JP3275629B2 - Layout correction device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a layout correcting apparatus suitable for correcting characters on a screen in correcting a printed matter such as a flyer or a catalog.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When creating a printed material having complicated columns, such as a flyer or a catalog, a layout design device using a computer simulates a layout on a display screen of the printed material and examines the design of the printed material. I was In flyers, catalogs, and the like, products to be posted on the flyer are arranged in a plurality of frames (areas) obtained by dividing the entire printed matter. . For example,
In the case shown in FIG. 11, the commodities are regularly arranged in the frames A to F. Hereinafter, the frame allocation format in the entire printed matter is referred to as a “frame allocation pattern”, and the standard frame allocation pattern is referred to as a “basic frame allocation pattern”.

In general, in a layout design apparatus, a plurality of basic frame division patterns are prepared in advance,
The basic frame layout pattern can be selected depending on the design target. For example, in the case of a catalog,
The basic frame layout pattern to be selected is determined depending on the number of pages to be laid out, and the layout of the product is basically performed according to the frame layout.

[0004] By the way, a product posted on a printed matter is composed of image information such as a photograph of the product and character information such as its name and price. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the character information of a certain frame is composed of an upper left mark 1a called an attribute to a plan number 10a. For each attribute, rules such as the area to be displayed on the screen, the size of characters, the alignment of characters, and the number of columns are defined, and these rules are called typesetting rules. Here, “character alignment” means that the target character is arranged so as to be close to the frame of another character or frame, and that the character is to be close to the frame of another character or frame on the left side. Left alignment and proximity to another character or frame on the right are called right alignment. For example, a typesetting rule for character alignment includes a typesetting rule in which character data corresponding to an attribute is included in one line in an attribute to be aligned.

In the layout design apparatus, a product is laid out in accordance with a basic frame division pattern, and character information is arranged for each frame in accordance with a predetermined typesetting rule.

However, the product layout at the end of typesetting is
Correction may be made depending on the size of the product, etc., rather than completely following the basic frame division pattern. For example, there is a case where it is desired to emphasize a specific product. In this case, the designer modifies the placed products by assigning a large picture to a specific product or increasing the font size of the product name. For example, from the basic frame division pattern shown in FIG.
Finally, the product layout shown in FIG. 13 may be made. In this case, in order to allocate the large photographic area P to the frame A, the frame B is omitted and the combination width of the frames E and F is compressed.

In some cases, a change is required even within a frame. In particular, with regard to character alignment, it is often determined whether the character alignment is left alignment or right alignment depending on whether the corresponding frame fits on the left page or the right page. However, in most cases, the distinction between the left and right pages is not determined at the time of the first typesetting. Therefore, after performing all typesetting unified to one of them, the character alignment is changed. In order to make such a correction, the layout design device has an interactive change function.

[0008]

By the way, the changing function of the conventional layout design apparatus is a general-purpose function corresponding to various printed materials. For this reason, there are many types of functions, and the changing operation has been extremely complicated. In addition, since the typesetting rules are different for each printed material, the operator of the layout design apparatus needs to master various typesetting rules.

For example, in the frame shown in FIG. 12, when changing the left-aligned shelf number horizontal mark 4a to right-aligned, first, the interactive input device is used to change the part of the shelf number horizontal mark 4a. Select, and then select a space that represents the distance to the character on the left from the change menu. And if the operator enters a space larger than the current space,
The shelf number horizontal mark 4a moves to the right on the display screen. However, depending on the value of the input space, FIG.
As shown in the figure, "Kura" and "Weekly" which constitute the shelf number horizontal mark 4a are displayed in two lines, which may result in an unnatural appearance. In this case, it is necessary for the operator to make some changes and arrange the shelf number horizontal mark 4a so as to be close to the right frame of the frame as shown in FIG.

