JP2000048216A - Method and device for picture parts block layout processing and computer readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology which can easily arrange plural picture parts blocks. SOLUTION: First, an inhibition area for inhibiting arrangement of picture parts blocks 101 to 106 within a layout object page. Then, layout information including information which indicates an arrangement interval between the picture parts blocks arranged in the layout object page and information which indicates arrangement order of plural picture parts blocks arranged in a layout object page is prepared. Then, positions of the plural picture parts blocks are decided so that the plural picture parts blocks are arranged with the arranged interval by the arrangement order at a position avoiding the inhibition area in the layout object page. When the picture parts blocks are added or deleted, the arrangement order registered in the layout information is updated and the plural picture parts blocks in the layout object page are rearranged in accordance with updated arrangement order.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an electronic typesetting technique for arranging a plurality of image part blocks in a layout target page using a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Electronic typesetting technology is used when creating flyers, catalogs, recruiting magazines, and the like by laying out image component blocks having substantially the same shape in a layout target page. Here, the “image component block” refers to a block including a plurality of image elements such as photographs and character strings in a predetermined area (usually a rectangular area). For example, in a product catalog, photos, product names, prices, and the like of products are arranged in image component blocks. In a recruiting magazine, a company outline, a mark, and the like are arranged in the image parts block. Such an electronic typesetting technique is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-307255 published by the present applicant.
Is described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.

[0003]

However, in the conventional electronic typesetting technology, when an image part block is added or deleted, the entire layout must be performed again.
There was a problem that it took a lot of trouble and time. Further, when an image (exceptional image) that is not an image part block is arranged in the layout target page, the user manually operates each image part so that such an exceptional image does not overlap with the image part block. There was a problem that the position of each block had to be specified individually.

[0004] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and has as its object to provide a technique capable of easily arranging a plurality of image component blocks.

[0005]

In order to solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems, a method of the present invention uses a computer to generate a plurality of image component blocks each including a plurality of image elements. A method of laying out on a layout target page, wherein a prohibited area for prohibiting the placement of image component blocks is set in the layout target page, and an arrangement interval between the image component blocks disposed in the layout target page And information indicating
Creating layout information including information indicating an arrangement order of the plurality of image component blocks arranged in the layout target page; and setting the plurality of image component blocks in a position avoiding the prohibited area in the layout target page. Determining the positions of the plurality of image component blocks so that the image component blocks are arranged in the arrangement order at the arrangement interval.

In this layout method, the positions of a plurality of image part blocks in the layout target page are determined at positions avoiding the prohibited area in accordance with the set arrangement intervals and arrangement order. Therefore, a plurality of image component blocks can be easily arranged in the layout target page.

In the step (c), when an image part block is added or deleted in the page to be laid out, the arrangement order registered in the layout information is updated, and the updated arrangement order is updated. May be rearranged according to the plurality of image part blocks in the layout target page.

In this way, when adding or deleting image parts, it is possible to easily rearrange a plurality of image parts at a preferable position.

Each of the image component blocks has a rectangular shape, and each of the image component blocks has a predetermined unit rectangular shape in n rows and m columns (where n and m are each 1) while maintaining the above-mentioned arrangement intervals. It is preferable to have regions arranged in the above (integer).

This makes it possible to arrange the image component blocks neatly in a matrix.

[0011] In the layout method, at least before the step (c), at least one type of master part block used as a template for forming the plurality of image part blocks is created; Setting flow data indicating a plurality of image elements arranged in each image part block with respect to the image part block, wherein the step (c) includes: By creating by the number of the plurality of image component blocks arranged in the, the flow data for the plurality of image component blocks, by flowing to the position of the corresponding image element in the duplicated master component block, A step of forming a plurality of image component blocks may be included.

In this way, by arranging duplicates of the master part block, it is possible to arrange the image part blocks neatly in a matrix.

The layout target page extends over a plurality of pages, the prohibited area can be set independently for each of the layout target pages, and the layout processing section includes a plurality of layout target pages on the layout target pages. Alternatively, the plurality of image component blocks may be arranged continuously.

This makes it possible to easily arrange a large number of image component blocks on a large number of pages.

An apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus for laying out a plurality of image part blocks each including a plurality of image elements on a layout target page by using a computer, and arranging the image part blocks in the layout target page. A prohibited area setting unit for setting a prohibited area to be prohibited; information indicating an arrangement interval between image part blocks arranged in the layout target page; and a plurality of image part blocks arranged in the layout target page. A layout information creating unit that creates layout information including information indicating an arrangement order; and a plurality of image component blocks arranged at a position avoiding the prohibited area in the layout target page at the arrangement interval. A layout processing unit that determines positions of the plurality of image component blocks so as to be arranged in order. , Comprising a.

According to these devices, a plurality of image component blocks can be easily arranged in the layout target page, similarly to the above method.

A storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for processing for laying out a plurality of image component blocks each including a plurality of image elements on a layout target page. A prohibition area setting unit that sets a prohibition area for prohibiting the placement of image component blocks in the layout target page; information indicating an arrangement interval between the image component blocks disposed in the layout target page; Information indicating the arrangement order of the plurality of image component blocks to be arranged in the layout target page, and a layout information creating unit for creating layout information including: a position avoiding the prohibited area in the layout target page; Arranging the plurality of image component blocks in the arrangement order in the arrangement interval. So that the a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program for realizing the layout processing unit for determining the position of said plurality of image parts block, its features to the computer.

When the computer program stored in the storage medium is executed by a computer, a plurality of image component blocks can be easily arranged in the layout target page, as in the above method.

[0019]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention includes the following other embodiments. A first aspect is an aspect as a program supply device that supplies, via a communication path, a computer program that causes a computer to realize the functions of each step or each part of the above-described invention. In such an embodiment, the above-described method and apparatus can be realized by placing the program on a server or the like on a network, downloading the necessary program to a computer via a communication path, and executing the program.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Configuration of Apparatus: Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a layout processing apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention. This layout processing device has a CPU
20 and main memory 22 including ROM and RAM
, A keyboard 30, a mouse 32, a graphic display 34, a hard disk 36, and a modem 38
And a bus 21 for connecting these components. In FIG. 1, various interface circuits are omitted. The modem 38 is connected to a computer network via a communication line (not shown). A server (not shown) of the computer network has a function as a program supply device that supplies a computer program to the layout processing device via a communication line.

In the main memory 22, the functions of a master part creating unit 40, a flow data setting unit 42, a prohibited area setting unit 44, a layout information creating unit 46, and a layout processing unit 48 are implemented. Is stored.

Each of these parts 40, 42, 44, 46, 4
The computer program for implementing the functions of the eighth aspect is provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable storage medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM. The computer reads the computer program from the storage medium and transfers it to an internal storage device or an external storage device. Alternatively, a computer program may be supplied to a computer via a communication path. When implementing the functions of the computer program, the computer program stored in the internal storage device is executed by the microprocessor of the computer. Further, the computer may read the computer program recorded in the storage medium and directly execute the computer program.

In this specification, a computer is
The concept includes a hardware device and an operation system, and means a hardware device that operates under the control of the operation system. In the case where an operation system is unnecessary and a hardware device is operated by an application program alone, the hardware device itself corresponds to a computer. The hardware device includes at least a microprocessor such as a CPU and means for reading a computer program recorded on a storage medium. The computer program includes a program code that causes such a computer to realize the functions of the above-described units. Some of the functions described above may be realized by an operation system instead of the application program.

As the "storage medium" (or "recording medium") in the present invention, codes such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, an IC card, a ROM cartridge, a punch card, and a bar code are printed. Printed matter, computer internal storage (RAM
And a computer-readable medium such as an external storage device and an external storage device.

B. Processing procedure of embodiment: FIGS. 2 and 3
5 is a flowchart illustrating an overall procedure of a process according to the embodiment. In step S1, the user sets the master part creation unit 4
The master part is created using the mouse 32 by using the function of the hard disk 36 as a master part file.
To save.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing how a master part is created on the graphic display 34. FIG.
(A-1) shows the first master part M1, and FIG.
1) shows a second master part M2. The master parts M1 and M2 are used as templates of image part blocks, and include a plurality of image elements therein. For example, the first master part M1 shown in FIG. 4A-1 includes a rectangular frame graphic FG1 and a first star graphic F.
G2, an image field (picture field) F2, a product name field F3, and a price field F4. Of these four image elements, two figures FG1 and FG2 correspond to the master part M1.
Is used in common for image part blocks created from.
Further, an image field F2 and a product name field F3
In the price field F4, items of flow data (described later) that are individually set for each product are flowed into the image parts block of each product. Hereinafter, the “image component block” may be simply referred to as a “component block” or a “block”.

