JP2000155794A - Information processor and method for information processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to use document definitions, data definitions, and file definitions wherein alternate symbols are usable by entering a character string, symbol, or figure, which is familiar in daily life, into a document. SOLUTION: Once a 'item definition data chain' is generated (steps B1 and B2), this information processing method identifies the item names of 'item definition data' constituting the chain. When it is decided that those item names are combinations of terms ('symbol name', 'formal name'...) registered for 'alternate symbols' (step B3), 'alternate symbol definition data' for making the 'alternate symbol' and 'formal name' correspond to each other are generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

The present invention relates to document processing / management,
And an information processing method and apparatus for performing data processing / management.

[0020]

2. Description of the Related Art Since ancient times, books and tables for expressing and managing various data have been improved in various expressions, writing methods, and methods according to the respective applications, such as increasing the visibility or increasing the writing efficiency. Has been made. . Since the start of the use of computers, the book table format as an input / output format has been used for many years by data input / output programs, so to speak, it is a method of writing and writing “appendix-like” data input / output. Although it was inevitable to have high expressive power, the recent demand for higher processing power on the terminal side and the need for higher expressive power of books and tables combined therewith has led to the computer's document creation function ( So-called WP, DTP
(Function), a method of adding a strict definition as an input / output format to a document freely created by a user in an apparatus or a document input by OCR from paper has begun to be proposed. In this method, as a method of pursuing usability and availability as an end-user function, a method of additionally entering entry information such as simple character strings and symbols specified in advance on a book to be defined may be used. Proposed. (Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 7-317319)

[0030]

[0005] However, this new method also requires "various expression powers" originally required for books and tables.
The needs have not yet been fully met. First of all, in order to improve the visibility, the books and tables were originally assigned when entering specific data,
Often the use of "substitute symbols" was used to apply easy-to-understand symbols, but this has not been supported. Input and output using “substitute symbols” are only individually performed in a conventional dedicated program.

The new method also includes a data definition document,
Neither does it support application definition formats such as file definitions. Again, these peripheral formats were only implemented in dedicated programs, with little freedom of style.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and enables various book table format definitions using the above “substitute symbols” to be performed by simple entry work or operation. It is an object to provide an information processing method and apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to extend the definition of the "substitute symbol" and extend the data definition and the file definition by using the same operation as the definition of the data entry book table and the common definition entry information. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing method and apparatus which can be used by using the information processing method and apparatus.

[0070]

In order to achieve the above object, a book table creation method in an information processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a book table, a data definition book, and a file definition. In the document, definition information defining a format for data management, including definition information defining a substitute symbol to be entered in place of a specific data name, is included in a document representing the book table, data definition document, and file definition document. Enter through the entry information entered in the form of characters, symbols, or graphics, enter based on the entered definition information,
The data management format of the book table is set.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for performing “item definition” in which a “item name” and a “data” or a “data entry area” belonging to the item name are defined as a pair. And a dictionary means for holding a specific term to be the "item name" of the "substitute symbol definition table", and a means to specify in the document that "substitute symbol definition book" is "item name", From the above combination, a "substitution symbol definition" is obtained, which is a correspondence between the "substitution symbol" and a formal data name in which the "substitution symbol" is used.

The information processing method according to claim 3 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for performing the “item definition” and the “item name” of the “substitute symbol definition area” are provided. It is characterized in that the designation means is performed by specific entry information or a combination of entry information.

Further, in the information processing method according to the fourth aspect, the means for performing the "item definition" and the "item name" of the "substitute symbol table", the "data definition document" and the "file definition document"
Dictionary means for holding specific terms to be used, "item name" specifying means for the "substitute symbol definition table", and "item name" specifying means for the "data definition document" and "file definition document". A "data definition" and a "file definition" having the "substitute symbol definition" are obtained from the above combination.

An information processing method according to a fifth aspect is the apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the “substitute symbol definition”
The "item name" designating means and the "item name" designating means of the "data definition document" and "file definition document" are performed by inputting common entry information or operating method.

According to the information processing method of claim 6, in the definition of the book table definition, the data definition, and the file definition, a document element related to the definition is replaced with another document element related to the definition. It is characterized by being displayed separately from the elements.

[0130]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a hardware system configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this system, the color image scanner 10, the keyboard 12, the mouse 14, and the digitizer 15 are suitable as input devices, the internal memory 16 and the external memory 18 are suitable as storage devices, and the display device 20 and the printing device 22 are suitable as output devices. It is connected to the CPU 24 via an interface circuit (not shown). Also, C
The PU 24 is also connected to a telephone line or a communication line 27 via a communication device 26.

The color image scanner 10 reads, as color image information, characters, symbols and figures in a document written on a sheet. The internal memory 16 and the external memory 18 store various electronic dictionaries, character fonts, files, and the like, in addition to various programs that define processing or control operations of the CPU 24. Communication device 26
Has a facsimile communication function.

FIG. 2 shows a list of operation modes related to creation of a book in the system of the present embodiment. "Maine",
Main modes such as “Definition” and “Environment setting” are set, and these main modes are “Eject”,
The program branches into sub-modes such as “interpretation of definition” and “setting of definition”.

FIG. 3 shows the “main mode list menu” displayed on the display screen 20 a of the display device 20.
In this menu screen, "Main"
Main mode selection buttons such as "definition" and "environment setting" are displayed.

When the “environment setting” button is clicked in the “main mode list menu”, the environment setting mode is selected. When the mode is switched to the environment setting mode, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen 20a, and submode selection buttons such as "definition setting" and "definition information setting" are displayed at the lower right of the screen. here,
When the “definition information setting” button is clicked, a definition information setting mode is entered, and “definition element /
The "Entry information comparison table" is displayed on the screen.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, in this embodiment, a plurality of definition systems such as “common”, “data management”, and “data definition” are prepared, and a plurality of definition elements are set in each definition system. Have been. Of these definition systems, "data management",
Each definition element of the “data definition” or “file definition” system is used to set a format for data management. Each definition element of “common” is shared by each format of “data management”, “data definition”, and “file definition”.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, one or more kinds of predetermined characters (character strings), symbols or figures are associated with each definition element. Some of the definition elements, such as "round-up" corresponding to the definition element "rounding" of the "data management" system, express the purpose of definition only by the entry information. In some cases, other entry information is designated, such as “<>” corresponding to “item name”, and the definition is left to the designated entry information. In addition, characters or symbols of normal entry information entered in the area specified by the entry information, such as “O” corresponding to the “common” definition element “definition element specification”, are used as the definition element. Some instructions indicate that conversion should be performed, or instructions that should be interpreted into a specific definition with reference to a term dictionary.

[0210] Also, the "division" in the "data definition" system
Data item names (divisions) and data names (numerical values, text, aggregate numeric values) that are in a pair with each other, such as the relationships between "", "numerical value", "text", and "aggregate numeric value" are individually defined. When registered as an element, the relationship of this pair is displayed so as to be understood in the comparison table.

The association between the definition element and the entry information as described above may be prepared by the system from the beginning, or may be set and registered by the user at any time by screen input. In any case, in the data format shown in FIG. 8, for example, the definition element identification data having a variable data length corresponding to the comparison tables in FIGS. 5 to 7 is set for each definition element. Each definition element identification data is held in a definition element identification data storage unit 48 (FIG. 24) of a definition information recognition unit described later.

In the data format of the “definition element identification data” in FIG. 8, the data field of the “definition system code” is the data field of the definition system (format definition) to which the setting definition element (for example, “right-justified”) belongs. The code is set, and the code of the character string or symbol (“right”, “right-justified”, “right-justified”) corresponding to the definition element (right-justified) is specified in the data field of “definition element type”. It is set with the delimiter identification data interposed, and the end field is provided with predetermined end identification data indicating the end of this data.

In the field of “definition element code of pairing relation”, as described above, “partition” and “pair” in the “data definition” system (“numerical value”, “text”, “total numerical value”) If there is another definition element code having a relationship, the other definition element code is set. Therefore, in the case of “definition element identification data” of “division”, the definition element codes of “numerical value”, “text” and “total numerical value” are set in this field. In the case of “numeric value”, “text”, or “total numerical value”, “definition element identification data” of “division” is set in this field.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the definition elements for performing various definitions on a document are associated with characters, symbols, or graphics that can be used as normal entry information representing normal document contents. ing. However, as will be described later, when used as a defining element, special modification information (for example, color information) is added to the entry information so as to be distinguished from normal entry information representing the contents of a document. In other words, the user can not only use the commonly used entry information as normal entry information to represent the contents of the document, but also add special modifier information to the definition information to indicate the definition contents. It can be used as information.

When the sub-mode selection button of “definition distinction setting” is selected on the “environment setting mode screen” of FIG. 4, a “definition information distinction instruction screen” as shown in FIG. 9 appears on the display screen 20a.

