JP5465279B2 - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information processing apparatus and a program for processing an electronic document file.

  The computer manages the document data as an electronic document file in a predetermined format. For example, when the electronic document file is a PDF (Portable Document Format) file, the computer can display the content of the PDF file on the screen of the display device without performing data conversion, or print it with the printing device. Can do.

  A PDF file is used as a unit of display, printing, writing to a storage device by a computer, and reading.

  The PDF file includes, for example, one or a plurality of page expression data and resource data. The resource data includes, for example, at least one of character data and image data used for the page expression data. For example, assuming that a PDF file is used for a high-quality printer, character data or image data in the PDF file may have an excessively high quality.

  When a large number of document data is stored in a large number of individual PDF files, the resource data is included in each PDF file. For this reason, the storage capacity required for all of a large number of PDF files is larger than the storage capacity required for storing a large amount of document data in one PDF file.

  In addition, when a large number (for example, millions or more) of PDF files are stored in a computer and a necessary PDF file is searched, a file control program attached to an existing operating system of the computer is extremely small and reads a large number of files. For this reason, the larger the number of PDF files, the longer the data read time and the greater the work amount of the computer.

  A PDF file contains a certain resource data, and this resource data can be used in a plurality of pages. The PDF file can be used by referring to resource data outside the file. However, when resource data outside the file is referred to in this way, update management of the resource data becomes complicated.

Japanese Patent No. 4784361

  An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program for improving the efficiency of management of an electronic document file of a predetermined format.

  According to the embodiment, the information processing apparatus includes an index extraction unit, a page addition unit, a resource data change unit, a merge unit, an index embedding unit, and a search unit. The index extraction means extracts desired index data from a plurality of PDF files stored in the first storage device. The page appending means appends the character or code data representing the index data to a desired position of the page expression data included in the plurality of PDF files. The added character or code data is visible when browsing the retrieved result. The resource data changing unit performs a data size reduction process on the resource data included in the plurality of PDF files. The merging unit merges page expression data included in a plurality of PDF files in which character or code data is added by the page addition unit, and reduces the data size by the merged page expression data and the resource data changing unit. A merge PDF file including the generated resource data is generated. The index embedding unit generates a reorganized PDF file in which index data is embedded at a desired position of the merge PDF file, and stores the reorganized PDF file in the second storage device. The search means executes search processing for the reorganized PDF file stored in the second storage device based on the index data.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, management of electronic document files of a predetermined format can be made efficient.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the page expression data and document data contained in a PDF file. The block diagram which shows the 1st example of the process by the index extraction part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the 2nd example of the process by the index extraction part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the process by the page addition part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the process by the character data change part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows an example of the index embedding part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. The data block diagram which shows an example of the reorganization PDF file which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of batch search processing according to the second embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of the real-time search process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, substantially the same or substantially the same functions and components are denoted by the same reference numerals and will be described as necessary.

(First embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the case where the electronic document file to be managed is a PDF file will be described, but it may be a file of another electronic document format.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a configuration for realizing an index search of a plurality of PDF files corresponding to a large amount of document data, and a configuration for reducing the data size of the PDF file.

  In order to realize index search of PDF files, the information processing apparatus 1 extracts index data from page expression data of a plurality of PDF files. For example, the page expression data is print format data including a print character string and a barcode. The information processing apparatus 1 merges a plurality of PDF files and generates a smaller number of reorganized PDF files than the plurality of PDF files. In the reorganized PDF file, index data is embedded in a format that can be easily referred to by, for example, browsing software or search software. Furthermore, in the page expression data included in the reorganized PDF file, character data or code data representing the index data is added (embedded) in a form that can be easily viewed by, for example, browsing software. In this way, the index data extracted from the page expression data included in a plurality of PDF files is stored again in a format that can be easily searched in the reorganized PDF file, thereby improving the update management and portability of the PDF file. This is the first characteristic matter of the present embodiment.

