JPH04263357A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an information processor which can easily perform the layout of a document, etc. CONSTITUTION:A layout setting means 4, an automatic adjustment means 6, and a layout editing means 7 adjusts automatically the character spaces, etc., of the sentences in accordance with each area. At the same time, the areas are automatically changed if the character spaces exceed an adjustable range. Thus the areas are automatically changed if the adjustment of the character spaces is impossible in accordance with the layout. As a result, the documents are effectively produced.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that allows a layout to be specified in advance when creating, editing, proofreading, updating, printing, etc. a document.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally used information processing devices such as word processors use a formatting mode to specify paper size, vertical/horizontal writing, margins, etc. before creating a document.
After specifying font size, line spacing, character spacing, etc., enter edit mode. In this editing mode, characters are input, edited, and proofread to create a document.

[0003] After that, the layout of the document is checked in layout mode. At this time, if the layout does not match the desired one, use the editing mode or formatting mode to make changes and proofreading again to correct the layout to the desired layout and complete the document.

Regarding these matters, for example, Tokusho 6
No. 3-213054 is mentioned.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-described conventional information processing apparatus, the layout cannot be checked until after the document has been input. Therefore, when changing the layout, it is necessary to edit and proofread the document again, which reduces the efficiency of document creation.

The present invention has been made in view of this point, and includes determining an input area (area frame) prior to document creation, and automatically arranging the created document within the specified area frame. It is an object of this invention to provide an information processing device that can input the amount of text, graphics, etc. arbitrarily without being conscious of the layout, and can efficiently create documents.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made to achieve the above object, and one aspect of the present invention is to
a data editing means for editing the data; a display means for displaying the data edited by the data editing means; and an area for arranging the data on the screen of the display means; An information processing device characterized by comprising: layout means having a function of arranging the data in the area according to preset conditions and changing the size of the area according to the arrangement situation. provided.

In this case, the layout means has a function of setting a master-slave relationship between the areas, and when the master-slave relationship is set, the layout means changes the subordinate area after changing the main area. It may also have a function that is performed in response to the state.

[0009] Furthermore, when the area is changed, it is preferable that the layout means rearranges the data displayed in the area in correspondence with the area after the change.

[0010] Another aspect includes a data editing means for editing data, and a data editing means for editing data.
In the information processing apparatus, the data editing means includes a display means for displaying data, and a layout means for setting an area on the screen of the display means for arranging the data. The data in the area corresponding to the data being edited
An information processing apparatus is provided, characterized in that a display means displays a confirmation display that allows confirmation of the arrangement status of data.

[0011] In this case, it is preferable that the confirmation display is made by a display that allows the user to recognize the shape of the area corresponding to the data being edited and the state in which the data is placed in the area.

[0012] The above confirmation display also visually displays the maximum amount of data that can be placed in the area, the minimum amount of data necessary for proper display, and the amount of data currently being edited. It is preferable that the process be carried out in such a way that it can be confirmed visually.

[0013]

[Operation] The layout means sets an area on the screen of the display means. At this time, a master-slave relationship is set between each area as necessary. Thereafter, data is created by the data editing means. Then, the layout means arranges this data in an area corresponding to the data according to preset conditions. At this time, the layout means changes the area according to the arrangement situation.

[0014] In this case, the change in the secondary area is made to correspond to the state after the change in the main area. for example,
When the size of the main area is reduced, the secondary area is enlarged by that amount. Also, at this time, the layout means rearranges the data displayed in the area in correspondence with the area after the change.

[0015] In another aspect, the data editing means comprises:
While editing data, the shape of the area corresponding to the data being edited, the placement status of the data in the area, the maximum amount of data that can be placed in the area, and how to properly place the data. A confirmation display that allows confirmation of the required minimum amount of data is displayed on the display means.

[0016]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

A block diagram of the principle of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

Information inputted by the input means 1 is processed by the editing means 2, and the result is displayed on the display means 3.

Editing means 2 is responsible for overall control, and includes layout setting means 4, document editing means 5, and automatic adjustment means 6.
, a layout editing means 7.