In FIG. 9, the definition system such as "data management" is listed in the column of [definition system]. The user only has to enter the modification information or identification information of [color], [line modification], [line thickness], [handwriting / printing] used for the entry information of each definition system at each position.

In the example of FIG. 9, (blue) is used for “data management”, “data definition”, and “file definition”, respectively.
Field. As described above, the definition elements of “common” are shared by all the definition systems, so that it is not necessary to set the modification information unique to “common”.

In response to the input operation of the definition information distinction instruction, in the system, the definition information distinction data for each definition system is set in a data format as shown in FIG. 10, for example. This definition information distinction data is stored in a definition information distinction data storage unit 50 (FIG.
4) is held.

FIG. 11 shows a screen of the "main" mode which is one of the main modes. In this "Main" mode screen, "Eject", "Store", "Next",
A sub mode selection button such as "execute" is displayed, and when each sub mode selection button is clicked, the mode is switched to the sub mode displayed by each button. In addition,
By default, the display immediately after power-on displays the “Main” mode screen on the surface 20a. When the “Mode” button constantly displayed in the lower left corner of the screen is clicked, the “Main mode list menu” screen is displayed. Is switched to.

Next, in this system, each function of “data definition” and “file definition” set and registered in the system as an assumption of an application such as a book table creation function will be described.

In order to set “data definition” in this example, a data definition document as shown in FIG. 12, for example, is prepared. This data definition document lists the data item names on the application and their attribute data names that can be used in building the application system. For example, the specification document created by the system engineer may be used as it is. Alternatively, it may be newly created by the document creation function of the present system for setting “data definition”.

In the present example, the data definition document includes, for example, a black writing instrument, ink,
It is assumed that the document is a document in which the contents of a document are described with toner or the like.

In this data definition document, a plurality of basic data items registered in advance in the system for “data definition” are included in a table including a plurality of ruled lines drawn at predetermined intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions. And a desired data name on each corresponding application are described in a list format.

That is, in the item entry column provided in the uppermost row of the table, the basic data items “data item name”, “data item name”, Character strings representing "classification", "corresponding master name", and "synonym" are entered.

In the first line of the data name entry column provided below the item entry column, the character string “Category” as the data name of “Data item name” and the data string of “Category” are entered. Character string "text", data string of "corresponding master name", character string "product classification master", and data name of "synonym", character string "product classification" in each cell (entry frame)
One (one data name) is entered for each.

In the description for one line (record), in the present system, "classification" is set as one of "data items" on the application, and this "classification" is treated as "text" data. Is registered in the “product classification master” file, and “product classification” is regarded as a synonym for “classification”.

[0380] Even in the second line and below of the data name entry column, the "part number" selected as the data item name on the application,
For each of “sales”, “unit price”,..., Etc., attribute data of “division”, “corresponding master name”, “synonym” is entered.

Thus, the data definition document (FIG. 12)
Is a document that usually consists of entry information (characters, symbols, or graphics that are commonly used to represent the contents of the document), and the description is written by the person who handles it (for example, a system engineer).
Can be understood at a glance. But,
If the document content is entered into this system as it is,
It is simply recognized as document information and does not substantially make sense as a definition document.

Therefore, in the present system, by inputting definition support information for supporting a desired definition into the document contents composed of the normal entry information and inputting the definition support information to the system, the definition contents recognized by the handler can be obtained. Make the system aware.

In the data definition document of this example (FIG. 12), for example, as shown in FIG. 14, definition support information of “common” and “data definition” may be entered in (blue).

[0420] In this specification, an "item name" and its associated "data (name)" or "data (name) string" are generally defined as a "pair" in a document. Is called an “item definition”. The "pair" of the "item name" and the "field"("entryframe","entryarea") in which the corresponding "data name (column)" is entered may be specified.
An adjacent row of a plurality of “item definitions” is called an “item definition sequence”. From the “item definition column”, “records” which are sets of “data names” belonging to the respective “item definitions” and semantically related to each other are extracted.

“Item definition” is performed for the table of the data definition document of this example. In this system, terms used for each "item name" and "data name" relating to "data definition" are registered in advance as reserved words (definition element entry information) of the system. (In this example, "data item name"
Also, terms used for “data names” belonging to some “item names” are registered as system reserved words. (In this example, the data names "text", "numerical value" and "aggregated numerical value" belonging to the item name "category") For each "item name" related to "data definition", the "data name" to which it belongs There is a distinction between those that are system registration words (definition element registration words), those that are numerical values, and those that are just character strings that are neither of the above.

The system sets and holds the distinction (attribute) of this “item name” in the form of “item name metadata” (FIG. 13). The data is provided for each “item name”, and the “item name” and the corresponding code of the above attribute are set.
When the affiliation “data name” is the system registered word described above, a code string of the affiliation “data name” is additionally set in the corresponding “item name metadata”. The “item name metadata” is also set and held in the system in advance for the “item name” of the “file definition” described later.

In FIG. 14, in the data item name entry column, a (black) data item name character string “data item name”,
Since “Category”, “Corresponding Master Name”, and “Synonym” are registered terms of the above “Defined Element”, they are enclosed in the definition element entry information “O” of “Defined Element Specification” in (blue), and )
Item <item> definition element entry information “<>”. As a result, these character strings “data item name”, “division”, “corresponding master name”, and “synonym” are converted into definition element entry information, and each of them is an item name on “data definition”. It is defined.

In the data name entry column, each data item name “data item name”, “division”, “corresponding master name”,
Vertical fields (cell columns) corresponding to "synonyms"
, The definition element entry information "[]" of "range designation" is entered in the cells at the top and bottom. This allows
Each of these fields (cell columns) in the vertical direction defines that the data of the corresponding data item name is entered or is a data entry column to be entered.

The entry data names “text”, “numerical value”, and “total numerical value” in the data entry column belonging to the item “section” are the above-mentioned system registration terms (definition element registration words).
Surrounding with “O” of “designation of definition element” may be omitted as in this example. If a term that is not registered in the system, such as “added value”, is entered later instead of, for example, “total value”, the definition support for “data definition system” (blue) is provided at an arbitrary position outside the table. As information, the formal registration name “total number” is entered, and both character strings may be connected by the same (blue) “connection line” definition element.

As described above, in the present system, the "data definition" is given a "definition element designation" (system registration word designation). It is performed in the form of a combination of "item definition"("item definition column").

The data definition document (FIG. 14) in which the definition support information has been added as described above is input from the color image scanner 10 to the present system.

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of a document input and document element data generation unit in the system of this embodiment. The document image input unit 30 includes an input device such as a color image scanner 10, a keyboard 12, and a mouse 14, a CPU 24 for executing an input routine, and an internal memory 16 or an external memory 1 for temporarily receiving an input color screen.
And 8. Document image storage unit 32, character /
Graphic pattern dictionary 36 and document element data storage 38
Uses the storage area of the internal memory 16 or the external memory 18. The character / graphic element recognition unit 34 is configured by the CPU 24 executing a character / graphic recognition processing program. The document image output unit 40 mainly includes a CPU 24 that executes a display control program, and a display device 20 that outputs a document image under the control of the CPU 24 or a communication device 26 that transmits and outputs a document image. You.

When the image scanner 10 performs a reading operation on the data definition document (FIG. 14) of this example, a color image signal representing the contents of the document (all entries) is taken into the image storage section of the input section 30. The color image signal for each document taken into the input unit 30 is decomposed in the form of a signal into color image signals of (black), (blue), and (red). The image signal, the (blue) image signal, and the (red) image signal are stored in the black image storage unit 32a, the blue image storage unit 32b, and the red image storage unit 32c, respectively.

[0520] Next, the character / graphic element recognizing section 34 determines, for each color (black, blue, red), individual characters and graphic elements in the document with respect to the pixel data for each document stored in the document image storage section 32. Recognize elements. Here, the graphic element is a group of simple figures, such as line segments, rectangles, and circles, whose shapes can be easily recognized as images.

For the image recognition in this embodiment, for example, “image management data” preset in a data format as shown in FIG. 16 is referred to. In this “image management data”, as shown in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the input image is composed of a large number of pixels PX arranged on a matrix, and data indicating the number, size, pitch, etc. of the pixels PX is set. ing.

In the character / graphic element recognition unit 34,
Recognition of figures is basically performed by recognizing individual characters and line elements constituting graphic elements. Various known methods may be used for identifying the line element. For example, first, a set of dots having a specific color is found, and then the adjacent area or surroundings are searched to determine the direction in which the set of dots extends. By repeating this process, the trajectory drawn by the set of dots is traced until it disappears (ends). If there is a location where the direction of the trajectory changes rapidly during the tracking, the location is identified as a bending point or a cusp.