The second master part M shown in FIG.
Similarly, a figure FG3 of a rectangular frame, a figure FG4 of a second star, an image field F2, and a product name field F
3 and a price field F4. The first and second master parts M1 and M2 differ only in fixed figures FG1 to FG4, and the same fields are used for other fields. As described above, even when a plurality of different master components are used, it is preferable that the types and the numbers of the fields (that is, the types and the numbers of the image elements) are common to the plurality of master components. In this way, when creating the flow data, it is not necessary to distinguish which master part is used for each image part block, so that the flow data creation and subsequent layout processing can be performed more easily. it can.

FIGS. 4A-2 and 4B-2 show windows for storing master part files representing two master parts. In this window, the master part name, the item name (field name) of the flow data,
The field number of each item and are displayed. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a component file of a master component. The master part file includes the item name of each flow data, the field number of each item, the position coordinates of each field in the block, and the fixed figure (rectangular frame FG1).
And the figure data of the star-shaped figure FG2) and the size (width w1 and height h1) of the image part block. In the example of FIG. 4A-1, the outer shape of the image component block matches the rectangular frame FG1, but the rectangular frame indicating the outer shape of the image component block does not need to be drawn with a line.

The position coordinates of a plurality of image elements of each master part are set with reference to the coordinate origin (upper left point) of each master part. As will be described later, when a copy of this master part is arranged on the layout target page, each image element included in the master part is arranged in the duplicated part block while maintaining the mutual positional relationship. You.

When the master part is prepared in this way, FIG.
In step S2, the user uses the function of the pouring data setting unit 42 to
Create flow data using. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the format of the flow data. FIG.
Is equivalent to one record of the flow data. 1
In the record, information on one image part block is registered, and in each record, items of five fields are registered. The item in the first field is Product I
D, and the items in the second field are the image file name,
The item in the third field is the product name, the item in the fourth field is the price, and the item in the fifth field is the file name of the master part. The items in the first and fifth fields are information used when arranging each image part block, but are not displayed as image elements.

After setting the flow data, the user sets a prohibited object in the layout target page using the mouse 32 by using the function of the prohibited area setting section 44 in step S3 of FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a prohibited object RO set in the layout target page PM. The area of the prohibited object RO functions as a prohibited area where the placement of the image part block is prohibited. In this example, the prohibited object RO has a simple rectangular shape, but any shape can be used as the prohibited object RO. Further, as the prohibited object RO, an illustration or a photographic image can be used. For example, if an illustration is arranged in a margin generated in a page to be laid out and its characteristic (property) is set as a prohibited object, the image part block can be arranged only in a region where the illustration is avoided.

In step S4 of FIG. 2, the user uses the function of the layout
The layout information is set using 0 or the mouse 32. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a window for setting layout information. In this window, a field F11 for entering a flow data name, a field F12 for selecting a product ID, a field F13 for selecting a master part name, and information on a plurality of fields defined for the selected master part A field F14 for inputting two sets of coordinate values that define a layout area (described later);
Field F16 for inputting the interval between image part blocks
And four buttons B1 to B4 for selecting the arrangement direction of the image part blocks, a button B5 for instructing execution of layout processing, and a button B6 for instructing addition of a product. .

In the example of FIG. 8, the flow data name is
The data name TXT1 shown in FIG. 6 has been input, and information on the first product (product ID = 101) is displayed in fields F13 and F14. The information on each product (the information in the fields F13 and F14) is set in advance in the flow data TXT1 shown in FIG. 6, but can be changed in the window shown in FIG. 8 as necessary. . The coordinates of the layout area, the block interval, and the arrangement direction shown in FIG. 8 will be described later.

When the user clicks the layout instruction button B5 after completing the setting of the layout information, the layout processing section 48 executes the automatic layout processing. This layout processing is performed in steps S5 to S in FIG.
10 is performed.