[0010] Here, if an operator who has a great deal of knowledge about typesetting can adjust the space between the shelf number horizontal mark 4a and the shelf number 3a to have a natural appearance, the knowledge about typesetting can be obtained. Operators with a small number do not notice this. Further, it is not understood that the exact distance T between the shelf number horizontal mark 4a and the right frame of the frame does not refer to the typesetting rule. Therefore, even if the operator has a great deal of knowledge about typesetting, the typesetting cannot be completed unless the operator has mastered the typesetting rules for each business item.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. Regarding the alignment of character information, even an operator who does not have knowledge of formatting and does not know the formatting rules for each business item can easily view the formatting results. It is an object to provide a layout design device that can be changed.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a layout correcting apparatus for correcting character information displayed in each area of a screen. A first storage unit for storing the converted character information, a first typesetting rule representing a rule for typesetting the character information in the area, and a rule for typesetting the character information between the areas. A second storage unit for storing a second typesetting rule to be represented, a typesetting unit for typesetting the character information based on the first and second typesetting rules, and at least a typesetting result of the typesetting unit. Display means for displaying, on the screen, a plurality of correction contents including correction contents relating to the alignment of the character information, selecting means for selecting the plurality of correction contents, and reading the correction contents selected by the selection means the above 1, based on the second typesetting rules, chromatic and correction means for correcting the formatted result of said composition means
The display means displays each area to be corrected.
After that, if any area is selected,
Displaying a plurality of correction purposes for the
Selecting each of the indicated areas and the plurality of correction purposes .

[0013] In the configuration according to the second aspect,
The character information includes identification information corresponding to each of the regions.

[0014]

[0015]

In the configuration according to the first aspect, the first storage means stores character information corresponding to each area obtained by dividing the screen. The second storage means stores a first typesetting rule representing a rule for typesetting the character information in the area, and a second type representing a rule for typesetting the character information between the areas. Remember the typesetting rules. Also, the typesetting means
The character information is typeset based on the first and second typesetting rules. Then, when the display unit displays on the screen a plurality of correction contents including at least the correction contents related to the alignment of the character information with respect to the typesetting result, the operator operates the selection unit to select the plurality of correction contents. . Thereafter, the correcting means automatically corrects the typesetting result of the typesetting means based on the correction content selected by the selecting means and the read first and second typesetting rules. Here, the table
Indicating means for displaying each of the areas to be corrected
If any area is selected,
Displaying a plurality of correction purposes;
Since each of the above areas and the above multiple correction purposes are selected,
Positive contents can be input in a hierarchical structure.

Further, in the configuration according to the second aspect,
Since the character information and the ruled line information include identification information for identifying each of the areas, it is possible to perform a typesetting process for each area.

[0017]

[0018]

【Example】

1. Configuration of Embodiment Hereinafter, a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a layout design device. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU, which controls the entire apparatus. Reference numeral 2 denotes an image input unit by which image data read by a plate making scanner device or a layout scanner device is input online. Reference numeral 3 denotes line drawing information input means, by which line drawing data created by CAD or the like is input online.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a character document input means, which is provided with a CTS (Computerized Typesetting System), D
Character data created by a TP (Desk Top Publishing), word processor or typesetting device is input online. The character data is composed of a character code indicating the type of character, but may be data including information on typesetting such as character width, character height, or character feed amount.

Reference numeral 5 denotes an interactive input means, such as a tablet,
It consists of a digitizer, mouse or keyboard.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a display unit constituted by a display such as a CRT or an LCD, based on information displayed here.
An operator operates the interactive input means 5. With these, it is possible to easily perform an instruction of a typesetting of a character, an instruction of a layout of a character, editing of a graphic, correction of a character, and the like using a so-called GUI.

Reference numeral 7 denotes storage means, which is constituted by a memory such as a ROM or a RAM, and stores various data required for typesetting. The data includes layout data (frame division pattern, etc.), material data (image data, line drawing data, and character data), business information (information such as product name, photo description, photo original name and page, etc.), management information (data (Information for managing data itself such as a file name and correction history information) and a typesetting rule.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an image output means, which is constituted by an output device such as a color printer or a hard copy device. The image output means includes a diagram (frame division pattern) representing a typesetting area, and image data and line drawing data allocated thereto. And print character data on paper. Reference numeral 9 denotes a data output unit that outputs layout data, material data, and the like to a layout scanner, a computer typesetting machine, or a CTS (neither is shown).