The line element thus extracted can be identified as one of the line element patterns set in advance by its shape and size. In the present embodiment, the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36 stores in advance a type of a line element constituting each character and a figure and an advantageous positional relationship between the constituent line elements in a predetermined electronic dictionary system ( Settings have been registered). The character / graphic element recognizing unit 34 repeats the process of combining the line elements extracted as described above between adjacent ones and collating this with the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36,
Recognize individual characters, symbols, and figures.

For example, ruled lines forming a table such as a list are recognized as follows. That is, a line element extracted as a straight line in recognition of a line element as described above is orders of magnitude longer than other line elements, and the direction of the straight line is in relation to a horizontal line (X axis) or a vertical line (Y axis). If the angle falls within a certain angle, the straight line is regarded as a horizontal ruled line or a vertical ruled line, and the position information is corrected so as to be parallel to the horizontal line or the vertical line. If the distance between the end points of the two extracted ruled lines or the distance between the end point of one ruled line and the other ruled line is within a certain value, the end points of the two ruled lines overlap each other or It is considered that the end point of the ruled line is overlapped on the other ruled line, and the respective position information is corrected so that the two ruled lines overlap so.

[0570] The character / graphic element recognizing section 34 performs the above-described character / graphic recognition processing on each color (black, blue, red) image of the input document to obtain each character, each graphic element, and each symbol. For example, document element data is generated in a data format as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 18 shows an example of the data format of document element data (character data) corresponding to one character.
As shown in the figure, the code, typeface, color, line thickness, line modification (solid line, dotted line, chain line, etc.) of the character, handwriting / printing (discrimination as a handwritten character or a printed character), entry position and size Of the document element data is added to the end of the document element data.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the data format of document element data (character string data) corresponding to one character string. As shown in the figure, the “start character position” and “tail line position” indicating the arrangement position of the character string, the “line pitch” and “character pitch” indicating the format of the character string are set, and the character string Are set in the order of arrangement.

FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 show examples of the data format of document element data (graphic element data) corresponding to one graphic element or symbol, respectively. As shown in FIG. 20, for the line segment, the data of the start position and the end position are incorporated. As shown in FIG. 21, the center position (X, Y directions) and the diameter size (X,
(Y direction) data is incorporated. As shown in FIG. 22, for a rectangle or "<", data indicating the position of a bending point or a cusp (a point where the direction of a line segment changes sharply) is incorporated in addition to the start and end positions.

As described above, all entry information in each document input as an image is decomposed into individual characters, symbols, and figures, and is converted into document element data by the character / graphic element recognition unit 34. These document element data are stored in the document element data storage unit 38 for each document. In addition, characters
The image information corresponding to the entry information converted into the document element data by the graphic recognition processing may be deleted from the document image storage unit 32.

The document image output section 40 is the document image storage section 3
In addition to outputting a document image based on the image signal stored in the document data storage unit 2, the document element data stored in the document element data storage unit 38 is converted into an image signal via the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36. Then, a document image can be output.

The system determines all characters on the document,
The result of recognition of symbols and figures is displayed and output, and the state where recognition for taking confirmation from the user side is completed is shown. For example, a message “Document creation completed” is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen 20 a of the display device 20. If there is a place to be added or corrected in the display contents of the recognition result, or if there is an erroneous recognition part, a well-known document creation function (character deletion, correction function, etc.) prepared in the apparatus. To fix this with
Replace with correct document element data. This method will be described later. If all the characters, figures, and symbols have been correctly recognized, the user clicks the “interpretation of definition” button on the display screen 20 a of the display device 20 to start the processing described below.

When the "define interpretation" button is instructed, the apparatus generally performs the "definition interpretation overall procedure" shown in FIG. First, definition element data is created (step A in FIG. 23).
1) Then, “create definition data” is performed (step A)
2) A predetermined special display is given to the document content related to the definition content. (Step A3)

FIG. 24 shows the configuration of the definition information recognition and format setting unit in the system of this embodiment. Definition element data generation unit 42 and definition data generation unit 46
Is configured by the CPU 24 that executes a definition element data and definition data generation process. The associative rule (constitutive rule) memory 45, the definition information identification data storage unit 48, the definition information discrimination data storage unit 50, the applied term dictionary 52, and the definition data storage unit 54 are located on a predetermined storage area of the internal memory 16 or the external memory 18. Has been expanded to.

In the definition information recognition and format setting section, first, the definition element generation section 42 executes the definition element identification data storage section 48 and the definition information discrimination data storage section 5.
0 with reference to the definition element identification data (FIG. 8) and the definition information discrimination data (FIG. 10),
Based on the document element data (FIGS. 18 to 22) stored in the document element data storage section 38, data (definition element data) for each definition element entry information written in each document is generated.

FIG. 25 shows a data format example of the definition element data. "Definition diameter code" and "definition element code" for identifying the definition element entry information are set, and a pointer for referring to the document element data corresponding to the characters, figures and symbols constituting the definition element entry information Is set. For example, "Specify range"
In the case of "[", a pointer for specifying the address of the document element data corresponding to the entry information "[" is set.

In order to generate definition element data, document element data having specific modification information, for example, (red) color information is searched. As a result of this search, for example, when the entry information of “[” is extracted, the other entry information “[” that is paired with the entry information is determined to determine the definition element entry information “[]” of “range designation”. . As a result, the "definition system code" and the "definition element code" are determined, and constitute the definition element entry information. The pointers that specify the addresses of the document element data (graphic element data) of “[” and “]” are also determined.

[0690] As described above, the definition element data generation unit 4
2 is stored in the definition element data storage unit 44.

Next, the definition data generation unit 46 refers to the definition information distinction data (FIG. 10) held in the definition information distinction data storage unit 50, and
25, the document element data (FIGS. 18 to 22) stored in the document element data storage unit 38, and the combination rule stored in the combination rule (constitutive rule) memory 45. (Constitutive Rule) With reference to an algorithm, definition data is generated for each definition information entered in each document or page.

As described below, the data definition document (FIG. 14) is referred to as “item definition data” (FIG. 2).
6), “item definition data chain” (FIG. 27),
“Cell Data” (FIG. 28), “Cell Data Chain in Field” (FIG. 29), “Cell Data in Record”
“Chain” (FIG. 30), “data definition format data” (FIG. 33), and “data definition data” (FIG. 34).
Create

In the present system, the definition data is created as shown in FIG.
1 is performed. First, in the relevant document,
All item definition data and calculation formula definition data are created (step B1), and then all “item definition data chains” are created based on the above definition data. (Step B2) Each “item definition data chain” is created as follows.

First, “cell data” (FIG. 28) is created. Each cell (data entry frame) is identified by searching for a line segment or a ruled line of the table through the document element data, and is connected to the next cell in the same field and record together with data indicating the position of the cell. Set the pointer to have Also, it is checked through the document element data whether a character string is entered in the cell,
If so, a pointer for referring to the corresponding document element data is set.

Also, a cell row sectioned by the (blue) range designation “[]” is detected, and the (blue) “item” “<
The character string enclosed by>"is adjacent to the cell row (field) in the extension direction, or the" joining line "in (blue)
If the cell string is connected by "-", the character string is determined to be the data item name corresponding to the field according to the associative rule, and "item definition data" (FIG. 26) is created. Also, "Cell data chain in the field"
(FIG. 29) is created.

If a plurality of field cell columns are adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the cell column direction, these adjacent cell columns are determined to be “cell columns in record” according to the associative rule. And "Record cell data
A chain ”(FIG. 30) is created. At the same time, an “item definition data chain” (FIG. 27) is created.

As described above, in the present system, the definition data generating unit 46 refers to the associative rule algorithm registered in the associative rule memory 45, and thereby a plurality of definition element entry information given by a plurality of definition element entry information. Recognizing one complex definition information by combining the unit definition information, and further recognizing more complex or advanced definition information by combining a plurality of unit definition information and the complex definition information or the complex definition information. The necessary definition data that defines each definition content is created according to the recognition result.

If all the “item definition data chains” (FIG. 27) have been created as described above, those that can generate “substitute symbol definition data” (described later, FIG. 39) are included. It is determined whether or not. (Step B in FIG. 31)
3) A group of data items in each “item definition data” constituting each chain is identified, and “substitute symbol definition data”
Collation with “definition name”, “symbol”, etc. registered as item names of In the case of this example, the created item definition data does not correspond to this, and the process proceeds to “creation of body table related definition data” (step B5 in FIG. 31). A method of identifying “substitute symbol definition data” will be described in an example described later. FIG. 32 shows the procedure for creating the body table related definition data.

