Abstract:
A processing apparatus configured to perform a process in accordance with a processing instruction, and connected to a network is provided. The processing apparatus may store address information of summarized content information that includes at least titles of content, acquire the summarized content information based on the address information, allow a user to input an instruction, receive a first processing instruction from the network, display the titles of the content included in the summarized content information on a display unit in a case where a second processing instruction is input by the user, display the titles of the content included in the summarized content information on the display unit on a condition that a predetermined instruction is input by the user in a case where the first processing instruction is received, and terminate the display of the titles of content in a case where a predetermined condition is met.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-243839, filed on Sep. 24, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present specification discloses a processing apparatus that is to be communicably connected to a network and that performs a process in accordance with a processing instruction. Specifically, the present specification discloses a processing apparatus that displays a title of a content published on the network. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A variety of content is published on a network. A server that publishes summarized content information including a URL and a title of each content is connected to the network. One example of the summarized content information is feed information. Formats for feed information include, for example, RSS and Atom. A software for acquiring the feed information and displaying content is disclosed on a website (http://www. forest.impress.co.jp/article/2004/05/26/dirtynewsreader.html) located on the Internet on Jul. 29, 2008, titled “Dirty News Reader displays titles of distributed articles on RSS sites like an electronic signboard”, published May 26, 2004 by Impress Corporation and written by Tomoyuki Otsu. When this software is installed on a PC, a user can view the title of each content. When the user clicks on a title, the PC opens a browser, and accesses the URL of the content corresponding to that title. The content is thereby displayed on the PC. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A method in which a title of content is always displayed on a processing apparatus may be employed. However, this method is not preferable from an energy conservation point of view because the title of the content will also be displayed even when a user is not using the processing apparatus. The present specification discloses a processing apparatus that can display a title of content and achieve low energy consumption. 
     A technology disclosed in the present specification may be a processing device. The processing device may perform a process in accordance with a processing instruction, and may be connected to a network in a communicable manner. The aforementioned term “processing apparatus” is a concept including any apparatus that performs a process in a case where a processing instruction from the user is input. Examples of the processing apparatus include a printer, scanner, a photocopier, a facsimile machine, a multi-function device, etc. The processing apparatus may comprise an address information storage unit, a summarized information acquisition unit, a display unit, an instruction input unit, an instruction receiving unit, a display control unit, and a title display termination unit. Each of these units will be described in detail below. 
     The address information storage unit may be configured to store address information of summarized content information that includes at least titles of content. The aforementioned term “address information” is a concept including any information indicative of the address of the summarized content information. One example of address information is a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). In addition, the aforementioned term “content” may be a text data, or may be other type(s) of data (e.g., image data, music data, and/or movie data). The summarized information acquisition unit may be configured to acquire the summarized content information based on the address information stored in the address information storage unit. The display unit may be configured to display information. The instruction input unit may be configured to allow the user to operate for inputting an instruction. The instruction receiving unit may be configured to receive a first processing instruction from the network. Note what process is instructed by the aforementioned term “first processing instruction” is not particularly limited. Examples of the first processing instruction may include a print instruction, a scan instruction, communication instruction (e.g., facsimile sending instruction), display instruction, etc. 
     The display control unit may be configured to display the titles of the content included in the summarized content information acquired by the summarized information acquisition unit on the display unit in a case where a second processing instruction is input to the instruction input unit. Note what process is instructed by the aforementioned term “second processing instruction” is not particularly limited. Examples of the second processing instruction may include a print instruction, a scan instruction, communication instruction (e.g., facsimile sending instruction), display instruction, etc. In addition, the display control unit may be configured to display the titles of the content included in the summarized content information acquired by the summarized information acquisition unit on the display unit on a condition that a predetermined instruction is input to the instruction input unit in a case where the first processing instruction is received by the instruction receiving unit. Note that the aforementioned term “on a condition” does not exclude the addition of other conditions (an AND condition and/or an OR condition). When the term “on a condition” is used, other conditions may be included. The term “on a condition” will have the same meaning hereinafter. The title display termination unit may be configured to terminate the display of the titles of the content in a case where a predetermined condition is met. Examples of the “predetermined condition” may be that a predetermined time passed since the display of the titles of the content has begun, or that the user inputs a display termination instruction into the processing apparatus, etc. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic configuration of a multi-function device system. 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic configuration of a multi-function device. 
         FIG. 3  shows an example of storage details of a URL storage area. 
         FIG. 4  shows an example of storage details of a display information storage area. 
         FIG. 5  shows a flowchart of a feed information analysis process executed by the multi-function device. 