The layout setting means 4 is for specifying the range of an area (area frame) to be input on the output paper of the document and its attributes.

The document editing means 5 has a function of performing normal document editing.

The automatic adjustment means 6 has a function of automatically arranging the document edited by the document editing means 5 according to the area frame set by the layout setting means.

The layout editing means 7 has a function of checking and correcting the layout of the document automatically arranged by the automatic adjustment means 6.

The layout setting means 4, the automatic adjustment means 6, and the layout editing means 7 constitute the above-mentioned layout means.

The display means 3 has a function of displaying editing information.

The input means 1 is for inputting or instructing text, graphic information, or control information.

FIG. 2 shows the above configuration more specifically.

The functions of the input means 1 are realized by a keyboard 11 for handling code information and an image scanner 21 for handling graphic information.

The control section 12 corresponds to the editing means 2.

The control unit 12 includes a microcomputer 16 for overall control, a program memory 17 for storing programs for various controls, a work memory 18 for primary storage necessary for the programs to operate, and a character pattern (CG) memory 17 for storing programs for performing various controls. ) and a pattern memory 19 for storing control patterns. Also, keyboard 11, image scanner 21, CRT 13, FDD 14
, a peripheral control circuit 20 that controls peripheral devices such as a printer 15
It is equipped with

Cathode ray tube display device (hereinafter referred to as CRT)
Reference numeral 13 is for realizing the display means 3.

[0032] Flexible disk drive device (hereinafter referred to as F
14 (referred to as DD) is for recording and storing created documents, and a printer 15 is used for printing out created documents.

Next, the operation will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of the processing when creating a document.

When document creation begins, the layout is first set (step 111).

Next, document creation/editing such as character input and graphic input is performed for each area frame designated at the time of layout setting (step 112).

At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the CRT 13 displays almost the entire screen as an editing screen to facilitate editing of the document. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, it is also possible to display a small area frame corresponding to the document currently being created in the corner of the screen and the layout of the document being created within the area frame. This allows you to check the state of the created document when it is poured into the area frame even while the document is being created. Note that the operator can select whether or not to display the area. Furthermore, the display size and position are not limited to these.

Next, the created document is automatically and appropriately arranged within the specified area frame (step 113), and the layout is further edited (step 114).

When the document creation is completed, the document is printed by the printer 15 (step 115). In addition, the created document is recorded and saved in the FDD 14 for reuse and preservation of the document. Note that the order of steps 115 and 116 may be reversed.

Note that the layout setting operation in step 111 is explained using FIG. 4, and the automatic arrangement in step 113 is explained using FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.
For layout editing in step 4, use Figures 8 and 12.
This will be explained in more detail later.

The layout setting process performed in step 111 will be explained in detail.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart thereof.

When entering the layout setting process, first specify the format such as paper size and margins (step 121), and input the input area (area frame) for the desired shape, size, etc. by a, b,
c... (step 122, FIG. 9).

Furthermore, the permissible variable ranges of character size, character spacing, line spacing, and dot density for each area frame are specified (step 123, FIG. 10). As a result, it is possible to create a layout that matches each of the document's title area, body text area, notes or notes area, graphic (figures, graphs, etc.) area, etc.

[0045] Also, if you want to automatically change the size of an area according to the allocation of other areas, for example, in areas b and d, if you want area d to be as large as possible after area b has been properly allocated, In step 124, the master-slave relationship between each area is specified. As a result, the area designated as "main" (hereinafter referred to as "main area") will be changed according to its allocation ratio, and the area designated as "secondary" (hereinafter referred to as "secondary area") will be changed correspondingly. ) is automatically changed to compensate.

[0046] By performing the above processing, the title area, body text area, annotation or remarks area,
You can create a layout that matches the graphics (shapes, graphs, etc.) area, etc.

Next, the automatic adjustment process in step 113 will be explained.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 are flowcharts showing the operation.
It is a chart.

First, the designation of the master-slave relationship between each area is confirmed (step 131).

If a master-slave relationship is specified, the values of character size, character spacing, line spacing, dot density, etc. are set to the median value or standard value within the variable allowable range (step 132
). In this state, it is determined whether the documents in the main area are properly distributed (step 133).