In this example, the data item name character strings “data item name”, “division”, “corresponding master name”, and “synonym” are enclosed in (blue) “definition element designation” “o”. Therefore, by referring to the definition element identification data storage unit 48, it is found that the name is a registered data item name of the "data definition" system. As a result of this determination (see FIG. 32)
Step S2), “Data definition related data creation processing”
(Step S3 in FIG. 32) is entered.

FIG. 35 shows the “data definition related data creation” procedure. "Data definition related data creation processing (Fig. 3
5)), “data definition format data” (FIG. 3)
3) is generated. When one or more records of “data name” are entered in the data definition format, “data definition data” is further generated.

In this procedure, first, “data definition format data” is created. (Step T1 in FIG. 35) The corresponding "item definition data chain" head address in the definition data storage unit 54 is set in the "item definition data chain pointer unit" of the same data.

Next, it is determined whether or not the “substitute symbol” is used in the data definition. (Step T2 in FIG. 35) In this example, since “substitute symbol definition data” has not been generated, it is determined whether or not “data name” is entered in this “data definition”.
(Step T4) As a criterion, it is determined whether "data name" has been entered for at least one record. This judgment is based on the corresponding "item definition data chain".
Is determined by determining whether or not each of the constituent cells of each item definition data constituting the character string has character string data pointer data. In the case of this example, since "data name" has been entered for at least one record, the "data definition data creation"
(Step T5) is entered.

In the “data definition data creation processing”, a cell column (record in each row in this example) orthogonal to the field is extracted one by one based on the “cell data chain in record”, and the following logical check is performed. Do. That is,
A character string in a cell corresponding to each “item name” is extracted from the extracted records, and the above-mentioned distinction of the corresponding “item name” (because the belonging “data name” is a registered term, it is a numerical value. Or a character string that is not one of the above).

In the case where the belonging “data name” is “item name” which is a system registration word, first, it is determined whether or not the extracted character string in the cell is a system registration word (definition element registration word). If it is a word, the extracted character string in the cell is further registered as a “data name” belonging to the corresponding “item name” with reference to the corresponding “item name metadata” (FIG. 13). It is determined whether or not it has been performed. Next, when the belonging “data name” is a numerical value “item name”, it is determined whether or not the extracted character string in the cell is a numerical character string that can be converted into a numerical value. If the above determination is obtained for all the character strings in the cell of the cell row (record) of one row taken out, one "data definition data" (FIG. 34) is created from this row as follows. . Set a fixed data length code for the terms whose data names are registered in the system.
Set the numerical data of the fixed position, not registered,
For simple character strings (in this example, "data item names", "corresponding master names", and "synonyms" correspond to data names), set a character code string with a variable data length corresponding to the character string. Then, "data definition data" (FIG. 34) for each row (record) is created.

[0839] Therefore, the data definition document of this example (FIG. 1)
From 4), "data definition data" (FIG. 34) is created in a number equal to the number of lines entered in the list. These “data definition data” groups constitute a “data dictionary” for referring to data names set and registered for each data item name usable in the application.

[0850] Upon receiving the instruction of the "interpretation of definition" button and completing the creation of all the definition data (step A2 in FIG. 23),
All of the definition information, which is entry information (document elements) related to the corresponding definition content, blinks as a special display on the display screen 20a. The special display may be any other display that can be distinguished from other entry information on the display screen 20a, such as a highlight display. (Step A3 in FIG. 23)

The definition information to be specially displayed includes, in addition to the document element identified as the definition element, in this example, the characters specified as “item name” and “data name” constituting “item definition data” There is a ruled line that forms a column or cell column of the same data. In order to perform the special display, the system may attach the tag data indicating the type of the special display to the corresponding document element data and send it to the display device 20.

An example of use in which a data definition in which a “data name” is not entered in the data definition is defined in advance only in a format on the “data definition” will be described. FIG.
In the data definition document shown in (1), "data name" has not been entered yet, and the definition support entry information defined for "data definition" is used in the format portion of the data definition document shown in FIG. Data definition ”. This definition is performed in the same manner as in the case of the data definition documents in FIGS.

[0880] In this specification, as in this example, when the "data name" is not entered, the data definition document to which the "data definition" is applied is particularly called a "data definition format". When this "data definition format" (FIG. 36) is input to the system via the image scanner 10, document element data is generated from the image data as in the case of the definition document of FIG. Subsequently, after the extraction and generation of the definition element data, the process enters the “definition data creation procedure” (FIG. 31). In the case of this example, a character string data pointer is created for each column of the table without setting a character string data pointer in the cell data of each cell included in the “item definition data”. From this "item definition data", an "item definition data chain" is created in the same manner as in the data definition document of FIG.

Also in this example, since “substitute symbol definition data” has not been created (step B3 in FIG. 31), the process immediately enters “creation of body table related definition data”. (FIG. 31
Step B5) In the same procedure, since the data item name of “data definition system” is identified, the process enters “creation of data definition related data” (FIG. 35).
Since “substitute symbol definition data” has not been created (step T2 in FIG. 35), the process immediately enters “determination of data name entry”. (Step T4 in FIG. 35) In this example, it is determined that "data name" is not entered, and only "data definition format data" (FIG. 33) that points to only the corresponding "item data chain" is generated. Being
The “definition data creation” procedure (FIG. 31) ends.

After the “definition data creation” procedure is completed, a predetermined special cover is displayed on the display screen 20a for the relevant definition information as in the above example (FIG. 23).
In step A3), all the processes performed in response to the instruction of the "interpretation of definition" button are completed.

When the data definition document format of FIG. 36 is input to the system through the scanner 10 and corresponding document element data is generated, image data for screen display is generated again based on the document element data. The image data is sent to the display device 20 to obtain a display screen in the same definition document format.

[0920] Displayed on the display screen 20a,
An example in which a “data name” is added to the “data definition document format” shown in FIG. 36 will be described.

[1030] "Data definition document format" on the screen
The data may be immediately after the data definition document format is created as described above, or the corresponding data (document element data, definition element data, definition data) may be temporarily stored in a storage device by a known method. And again,
It may be called on the screen. As a method of inputting the “data name”, a character string input from a known keyboard 12 or a pen input using a digitizer 15 may be used.

[0939] Character string data is generated from each of the additionally input character strings, and the character string data is sent to the display device -20 and additionally displayed on the display screen 20a. The user confirms the above additional display contents, and designates a “data input” button on the screen. The system receives this and performs the following “data input procedure”. First, it is determined whether or not a character string has been input for each cell constituting all the fields for which items are defined.
This is performed by comparing the cell data and the position information of the character string data with each other. If a character string has been input, the address of the character string data is set in the “pointer to internal character string data” of the corresponding cell data. Subsequently, it is determined whether one or more character strings have been input, and if the determination is obtained, the corresponding definition data is created. In the case of this example, a “data definition data creation” process is performed. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the created data definition data has already been created. In the case of newly creating the data definition data, it is additionally registered in “data definition data” of the system. After the “definition data creation” procedure, special display is performed again on the display screen 20a for the corresponding definition information. (Step A3 in FIG. 23)

Next, an example of performing “data definition” using a data definition document (FIG. 37) using “substitute symbols” will be described. In the data definition document of FIG. 37, instead of “text”, “numerical value”, and “total numerical value” in which “item name” belongs to “section”, symbols “●” and “○” are used, respectively. ”And“ ◎ ”are entered. In addition to the data definition table, the correspondence between the formal "data name" to be originally entered and the symbol entered instead is entered in the form of a row / column matrix table.

In this specification, as described above, a matrix table in which “substitute symbols” are associated with formal names to be originally written (called “definition names” and “official names”) is referred to as a “substitution symbol definition table”. , And the table on which the “substitute symbol” is entered (in this example, a data definition table in which “data item names”, “divisions”, and the like are entry words (item names)), in particular, “body table "
Call.

For the “body table” and the “substitute symbol definition table” on the data definition document (FIG. 37), for example, as shown in FIG. Fill in (blue). Regarding the “body table”, the same entry as in the case of FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 is performed for the definition support entry information. However, "item names" that are not officially registered names (symbols "●", "O", "◎") are entered as "data names" belonging to "divisions". Also, since the headword "master file" is not a registered name,
Write the formal name “corresponding master name” outside the table and connect it to the corresponding field with a connecting line.

[0980] In the present system, the definition of "substitute symbol" is as follows.
Proceed as follows. As a system registration word for “substitute symbol definition”, a pair of “definition name” and “symbol” is provided in advance,
An “item definition column” is defined in which these two system registration words are “item names”. The two “item names” are specified as being system registration words (in this example, they are enclosed by the definition element “O” of “registered word specification”).