  In order to reduce the data size of the PDF file, the information processing apparatus 1 merges the plurality of PDF files into a smaller number (at least one) of reorganized PDF files than the plurality of PDF files. The number of document data included in the reorganized PDF file is larger than the number of document data in the original PDF file. Resource data is shared by merging multiple PDF files. The information processing apparatus 1 switches character data included in the PDF file to a non-included format as much as possible. The information processing apparatus 1 simplifies the character form representation information of the character data included in the PDF file as long as display quality deterioration is allowed, and reduces the data size. The information processing apparatus 1 reduces the resolution of the image data and reduces the data size of the image data within an allowable range. Thus, the data size of the resource data after being included in the plurality of PDF files is changed. Performing such data size reduction in the process of generating a reorganized PDF file is a second characteristic matter of the present embodiment.

  In other words, after the PDF file is formed, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment reduces the data size of the character data included in the PDF file and the data size of the image data, and has been changed. Character data and image data are included in a reorganized PDF file.

  The information processing apparatus 1 includes storage devices 2a and 2b, a document editing unit 3, a reorganization unit 4, a document management database system 5, and a search unit 6. The information processing apparatus 1 is connected to an input device 7, a display device 8, and a printing device 9. The information processing apparatus 1 may be configured by a single computer, or may be configured by a computer system in which a plurality of computers are connected so as to be able to transmit and receive data. The document editing unit 3, the reorganization unit 4, and the search unit 6 are realized by a processor that operates according to a program stored in a storage medium, for example. The storage devices 2a and 2b are, for example, a hard disk, a main storage device, or an internal memory provided in the information processing device 1, and may be arbitrarily combined or arbitrarily separated. The storage devices 2a and 2b may be used as a working memory.

  The storage device 2a stores document data 10 such as text data, for example, character data 11 including character ID (identification information), fixed character code, character shape data, and image data 12.

  The document editing unit 3 generates a plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n based on the document data 10, the character data 11, and the image data 12 stored in the storage device 2a, and the generated plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n. Is stored in the storage device 2a. The generation of the plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n by the document editing unit 3 may be performed based on, for example, an operator's instruction or based on a preset template.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n include resource data 141 to 14n and page expression data 151 to 15n, respectively. Furthermore, the resource data 141 to 14n includes character data 161 to 16n and image data 171 to 17n, respectively.

  The reorganization unit 4 refers to the plurality of original PDF files 131 to 13n stored in the storage device 2a, executes reorganization on the PDF files 131 to 13n, and generates reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k. And stored in the document management database system 5. In the present embodiment, since the PDF files 131 to 13n are merged to generate the PDF files 181 to 18k, the number of the PDF files 181 to 18k is smaller than the number of the PDF files 131 to 13n.

  In the present embodiment, the PDF files 181 to 18k include resource data 191 to 19k, page expression data 201 to 20k, and index data 211 to 21k, respectively. Furthermore, the resource data 191 to 19k include character data 221 to 22k and image data 231 to 23k, respectively.

  The reorganization unit 4 includes, for example, an index extraction unit 24, a page addition unit 25, a character data change unit 26, an image data change unit 27, a merge unit 28, and an index embedding unit 29.

  The storage device 2b stores index designation data 30, page addition designation data 31, character change designation data 32, image change designation data 33, merge designation data 34, and index embedding designation data 35. The index designation data 30, page addition designation data 31, character change designation data 32, image change designation data 33, merge designation data 34, and index embedding designation data 35 are index extraction section 24, page addition section 25, and character data, respectively. The change unit 26, the image data change unit 27, the merge unit 28, and the index embedding unit 29 may be incorporated.

  The index designation data 30 designates index data extraction positions and rules from the PDF file.

  The page additional designation data 31 is for converting characters, character strings and code data representing index data into the page expression data included in the PDF file, positions for adding the index data, and converting the index data into corresponding characters, character strings and code data. Specify various rules such as related data.

  The character change designation data 32 designates a rule for reducing the data size of character data included in the PDF file.

  The image change designation data 33 designates a rule for reducing the data size of the image data included in the PDF file.

  The merge designation data 34 designates a rule for merging a plurality of PDF files.

  The index embedding designation data 35 designates an area (position) and a rule for embedding index data in the merged PDF file.

  The index extraction unit 24 extracts desired index data 361 to 36n designated by the index designation data 30 from the PDF files 131 to 13n based on the index designation data 30, and indexes corresponding to the PDF files 131 to 13n, respectively. Data 361 to 36n are stored in the storage device 2b.