Before describing the processing of steps S5 to S10, a layout area and layout candidate positions will be described with reference to FIG. The layout area LA is an area in which image component blocks can be arranged. Its shape and position are determined by two sets of coordinate values (X1, Y2), field F15 in FIG.
(X2, Y2). As can be understood from this example, the layout area LA contains the prohibited object R
It is determined independently of the presence or absence of O. However, an area excluding the prohibited object RO can be defined as a layout area.

In the layout area LA, twelve unit blocks Bunit indicated by dotted rectangles are arranged in a matrix (matrix) at block intervals ΔX and ΔY. The positions of these 12 unit blocks Bunit are:
Used as layout candidate positions P1 to P12 of the image part block. The layout candidate positions P1 to P1
The order of 2 is determined according to the arrangement direction (array path) selected by the buttons B1 to B4 in FIG. FIG.
In the example, the Z-shaped arrangement direction is selected, so that the layout candidate positions P1 to P12 shown in FIG. 9 are also determined in an order corresponding to this.

As the unit block Bunit, a frame having the same outer shape as the smallest component (here, the first master component M1) among the master components M1 and M2 set in FIG. 4 is used. In this embodiment, the size (width w1 and height h) of the first master part M1 shown in FIG.
1) and the second master part M2 shown in FIG.
(Width w2 and height h2) have the following relationship. w2 = 2 × w1 + ΔX h2 = h1

That is, the width w2 of the second master part M2
Is equal to a value obtained by adding the block interval ΔX to twice the width w1 of the first master component M1, and the height h2 of the second master component M2 is equal to the height h1 of the first master component M1.
Specifically, for example, w1 = 50, h1 = 40, w2 = 1
10, h2 = 40, ΔX = 10, and ΔY = 20. If the relationship between the sizes of the master parts is set as described above, the area including two layout candidate positions adjacent in the horizontal direction (X direction) in FIG.
, One master part M2 can be arranged. In this case, when arranging individual image part blocks, it is only necessary to check whether or not the image part blocks can be arranged at the layout candidate positions P1 to P12 shown in FIG. There is an advantage that it becomes easy.

In general, a master part having an outer shape larger than a unit block Bunit (that is, the smallest master part) has a shape of n rows m with a plurality of unit blocks Bunit kept at block intervals ΔX and ΔY from each other. Column (n,
(m is an integer of 1 or more, respectively)). At this time, generally, the width wi in the X direction and the height hi in the Y direction of the rectangle of the i-th master part are represented by:
Each is set so as to satisfy the following equations. _{wi = n · w 0 + (} n-1) · ΔX hi = m · h 0 + (m-1) · ΔY where, w _0, h ₀ respectively predetermined constant, n, m and each master component On the other hand, integers of 1 or more, ΔX and ΔY, which can be individually set, respectively, are the X direction and Y
It is an arrangement interval in the direction. Note that at least one of the intervals ΔX and ΔY may be set to zero.

In steps S5 and S6 of FIG. 2, the file name of the master part relating to one product is read from the flow data (FIG. 6), and the part block is placed in the layout candidate position while checking the overlap with the prohibited object RO. Check if it can be placed in Product ID is 101
Is the first product (hereinafter, simply referred to as "product 101")
Is a first master part M1, and therefore may be placed at a first layout candidate position P1 shown in FIG. 9, and the candidate position P1 is a prohibited object RO.
Does not overlap. Therefore, the image component block of the product 101 can be arranged at the candidate position P1.

If the image part block of the product 101 can be arranged at the candidate position, the image part block of the product 101 is arranged on the layout target page in step S7. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of step S7. In step S21, a copy of the master part is placed at a candidate position. Specifically, Product 1
01 is the layout candidate position P
1 (FIG. 9). In step S22, the item in the field of the master component is replaced with the data in the flow data according to the field number described in the component file. In step S23, information on the arranged image part blocks is registered in a layout management information table described later.