         FIG. 6  shows a flowchart of a display process executed by the multi-function device. 
         FIG. 7  shows a flowchart following  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a flowchart of a user specifying process executed by the multi-function device. 
         FIG. 9  shows a flowchart of a display determination process executed by the multi-function device. 
         FIG. 10  shows an example of what is displayed on a display panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     (Embodiment) 
     As  FIG. 1  shows, the multi-function device system  2  comprises a multi-function device  10 , a plurality of PCs  70 ,  71 , and a plurality of content servers  90 ,  91 . Note that in  FIG. 1 , although only one multi-function device  10 , two PCs  70 ,  71 , and two content servers  90 ,  91  are shown, the exact numbers of these elements included in the system can be changed as desired. The multi-function device  10  is connected to a LAN line  4 . Each PC  70 ,  71  is connected to the LAN line  4 . The LAN line  4  is connected to the Internet  8  via a router  6 . Each content server  90 ,  91  is connected to the Internet  8 . In the present embodiment, the content server  90  publishes one site, and the content server  91  publishes another site. Each site includes content. Furthermore, each content server  90 ,  91  stores feed information (RSS type feed information) which is summarized information of the content that the content server includes. Details of the information will be described later. 
     (Configuration of the PC) 
       FIG. 1  shows a schematic configuration of PC  70 . The PC  71  has the same configuration as the PC  70 . The PC  70  has a CPU  72 , a hard disk  74 , a display portion  82 , an operation portion  84 , etc. Note that although not shown in  FIG. 1 , PC  70  has a network interface that is connected to the LAN line  4 . 
     The CPU  72  executes various processes in accordance with programs  76  stored on the hard disk  74 . The processes executed by the CPU  72  will be described below in greater detail. A basic program  76  is a program for controlling the basic operation of the PC  70 . The basic program  76  includes, for example, a browser program for downloading and displaying an item of content from a site on the Internet  8 , and a program for sending a print instruction to a print performing apparatus, e.g., the multi-function device  10 . 
     The display portion  82  can display various information. The operation portion  84  is constructed from a keyboard and mouse. A user can input various instructions (commands) and information into the PC  70  by operating the operation portion  84 . 
     (Configuration of the Multi-Function Device) 
     As  FIG. 2  shows, the multi-function device  10  has a control portion  12 , a display panel  50 , a key pad  52 , a print portion  54 , a scan portion  56 , a fax (facsimile) portion  58 , a network interface  60 , a PSTN interface  62 , etc. The control portion  12  has a CPU  14 , ROM  16 , RAM  30 , NVRAM  40 , etc. 
     The CPU  14  executes various processes in accordance with programs  18  to  26  stored in the ROM  16 . The processes executed by the CPU  14  will be described below in greater detail. The ROM  16  stores various programs  18  to  26 . A basic function program  18  is a program for controlling the basic operation of the multi-function device  10 . The basic function program  18  includes, for example, a program for generating display data to be displayed on the display panel  50 . In addition, the basic function program  18  includes, for example, one or more programs for controlling the print portion  54 , the scan portion  56 , the fax portion  58 , etc. An interne connection program  20  is a program for connecting to the Internet  8 . A feed information analysis program  22  is a program for analyzing the feed information acquired from the content servers  90 ,  91 , and generating information for display on the display panel  50  (hereinafter referred to as display information). A feed information display program  24  is a program for displaying the display information. 
     The RAM  30  has various storage areas  32  to  38 . A basic function working area  32  is a storage area for storing various types of data generated during the execution of processes in accordance with the basic function program  18 . A feed information analysis area  34  is a storage area for storing various types of data generated during the execution of processes in accordance with the feed information analysis program  22 . A display information storage area  36  is a storage area for storing the display information generated in accordance with the feed information analysis program  22 . 
     The NVRAM  40  has various storage areas  42  to  46 . A basic function parameter storage area  42  is a storage area for storing various parameters (e.g., print settings, scan settings, etc.) used when the CPU  14  executes processes in accordance with the basic function program  18 . A URL storage area  44  is a storage area for storing the URLs for the feed information in each content server  90 ,  91 . For example, the user may have to register in order to receive content from each content server  90 ,  91 . This registration may be performed by using the multi-function device  10 , or may be performed by using the PCs  70 ,  71 . For example, if the user has used the PC  70  to register in order to receive content from the content server  90 , the URL of the feed information in the content server  90  is sent from the PC  70  to the multi-function device  10 . As a consequence, the URL of the feed information in the content server  90  is stored in the URL storage area  44 . 