In the case of this example, this “substitute symbol definition” is added to the above “substitute symbol definition table” by definition support entry information (blue).
This is done by filling in the form. (FIG. 38) First, in this example “substitute symbol definition table”, since ruled lines are not drawn originally, each field and each record on the item definition are identified without ambiguity in adding the item definition. to be able to do,
A ruled line is added as the definition support entry information (blue) of (blue). If it can delimit each field and each record, its exact positioning is not necessary.

[1000] Subsequently, on the "substitute symbol definition table" in which ruled lines are added, the character strings ("text",
In order to define “numerical value” and “aggregated numerical value” as a set of “data name” of the required item definition (called “data name column”), the cells at the top and bottom of the corresponding entry cell column Enter the definition element “[]” for “Specify range” in. Similarly, for the symbol column on the right side (“●”, “記 入”, “◎”), the definition element “[]” of “Range designation” is entered in the cells at both ends of the entry cell column.

[1010] Then, on the "substitute symbol definition table", the "data name column"("text","numericalvalue",
Enter the character string “Definition Name” as the definition support entry information (blue) near the upper part of “Aggregated Numerical Value” and click “Specify Registration Name”.
And the definition element “<>” that indicates “item name”. Similarly, for the “data name string” on the right side (“●”, “○”, “” ”), a character string“ symbol ”is written near the upper part of the“ data name string ”as (blue) definition support entry information, and the definition element“ ○ ” Surround with “<” and “>”.

[1020] If a plurality of "body tables" are described and defined on a document in which a "substitute symbol definition table" is described, for example, the "connection symbol definition" It is sufficient to connect the “table” and the corresponding “body table”. If it is determined by collation of entry data described later, it may be left to that.

[1030] As shown in Fig. 38, when a data definition form sheet in which definition support entry information (blue) is additionally entered and defined is input to the system through the scanner 10, image data is input in the same manner as in the above example. , The corresponding document element data is generated. As in the above-described example of the data definition document of FIG.
After confirming on "a", the user instructs to click "interpret definition" button on the display screen 20a. In response to this, the system enters the “definition interpretation overall procedure” (FIG. 23).
The definition element data is extracted and created, and the procedure then proceeds to the “definition data creation” procedure (see FIG. 31).

In this procedure, first, an “item definition data chain” is created for the “body table” and the “substitute symbol definition table”. (FIG. 31 step B2) "Substitute symbol definition table"
The cell column of the data name entry that constitutes the above "item definition"
It is separated by the ruled line of the definition support entry information (blue) additionally entered only for the definition, but it is originally distinguished without distinguishing from the ruled line which is usually entered as the entry information, and the boundary of the constituent cells of the same cell row is identified. (Range) is detected, and each cell data is generated.

[1050] When all "item definition data chains" have been created, then "creating substitute symbol definition data"
(Steps B3 and B4 in FIG. 31). Each of the created "item definition data chains" is taken out one by one, a group of item names in each "item definition data" constituting the taken out "item definition data chain" is identified, and substitute symbol definition data is created. It is determined whether or not. (FIG. 3
1 Step B3) In this example, “Substitute symbol correspondence table”
The “definition name” and the “symbol” are identified as “pairs” of the “item name” from the “item definition data chain” generated from.

Since the two item names “definition name” and “symbol” are surrounded by (blue) “definition element designation” and “” ”, by querying the definition element identification data storage unit 48,
It turns out that each of these is an item name registered as a reserved word (definition element registration word) having a specific meaning. In the present system, as one of the definition information constitution rules described above, an item definition column whose configuration item name is specified as a system reserved word and which is a pair of “definition name” and “symbol” is “ This is regarded as the item definition column of “substitute symbol definition”, and the process proceeds to “substitute symbol definition data creation processing”. (Step B in FIG. 31)
4)

In the “create substitute symbol definition data” procedure, cell columns constituting a record are extracted from the corresponding “item definition data chain” one by one, for example, from information, based on the “cell data chain in record”. , A pair of a character code string of the data name whose item is “definition name” and a character code string of the data name whose item is “symbol” is created. Substitute symbol definition data "(FIG. 39).

When the “substitute symbol definition data” is created, the remaining “item definition data chain” is created.
About "creation of body table related definition data".
(Step B5 in FIG. 31) In this process, first, the “item definition column” of the remaining “body table” is for “data definition”, “file definition”, or “book table definition”. Determine if This determination procedure is shown in FIG.

In this example, each “item name” of the “item definition column data chain” created for the “body table” is defined as a term group registered as the “item name” for the above “data definition”. Inquiry (step S2 in FIG. 32), it is determined that the “item definition column” of the “body table” is for “data definition”,
"Data Definition Related Data Creation". (Step S3 in FIG. 32)

In this processing, “data definition format data” (FIG. 3) is used as “data definition related data”.
3) and “data definition data” (FIG. 34) are generated.

In the “create data definition related data” procedure (FIG. 35), “data definition format data” is first created, and the corresponding “item definition data chain” is pointed (step T1 in FIG. 35). Then, it is determined whether or not the “substitute symbol” is used in the “data definition”. (Step T2 in FIG. 35)

In this example, a pair of “item definition columns” is created on the same document, one “item definition column” is determined to be for “substitute symbol definition”, and the other “item definition column” is determined. Item Definition Column "
Is determined to be for "data definition", it is considered that this "substitute symbol definition" is defined for this "data definition", and the corresponding "substitute symbol data" is used for the corresponding "data definition format data". (FIG. 33). (Step T3 in FIG. 35)

However, as in this example, “data name” (text, numeric value,...) Is included in “body table” of “data definition”.
However, if already entered, all the entries “data names” belonging to a certain “item name” in the “substitute symbol definition” are used as data names belonging to “item names” “symbols”. Check if it is registered. In the case of this example, "item name" in "body table" of "data definition"
"●""○""◎" entered for "Category" are defined as data names belonging to "Item name" and "Symbol" in the "Substitute symbol definition table" and conform to this inspection. .

[1140] As described above, the "item definition column" of the "substitute symbol definition" combined with the "item definition column" on the "body table"
Is identified, it is determined whether one or more records of “data name” are entered in the “item definition column” of the “body table”. (Step T4 in FIG. 35) In the case of this example, since the determination conforms, the process enters the “data definition data creation process”. (Step T5 in FIG. 35) In the “data definition data creation processing”, first, the “substitution symbol definition item” which is the “item name” on the “body table” in which the “substitution symbol” is defined in the belonging “data name” Name ".

[1150] Each "data name" is extracted from each "item definition" in the "body table" and collated with each "data name" belonging to the "item name""definitionname" on the "substitute symbol table". To go. “Data name”, “Text”, “Numeric value”, and “Aggregated numeric value” belonging to “Item name” and “Category” in “Main body table” are “Data name” of “Item name” and “Definition name” in “Substitute symbol definition table” example
In this example, “item name” and “division” are identified as “substitute symbol definition item names”.

[1160] Subsequently, one record of "data name" (one line of "body table") is sequentially taken out from "item definition column" of "body table", and "substitute symbol definition data" which has already been created is obtained. By referring to FIG. 39, the “data name” belonging to the “substitute symbol definition item name” therein is replaced with the corresponding formal “data name”. In the case of this example, first, in the record on the first line, “data name” “●” is replaced with “data name” “text”. 1 obtained above
The column of the "data name" character string for the record is as shown in FIG.
By the same method as in the case of the "data definition data creation" process in the format of No. 4, the data is converted into a corresponding code, numerical value, and character string data column to form required "data definition data".

[1170] In the case of this example, after creating all the definition data as described above, on the display screen 20a,
A predetermined special display is performed on the relevant definition information, and all the processes activated by the instruction of the “interpretation of definition” button are ended.

[1180] Similarly, "definition of substitute symbol" can be performed for a data definition format in which data is not entered. For example, for the substitute symbol definition shown in FIG. 40, the same “substitute symbol definition data” is created and pointed to from the corresponding “data definition format data”. However, in this case, the logic check of the data of “official name” in the substitute symbol definition is not performed. On the screen, after data is entered in the main body table, necessary checks are performed in the same way as above,
In the "data definition data creation process", the entered substitute symbol is replaced with a formal name, and data definition data is created.

As described above, in this system, "data definition", which is a basic setting for constructing an application, is easily performed by the operation or operation of writing characters, symbols, or figures that are familiar to daily use in a document. be able to. This not only reduces the burden on system operators, such as system engineers, but also allows users of the application software (end users) to use “data definition”.
It is possible to participate in.

Next, the “file definition” will be described. Generally, "file definition" is performed each time an individual file on an application is registered or stored in the system. In this system, for example, when "monthly sales file" is registered (stored) in the system, "file definition" is performed using a file definition document as shown in FIG. This file definition document is also a document in which document information (contents) is described in (black) white paper, for example.