FIG. 11 shows a state where three image component blocks are arranged on the layout target page PM. The image part block of the product 101 is shown in FIG.
Is used as a template, and the characters of the product name and the price of the product 101 are displayed in the fields F3 and F4, respectively. In the field F2, an image file of the product 101 (RI shown in FIG. 6)
NGO.EPS) is displayed.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the registered contents of the layout management information table. In this table, a product ID, a component size (width w and height h), and an upper left point (reference point) of the image component block are arranged for each of the arranged products.
And the connection information of the image part block are registered. The connection information includes information (here, a product ID) indicating the image component block disposed immediately before and immediately after each image component block. In other words, the connection information can be considered to be information indicating the arrangement order (arrangement order) of a plurality of image component blocks arranged on the layout target page.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the format of the layout information file. The layout information file includes a layout file name, a page size (width and height) of the layout target page PM, and coordinate values (X1, Y1, X2, Y2) that specify a layout area.
12, the block interval (ΔX, ΔY), the array direction (selected by one of the buttons B1 to B4 in FIG. 8), the circumscribed rectangle data of the prohibited object RO, and the layout management information table (shown in FIG. 12). ) And image part block information. The image part block information is information including figures and flow data of each image part block, and is used when reproducing each image part block. The layout information file is used when a layout target page PM on which a plurality of image component blocks are arranged is output by the graphic display 34 or an output device such as a printer (not shown).

When the placement of the image part blocks for one product is completed by the processing of step S7 in FIG.
In step S8, it is determined whether or not the arrangement of the image part blocks of all the commodities has been completed. If not completed, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the process moves to the next layout candidate position and returns to step S5, where it is determined whether or not a master part relating to the next product in the flow data can be arranged at that layout candidate position. For example, since the master part of the second product 102 shown in FIG. 6 is the second master part M2, there is a possibility that the master part can be arranged in the area including the second and third layout candidate positions P2 and P3 shown in FIG. . Since the regions of these candidate positions P2 and P3 do not overlap with the prohibited object RO, the image component block of the product 102 can be arranged at these candidate positions P2 and P3. In this way, the product 102 is arranged in an area including the candidate positions P2 and P3. Similarly, the product 103 is arranged at the candidate position P4.

By the way, in step S6 of FIG.
If the master component cannot be placed at the layout candidate position, the process moves to the next layout candidate position at step S10, and it is checked again whether or not it can be placed there.
As a case where the master part cannot be arranged at the layout candidate position, a case where the master part protrudes from the layout area LA (for example, if the second master part M2 is
9 or when the master part at least partially overlaps the prohibited object RO (for example, the second master part M2 is placed at the fifth layout candidate position P5 in FIG. 9). If you try to place them in

When the arrangement of the image part blocks for all the commodities registered in the inflow data (FIG. 6) is completed, steps S8 to S11 in FIG. 3 are completed.
Move to The processing in steps S11 to S16 is the addition or deletion of a product (ie, addition or deletion of an image part block)
This is the process of performing

To delete a product, step S12 is performed.
, The user designates one product on the screen of the graphic display 34 and instructs to delete it. In response, the layout processing unit 48 updates the layout information file, rearranges the products on the layout target page PM, and redisplays the rearranged layout target page PM on the screen.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display when a product is deleted. That is, FIG. 14A shows a screen display before product deletion (before layout change).
(B) shows the screen display after the product 102 is deleted. Before the layout change, the image part blocks relating to the six products 101 to 106 are arranged in this order at positions avoiding the prohibited objects. When the product 102 is deleted from this state, as shown in FIG.
The second image component block is deleted, and the image component blocks of the products 103 to 106 following the product 103 after the product 102 are rearranged so as to sequentially move to the previous position.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the update processing of the layout management information table accompanying the product deletion shown in FIG. FIG. 15A shows the contents before deletion (before changing the layout), and FIG. 15B shows the updated contents after deleting the product 102. As can be understood from this example, when the product 102 to be deleted is deleted, the information on the product 102 to be deleted is deleted from the layout management information table, and the linked information on the products before and after that is updated accordingly. Also, the coordinate value of the upper left point of each image component block is updated to indicate a new position.

The actual instruction operation for deleting a product is performed by, for example, displaying a layout management information table shown in FIG. 15 on a screen, selecting a product ID of a product to be deleted from the table, and selecting “delete” (not shown). Executed by selecting an instruction from a menu. Alternatively, it can be executed by selecting an image part block to be deleted on the layout target page screen shown in FIG. 11 and selecting a “delete” command (not shown) from a menu.

When a product is to be added, in step S14 of FIG.
On the screen of No. 4, a product to be added and its insertion position are indicated. The actual instruction operation of the addition target product is executed, for example, by specifying the flow data name and the product ID of the addition target product in the window shown in FIG. 8 and clicking the add button B6. The insertion position of the product to be added is executed by selecting a layout candidate position for inserting a new image part block on the screen shown in FIG.