     A default PC information storage area  46  stores information for identifying the IP address of a PC or the host name of a PC (hereinafter referred to as PC identifying information), etc. The user can input the PC identifying information of a PC (e.g., PC  70 ) that the user may use and the user&#39;s user name into the multi-function device  10 .  FIG. 2  shows an example of the storage details of the default PC information storage area  46 . The default PC information storage area  46  stores the PC identifying information  64  in association with the user name  66  that were input by the user. 
     The display panel  50  can display various information. The display panel  50  functions as a touch panel. The key pad  52  includes a plurality of keys. The user can input various instructions and information into the multi-function device  10  by operating the key pad  52 . The print portion  54  has a print mechanism such as ink jet type, laser type, etc. The scan portion  56  has a reading mechanism such as CCD, CIS, etc. The fax portion  58  performs various operations in order to perform fax communications. The network interface  60  is connected to the LAN line  4 . The multi-function device  10  can communicate with the PCs  70 ,  71  and access the Internet  8 . The PSTN interface  62  is connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) not illustrated in the drawings. The PSTN is used when performing fax or telephone communications. 
     (Storage Details of the URL Storage Area) 
     Next, the storage details of the URL storage area  44  of the NVRAM  40  (see  FIG. 2 ) will be explained. In  FIG. 3 , the URL storage area  44  can store URLs  100  of feed information in each content server  90 ,  91 . In other words, the URL storage area  44  can store URLs  100  of feed information for each site. As noted above, the user must register the URL  100  of the feed information in the multi-function device  10 . The URL storage area  44  stores the URL  100  of the feed information and the user name  102  of the person who registered that URL  100  in association. In the example of  FIG. 3 , the URL of the feed information “http://www.example0.com” was registered by a user whose name is “X”. In addition, in the URL storage area  44 , only one user name  102  may be associated with one URL  100 ; or alternately, a plurality of user names  102  may be associated with one URL  100 . 
     (Storage details of the display information storage area) 
     Next, the storage details of the display information storage area  36  of the RAM  30  (see  FIG. 2 ) will be explained. In  Fig.4 , the display information storage area  36  can store display information  112  for each URL stored in the URL storage area  44 . In other words, the display information storage area  36  can store display information  112  for each site stored in the URL storage area  44 . As noted above, the URLs  100  associated with each user name  102  are stored in the URL storage area  44  (see  FIG. 3 ). Because of this, display information  112  associated with each user name  110  is also stored in the display information storage area  36 . 
     The data structure of each individual piece of display information  112  will be explained. The display information  112  includes site information  120 . The site information  120  includes a site title letter string  122  and feed update information  124 . The site title letter string  122  is a letter string of the title of the site. This title can also be restated as “the name of the site”. Feed update information  124  is information relating to the time at which the feed information in a content server was updated (e.g., the latest update). 
     The display information  112  includes updated content information  132 . The number of updated content information  132  is equal to the number of content in a site. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the display information  112  associated with the user name “X”has m pieces of updated content information  132  (m is an integer equal to 1 or more). This means that the site “http://www.example0.com” associated with the user name “X”has m pieces of content. For example, if there is a content related to a weather forecast and content related to sports in a predetermined site, the display information  112  related to that site will have two pieces of updated content information  132 . An identification number  130  is assigned to each updated content information  132 . In the present embodiment, the identification number  130  is represented with the symbol “j”. 
     Each updated content information  132  includes a content title letter string  140 , a content update time  142 , a summarized content letter string  144 , and a content URL  146 . In the aforementioned example, the updated content information  132  associated with the content related to a weather forecast includes information  140  to  146 , and the updated content information  132  associated with the content related to sports also includes another set of information  140  to  146 . The content title letter string  140  is a letter string of the title of the content. This title can also be restated as “the name of content”. The content update time  142  is information indicative of a time at which the content in a content server was updated (the latest update). The summarized content letter string  144  is a letter string in which letter string included in the content that has been summarized. In other words, the summarized content letter string  144  is a letter string that is larger than the title of the content but is smaller than the entire letter string of the content and that reflects the details of the content. The content URL  146  is the URL of the content. 
     (Process Executed by the PC) 
     Next, the process executed by the PC  70  will be described. The process executed by the PC  71  is identical. The user can input an instruction into the PC  70  that instructs the multi-function device  10  to print by operating the operation portion  84  of the PC  70 . When this instruction is input, the CPU  72  of the PC  70  sends a print instruction that includes the IP address of the PC  70  to the multi-function device  10 . 