  The page appending unit 25 is a character or code data representing the index data 361 to 36n at desired positions designated by the page appending designation data 31 in the page expression data 151 to 15n included in the PDF files 131 to 13n. Is added in a format that is easy to see when displayed, for example. This character or code data can be browsed (viewed), for example, at the time of search or the like, and the user can easily confirm the contents of the index data.

  The character data changing unit 26 performs a data size reduction process on the character data 161 to 16n included in the PDF files 131 to 13n according to the character change designation data 32. For example, the character data changing unit 26 sets at least a part of the character data 161 to 16n included in the PDF files 131 to 13n to a non-included format (Font un-embeded). For example, the character data changing unit 26 reduces the number of coordinates constituting the characters in the character data 161 to 16n included in the PDF files 131 to 13n. In the present embodiment, the character data changing unit 26 changes the character data 161 to 16n before the index embedding unit 29 embeds the index data 211 to 21k in the merged PDF file.

  The image data changing unit 27 performs data size reduction processing on the image data 171 to 17n included in the PDF files 131 to 13n according to the image change designation data 33. For example, the image data changing unit 27 lowers the resolution of image data whose data size exceeds a predetermined value among the image data 171 to 17n included in the PDF files 131 to 13n. The resolution is reduced by thinning, for example, by averaging individual pixels of image data. In the present embodiment, the image data changing unit 27 changes the image data 171 to 17n before the index embedding unit 29 embeds the index data 211 to 21k in the merged PDF files 481 to 48k.

  The merge unit 28 executes a process of merging a plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n. For example, the merge unit 28 stores the character data 221 to 22k with the data size reduced, the image data 231 to 23k with the data size reduced, and the page expression data 151 to 15n so that the file size after merging is within a predetermined range. Merge PDF files 481 to 48k including the merged page expression data 201 to 20k are generated and stored in the storage device 2b. The merge PDF files 481 to 48k include resource data 191 to 19k including character data 221 to 22k with reduced data size and image data 231 to 23k with reduced data size, and page expression data 201 to 20k, respectively. . In each of the resource data 191 to 19k, duplication is eliminated. Character or code data representing the index data 361 to 36n is added to the merged page expression data 201 to 20k.

  The index embedding unit 29 generates index data 211 to 21k appropriately assigned index data 361 to 36n to the merge PDF files 481 to 48k according to the index embedding designation data 35, and is assigned to the merge PDF files 481 to 48k. The index data 211 to 21k are embedded, reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k are generated, and the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k are stored in the document management database system 5. The reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k include resource data 191 to 19k from which duplication is eliminated, page expression data 201 to 20k, and index data 211 to 21k, respectively.

  As described above, the reorganization unit 4 extracts index data, appends characters, character strings, or code data in an easy-to-reference format that represents the index data for the page expression data, reduces the character data size, and reduces the image data size. Reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k generated by merging and embedding index data are stored in the document management database system 5. The document management database system 5 manages various files and data.

  The input device 7 receives an instruction, a command, or a search keyword from the user, and provides the search unit 6 with the instruction, the command, or the search keyword.

  The search unit 6 extracts a PDF file corresponding to the instruction, command, search keyword, or index data from the document management database system 5 based on an instruction, command, search keyword, or index data from the user. . Then, the search unit 6 provides the searched PDF file to the display device 8 or the printing device 9.

  The display device 8 displays the PDF file searched by the search unit 6 on the screen.

  The printing device 9 prints the PDF file searched by the search unit 6.

  The information processing apparatus 1 stores the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k in the document management database system 5, searches for a necessary PDF file, displays the screen, prints it, and makes it usable. The information processing apparatus 1 is used, for example, in a call center service that answers a telephone question for a delivery item such as insurance, securities, bank, or local government. The information processing apparatus 1 is used, for example, in electronic document browsing such as a document center and a library, partial copying, and document browsing using a browser of a tablet terminal.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of page expression data and document data included in a PDF file.

  The page expression data 38 included in the PDF file 37 includes instruction strings 381 and 382 each representing one line of a character string.

  The instruction sequence 381 designates the coordinates a1 (horizontal position x1, vertical position y1) of the line in the page, line attribute b1 (for example, line direction, character size, character color, etc.), and character data. It includes identification information (tags) c-1, c-2, c-3, c-4, and c-5.