As a result, if the distribution is not appropriate, change the size of the main area so that the distribution is appropriate (
Step 134). Additionally, the size of the subordinate area is changed accordingly (step 135). For example, in FIG. 14, area b is designated as the main area and area d is designated as the subordinate area. At this time, in FIG. 14A, the allocation ratio of area b, which is the main area, is 60%, which is not an appropriate allocation. Therefore, the size of area b is automatically reduced. Along with this, area d, which is a subordinate area, is enlarged. As a result, the allocation rate for area b is 80
%, and on the other hand, the allocation rate for area d is 78%.

In the subsequent processing, only the sub area is subject to changes in area size, character spacing, etc., and the main area is not changed after step 134.

Subsequently, as a result of the area change in step 135, it is determined whether the documents, etc. in the subordinate area are properly arranged (step 136).

As a result, if the arrangement is not proper, the process proceeds to automatic adjustment 1 (step 137), which will be described later, and adjustment is performed.

In step 131, if the master-slave relationship is not specified, the process directly proceeds to step 137 to perform adjustment.

Thereafter, the automatic adjustment process in step 113 is completed, and the process proceeds to layout editing in step 114 in FIG. Incidentally, if the main area is properly distributed in step 133, and if the subordinate area is properly distributed in step 136, the process directly proceeds to layout editing in step 114.

Automatic adjustment 1 performed in step 137 will be explained using the flowchart of FIG. Note that in this process, since text and graphics are processed separately, the processing of graphics is shown in FIG. 7 as automatic adjustment 2.

First, it is determined whether the area currently being processed is a graphic area (step 141). If it is a graphic area, the process advances to step 149 and automatic adjustment 2 processing is performed. The specific process in step 149 is shown in FIG. 7 as described above.

If it is determined in step 141 that the area is not a graphic area, that is, it is a text area, the character size, character spacing, and line spacing are set to standard values (step 142). It should be noted that this standard value is configured so that it is possible to select either one specified by the operator or one that is pre-installed in the program.

Next, it is checked whether the text has been properly placed within the specified area frame based on this standard value (step 143). Here, "properly placed"
This means, for example, that the amount is allocated to approximately 80% of the designated area frame. Regarding the value of appropriate allocation rate,
It is possible to configure the system so that it is possible to select between a designation by the operator and a designation pre-installed in the program.

If the appropriate distribution ratio is not satisfied in step 143, the character spacing and line spacing are increased or decreased (step 144). In this case, if only one of the character spacing and line spacing is changed, the overall balance will deteriorate, so it is recommended to change the character spacing by a certain ratio, for example, if the line spacing changes by two ranks, the character spacing changes by one rank. good. However, there is no problem in changing the ratio using a fixed value without being particular about a fixed ratio.

After making the changes, check whether the character spacing and line spacing are within the specified allowable range (step 145), and if they are within the allowable range, return to step 143 again and repeat the same process until proper placement is obtained. Repeat the process.

In step 145, if the character spacing and line spacing are not within the designated allowable range, the character size is changed by one rank, and the character spacing and line spacing are returned to standard values (step 146). After confirming that the font size is within the specified tolerance range (step 147),
Returning to step 143, similar processing is repeated until proper placement is obtained.

Note that if the result in step 147 is not within the allowable range, that is, if proper placement cannot be obtained within any of the specified allowable ranges, an error message will be displayed.
(step 148) to inform the operator that proper placement could not be obtained.

In this case, the process moves to the next step, step 114 in FIG. 3, where layout editing is performed.

Next, automatic adjustment 2 processing (step 149) performed in step 141 when the content of the document is a graphic such as a figure will be explained using FIG.

First, the input graphic size of a figure or the like is compared with the designated area frame (step 151), and it is checked based on this comparison value whether or not it has been properly allocated (step 152). If the allocation is appropriate, the process ends (step 157).

However, if the appropriate allocation ratio is not satisfied,
The dot thinning amount or replenishment amount is calculated from the comparison value (step 153), and it is determined whether the calculated value (dot density change amount) is within a specified variable tolerance range (step 154). If it is within the allowable range, the dot density of the graphic is changed (dot density conversion) according to the calculated value (step 155).