     (Feed Information Analyzing Process Executed by the Multi-Function Device) 
     Next, a feed information analyzing process executed by the multi-function device  10  will be explained. The feed information analyzing process runs as an independent task, and is executed when the multi-function device  10  is activated in accordance with the internet connection program  20  and the feed information analysis program  22  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     As shown in the upper portion of  FIG. 5 , the CPU  14  stands by until an update time has arrived (S 40 ). The update time may, for example, be set by the user, or may be determined by a program. When the update time is reached, the process proceeds to S 41 . In S 41 , the CPU  14  executes a feed information acquisition process. The details of the feed information acquisition process will be described in detail next. 
     (Feed Information Acquisition Process Executed by the Multi-Function Device) 
     As shown in the lower portion of  FIG. 5 , in S 42 , the CPU  14  acquires each URL  100  from the URL storage area  44  of NVRAM  40  (see  FIG. 3 ). Next, in accordance with the internet connection program  20 , the CPU  14  accesses the respective URL acquired in S 42 , and acquire feed information therefrom (S 50 ). That is, in a case where two URLs had been acquired in step S 42 , the CPU  14  retrieves two pieces of feed information in step S 50 . Each of the feed information includes the site information  120  and one or more pieces of updated content information  132  shown in  FIG. 4 . The CPU  14  generates the display information  112  shown in  FIG. 4  by analyzing each of the feed information (S 52 ). The CPU  14  stores the display information  112  generated in S 52  for each of the feed information in the display information storage area  36  (S 54 ). For example, in the event that new display information  112  was created for the site corresponding to the URL “http://www.example0.com” that is associated with user X, the CPU  14  clears the old display information  112  corresponding to the URL “http://www.example0.com”, and stores the new display information  112 . When the CPU  14  acquires feed information from all URLs  100  stored in the URL storage area  44  and creates display information  112  based on the aforesaid feed information, the feed information acquisition process will be complete, and the CPU  14  returns to S 40 . By executing the feed information analyzing process of  FIG. 5 , the latest feed information for each site is stored in the display information storage area  36 . 
     (Display Process Executed by the Multi-Function Device) 
     Next, a display process for the CPU  14  of the multi-function device  10  to display the feed information will be explained. The display process runs as an independent task, and is executed when the multi-function device  10  is activated in accordance with the feed information display program  24  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     The multi-function device  10  has a plurality of states, such as a power saving state, a waiting state, a function execution state. In the power saving state, nothing is displayed on the display panel  50  (the display panel  50  is turned off). When an operation for cancelling the power saving state is performed on the key pad  52  during the power saving state, the state shifts to the waiting state. In the waiting state, information for selecting a function is displayed on the display panel  50  (the display panel  50  is turned on). As shown in the upper portion of  FIG. 10 , the user can input a function execution command into the multi-function device  10  by operating a button  160  for selecting the function. In this case, the state shifts to the function execution state. In the function execution state, information relating to the function being executed is displayed on the display panel  50  (e.g. the number of copies, etc.). Note that the function execution command can also be input into the multi-function device  10  during the power saving state. For example, a print command from the PCs  70 ,  71  can be input into the multi-function device  10  in the power saving state. In this case as well, the state shifts to the function execution state. 
     When the function being executed in the multi-function device  10  is completed, the multi-function device  10  shifts to the waiting state (alternately, the state may shift to the power saving state). In addition, when the power saving state shift timer exceeds a time limit during the waiting state, the multi-function device  10  shifts to the power saving state. This feature will be described in detail later. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , in S 70 , the CPU  14  stands by until the multi-function device  10  has shifted from the power saving state or the function execution state to the waiting state (S 70 ). When the multi-function device  10  shifts to the waiting state (i.e., when a function execution command is input), the process proceeds to S 71 . In other words, for example, when a print command is input from the PCs  70 ,  71 , or when a command for cancelling the power saving state and displaying the button  160  is input (i.e., a command applied by the keyboard  52 ), the CPU  14  proceeds to S 71 . In S 71 , the CPU  14  executes a user specifying process. The details of the user specifying process will be described in detail next. 
     (User Specifying Process) 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the CPU  14  determines whether an execution command for the scan function has been input (S 112 ). The user can operate the Scan button  160  shown in  FIG. 10 . Furthermore, the user can designate the PC identification information (e.g., IP address and host name) as the destination of the scan data by operating the keyboard  52  (YES to S 112 ). In the event where S 112  is YES, the CPU  14  specifies the user name associated with the destination PC identification information of the scan data from the default PC information storage area  46  (see  FIG. 2 ) (S 116 ). When S 116  is complete, the CPU  14  stores a flag “1” (S 119 ). The process then proceeds to S 72  of  FIG. 6  when S 119  is complete. 