In this file definition document (FIG. 41), a table consisting of cells (entry frames) in a matrix of 3 rows × 5 columns is in a list format, and the top row is the data definition document (FIG. 41). 12), each data item name on the application set and registered, the middle row shows each corresponding field name (access name) registered in advance in the system, and the bottom row shows the data item name. Field lengths (bytes) to be assigned to the data names according to the above.

[1220] That is, the data item names "monthly", "classification", "part number", "unit price",
"Sales volume" has the field name "M
ON ”,“ BUN ”,“ HIN ”,“ TAN ”,“ SU ”
U ”, and each data value field length is“ 5 ”.
(Byte) "," 20 (byte) "," 20 (byte) "," 5 (byte) ", and" 5 (byte) ". This file definition document is also a document in which document information (contents) is described in (black) white paper, for example.

This file definition document (FIG. 41) is also a human-oriented definition document that usually includes entry information, like the data definition document (FIG. 12). It is merely recognized as document information and does not substantially make sense as a definition document.

In order to make this human-oriented definition document recognizable by the present system, as shown in FIG. 42, the definition support information of the “common” and “file definition” systems is indicated by (blue).
Please fill in.

In FIG. 42, necessary definition information is entered to define this list of file definition documents as “item definitions”.

In other words, the field of each row expanded in the horizontal direction in the table is indicated by the definition element entry information “[]” of “range specification” of (blue). This table does not include data item names indicating the attributes of the fields in each row.
Therefore, (blue) data item name character strings "data item name", "field name", and "field length" are written as blank definition fields outside the table in the extension direction of each field.

[1270] The data item name character strings "data item name", "field name", and "field length" additionally written in (blue) are defined element definition information of "definition element designation" in (blue). ”And from both left and right sides (blue)“ Definition element entry information “<>”. Also, the headword (item name) of the table of this file definition
Since "data name" is not a term officially registered for "file definition", formally register (blue) as definition support entry information in a position near the blank outside the table in the extension direction of the corresponding field. The item name character string "data item name" is entered, and is connected to each corresponding field via the definition element entry information "-" of the "connection line" (blue).

In order to register the title “Monthly Sales File” as a file name, this title character string “Monthly Sales File” is enclosed in (blue) “Range designation” “[]” and ( Enter the data item name “file name” in (blue), enclose this data item name character string “file name” in (blue) “definition element specification” “”, and define the (blue) “item”. Element entry information “<
> ”.

In the present system, as in the case of the “data definition”, the “file definition” is a specific “item definition” in which the system registration word given to the “system registration word designation” is the “item name”. This is done in the form of a combination ("item definition column").

[1300] The file definition document (FIG. 42) in which the definition support information is additionally written is also the data definition document (FIG. 14).
Similarly to the above, the image data is input from the color image scanner 10 to the present system.

Then, in the present system, the same processing unit (FIG. 15) as described above can be used to “recognize document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)” and “document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)” Correction of characters / graphics ”. Subsequently, the user confirms the recognition result on the display screen 20a and gives an instruction of the "interpret definition" button. First, data is created (FIG. 23, step A1).
Subsequently, a “definition data creation” procedure is performed. (Step A4 in FIG. 23).

As a result, as the definition data, “item definition data” (FIG. 26) from the definition information related to the list,
"Item definition data chain" (FIG. 43), "cell data" (FIG. 28), "cell data chain in field" (FIG. 29), "cell data chain in record"
(FIG. 30), “file definition related data” (FIG. 33) and “file definition data” (FIG. 44). In the case of this list, the field cell row is expanded in the horizontal direction, and the record cell row is expanded in the vertical direction. Also, from the definition information related to the title “Monthly sales file”, a single “Item definition data” with “File name” as the data item name
(FIG. 26) is created.

Also in this “file definition”, “item definition data chain” corresponding to the data item names “item name”, “field name”, and “field length” in the list (FIG. 4)
After 3) is created, the procedure for determining the type of definition shown in FIG. 32 is entered, and each "item definition data" constituting the chain is defined.
Of a group of data item names in (step S
1).

In this example, since the data item name character strings “data item name”, “field name”, and “field length” are surrounded by (definition element specification) “o” in (blue), the definition element By referring to the identification data storage unit 48,
It turns out that it is a registered data item name of the "file definition" type. When this determination result is obtained (step S
4), and enters “file definition related data creation processing” (step S5).

In the “create file definition related data” process, “file definition format data” (FIG. 3) that controls all data related to the contents of “file definition”
3) Create "file definition data" (FIG. 44). (Step P1 in FIG. 45) First, “file definition format data” is created, and the corresponding “item definition data chain” is pointed to. Subsequently, although the “substitute symbol definition” defined and used in the “file definition” is identified (step P2 in FIG. 45), in this example, since the “substitute symbol definition” is not defined, “ Judgment of data name entry ". (Step P4 in FIG. 45) It is determined whether or not one or more data names have been entered in the format of the “file definition”. In the case of the present example, this determination corresponds to “creation of file definition data” (step 4 in FIG. 50).

In the “file definition data creation process”, “item name metadata” created in the system in advance
(FIG. 13). "Cell data in record
Based on the “chain”, each cell row (each record in the vertical direction in this example) orthogonal to the field is extracted, and it is determined whether or not the data name character string in each cell is registered in the present system.

In this example, the data names “monthly”, “classification”, “part number”,... Of the “data item” on the application are “data name dictionary”, that is, “data definition data” (FIG. 34). Is registered in the form of a character code string having a variable data length. Also, the data names "MON", "BUN", "HIN",.
Is set and registered as a fixed data length code as a field name (access name) in the system. "5", "20", "2" which are data names of "field length"
.. Can be converted into numerical data having a fixed data length.

As described above, the character code string or fixed data or code corresponding to the data name character string of “data item name”, “field name”, and “field length” is identified one record at a time, and Is set in "File definition data" for all records.

[1390] Also, based on the item definition data related to the title "Monthly sales file", "File name" is set by a character code string, and this "Monthly sales file" stored in any storage area in the system. A file name (access name) for accessing the file is also set (FIG. 44). Here, the “file name (access name)” is file identification data in the system corresponding to the “file name” input by the user, and is automatically assigned by the system.

[1400] FIG. 46 shows a configuration example of a file management unit in the present system. The files A, B, C,... Registered in the system are stored in arbitrary storage locations in a file storage area provided in the internal memory 16 or the external memory 18 and each file is searched. Is stored in a predetermined storage location. The file manager (file management program) accesses each file by referring to the index data. From outside, the file manager may be accessed using the above-mentioned “file name (access name)”.

When the “file definition data” has been created, a predetermined special display is performed on the corresponding definition information on the display screen 20a as in the case of the “data definition”, and the processing of the system ends.

In the "file definition" as in the case of the "data definition" described above, it is also possible to preliminarily define only the format part without writing the data name in the field. In this way, leave the data name blank
The result of adding the “file definition” is called a “file definition format”.

When the file definition document sheet defined as shown in FIG. 47 is input to the system through, for example, the scanner 10, document element data is created via image data, and the "definition interpretation" on the display screen 20a is displayed. The "" button instruction leads to the "file definition related data creation" procedure (FIG. 45), as in the case of the file definition document (FIG. 42). However, in the case of this example, only “file definition format data” is created and the display screen 20 is displayed.
After a predetermined special display is performed on the corresponding definition information on a, the post-processing is terminated once.

When one or more records of "data name" are input to this "file definition format" on the display screen 20a as in the example of the "data definition format" described above, and the "define interpretation" button on the display screen 20a is designated. “File definition data” is created from the additionally input document element data. Subsequently, a predetermined special display is performed on the corresponding definition information in a form in which the data name character string additionally input on the display screen 20a is added.

The above data definition document (FIGS. 37 and 38)
As in the case of (1), it is also possible to apply "file definition" to a file definition created using "substitute symbols".
FIG. 49 shows a file definition document (FIG. 48) filled in by using “substitute symbols” and definition support entry information (blue).
This shows the definition of the required file definition. The definition on the “body table” in FIG.
The "field" of each "item definition" constituting the "file definition" as in the case of the "file definition" in FIG.
The definition element "[]" of "Specify range" is written in both cells of "", and the "Item name" and the corresponding "Field" are additionally written near the left side to indicate "System registration word" It is enclosed by a definition element “○”, further enclosed by a definition element “<>” indicating “item name”, and connected to the corresponding “field” by a “joining line”. In FIG. 49, the definition on the “substitute symbol definition table” is the same as in the case of the “data definition” in FIG. 38 described above. Enter the definition element "[]" of "Specify range", write "Official name" and "Symbol" as "item name" near the upper part, respectively, and indicate that it is a "system registration word" Surround with definition element "○",
Furthermore, it is enclosed by a definition element “<>” indicating that it is an “item name” and is connected to the corresponding “field” by a “joining line”.