2. Operation of Embodiment The operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the layout design apparatus. In the following, description will be made by taking as an example a process of formatting a certain frame and then modifying the result of the formatting. In the figure, when the processing is started, first, the CPU 1 accesses the storage means 7. Then, when text format data is read from this, it is converted into block format data (step S1).

More specifically, the text format data relating to the shelf number horizontal mark 4a shown in FIG. 12 is data in the format shown in FIG. This bin number horizontal mark 4a is
Function characters inserted from “<” to “>” and “>”
And a character code inserted from “<” to “<”. The function character is information that is not directly displayed on the screen, and is information that controls a character code. By using these functional characters, it is possible to distinguish between a character code and information for controlling the character code. Here, “<20>” is a functional character. In this case, the functional character represented by a numeral is information indicating a character code delimiter, and the numeral is identification information representing an attribute type in a frame. "20" in this case is
"Kura" inserted between "<20>" and "<20>"
The attribute type of “weekly” is 20, and the “kura weekly” is identification information indicating that it corresponds to the shelf number horizontal mark 4a. In the text format data corresponding to the entire frame shown in FIG. 12, there are functional characters indicating a delimiter corresponding to each of the other attributes.

"Kura every week" shown in FIG. 3A is a character code. Here, "Kura" and "Weekly" are defined in FIG.
Since it is a white character as shown in FIG. In order to indicate that the character is an external character, “Kura” and “Weekly” are surrounded by squares, and each is treated as one character.

On the other hand, block format data is generally
, And one block format data corresponds to one character of the text format data. However, since functional characters have a meaning ranging from “<” to “>”, these are treated as one character.

The block format data 100 is assigned a predetermined address to the storage means 7 and stored therein. Then, the set of the block format data becomes a data string as shown in FIG. Here, a continuous address is not always assigned to each block format data constituting the block format data sequence, and a discontinuous address may be assigned. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the block data before and after a certain block data. For this reason, the link information 101 to the front block is set as the address of the block data immediately before the block data, and the link information 102 to the rear block is set as the address of the block data immediately after the block data. I have. However, when the address of the block format data and the address of the block format data immediately before and after are continuous, the link information 101 and 102 includes data indicating the continuity,
For example, "1".

The character type information 103 is information indicating a character type, and indicates whether the block format data is a printable character or a functional character. The character code 104 directly indicates the character code when the block format data is a printable character, and indicates the type of the function character when the block format data is a functional character. Examples of the type of the functional character include a break indicating an attribute type, a change in character size or alignment, and the like.

The function parameter information 105 is used only when the block format data is a function character, and is identification information of the function character. For example, when the text format data is “<20>”, the function parameter information 105 is “<20>”.
It indicates that the attribute type of the character code inserted between “<20>” and “<20>” is “20”, specifically, it is the shelf number horizontal mark 4a. Since the identification information corresponding to each attribute type in the frame is stored in the storage means 7 as the function parameter information 105, a character code corresponding to a desired area can be easily searched from a large amount of data stored therein. can do.

The character coordinate information 106 is used only when the block format data is printable characters, and is information representing coordinate values for displaying characters. The character size information 107 is information indicating the size of a character, and represents a series, a long body, a flat body, and the like. Here, the long font refers to a font in which the ratio of the basic characters in the typeface to be used in the vertical direction to the horizontal direction is increased, and the ratio increases as the number increases. Also, a flat body refers to a font in which the ratio of the basic characters in the typeface to be used in the horizontal direction to the vertical direction is increased, and the ratio increases as the number increases. In addition, it may be expressed using a horizontal size X and a vertical size Y. Further, when the block format data indicates an interval between character codes, it indicates a character interval value.