     In the event where NO is determined in S 112 , the CPU  14  determines whether a print command that includes print data has been received (S 114 ). In the event where this step is YES, the flow proceeds to S 118 . As noted above, the print command includes the PC identification information of the sender of that print command. The CPU  14  specifies the PC identification information included in the print command. Next, the CPU  14  specifies the user name associated with the specified PC identification information from the default PC information storage area  46  (see  FIG. 2 ) (S 118 ). When S 118  is complete, the CPU  14  stores a flag “1” (S 119 ). The process proceeds to S 72  of  FIG. 6  when S 119  is complete. 
     Note that a command that cannot specify the user (that is, a command other than the execution command for the scan function or the print command) may be input into the multi-function device  10 . In this case, the CPU  14  determines NO in S 114 , and stores a “0” as the flag (S 115 ). The process proceeds to S 72  of  FIG. 6  when S 115  is complete. 
     In S 72  of  FIG. 6 , the CPU  14  determines whether flag of “1” has been stored in the user specifying process (S 72 ). In the event the flag is “1”, the CPU  14  proceeds to S 73  (to execute a display determination process). The details of the display determination process will be described in detail next. Note that in the event where S 72  is NO in  FIG. 6  (i.e., in the event that the flag “0” has been stored in the user specifying process), the CPU  14  proceeds to S 74  without executing the display determination process. 
     (Display Determination Process) 
     Next, the display determination process executed in S 73  of  FIG. 6  will be explained. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the CPU  14  determines whether the execution command for the scan function has been input (S 120 ). In other words, this step is the same as the determination process of S 112  of  FIG. 8 . In the event where S 120  is YES, the CPU  14  waits until a scan related event occurs (S 122 ). Next, the CPU  14  determines whether the event that has occurred in S 122  is the operation of a button for cancelling the execution of the scan function (S 124 ). In the event where S 124  is YES, the CPU  14  stores the flag “0”, completes the display determination process, and proceeds to S 74  of  FIG. 6 . 
     In the event where S 124  is NO, the CPU  14  determines whether the event that has occurred in S 122  is the operation of a button for starting the execution of the scan function (S 126 ). In the event where S 126  is YES, the CPU  14  stores the flag “1”, completes the display determination process, and proceeds to S 74  of  FIG. 6 . At the same time, a scan process is started at the scan portion  56 . In contrast, in the event where NO is determined in S 126 , the CPU  14  executes a process in accordance with the event activated at S 122  as a separate task (not illustrated), and returns to S 122 . 
     In contrast, in the event where YES is determined in S 114  of  FIG. 8  (i.e., in the event that a print command was received), NO is determined in S 120 . In this case, the CPU  14  starts a process that updates the display information  112  associated with the user name specified in the user specifying process (S 128 ). In other words, the CPU  14  starts the feed information acquisition process shown in  FIG. 5  based upon the user name specified in the user specifying process. More specifically, in S 42  of  FIG. 5 , the CPU  14  specifies the URL  100  associated with the user name specified in the user specifying process from the URL storage area  44  (see  FIG. 3 ). Here, a URL  100  associated with a user name other than the user name specified in the user specifying process is not specified. Next, the CPU  14  executes the processes of S 50  to S 54  of  FIG. 5  based upon the URL  100  specified in S 42 . 
     Next, the CPU  14  displays, on the display panel  50 , a display start button that corresponds to the user name specified in the user specifying process (S 130 ). Examples of the display start button displayed in S 130  are shown on the upper portion of  FIG. 10 . In this drawing, a display start button  161  that corresponds to the user name “X” and another display start button  161  that corresponds to the user name “Y” are shown. This indicates that a print command has been received respectively from the PC corresponding to user name “X” (e.g., PC  70 ) as well as from the PC corresponding to user name “Y” (e.g., PC  71 ). Note that when, for example, a print command is received first from the PC corresponding to user name “X”, and another print command is later received from the PC corresponding to user name “Y”, the display start button  161  corresponding to user name “X” is displayed first, and the display start button  161  corresponding to user name “Y” is displayed later. In this case, with respect to the display start button  161  that corresponds to user name “X”, and the display start button  161  that corresponds to user name “Y”, the CPU  14  measures the time elapsed from when the display of that display start button  161  has started. Alternately, from the start to the completion of a print process based upon the print command from the PC corresponding to the user name “X”, the CPU  14  may display the display start button  161  corresponding to the user name “X”, and if the print process relating to that user name “X” is complete, the CPU  14  may start to display the display start button  161  corresponding to the user name “Y”. 