As described above, when the file definition document sheet with the definition is input to the system through, for example, the scanner 10, the corresponding document element data is generated through the image data as in the above-described examples. Then, upon receiving an instruction of the "interpretation of definition" button from the display screen 20a by the user, the generation of definition element data and definition data is performed. In the "definition data creation process" (FIG. 31), as in the case of the data definition document using the "substitute symbol", the "body definition table" of the file definition document and the "item definition data" of the "substitution symbol definition document" are used. A “chain” is created (step B2 in FIG. 31), and “substitute symbol definition data” (FIG. 39) is created from the “item definition data chain” of the “substitute symbol definition table”.

Subsequently, referring to the “item definition data chain” of the “body table”, it is determined from the combination of the “item names” that “file definition” has been performed (step S4 in FIG. 32). ), Enter a "file definition related data creation" process (step S5 in FIG. 32) for interpreting the "file definition", and create "file definition format data" for controlling all data relating to the "file definition" contents. , Point to “item definition data chain” in “body table”.

[1480] Subsequently, the defined "body table" and "substitute symbol definition table"
Since there is only one pair, the “substitute symbol definition data” generated above is pointed from the “file definition format data”. (Step P in FIG. 45)
3) Subsequently, in the "judgment of data name entry" (step P4 in FIG. 45), in the present example, since one or more records have been entered, "file definition data" (step P5 in FIG. 45) I have.

First, as in the case of the data definition document using "substitute symbols" (FIG. 38), "substitution symbol definition item names" in which "substitution symbols" are defined in the belonging data names.
Identify. This is performed by comparing each data name in each field of the “body table” with each symbol and each character string belonging to the item name “symbol” of the “substitution table”. Is identified. Subsequently, one record is taken out from the “item definition data chain” of the “body table” one by one, and a string of data name character strings constituting the record is taken out. Subsequently, referring to the “substitute symbol definition data” created earlier, a data name character string belonging to “substitute symbol definition item name” “data type” (“text” in the case of the first record) Is replaced with the character string of the corresponding official name (registered name).

For each of the data name character strings constituting one record obtained in this way, similarly to the case of the file definition document of FIG.
Perform a logic check. Each data name character string is converted into a predetermined code (string) and set at a predetermined position of the corresponding “file definition data”. In the case of this example, with the creation of the “file definition data”, a predetermined special display is added to the corresponding definition information on the display screen 20a, and the process is terminated.

[1510] As described above, in this system, the "file definition" required at the time of file registration can be easily performed by the operation or operation of writing characters, symbols, or figures that are used daily in a document. Therefore, not only the burden on the system operator is reduced, but also the end user can participate in the “file definition”.

Next, the function of creating a book in the system of this embodiment will be described. In this system, a desired book can be easily created especially by an end user.

[1530] FIG. 50 shows an example of "monthly sales ledger".
Shows a book cover sheet in which the basic items are written by hand in advance. Any of the characters, symbols, and figures entered on this book sheet is normal entry information indicating the contents of the book sheet,
It is described in the same color, for example, black.

[1540] In this book cover sheet, data item names "article name", "number of sales", "unit price", and "sales amount" are entered in each cell in an item name entry column provided in the top row of the list. Each item name is entered in the (Entry column). Two data entry columns (fields) for each data item name are assigned to “article name”, and one to each of the other item names “sales quantity”, “unit price”, and “sales”. All data item name fields are blank.

In the center of the table, the book name "monthly sales ledger" is described in the center, and "Kanda branch" and "1995" are described as annotations in the right corner. Below the table, two notes on the left and right, “(Note) output from monthly sales file” and “sales = unit price × number of sales” are described.

[1560] The above-mentioned "substitute symbol table" is written on the left side of this table. The character strings "TV", "Radio", and "car navigation" are entered in the entry field of the headword (item name) "official name" of this "Substitute symbol table", and the entry field of the entry word "abbreviation" is Character strings "TV""RAD""C
NV "is written in a corresponding manner.

With respect to this book cover sheet, the user
Referring to the “definition element / entry information comparison table” in FIG. 7, the definition support information may be entered with a color writing instrument or the like as shown in FIG. 51, for example.

Also in this case, a specific color is assigned to the definition element entry information and the additional entry information of each definition system as decoration information. In this example, the definition support information of “common” is entered in (blue).

In the book table of FIG. 51, the definition element entry information “[]” of “range designation” is entered in the uppermost cell and the lowermost cell of the vertical cell row with (blue), and these cell rows ( Data entry column) is defined as a field.

In the blank space above the left end of the list, the definition support information “<classification>” and “<part number>” are written in (blue), and these item name character strings are written in (blue) “joining line” “ − ”Are connected to two fields corresponding to“ article name ”, respectively. The (black) data item name character string "article name" is left as it is, and no (blue) definition support information is attached. As a result, the fields in the left and right columns located under “article name” are replaced with the original (black) data item name “article name”,
This means that the data item names "classification" and "part number" additionally entered in (blue) are defined to correspond to each other.

[1610] In each column to the right of the column of "article name", each data item name character string of "(black)""number of sales", "unit price", and "sales" are displayed on both left and right sides (in blue). Enter the definition element entry information “<>” for “<number of sales>”, “<unit price>”,
"<Sales>". This will give you "
"Unit price" and "sales" are defined as data item names.

Also, adjacent to these data item names “<sales>”, “<unit price>” and “<sales>”,
As described above, the field is defined by the (blue) “range specification” “[]”. As a result, even if the connection line "-" (blue) is omitted between the two, the definition information for "item definition" that associates each data item name with each field is entered. Become.

With respect to the annotations outside the table, the annotation “Kanda branch” in the upper right part (black) is enclosed by the definition element entry information “｛｝” of “out of range” in blue. This means that the annotation information is explicitly defined to be excluded from the definition information.

[1640] On the lower side, (blue) composite definition support information "□-<monthly"] is written on the right side of the (black) normal entry information "1998". This definition information includes definition element entry information of “field (data entry column)”, definition element entry information of “item” “<>”, data item name character string “monthly”, and definition of “connection line”. It consists of element entry information "-". This specifies that the area (field) designated by “□” is to be a data entry column for the data item <monthly>.

In the lower part of the book table, in the annotation “sales = unit price × number of sales” described in the (black) normal entry information, each data item name character string “sales”, “unit price”, “sales” number"
Are enclosed in the definition item entry information “<>” of the “item” in (blue). As a result, it is defined that the calculation formula (normal entry information) of the annotation is a calculation formula for data management.

Subsequently, a "substitute symbol definition" is added to the "substitute symbol definition table" entered outside the "body table" of the book table. On the “substitute symbol definition table”, first, in order to define the entry character strings “TV”, “Radio”, and “car navigation” belonging to the headword “official name” as “data name string”, the corresponding entry cell row Enter the definition element "[]" of "Specify range" in the cells at both ends of
The definition element "[]" is written in the cells at both ends of the entry cell string of the entry name string "TV""RAD""CNV" belonging to.
Since "official name" is registered as an item name in the definition of a substitute symbol, it is enclosed by a definition element "o" of "designation of registration name" and enclosed by a definition element "<>" indicating the item name. Since the headword "abbreviated name" is not a system registered term, the registered term "symbol" is written near the upper part thereof as the definition support entry information of (blue), and is surrounded by the definition element "o" and the definition element "<> ”.

The book document (FIG. 51) in which the definition support information is additionally entered as described above is input to the present system from the color image scanner-10.

Then, in the present system, the processing unit (FIG. 15) similar to that described above is used to set 1 "recognition of document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)" and "2 Correction of elements (characters / graphics, etc.) ".
Subsequently, upon receiving the user's confirmation of the recognition / correction result on the display screen 20a and the instruction of the "interpretation of definition" button, the processing unit (FIG. 24) proceeds to 3 "extraction and identification of definition element entry information (definition element Data generation) and 4 “Interpretation of definition contents (generation of definition data)”.

In the “definition interpretation overall procedure” (FIG. 23) performed by the processing unit in response to the “definition interpretation” button instruction, first, “generation of definition element data” (step A in FIG. 23)
After 1), the procedure enters a "definition data generation" procedure (step A2 in FIG. 23). First, an "item definition data chain" is generated from the "substitute symbol definition table" portion of the book table document, as in the above-described examples. From the “body table” part, first, “item definition data” (FIG. 26) from the definition information related to the list,
“Item definition data chain” (FIG. 52), “cell data” (FIG. 28), “cell data chain in field” (FIG. 29), “cell data chain in record”
(FIG. 30). Note that, in the case of this list, the field cell columns are expanded in the vertical direction, and the record cell columns are expanded in the horizontal direction.

[1700] Also, from the definition information "□-<monthly>" written in the right corner of the table, a single "item definition data" (FIG. 26) having "monthly" as a data item name is created.