For example, when the text format data “<20> kura every week <20>” is converted into block format data,
The data is as shown in FIG. In FIG.
The right-pointing arrow and the left-pointing arrow are data representing continuity. The information in the blank portion is information that has not been determined at the time of step S1. Thus, C
When converting the text format data into the block format data, the PU 1 temporarily stores the data in the storage unit 7.

Next, the process proceeds to step S2 shown in FIG.
U1 accesses the storage means 7 and reads out the typesetting rules stored therein. The typesetting rule includes a first typesetting rule representing a rule such as a character size and a character typeface for attributes 1a to 10a such as a shelf number horizontal mark and a second type representing a relationship between respective areas corresponding to the attribute. It consists of typesetting rules.

For example, the first of the bin numbers 4a
The typesetting rules include a rule that the character spacing between character codes is set to the fourth grade. The second typesetting rule includes, for example, at least the following. In principle, the shelf number horizontal mark 4a is left-aligned with respect to the shelf number 3a, and the character spacing between the shelf number horizontal mark 4a and the shelf number 3a is set to the second class. The product name 5a is sent to the line next to the shelf number horizontal mark 4a. When this rule is applied, the actual layout is as shown in FIG. Also, if you have any special instructions,
The bin number 4a is aligned to the right, and the bin number 4
The character spacing between a and the right frame of the frame is a second class. When this rule is applied, the actual layout is as shown in FIG. Further, when the shelf number horizontal mark 4a and the shelf number 3a do not fit on one line, the shelf number horizontal mark 4a is sent to the next line, and the line spacing value between the shelf number horizontal mark 4a and the shelf number 3a is 2 Class. When this rule is applied, the actual layout is as shown in FIG. As described above, the second typesetting rule has the above-mentioned rule. However, since the rule is used only when there is a special designation, it is a rule that is not applied at the time of the first typesetting. Rules that sometimes apply. Therefore, the above-mentioned rule is applied to the second typesetting rule applied at the time of the first typesetting.

The above-described first and second typesetting rules are used by the CPU 1
Is acquired, the process proceeds to step S3 shown in FIG.
1 accesses the storage means 7 to read out the block format data once stored in step S1, and inserts a function block by applying the first and second typesetting rules to the block format data. Here, the function block refers to block format data corresponding to the function character. However, the function block in the block format data read in step S3 is only a function block indicating a break. When the first and second typesetting rules are specifically applied to this, it is necessary to insert a character block value between character codes and a function block representing left-right alignment.

For example, when a function block is inserted into the block format data shown in FIG. 5A, the result becomes the one shown in FIG. The second typesetting rule applied in this case is the left alignment described above. Note that FIG.
This corresponds to the text format data shown in FIG.

In FIG. 5B, the block 100F inserted immediately before the block 100B includes “Kura” and “Weekly”.
This is a function block that represents the inter-character value 4 class.
On the other hand, block 1 inserted between blocks 100C and 100D
00G is a function block representing the end of character spacing change. By this block 100G, block 1
The character spacing value specified by 00E returns to the original character spacing value. These function blocks correspond to the first typesetting rule described above.

The function blocks corresponding to the second typesetting rule are as follows. Block 10
A block 100F inserted immediately after 0A is a function block representing a space, and is a shelf number horizontal mark 4a.
Is set to the second class. A block 100H added immediately after the block 100D is a function block representing a line feed. This block 10
By inserting 0H, the product name 5a is sent to the next line. Thus, the shelf number horizontal mark 4a can be left-aligned, for example, to have a natural appearance as shown in FIG.

Thereafter, the CPU 1 executes a typesetting process based on the block format data generated in step S3,
The character coordinate information 106 is stored in the block corresponding to the printable character.
And the character size information 107 are written, and the result is stored in the storage means 7 (step S4).