When an instruction to add a product is input, the layout processing unit 48 finds the file name of the master part from the flow data in step S15 in FIG.
The image part block of the product to be added is arranged at the designated position. In step S16, the layout information file is updated, another image part block on the layout target page PM is rearranged, and the rearranged layout target page PM is displayed again on the screen.

FIG. 16A shows a screen display before adding a product (before changing the layout), and FIG.
The screen display after deleting 00 is shown. The state before the layout change is the same as that shown in FIG. From this state, the position of the commodity 103 (that is, the commodity 1
02 and the product 103), the product 200 is added.
As shown in FIG. 16B, the product 200 is placed at the position of the product 103.
Are added, and the image part blocks of the products 103 to 106 subsequent to the product 103 are rearranged so as to sequentially move to the rear position.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the update processing of the layout management information table accompanying the product addition shown in FIG. FIG. 17A shows the contents before the addition (before the layout change), and FIG. 17B shows the updated contents after the product 200 is added. As can be understood from this example, when the addition target product 200 is added, information on the addition target product 200 is added to the layout management information table, and the linked information on the products before and after the addition target product 200 is updated accordingly. Also, the coordinate value of the upper left point of each image component block is updated according to the new position.

As described above, in this embodiment, the prohibited object R of an arbitrary shape is included in the layout target page PM.
Since an O (prohibited area) can be provided, it is possible to automatically arrange a plurality of image component blocks so as not to overlap the prohibited object. In particular, in the window shown in FIG.
When X and ΔY and the arrangement direction are designated, a plurality of image component blocks are automatically arranged at the intervals ΔX and ΔY along the arrangement direction. That is, the user does not need to specify the positions of the individual image component blocks, so that a large number of image component blocks can be easily laid out.

Since a plurality of image component blocks arranged in the layout target page PM are sequentially connected by connection information (arrangement order information) indicating the order of arrangement, there is no need to delete or add image component blocks. Also in this case, by updating the connection information, it is possible to rearrange the image component blocks after deletion or addition. Each image part block includes various image elements such as characters, pictures (photo images), and illustrations. In the present embodiment, when the layout is changed, the position of each image element is changed. It is not necessary to change only the reference coordinates (the coordinates of the upper left point) of the image component block. Therefore, it is possible to easily change the layout for each image component block.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and embodiments, but can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the invention.
For example, the following modifications are possible.

(1) In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the image component blocks are arranged at any of the positions of the unit blocks Bunit arranged in a matrix in the layout area LA. As a method for determining the position of the image component block, other methods can be used. For example, if the image part block is a prohibited object R
In the case of overlapping with O, the next layout candidate position may be determined to be a position separated from the prohibited object RO by the interval ΔX (or ΔY). In this case, there is an advantage that the image component blocks can be arranged at intervals of ΔX and ΔY around the prohibited object RO in accordance with the size of the prohibited object RO. On the other hand, the method of the above-described embodiment has an advantage that the image component blocks can be arranged neatly vertically and horizontally regardless of the size of the prohibited object RO.

(2) Instead of the connection information in the above embodiment, it is also possible to use information in another format indicating the arrangement order (arrangement order) of a plurality of image part blocks arranged on the layout target page. . Further, as information indicating the intervals ΔX, ΔY between the blocks, information other than the intervals ΔX, ΔY can be used. For example, information indicating a pitch between blocks (for example, an interval between upper left points of adjacent blocks) may be used instead of the intervals ΔX and ΔY.

(3) In the above embodiment, the layout target page is only one page. However, the layout target page may extend over a plurality of pages. In this case, it is preferable that the prohibited object (prohibited area) can be set independently for each page of the layout target page. However, it is also possible to arrange prohibited objects in common on a plurality of pages. When the layout target page extends over a plurality of pages, the layout processing unit 48
A plurality of image component blocks are sequentially arranged on a plurality of pages to be laid out. That is, when it becomes impossible to place the image part block on a certain page,
The remaining image part blocks are automatically arranged on the next page. This makes it possible to easily arrange a large number of image component blocks on a large number of pages. Such advantages are remarkable when an extremely large number of image component blocks are arranged on a large number of layout target pages, such as a job information paper or a housing information magazine.