  The next instruction sequence 382 includes the coordinates a2 of the head position of the line in the page, the attribute b2 of the line, and identification information c-1, c-2, c-10, c-20, c-30 designating character data. .

  The character data 391 included in the PDF file 37 includes identification information c-1 specified by the instruction sequence, a fixed character code d1 related to the target character, glyph information e1 (for example, an arc approximation function such as a Besee curve or a spline, a straight line Data representing a character shape by a vector closed curve using.

  The character data 392 included in the PDF file 37 includes identification information c-2 designated by the instruction sequence, a fixed character code d2 related to the target character, and glyph information e2.

  For example, c-1 corresponds to "A", c-2 corresponds to "I", c-3 corresponds to "U", c-4 corresponds to "E", c-5 corresponds to "O", and c-10 corresponds to "O". "," C-20 corresponds to "ke", and c-30 corresponds to "ko". In the page format description of the PDF file 37, the line where the characters "aiueo" are arranged on the page and "aikukeko" A line with characters is laid out.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a first example of processing by the index extraction unit 26 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example in which print characters included in the PDF file 40 are extracted.

  The index designation data 30 designates an area for extracting index data in the page expression data of the PDF file 40. Further, the index designation data 30 designates a key character string to be extracted and its range.

  In the example of FIG. 3, the index extraction unit 26 has a vertical width a and a horizontal width b based on the coordinates x and y based on the index designation data 30 and the page expression data of the PDF file 40. A zip code and a predetermined number of numbers following the zip code are extracted as index data 41 from the area.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a second example of processing by the index extraction unit 26 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example of generating index data 41 by decoding the parcode as print characters in the PDF file 40.

  The index designation data 30 designates that a barcode existing in a predetermined area in the page expression data of the PDF file 40 is to be extracted.

  Based on the index designation data 30 and the page expression data of the PDF file 40, the index extraction unit 26 extracts a barcode from an area having a vertical width a and a horizontal width b based on the coordinates x and y. The index data 41 including the information “ABCD” indicated by the barcode is generated.

  More specifically, the index extraction unit 26 decodes the PDF file 40 into an image, and takes out the imaged character, one-dimensional barcode, and two-dimensional barcode. The barcode may be laid out as image information as a whole, or individual barcodes may be laid out as character information. The index extraction unit 26 scans the area specified by the index designation data 30 by a program, thereby performing recognition processing of the key character string and the barcode, for example, converting the recognition result into text.

  The index data 41 includes, for example, a zip code, a customer ID, a customer name, a start page number, and an end page number.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of processing performed by the page appending unit 25 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example in which a postal barcode is obtained from a postal code and an address included as print characters in the PDF file 40 and added.

  The page additional designation data 31 designates the addition of a barcode corresponding to the postal code and the position (embedding) to be added.

  The page appending unit 25 converts the zip code of the index data 41 into a barcode based on the page appending designation data 31. Then, the page appending unit 25 appends a barcode at a position designated by the page appending designation data 31 in the page representation data included in the PDF file 40, and the PDF file in which the barcode is appended to the page representation data 42 is generated. The added barcode is visible when the PDF file 42 is displayed as the page format of the PDF file 42.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of processing by the character data changing unit 26 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 shows an example of reducing the amount of data by deleting highly redundant coordinates from the coordinate information indicating the character shape.

  The character change designation data 32 designates the character type ST1 as a non-inclusive format and changes the character type with respect to other character types.

  For example, in order to reduce the data size of the character data 43 included in the PDF file, the character data changing unit 26 changes the character type ST1 specified by the character change specifying data 32 in the character data 43 to the non-included format. To do. For example, for the character type ST1 registered in the information processing apparatus 1 that browses the reorganized PDF file, the character type ST1 registered in the information processing apparatus 1 is referred to and displayed or printed. Therefore, the character type ST1 is deleted from the character data 43 included in the reorganized PDF file.

  Furthermore, the character data changing unit 26 changes the character shape of the other character type of the character data 43 based on the character change designation data 32, for example, and reduces the data size of the character data 44. Examples of character type changes include deletion of coordinate points that make up characters, integration of coordinate points at approximate positions, deletion of coordinate points with a slight difference between the incident angle and the exit angle at a specific coordinate point, etc. Is done.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the index embedding unit 29 according to the present embodiment.