When step S4 is completed, the CPU 1
The display means 6 displays a message indicating that the typesetting has been completed, and also displays a message asking which frame in the frame division pattern the typesetting result is to be incorporated. Thereafter, the operator operates the interactive input means 5 to specify a frame to be incorporated (step S5). Based on the above processing, the CPU
1 displays a correction screen including the typesetting result on the display means 6 (step S6).

In the processing up to this point, the composition of a certain frame is completed. However, as described above, since there is no special designation at the time of the first composition, the second composition rule corresponding to right alignment is applied and the shelf number is set. Typesetting of the horizontal mark 4a is performed. Then, in the following steps S7 to S15,
Modifications are made. Here, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the shelf number horizontal mark 4a shown in FIG. 6A is corrected to the left alignment shown in FIG. 6B.

First, when the operator operates the interactive input means 5, the display means 6 displays the typesetting result as shown in FIG. Then, when the operator operates the interactive input means 5 to select character data corresponding to the attribute to be corrected with the cursor cc, the character data to be corrected blinks (step S7). As a result, the operator can confirm the character data to be corrected. If the correction target is correct, the operator selects the execution area 201 with the cursor cc, and if the correction target is incorrect, cancels with the cursor cc. Area 202 is selected (step S
8). If cancel is selected, the process proceeds to step S7, where character data to be corrected is selected again.

On the other hand, if the execution is selected, the process proceeds to step S9, and the display means 6 displays, for example, a change menu 300 shown in FIG. The change menu shown in FIG. 8 is an example when the shelf number horizontal mark 4a is selected in step S7. Then, the operator operates the interactive input means 5 to move the desired change menu 301-301 with the cursor cc.
When 304 is selected, a change menu to be corrected flashes (step S9). Thus, the operator can confirm the above operation. If the operation is incorrect, the operator selects the cancel area 202 with the cursor cc (step S10), proceeds to step S9, and proceeds to step S9. Make your selection again.

On the other hand, if the above operation is correct, the cursor c
In step c, the execution area 201 is selected, and the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the display unit 6 displays, for example, a line alignment change menu screen shown in FIG. The screen shown in FIG. 9 is an example when the line alignment is selected in step S9. In the figure, the line alignment change menu 400 displays change items such as right alignment and left alignment, so that the operator does not need to input by referring to the typesetting rule for line alignment.

Then, the operator operates the interactive input means 5 to change desired change items 401 and 40 with the cursor cc.
When 2 is selected, the selected item blinks (step S11). Thereby, the operator can change the item 401,
The selection operation of 402 can be confirmed. If the above operation is incorrect, the user selects the cancel area 202 with the cursor cc (step S12), proceeds to step S11 shown in FIG. 2, and again selects the line alignment change menu 400 to be corrected. .

On the other hand, if the above operation is correct, the cursor c
The execution area 201 is selected in step c, and the process proceeds to step S13. As in step S2, the CPU 1 accesses the storage unit 7 and reads out the typesetting rules stored therein. Thus, when the CPU 1 obtains the first and second typesetting rules constituting the typesetting rule, the process proceeds to step S14. Here, the CPU 1 accesses the storage means 7 to read out the block format data once stored in step S4, and applies the correction contents acquired in step S12 and the first and second typesetting rules to the block format data. Then, a function block corresponding to the function character is inserted in the same manner as in the process of step S2.

For example, when the right alignment 402 is selected in step S12, the above-described second typesetting rule is read from the storage means 7. When this is applied to the block format data shown in FIG. 5B, the corrected block format data is as shown in FIG. That is, the blocks 100E and 100H are deleted, the block 100I is interposed immediately before the block 100A, and the blocks 100J and 100K are replaced with the block 1
Insert immediately after 00D. Here, block 100I is a function block representing the start of right alignment, while
Block 100K is a function block representing the end of right alignment. As a result, the character codes inserted from block 100I to block 100K are aligned right. The block 100J is a function block representing a space, whereby the inter-character value between the shelf number horizontal mark 4a and the frame right frame becomes the second class.