     Next, the CPU  14  determines whether a predetermined period of time has elapsed from when the display of the display start button  161  was started in S 130  (S 132 ). For example, in the event that the display start button  161  has not been operated by the user corresponding to the user name “X” from when the display start button  161  corresponding to the user name “X” is displayed until the aforementioned predetermined time period has elapsed, YES is determined in S 132 . In this case, the CPU  14  terminates the display of the display start button  161  corresponding to user name “X” (S 140 ). Next, the CPU  14  stores the flag “0”, completes the display determination process, and proceeds to S 74  of  FIG. 6 . 
     In contrast, in the event where NO is determined in S 132 , the CPU  14  monitors the occurrence of system/panel related events. When the display start button  161  is operated by the user, the CPU  14  determines YES in S 138 . In this case, the CPU  14  stores the flag “1”, completes the display determination process, and proceeds to S 74  of  FIG. 6 . 
     The CPU  14  initializes the power saving state shift timer when the display determination process is complete (S 74 ). The power saving state shift timer is a timer for counting how much of the time has elapsed, which is a time during which a shift to the power saving state is allowed when no event is generated during the waiting state. Next, the CPU  14  determines whether the flag “1” has been stored in the display determination process (S 76 ). In the event the flag is “1”, the CPU  14  proceeds to S 78 . 
     In S 78 , the CPU  14  specifies the user name (e.g., “X”) corresponding to the display start button  161  operated in S 138  of  FIG. 9 . Next, the CPU  14  specifies, from the display information storage area  36  of the RAM  30 , the site information  120  included in the display information  112  associated with the specified user name. Note that when the update of the display information  112  by the feed information analyzing process started in S 128  of  FIG. 9  is complete, the site information  120  is acquired from the newest display information  112  after update. In contrast, when the update of the display information  112  is not complete, the site information  120  is acquired from the display information  112  that has been stored in the storage area  36  from prior to update. 
     Next, the CPU  14  specifies the number of updated content information  132  included in the display information  112  acquired in S 78  (S 80 ). For example, in  FIG. 4 , in the case of the display information  112  associated with user name “X”, there are m pieces of content. In this case, the CPU  14  specifies “m” in S 80 . Next, the CPU  14  initializes the counter j (S 82 ). Next, the CPU  14  determines whether the power saving state shift timer initiated in S 74  has exceeded the time limit (S 84 ). In the event where YES is herein determined, the CPU  14  causes a state shift to the power saving state (S 91 ). In other words, the CPU  14  turns the backlight of the display panel  50  OFF, and shifts the state to a state in which nothing is displayed on the display panel  50 . Next, the CPU  14  returns to S 70 , and waits until the multi-function device  10  has shifted to the waiting state. In contrast, in the event where NO is determined in S 84 , the CPU  14  determines whether the counter j is smaller than m (S 86 ). If YES is herein determined, the CPU  14  proceeds to S 92  of  FIG. 7 . 
     Note that in the event where NO is determined in S 76  of  FIG. 6  (i.e., in the event that the flag “0” is stored in the display determination process), the CPU  14  proceeds to S 88 . In S 88 , the CPU  14  determines whether any execution command (scan function execution command, print command, etc.) has been input from the user during the waiting state. In the event where YES is herein determined, the CPU  14  returns to S 71  and executes the user specifying process. In contrast, if NO in S 88 , the CPU  14  determines whether the power saving state shift timer initiated in S 74  has exceeded the time limit (S 90 ). If YES is herein determined, the CPU  14  shifts the state to the power saving state (S 91 ). Next, the CPU  14  returns to S 70 , and waits until the multi-function device  10  has shifted to the waiting state. 
     In S 92  of  FIG. 7 , the CPU  14  acquires the j-th update content information from the display information  112  specified in S 78 . In this way, a content title letter string  140 , content update time  142 , a summarized content letter string  144 , and a content URL  146  for one single content (e.g., the j-th piece of content) are acquired (S 92 ). Next, the CPU  14  sends the content title letter string  140  and the content update time  142  acquired in S 92  to the display panel  50  (S 94 ). As a result, as shown in the lower portion of  FIG. 10 , the content title letter string  162  is displayed on the display panel  50 . Note that the content title letter string  162  is capable of scrolling (e.g., move from right to left). In other words, the content title letter string  162  may be displayed in a ticker style. Note that the site title letter string  122 , the content update information  142 , the summarized content letter string  144 , etc. may be displayed on the display panel  50 , or alternately, may not be displayed thereon. A summarized display screen (e.g., in a form of an independent pop-up display) may be provided, and the display may be switchably displayed. In addition, the site title letter string  122  included in the site information  120 , the feed update information  124 , etc. may be displayed on the display panel  50 , or alternately, may not be displayed thereon. The process then proceeds to S 96  when S 94  is completed. 