  The PDF file can store data in an area that is skipped by the PDF browsing software, such as between “start” and “end” of a comment command, or an area that is not recognized by the PDF browsing software.

  The index embedding designation data 35 designates that index data is arranged in any one of the areas skipped by the PDF browsing software. As an index data embedding method, for example, a “bookmark” function of PDF or a function of “metadata” insertion is used in accordance with the rules of PDF.

  The index embedding unit 29 embeds the index data 41 in the area 46 skipped by the PDF browsing software in the merged PDF file 45 in accordance with the index embedding designation data 35 and generates a reorganized PDF file 47.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. Note that the processing order of the following steps can be arbitrarily changed.

  In step S1, the information processing apparatus 1 extracts index data 361 to 36n from the page expression data 151 to 15n included in the plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n.

  In step S2, the information processing apparatus 1 adds a character, a character string, or code data representing the index data 361 to 36n to the page expression data 151 to 15n.

  In step S <b> 3, the information processing apparatus 1 merges the page expression data added with characters, character strings, or code data representing the index data 361 to 36 n to generate page expression data 201 to 20 k.

  In step S4, the information processing apparatus 1 reduces the data size of the character data 161 to 16n included in the plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n, and generates character data 221 to 22k.

  In step S5, the information processing apparatus 1 reduces the data size of the image data 171 to 17n included in the plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n, and generates image data 231 to 23k.

  In step S6, the information processing apparatus 1 includes page expression data 201 to 20k to which character or code data is added, character data 221 to 22k having a reduced data size, and image data 231 to 23k having a reduced data size. Merge PDF files 181 to 18k are generated.

  In step S7, the information processing apparatus 1 embeds index data 211 to 21k corresponding to the index data 361 to 36n in the merge PDF file 181 to 18k.

  In the present embodiment described above, the index data 361 to extract the search target PDF file quickly and automatically from the large number of PDF files 131 to 13n stored in the storage device 2a of the information processing apparatus 1. 36n is generated. In this embodiment, reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k in which a plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n are collected are formed. Thereby, an increase in the number of PDF files can be prevented, resource data included in the PDF file can be shared, and the data size of the PDF file can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the index data 211 to 21k in which the index data 131 to 13n are allocated to the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k are embedded in the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k, and the index data 211 to 21k and the PDF are stored. The files 181 to 18k are not separately configured. Thereby, the search with respect to the reorganization PDF file 181-18k can be performed rapidly, and handling of the reorganization PDF file 181-18k can be simplified.

  In the present embodiment, the index data 131 to 13n are embedded in the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k in an easily searchable format, so that the portability of information for search can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of PDF files 131 to 13n are combined to generate reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k, a plurality of resource data 141 to 14n are combined, duplication is eliminated, and resource data 191 to 19k are generated. It can be reorganized, which can reduce the data size.

  In the present embodiment, for example, when an information processing apparatus 1 that performs browsing and printing of a PDF file has the same character type as that of the PDF file, the character data includes an unnecessary character type. The character type that does not require inclusion is changed to a non-inclusive format. Since the data size of the PDF file has a large ratio of resource data, the data size of the PDF file can be reduced by reducing the total data capacity of the character data.

  In this embodiment, the data size of character data that cannot be included is reduced, thereby further reducing the data size of the PDF file. For example, character data represents a character by a vector closed curve using a Beze curve, a spline function, and a straight line. General character data has excessive coordinate points for high quality applications. However, in this embodiment, for example, coordinate points unnecessary for screen display and printing by a low-resolution printer are reduced, and the data size of character data is reduced.

  In the present embodiment, processing for reducing the resolution to a predetermined level at once is performed on image data having a large data size such as a photograph. The image data is expressed by gradation information expressing color color and density. By reducing the resolution of the image data that affects the image quality, the data size of the image data can also be reduced. Thereby, it is possible to ensure a predetermined level of image quality while reducing the data size of the PDF file.

