 of the server application utilizing system to which the present invention is applied, a New Year's card creating application program is used to create a New Year's card. The operation for creating will be described.

First, in step S1, the CPU 17 of the terminal device 1 is operated by the user operating the input device 3.
Activates the Web browser, displays it on the monitor 2, and displays the URL (Unif
By specifying the orm Resource Locator), the Web server of the server device 6 is accessed.

In step S2, W of the server device 6
The eb server is an HTML (Hyper Text Markup) for the top page of the specified New Year's card application program.
Language) source code is transferred to the Web browser of the terminal device 1.

In step S3, the We of the terminal device 1 is
The b browser analyzes the HTML source code of the top page of the New Year's card application program transmitted from the Web server of the server device 6 and displays it on the monitor 2.

In step S4, the user uses the input device 3 to send a text input form transmission request requesting an input form for the user to input a desired text from the web browser of the terminal device 1 to the web of the server device 6. Make it a server.

In step S5, W of the server device 6
In response to receiving the text input form transmission request, the eb server transfers the HTML source code of the text input form to the Web browser of the terminal device 1.

In step S6, the We of the terminal device 1
The browser b analyzes the HTML source code of the received text input form and displays it on the monitor 2.

For example, in the text input form, as shown in FIG. 5, a "greeting" column for entering a greeting sentence to be attached to a New Year's card, a "comment" column for entering a comment sentence attached by the user, and a New Year's card A "name, address" field is provided for entering the name and address of the recipient.

When the user inputs the name and address of the other party who transmits the New Year's card, the user may use the data previously input to the database software or the like in the terminal device 1.

The user inputs desired characters using the input device 3 while referring to the text input form displayed on the monitor 2.

After completing the text input form,
The user determines whether or not the input matter, that is, the character data is transmitted to the Web server of the server device 6. When sending, for example, "O" of the screen form shown in FIG.
If the "K" button is pressed and the process proceeds to step S7, if not transmitted, the "Cancel" button is pressed and the process ends.

When the user presses the “OK” button, for example, and the character data is transmitted to the Web server of the server device 6, the character data is stored in the database 61 in a folder for each user.

Upon receiving the character data, the Web browser activates a predetermined CGI script using the character data as an input value to indicate that the HTM has received the character data.
A message described in L is created, transmitted to the Web browser of the terminal device 1 via the network, and displayed on the monitor 2.

In step S7, the user uses the input device 3 to request, from the Web browser of the terminal device 1, an image file selection form transmission request for requesting an image file selection form for the user to select a desired image. 6 Web server.

The image file is previously transferred to the database 61 of the server device 6 by FTP (File Transfer Protocol), and the user selects a desired image file from the transferred image files.

In step S8, W of the server device 6
The eb server receives the image file selection form transmission request, and then receives the image file selection form HT.
The ML source code is transferred to the web browser of the terminal device 1.

In step S9, the We of the terminal device 1
b Browser is the H of the received image file selection form
The TML source code is analyzed and displayed on the monitor 2.

The user selects a desired image file according to the displayed image file selection form.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the image file selection form has a "location" window for designating a user holder in which an image file is recorded and a window for selecting an image file in the user folder. I have it. Further, in the image file selection form shown in FIG. 6, the image data of the designated image file can be confirmed in the preview window.

First, the user, for example, "
The user A "folder is selected, and then the image file in the folder is selected. The selected image file is actively displayed, and the image data of the selected image file is displayed on the preview screen.

When using the selected image file,
For example, "O" shown in FIG. 6 displayed on the Web browser.
The determination is made by designating the “K” button with the input device 3, and the process proceeds to step S10. Further, for example, if the button designated as “Cancel” in FIG.

In step S10, the Web server of the server device 6 activates the editing process CGI script for executing the editing process of the character data and the image file, using the character data and the image file stored in the database 61 as input values. Let

The CGI script for editing processing can execute various editing functions such as layout editing of input character data and image data, selection of font and color of input character data, and processing of image data. it can.

For example, in the layout editing, some layout patterns (layout A and layout B in the drawing) are displayed as shown in FIG. 7 and the user selects the layout pattern, thereby designating the layout desired by the user. be able to.

In step S11, the edit processing CG
The I script transmits the image data indicating the editing result in response to the request from the terminal device 1. When referring to the editing process result, for example, by specifying the “OK” button shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to request the editing process CGI script of the server device 6 to send the editing result confirmation screen.

For example, the image data for confirming the editing result is displayed on the monitor 2 in the form of the editing result confirmation form as shown in FIG.
It is displayed via the eb browser.

The user refers to the image data for confirming the edited result, and if the edited result is acceptable, the user is notified of the download request of the edited image data to the server device 6 and the process proceeds to step S12 to edit the edited result. If not satisfied, the fact is transmitted to the server device 6 and the process returns to step S4 to perform the character data input process again.

In step S12, the user inputs a predetermined command from the input device 3 and requests the server device 6 to transfer the image file.

FTP is used for transferring the image file, for example. When the user uses the input device 3 to press the “download” button of the edit result confirmation form shown in FIG. 8, the FTP client application is activated in the terminal device 1.

The FTP client application is
It is application software that allows easy file transfer depending on the GUI environment. The user uses this FTP client application to send an FTP command (GET command) from the terminal device 1 to the FTP server of the server device 6, and converts the image file to be downloaded into an image file in the bitmap file format, for example. To download.