     In S 96 , the CPU  14  stands by until an event occurs. If an event occurs, the process proceeds to S 98 . In S 98 , the CPU  14  determines whether the ticker display of the content title letter string  162  is complete. In the event where YES is herein determined, the CPU  14  adds 1 to the counter j (S 100 ), and proceeds to S 84  of  FIG. 6 . In S 84 , the CPU  14  determines whether the power saving state shift timer has exceeded the time limit. In the event where NO is herein determined, the CPU  14  determines whether the counter j is smaller than m (S 86 ). If YES is determined here, the CPU  14  executes S 92  and S 94  again. In this way, the content title letter string  162  is displayed as a ticker based upon the next update content information (e.g., the 1st update content information). 
     In contrast, in the event of NO in S 98 , the CPU  14  proceeds to S 99 . In S 99 , the CPU  14  executes the user specifying process shown in  FIG. 8 . The CPU  14  proceeds to S 102  when the user specifying process is complete. In S 102 , the CPU  14  determines whether the flag “1” has been stored in the user specifying process executed in S 99  (S 102 ). In the event the flag is “1”, the CPU  14  proceeds to S 108 . In S 108 , the CPU  14  determines whether the user name specified in the user specifying process executed in S 99  is the same as the user name associated with the display information  112  of which the content title letter string  162  is currently displayed (the user name corresponding to the display start button  161  operated in S 138  of  FIG. 9 ) (S 108 ). In the case of YES in S 108 , the CPU  14  initializes the power saving state shift timer (S 106 ), and returns to S 96  and waits until another event is activated. In other words, if it is the same user name, the display information  112  (specifically, the content title letter string  162  thereof) associated with that user name is continuously displayed. In contrast, in the case of NO in S 108 , the CPU  14  executes the display determination process and returns to S 73 . In this display determination process, the processes in the flowchart are executed based upon the command input in S 102  and the user specified in S 108 . 
     In the event where NO is determined in S 102  of  FIG. 7 , the CPU  14  proceeds to S 104 . In S 104 , the CPU  14  determines whether a function that can specify a user (i.e., print or scan function in the present embodiment) has completed its operation. In the event where YES is herein determined, the CPU  14  initializes the power saving state shift timer (S 106 ), and returns to S 96  and waits until another event is activated. In contrast, in the event where NO is determined in S 104 , the CPU  14  executes a process in accordance with the event, returns to S 96 , and waits until the next event is activated. 
     The multi-function device system  2  of the present embodiment has been described in detail. The multi-function device  10  can display the content title letter strings  162  of content. This display is terminated when the power saving state shift timer exceeds the time limit. Because the titles of the content will not always be displayed, the multi-function device  10  is superior from the standpoint of energy conservation when compared to a method of always displaying the content title letter strings  162 . In addition, the presence of the user near the multi-function device  10  is assured in situations in which the scan function execution command is input into the multi-function device  10  due to the user operating the button  160 . In contrast, the user may not be near the multi-function device  10  in situations in which the print command from the PC  70  etc. is input into the multi-function device  10 . The multi-function device  10  will start to display the content title letter strings  162  in the former situation. In contrast, in the latter situation, the multi-function device  10  will not display the content title letter strings  162  until the user further operates the display start button  161  on the multi-function device  10 . The display of the content title letter strings  162  can be started only in situations in which the user is definitely near the multi-function device  10 . Because the display will not be started in situations in which the user is not near the multi-function device  10 , the multi-function device  10  is advantageous in the standpoint of energy conservation. 
     In addition, when the multi-function device  10  of the present embodiment is employed, the user can, for example, register information associated with the PC identification information  64  of the PC that he or she is using, and his or her user name  66 , in the multi-function device  10  (see the default PC information storage area  46  of  FIG. 2 ). Furthermore, the user can register information associated with a URL  100  of feed information that the user desires to view, and his or her user name  102 , in the multi-function device  10  (see URL storage area  44  of  FIG. 3 ). The user (e.g., user name “X”) can send a print command from the PC that he or she uses to the multi-function device  10 . In this case, when the display start button  161  corresponding to the user name “X” is displayed, and that display start button  161  is operated, the content title letter string  162  included in the display information  112  associated with the user name “X” is displayed. According to the present embodiment, based upon the instruction from the user, the one or more content title letter strings  162  included in the feed information of a site registered by that user can be displayed. Note that when the display start button  161  is not operated within a predetermined time period, the display of the display start button  161  is cancelled (see S 140  of  FIG. 9 ). Because of this, the power consumption of the multi-function device  10  can be saved. 