  In the present embodiment, the extracted index data 361 to 36n is processed, and code data such as characters and barcodes corresponding to the index data 361 to 36n is converted into the page expression data 201 to 20k of the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k. Added to make it visible. Thus, the user can easily confirm the contents of the index data by browsing the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k.

  In addition, each component of the information processing apparatus 1 which concerns on this embodiment can be combined freely, and can be isolate | separated freely. For example, the character data changing unit 26 and the image data changing unit 27 may be combined, and the storage device 2a and the storage device 2b may be combined.

  Furthermore, the processing order of each component of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can be changed as appropriate as long as the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k can be generated. For example, the data size reduction for the resource data may be performed before or after the PDF files 131 to 13n are merged. The index data may be extracted after the PDF files 131 to 13n are merged. After the PDF files 131 to 13n are merged, the character or code data corresponding to the index data may be added to the page expression data. The merge may be executed after the index data 361 to 36n are embedded in the PDF files 131 to 13n. The index data may be extracted after the page expression data is merged. After the page expression data is merged, character data or code data representing the index data may be additionally written.

(Second Embodiment)
In the present embodiment, a method for extracting one or more specific document data from the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k of the first embodiment corresponding to a large number of document data at high speed will be described.

  The reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k include index data 211 to 21k used for high-speed search. The data capacity of the resource data 191 to 19k included in the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k is reduced. Single page expression data or combined page expression data is appropriately assigned to each of the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k.

  The information processing apparatus 1 has a feature of generating reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k with reduced data capacity from the generated PDF files 131 to 13.

  The information processing apparatus 1 generates index data 211 to 21k in order to search for necessary document data, and includes the index data 211 to 21k in the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k. Thereby, the data portability and the efficiency of data management can be improved.

  Further, the information processing apparatus 1 reduces the image resolution of the image data 231 to 23k and thins out the coordinate information of the shape representation of the character data 221 to 22k in order to reduce the data size of the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k. .

  FIG. 9 is a format diagram showing an example of the data structure of the reorganized PDF file 181. As shown in FIG. The other reorganized PDF files 182 to 18k can have the same data structure as that shown in FIG.

  The reorganized PDF file 181 includes character data 221, image data 231, page expression data 201, and index data 211.

  Normally, even in a PDF file related to a large number of pages, the character data and image data used in the large number of pages do not increase in proportion to the number of pages. Accordingly, by storing a large number of pages as one PDF file as in the first embodiment, the data capacity can be reduced as compared with dividing and storing a large number of pages.

  In addition to the above features, in the present embodiment, the speeding up of search processing by the search unit 6 will be described. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the retrieval of document data is used in an electronic library, an electronic document building, an information processing system of an insurance company, a call center, etc., but can also be used in other fields of use.

  A batch search process is used as the first search.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of batch search processing.

  In step T1, the search unit 6 receives specification of index data to be searched.

  In step T2, the search unit 6 extracts document data 221 to 22k, image data 231 to 23k, and index data 211 to 21k from the reorganized PDF files 182 to 18k.

  In step T3, the search unit 6 refers to the index data 211 to 21k based on the search target index data, and determines search target page expression data (search target page range).

  In step T4, the search unit 6 uses the determined search target page expression data, character data and image data used in the search target page expression data, for example, the storage device 2b, the display device 8, and the printing device. Output to 9 etc.

  A real-time search process is used as the second search.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of real-time search processing.

  In this real-time search processing, the search program, resource data 191 to 19k (character data 221 to 22k, image data 231 to 23k), and index data 211 to 21k are accessed in response to sequential search requests, for example, high-speed access for work. It resides in a possible storage device 2b (for example, an internal memory). The search program is executed by the processor of the information processing apparatus 1 to realize the function of the search unit 6. In this real-time search process, for example, a search request such as index data to be searched is issued from another program.

  In this real-time search process, the search speed can be significantly improved as compared to the batch search process.

  In step U1, the information processing apparatus 1 includes character data 221 to 22k, image data 231 to 23k, index data 211 to 21k in the reorganized PDF files 181 to 18k, and a search program that causes the processor to function as the search unit 6. Is resident in the storage device 2b and the search program is executed.

  In step U2, the search unit 6 monitors the designation of index data to be searched issued from other programs.