In step S13, the user inputs a command to execute printout from the input device 3 to the terminal device 1, and the terminal device 1 that receives the command controls the printer 5 to download the command, for example, a bitmap file. Print out the image file in the format.

In this way, the server application utilizing system uses the New Year's card creating application program provided in the server device 6 from the terminal device 1 via the network via the Web browser to perform character input, image input, and edit processing. Functions such as server device 6
You can do everything above.

In the flow chart shown in FIG.
For explanation, when creating a New Year's card, enter character data,
Although the steps are performed in the order of selecting an image file and editing the layout, the present invention is not limited to this, and the above steps may be performed before or after, as necessary.

The present invention is not limited to the production of a New Year's card, but may be produced by printing using an invitation, a Christmas card, a printed matter for advertising, a character data such as a poster, or image data. It may be applied to anything as long as it is done.

[0083]

As is apparent from the above description, the server device of the present invention requests the terminal device to edit the character data received by the character data receiving means and the image data received by the image data receiving means. Edit with editing means according to
The edited character data and the image data are converted into an image file by the image file conversion means, and the image file converted by the image file conversion means is transmitted to the terminal device via the network in response to a transmission request from the terminal device. By sending by sending means, network connection function,
It is possible to use processing by application software that performs advanced document editing and image editing processing on a terminal device having a printing function.

As is clear from the above description, in the server application utilizing system of the present invention, the server device receives the character data transmitted from the terminal device and received by the character data receiving means, and the image data received from the terminal device. The image data received by the means is edited by the editing means in response to an editing request from the terminal device, and the character data edited by the editing means and the image data are converted into image files by the image file converting means, In response to a transmission request from the terminal device, the image file converted by the file conversion means transmits the terminal device via the network, and the terminal device receives the transmitted image file and prints it by the printing means. Perform advanced document editing and image editing with a terminal device equipped with network connection and printing functions. It makes it possible to use the processing by the application software.

As is clear from the above description, in the server application utilizing method of the present invention, the terminal device transmits character data to the server device via the network,
The image data is transmitted to the server device via the network, and the server device receives the character data transmitted from the terminal device via the network and the image data transmitted from the terminal device via the network, and receives the image data. The edited character data and the received image data are edited according to an editing request from the terminal device, the edited character data and the image data are converted into an image file, and the converted image file is sent from the terminal device. In response to the transmission request, the image data is transmitted to the terminal device via the network, the terminal device receives the image file transmitted from the server device via the network, and prints the received image file. It is possible to use processing by application software that performs advanced document editing and image editing processing on a terminal device equipped with a printing function. It makes it possible to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a server application utilization system shown as an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a terminal device in the server application using system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a case where a terminal device and a monitor wirelessly perform data communication in the server application using system.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an operation when a New Year's card creating application program is used in the server application using system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a text input form displayed on a Web browser in the server application using system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an image file selection form displayed on a Web browser in the server application using system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a layout editing form displayed on a Web browser in the server application using system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an edit result confirmation form displayed on a Web browser in the server application using system.

[Description of Reference Signs] 1 terminal device, 2 monitors, 3 input devices, 4 image input devices, 5 printers, 6 server devices, 11 monitor I / Fs (interfaces), 12 input device I / Fs,
13 image input device I / F, 14 network connection I
/ F, 15 printer buffer, 16 printer I /
F, 17 CPU (Central Processing Unit) 18
Memory, 31 keyboard, 32 touch panel, 41
Digital camera, 42 scanner, 43 semiconductor memory

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A character device, which is a server device connected to a terminal device having a printing unit for printing an image file via a network, and receives character data transmitted from the terminal device via the network. Data receiving means, image data receiving means for receiving image data transmitted from the terminal device via the network, character data received by the character data receiving means, and image data received by the image data receiving means And an image file conversion means for converting the character data edited by the editing means and the image data into an image file, and the image file conversion means. The converted image file is sent to the terminal device via a network in response to a transmission request from the terminal device. Server device comprising: a transmitting means for transmitting through. 2. A server application utilization system in which a terminal device and a server device are connected via a network, wherein the terminal device transmits character data to the server device via the network. An image data transmitting means for transmitting image data to the server device via the network; an image file receiving means for receiving an image file transmitted from the server device via the network; and an image file receiving means. And a printing unit that prints the image file received by the server device, wherein the server device receives the character data transmitted from the character data transmission unit via the network, and the server transmits the image data from the image data transmission unit to the network. Image data that receives image data sent via Editing means for editing the character data received by the character data receiving means and the image data received by the image data receiving means in response to an editing request from the terminal device, and editing by the editing means. Image file conversion means for converting the converted character data and image data into an image file, and the image file converted by the image file conversion means in response to a transmission request from the terminal device via the network. A server application using system, comprising: an image file transmitting means for transmitting to a terminal device. 3. A server application using method of a server application using system in which a terminal device and a server device are connected via a network, wherein the terminal device transmits character data to the server device via the network. Then, the image data is transmitted to the server device via the network, the server device receives the character data transmitted from the terminal device via the network, and the character data is transmitted from the terminal device via the network. The received image data, the received character data and the received image data are edited according to an edit request from the terminal device, and the edited character data and the image data are converted into an image file. The converted image file is converted, and the converted image file is transferred in response to a transmission request from the terminal device. Use of a server application characterized by transmitting to a terminal device via a network, the terminal device receiving an image file transmitted from the server device via the network, and printing the received image file. Method.