(4) In the above embodiment, part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. You may do so.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a layout processing apparatus as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an overall procedure of a process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an overall procedure of a process according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of creating a master part.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of a component file of a master component M1.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of flow data.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing prohibited objects set in a layout target page PM.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a window for setting layout information.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing layout candidate positions set in a layout area.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed procedure of step S7 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a plurality of image component blocks are arranged on a layout target page PM.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing registered contents of a layout management information table.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a format of a layout information file indicating an arrangement of image component blocks on a layout target page PM.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a screen display when a product is deleted.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of an update process of a layout management information table following product deletion.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen display when adding a product.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of an update process of a layout management information table accompanying a product addition.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 20 CPU 21 Bus 22 Main memory 30 Keyboard 32 Mouse 34 Graphic display 36 Hard disk 38 Modem 40 Master component creation unit 42 Data setting unit 44 Prohibited area setting unit 46 Layout information creation unit 48 … Layout processing unit 101-106… Product image parts block 200… Product to be added

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H095 AB15 AC07 5B009 NC01 NC03 NE03 NE05 NG02 5B050 BA06 BA10 BA11 BA12 BA13 BA16 BA18 BA19 BA20 DA08 DA10 EA06 EA12 EA19 FA09 GA08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A method for laying out a plurality of image part blocks each including a plurality of image elements on a layout target page by using a computer, wherein (a) arranging the image part blocks in the layout target page. Setting a prohibited area to be prohibited, (b) information indicating an arrangement interval between the image component blocks arranged in the layout target page, and information of the plurality of image component blocks arranged in the layout target page. Creating layout information including information indicating the arrangement order; and
(C) determining the positions of the plurality of image component blocks such that the plurality of image component blocks are arranged in the layout target page in a position avoiding the prohibited area and in the arrangement order at the arrangement interval. And a layout processing method for an image part block. 2. The layout processing method for an image part block according to claim 1, wherein said step (c) is performed when the image part block is added or deleted in the layout target page. And updating the plurality of image component blocks in the layout target page in accordance with the updated arrangement order. 3. The image part block layout processing method according to claim 1, wherein each of the image part blocks has a rectangular shape, and each of the image part blocks has a predetermined unit rectangular shape. An image component layout processing method, comprising a region in which shapes are arranged in n rows and m columns (n and m are each an integer of 1 or more) while maintaining the above-mentioned arrangement intervals. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein at least prior to the step (c), at least one of the image component blocks used as a template for forming the plurality of image component blocks is provided. Creating a type of master part block; and setting, for the plurality of image part blocks, flow data indicating a plurality of image elements arranged in each image part block, the step (c). Creates duplicates of the master part block by the number of the plurality of image part blocks arranged in the layout target page, and creates the flow data for the plurality of image part blocks by copying the master part block copied The plurality of image part blocks by pouring them into corresponding image element positions in A layout processing method for an image part block, including a forming step. 5. The layout processing method for an image part block according to claim 1, wherein the layout target page extends over a plurality of pages, and the prohibited area is provided for each of the layout target pages. And the step (c) includes a step of continuously arranging the plurality of image component blocks on a plurality of layout target pages. 6. An apparatus for laying out a plurality of image part blocks each including a plurality of image elements on a layout target page using a computer, wherein prohibition of disposing image part blocks in the layout target page is prohibited. A prohibited area setting unit for setting an area; information indicating an arrangement interval between image component blocks arranged in the layout target page; and an arrangement order of the plurality of image component blocks arranged in the layout target page. And a layout information creating unit that creates layout information including the following information: laying out the plurality of image component blocks in the layout order in the layout order at a position avoiding the prohibited area in the layout target page. And a layout processing unit that determines the positions of the plurality of image component blocks. Layout processing device for component blocks. 7. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for performing a process for laying out a plurality of image component blocks each including a plurality of image elements on a layout target page, wherein: A prohibited area setting unit that sets a prohibited area for prohibiting the placement of image part blocks; information indicating an arrangement interval between image part blocks arranged in the layout target page; A layout information creating unit that creates layout information including information indicating an arrangement order of the plurality of image part blocks, and the plurality of image part blocks at positions avoiding the prohibited area in the layout target page. The plurality of image sections are arranged so as to be arranged in the arrangement order at the arrangement interval. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to realize a function of a layout processing unit that determines a position of a product block.