  In step U3, when receiving the specification of the index data to be searched, the search unit 6 refers to the index data 211 to 21k residing in the storage device 2b based on the index data to be searched, and searches Determine page representation data.

  In step U4, the search unit 6 uses the determined search target page expression data, character data and image data used in the search target page expression data and resident in the storage device 2b, for example, as a storage device. 2b, output to the display device 8, the printing device 9, and the like.

  The information processing apparatus 1 repeats the process from step U2 onward until the real-time search process ends (step U5).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the search process by the search unit 6 is specifically described. The search unit 6 can extract desired data at high speed by executing real-time search processing.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 2a, 2b ... Memory | storage device, 3 ... Document editing part, 4 ... Reorganization part, 5 ... Document management database system, 6 ... Search part, 7 ... Input device, 8 ... Display apparatus, 9 ... Printing Device, 10 ... Document data, 11, 221-2k ... Character data, 12, 231-23k ... Image data, 131-13n ... PDF file, 141-14n, 191-19k ... Resource data, 151-15n, 201-20k ... page expression data, 161 to 16n ... character data, 171 to 17n ... image data, 181 to 18k ... reorganized PDF file, 211 to 21k ... index data, 24 ... index extraction section, 25 ... page appending section 25, 26 ... Character data changing unit, 27 ... Image data changing unit, 28 ... Merge unit, 29 ... Index embedding unit, 30 ... Index Designated data, 31 .. page appending designation data, 32... Character modification designation data, 33... Image modification designation data, 34 .. merge designation data, 35 .. index embedding designation data, 361 to 36n .. index data, 481 to 48k. PDF file.

Claims (6)

Index extraction means for extracting desired index data from a plurality of PDF files stored in the first storage device;
Page appending means for appending character or code data representing the index data to a desired position of page expression data included in the plurality of PDF files;
Resource data changing means for performing data size reduction processing on resource data included in the plurality of PDF files;
The page expression data included in the plurality of PDF files in which the character or code data is additionally written by the page additional means is merged, and the data size is reduced by the merged page expression data and the resource data changing means. Merging means for generating a merged PDF file that includes the generated resource data;
Index embedding means for generating a reorganized PDF file in which the index data is embedded at a desired position of the merge PDF file, and storing the reorganized PDF file in a second storage device;
An information processing apparatus comprising: search means for executing a search process for the reorganized PDF file stored in the second storage device based on the index data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The resource data changing means is configured to make the character data included in the resource data non-included, to reduce coordinate points representing character shapes in the character data included in the resource data, and An information processing apparatus that performs at least one of lowering a resolution of image data included in data to a predetermined level or less. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The index extraction means is stored in a third storage device, based on index designation data that designates an area in which the index data is extracted from the plurality of PDF files, a key character, the key, At least one of the character having a predetermined relationship with the character and the predetermined code data is extracted as the index data,
The page appending means includes page representation data included in the plurality of PDF files based on page appending designation data that is stored in a fourth storage device and designates a position where the character or the code data is additionally written. Add the character or the code data to
The index embedding unit embeds the index data in the merge PDF file based on index embedding designation data that is stored in a fifth storage device and designates a position where the index data is to be embedded. apparatus. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the index embedding unit arranges the index data in an area skipped by the PDF file browsing software of the reorganized PDF file. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The index extraction means images the plurality of PDF files, extracts index data from the imaged data,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the page appending means arranges character or code data representing the index data at the desired position when the plurality of PDF files are imaged. Computer
Index extraction means for extracting desired index data from a plurality of PDF files stored in the first storage device;
Page appending means for appending character or code data representing the index data to a desired position of page expression data included in the plurality of PDF files;
Resource data changing means for performing data size reduction processing on resource data included in the plurality of PDF files;
The page expression data included in the plurality of PDF files in which the character or code data is additionally written by the page additional means is merged, and the data size is reduced by the merged page expression data and the resource data changing means. Merging means for generating a merged PDF file that includes the generated resource data;
Index embedding means for generating a reorganized PDF file in which the index data is embedded at a desired position of the merge PDF file, and storing the reorganized PDF file in a second storage device;
The program for functioning as a search means which performs the search process with respect to the said reorganization PDF file memorize | stored in the said 2nd memory | storage device based on the said index data.

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