On the other hand, if the calculated value, that is, the dot change amount exceeds the allowable range, an error message is displayed to notify the operator (step 156). In the error message display, it is possible to display the extent to which the overflow has occurred, and also to allow the selection of replacing the area frame with the layout in the overflow state.

Thereafter, the process moves to layout editing in step 114 in FIG.

Next, the layout editing process at step 114 in FIG. 3 will be explained.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation, and FIG.
2 shows the display state.

First, the automatically adjusted document is confirmed on the screen (step 161, FIG. 12), and if it is correct, the process is terminated and the process proceeds to step 115, the printing process. On the other hand, if the operator wishes to make a change in step 162, he issues an instruction to change the size, shape, and position of the area frame (step 163), and performs the automatic adjustment in step 113 again.

[0074] This process is then repeated until the desired layout is completed.

As explained above, in this embodiment, the layout is set prior to creating the document, so the layout of the document can be easily done. Also, while creating a document, you can check the placement status of the document being created in the area, so you can create the document more efficiently without creating too many or too few characters after creating the document. .

Furthermore, by specifying a master-slave relationship between each area, flexible arrangement is possible according to the amount of documents. On the other hand, by designating an important area as the main area, the font size etc. will not be changed automatically regardless of the intention of the document creator.

[0077]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, by specifying a master-slave relationship between areas, the size of the area etc. is automatically changed according to the amount of documents. , which allows for more flexible text placement. Furthermore, even while creating a document, it is possible to check the placement status in the corresponding area, which improves usability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a conceptual configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a more specific configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an overview of the operation of this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a partial detailed flowchart showing layout setting processing.

FIG. 5 is a partial detailed flowchart showing automatic adjustment processing.

FIG. 6 is a partial detailed flowchart showing automatic adjustment processing for character data.

FIG. 7 is a partial detailed flowchart showing automatic adjustment processing for graphic data.

FIG. 8 is a partial detailed flowchart showing layout editing processing.

FIG. 9 is a display screen state diagram during layout setting processing.

FIG. 10 is a state diagram of a display screen during layout setting processing.

FIG. 11 is a display screen state diagram during document editing processing.

FIG. 12 is a state diagram of a display screen during layout editing.

FIG. 13 is a display screen state diagram during document editing processing.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing automatic area arrangement.

[Explanation of symbols] 1...Input means, 2...Editing means, 3...Display means,
4...Layout setting means, 5...Document editing means,
6... Automatic adjustment means, 7... Layout editing means,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11...Keyboard, 12...Control unit, 13...Cathode ray tube display (CRT), 14...Flexible disk drive, 15...Printer, 21...Image scanner.

Claims (6)

[Claims] Claim 1: Data editing means for editing data; display means for displaying data edited by the data editing means; and display means for arranging data on the screen of the display means. The present invention further includes a layout means having a function of setting an area to be used, further arranging the data in the area according to preset conditions, and changing the size of the area according to the arrangement situation. Characteristic information processing device. 2. The layout means has a function of setting a master-slave relationship between the areas, and when the master-slave relationship is set, the layout means changes the subordinate area after the change of the main area. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus performs the processing according to the state. 3. When the area is changed, the layout means rearranges the data displayed in the area in accordance with the area after the change.
The information processing device described. 4. A data editing means for editing data, a display means for displaying the data edited by the data editing means, and a display means for arranging the data on the screen of the display means. In the information processing apparatus, the data editing means includes layout means for setting an area to be edited.
An information processing apparatus characterized in that a display means displays a confirmation display that allows confirmation of the arrangement of data in an area corresponding to the data. 5. The confirmation display is a display that allows the user to recognize the shape of the area corresponding to the data being edited and the state in which the data is placed in the area. 4. The information processing device according to 4. 6. The confirmation display includes the maximum amount of data that can be placed in the area and the minimum amount of data necessary for proper display.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the amount of data being edited and the amount of data currently being edited can be visually confirmed.