As a result, even if the operator himself does not refer to the second typesetting rule, it is possible to automatically create block format data satisfying the second typesetting rule.
With this block format data, the shelf number horizontal mark 4a can be aligned to the right, for example, a natural appearance as shown in FIG. 6 (B). The block format data corresponds to the text format data shown in FIG.

After inserting the above-described function blocks, the CPU 1 executes a typesetting process based on the block format data generated in step S14 shown in FIG. 1
06 and the character size information 107 are written, and the result is stored in the storage means 7 (step S15). Then, the typesetting result is displayed on the display means 6 (step S16),
A series of correction processing ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the operator can set the GUI such as left alignment and right alignment displayed on the screen.
By selecting, the layout can be automatically corrected without referring to the typesetting rules regarding the alignment of characters.

3. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications described below are possible. In the above embodiment, the image input means 2 may input image data offline. Further, the line drawing information input means 3 may input line drawing data offline. Further, a character document input means 4
May input character data offline. In this case, the image input unit 2 and the line drawing information input unit 3
Alternatively, the character document input means 4 is constituted by a data reading device that reads various data from an information recording medium such as a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, or an optical disk.

In the above embodiment, the interactive input means 5
May be used to set business information, management information, and management information. The storage means 7 may be constituted by an external storage device such as a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk.

In the above embodiment, FIG. 8 has been described as displaying the menu for changing the shelf number horizontal mark. However, the change menu may be applied to other character data. In addition, the change menu includes vertical and horizontal directions of characters, deformation such as emphasis and inversion of characters, character decoration such as character spacing, line spacing, underline, enclosing rule or side point, indentation, character sorting, tatechuyoko or tatechuyoko Etc. may be provided.

In the above embodiment, the modification process is specified by using a hierarchical structure in which the target of the correction is specified first, and then the purpose of the correction is specified. Display and display the interactive input means 5
May be selected.

In the above embodiment, text information has been described as an example of information to be typeset. However, text information may be replaced with image information such as a photograph.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention , a plurality of correction contents including corrections relating to character alignment are displayed on a screen, and the correction contents are specified by selecting the correction contents by selecting means. Since the typesetting result is corrected based on the content and the first and second typesetting rules, the operator can correct the character alignment by simply selecting the type of correction. As a result, even an operator who is not familiar with the typesetting rules can easily modify the layout with a simple operation. Further, since the contents of correction can be input in a hierarchical structure, it is suitable when there are many types of correction contents.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a layout design apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the layout design apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing text format data.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing block format data.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing specific block format data.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a second typesetting rule.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of step S7.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of step S9.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen of step S11.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing block format data interposed with function blocks.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic frame allocation pattern.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a character code inside a frame.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a product layout.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a frame before correction.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the appearance of a frame after correction.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 CPU (reading means, typesetting means, correction means) 5 interactive input means (selection means) 6 display means 7 storage means (first and second storage means)

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-175344 (JP, A) JP-A-7-105212 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06T 11/60-11/80 G03F 1/00 G06F 17/20-17/21 G06F 17/50 B41B 27/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A layout correction device for correcting character information displayed in each area of a screen, comprising: first storage means for storing character information corresponding to each area; The first representing the typesetting rule
A second storage unit that stores a second typesetting rule indicating a typesetting rule of the character information between the areas, and a first typesetting rule based on the first and second typesetting rules. A typesetting means for typesetting the character information; a display means for displaying, on the screen, a plurality of correction contents including at least correction contents related to the alignment of the character information with respect to a typesetting result of the typesetting means; selection means for selecting the correction contents, the first read and the correction content selected in the selection means, based on the second typesetting rules, possess a correction means for correcting the formatted result of said composition means The display means displays each of the areas to be corrected.
After selecting one of the areas,
The plurality of correction purposes are displayed, and the selection means displays the respective regions displayed and the plurality of correction purposes.
A layout correction device for selecting a correct purpose . 2. The layout correction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character information includes identification information for identifying each of the areas.