     As noted above, in the present embodiment, the display start button  161  corresponding to a user who has issued an instruction to the multi-function device  10  is displayed. For example, prior to a print command from a PC corresponding to user name “X” being received by the multi-function device  10 , and the display start button  161  corresponding to the user name “X” being operated, it is possible for a print command from a PC corresponding to user name “Y” to be received by the multi-function device  10 . In this case, as shown in the upper portion of  FIG. 10 , the multi-function device  10  displays the display start button  161  corresponding to user name “X” and the display start button  161  corresponding to user name “Y” respectively. The multi-function device  10  displays the content title letter strings  162  included in the display information  112  associated with the user name “X” when the display start button  161  corresponding to the user name “X” is operated. In addition, the multi-function device  10  displays the content title letter strings  162  included in the display information  112  associated with the user name “Y” when the display start button  161  corresponding to the user name “Y” is operated. In other words, when a user operates the display start button  161  corresponding to him or her, the content title letter string  162  included in the feed information of the site that was registered by that user is displayed. According to the present embodiment, the content title letter string  162  included in the feed information of a site registered by a user that is near the multi-function device  10  can be displayed. 
     In addition, while the content title letter string  162  is being displayed based upon a print command sent from, for example, PC  70 , the multi-function device  10  can display the content title letter string  162  included in the feed information that was registered by the user of PC  71  when, for example, a scan function execution command was input in which the destination of the scan data is the PC  71  (when the answer in S 108  of  FIG. 7  is NO). In contrast, while the content title letter string  162  is being displayed based upon the print command sent from, for example, PC  70 , the multi-function device  10  can continuously display the content title letter string  162  when the scan function execution command was input in which the destination of the scan data is the same PC  70  (when the answer in S 108  of  FIG. 7  is YES). This technology is used when a print command was input while a content title letter string  162  is being displayed based upon another print command; when a print command was input while a content title letter string  162  is being displayed based upon a scan function execution command; and when a scan function execution command was input while the content title letter string  162  is being displayed based upon another scan function execution command. 
     In addition, if a user has not operated the display start button  161  displayed on the display panel  50  from when the display start button  161  is displayed until a predetermined time period has expired, the multi-function device  10  terminates the display of that display start button  161 . Because of this, energy consumption can be reduced. 
     In addition, the multi-function device  10  can display the latest content information in the event that the acquisition of updated content information is complete when the display start button  161  has been operated. 
     (1) In the aforementioned embodiment, the plurality of content servers  90 ,  91  store both the content and feed information. However, a configuration is also possible in which one server stores the content and another server stores the feed information. 
     (2) The aforementioned multi-function device  10  does not have a browser program. However, the multi-function device  10  may have the browser program. The multi-function device  10  may download the content for display on the display panel  50 . 
     (3) In the event that an execution command for a copy function or a FAX function has been input, the multi-function device  10  may display the display information  112  associated with the user that has input that execution command. 
     (4) In the aforementioned embodiment, the PC identification information, which is an example of device specification information, may be a MAC address, a node name, a user name, etc. 
     (5) In the aforementioned embodiment, the CPU  14  displays, on the display panel  50 , a display start button that corresponds to a user name specified in the user specifying process. Alternately, the CPU  14  may display, on the display panel  50 , information on the PC corresponding to that user name or other information as the display start button. 
     (6) In the aforementioned embodiment, the CPU  14  specifies, in S 78 , the user name corresponding to the display start button  161  operated in S 138  of  FIG. 9 . Alternately, if the user name is specified in S 118  of  FIG. 8 , and the scan function execution command was input in S 120  of  FIG. 9 , the CPU  14  may specify the site information  120  included in the display information  112  associated with the user name specified in S 118  from the display information storage area  36  of RAM  30 . 
     (7) In the aforementioned embodiment, the CPU  14  determines YES in S 138  when the user touches the display start button  161  displayed on display panel  50 . Alternately, a physical key may be pressed as the display start button. In this case, the CPU  14  may determine YES in S 138  by the display start button key being pressed.