Also, “calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 53) is created from the definition information related to the annotation “sales = unit price × sales” described in the right part of the blank space below the table.

After making the above preparations, as in the above case, “substitute symbol definition data” (FIG. 3) is created based on the “item definition data chain” generated from the “substitution symbol definition table”.
9) is created. Subsequently, the process enters the determination of the “definition type” performed on the “body table” (FIG. 32).

[1730] "Item definition data chain" corresponding to the data item names "Category", "Part number", "Number of sales", "Unit price", and "Sales" of the already created list (FIG. 5)
Regarding 2), each data item name of each “item definition data” constituting the chain is identified. (Step S1)

In this example, the data item name character strings “category”, “part number”, “sales quantity”, “unit price”, and “sales” are “data name dictionary” or “data definition data” (FIG. 3).
Since it is registered in 4), this list is found to be a definition document (book table) on the application. When this determination result is obtained (step S6), the process enters “book table definition data creation processing” (step S7). FIG. 54 shows the procedure of “book table definition data creation processing”.

[1750] First, a "book" for collectively managing various definition data ("item definition data", "item definition data chain", "calculation formula definition data", etc.) related to the book table body as described above. Table management data "(FIG. 55).
(Step Q1)

[1760] In the "book table definition data creation processing", the definition data relating to this list, that is, "item definition data", "item definition data chain", "cell data", "cell data chain in field", " Not only the "cell data chain in record" but also the definition information linked to the table by the connecting line "-", or the predetermined definition written in the same document or page even if there is no connecting line "-" The definition data generated from the information is also recognized as the configuration information relating to the same book table, and these definition data are collectively collected as “book table definition data” in “book table management data” (FIG. 55). That is, the “book table management data” is management data that collects “book table definition data” groups that constitute one logically organized book table.

In this example, the definition information “□-<
Monthly> ”alone“ Item definition data ”
Referring to the application “data dictionary”, it is determined that the data is book table related definition data (configuration information), and pointed by “book table management data” (FIG. 55).

[1780] Also, regarding the annotation “<sales> = <unit price> × <number of sales>” below the table, the “item” “<
> ”, Multiple character strings <sales>, <unit price>,
There are characters or symbols ("-", "x") sandwiched between <number of sales>, and these sandwiched characters (character strings) or symbols are stored in the definition element identification data storage unit 48 or Since the two conditions of being registered in the applied term dictionary memory 52 are satisfied, these characters (character strings) or symbols are changed according to the registered contents (in this example, the operation symbols “=” and “×” )recognize.

From the recognition result, the expression “<
“Calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 53) that defines “sales> = <unit price> × <sales>” is created. Then, the item name on the right side of the calculation formula is compared with the “data dictionary”, and the “calculation formula definition data” is also determined to be the book table related definition data relating to this book table, and “book management data” (FIG. 55). ).

[1800] Finally, since there is only one pair of "book table definition data" and "substitute symbol definition data" on the relevant document, this "substitution symbol definition data" is used as the related definition data of this book table. (Configuration information) and point to “book management data” (FIG. 55).

FIG. 56 shows an example of terms included in the response term dictionary 52. Characters and character strings that can be used as terms for each sub-definition system such as "unit", "calculation formula", "total",
The symbol has been registered.

FIG. 57 shows an example of a data format of term data included in the applied term dictionary 52. The code of each sub-definition system (“unit price”, “calculation formula”, “total”, etc.) is set in the data field of “processing system type” in the header. Subsequent to this header, in the data field of "character code string", character code strings constituting each character, character string, and symbol belonging to the sub-definition system are sequentially set in a list format. "Separation identification data" corresponds to a comma (,) separating each term in FIG.

When all the definition data for the book table (FIG. 51) containing the definition information input to the system has been generated as described above, the processing performed by the present system, particularly the recognition processing (character processing) / Figure recognition, correction of position / size, etc., and definition contents) are displayed and output, and the user's confirmation is obtained.

In this display output, the document content of each document recognized by the system is sequentially displayed on the display screen 20a by, for example, a toggle method. In order to display this document image, the document image output unit 40 outputs the document element data storage unit 38
The character / graphic pattern dictionary 36 is referred to the document element data of each document stored in the document to identify the pattern of each document element. Each pattern is converted into bitmap image data by a development program, and Generate a signal.

In this way, when the contents of the book in accordance with the recognition processing result of the system are displayed on the display screen 20a, the user operates the keyboard 12 and the mouse 1
By using the digitizer 4 or the digitizer 15, it is possible to correct each document or input new entry information from the screen.

The entry information input from the keyboard 12 can be used to generate document element data in the character / graphic element input section 37 (FIG. 15) without performing character / graphic recognition processing. Mouse 14 or digitizer 1
With respect to the entry information input from step 5, each entry information is inputted in the character / graphic element input section 37, and the character / graphic element recognition section 34 sequentially performs character / graphic recognition processing (for each input entry information) to obtain a document. Generate element data.

[1870] These screen input type input devices 12, 1
Also when inputting the definition information by 4 and 15, the modification information of each definition system is set and input in the "definition information discrimination" mode (FIG. 8) of the "environment setting".

By using the screen input method, it is possible to give an instruction for coloring the entry information not only before the entry information but also after the entry. In other words, the color menu can be used by selecting and instructing a desired "color" button in the "color menu" prior to inputting a character string or the like or drawing a ruled line. Instruct (specify) the desired part on the screen, and then continue to the desired “color”
A method of selecting and instructing a button can be adopted.

If entry information is entered from the screen under the desired definition sub-mode, the system adds the entered entry information to the definition distinction modification specified in the sub-mode, and It is also possible to display on the surface.
In this case, the definition information is recognized from the entry information provided with the definition distinction modification.

[1900] When entry information is input on the screen as described above, every time the entry information is input, the character / graphic element input unit 37 (FIG. 15) responds to each entry information based on the input data. The generated document element data is generated or changed.

[1910] Entry information (character string,
Symbols and graphics are stored in the system as document element data (FIGS. 18 to 2) in the same manner as when an image is input from paper.
It is expressed in the form of 2).

At the actual specification level, it is convenient to use such a screen input method together with the above-described image input method. Since the entry information entered as an image from a form and the entry information entered using a command from the screen are managed in the system as the same document element data, the original entry information (normal entry information) in the book table or its Arbitrary entry information can be input from either an image input or a screen input, without being limited to the definition entry information added above.

As described above, after the user inputs the document in which the contents of the document are described in advance by the image scanner 10, at the stage of output display for confirmation as described above,
While confirming the document contents or definition contents of each document, it is possible to add arbitrary entry information, particularly definition support information, from the keyboard 12, mouse 14 or digitizer 15, and furthermore, to perform desired definition by a command from the screen. It is also possible to enter information.

[1940] Further, the user can change or cancel the definition information by executing a desired editing configuration function on the screen with respect to the entry information forming the definition information once input. It is possible.

In order to enable setting and input of definition information by commands in the above-described screen input method, the present system is provided with a command input unit 60 and a command recognition / execution processing unit 62 as shown in FIG. I have. The command input unit 60 receives a command input from the keyboard 12, the mouse 14, or the digitizer 15. The command recognition / execution processing unit 62 analyzes and picks the input command as described above, and generates, changes, or deletes desired definition data. The command input unit 60 and the command recognition / execution processing unit 62 include a command input program and a document creation program stored in the internal memory 16 and the CPU 24 that executes those programs.

It is needless to say that such a screen input method can also be performed by the above-mentioned “data definition” and “file definition”.

Next, various functions of a data output process of transferring data from a data file to an electronic book and outputting the data in the system of the present embodiment will be described.

[1980] This data output processing is performed after the interpretation of the book table definition is completed. Alternatively, the book table-related data once stored in the document file in the external storage medium may be loaded into the internal memory 16, and the book table may be displayed on the display screen 20a to perform this processing.

The data output process is performed under the "data output" mode. When the "mode" button on the display screen 20a is clicked (FIG. 11) and "data output" is selected from the mode list menu, the system is switched to the "data output" mode, and FIG. 59 is displayed on the display screen 20a. "List of output source files" as shown
Screen is displayed. The user selects a desired output source from a plurality of output source files displayed on the screen, in the case of the book shown in FIG. 51 of this example, “1. Sales File”, and clicks the “Execute Output” button. Good.

FIG. 60 shows the configuration of a data output unit that performs book-table related data output processing in this system. The data item conversion unit 72, the definition execution processing unit 74, and the record / document element data conversion unit 78 are each configured by the CPU 24 that executes a predetermined conversion or processing program. Input record storage unit 70, file definition data storage unit 80, book table definition data storage unit 82, output record storage unit 76, and data / character code conversion table 8
Reference numeral 4 denotes an internal memory 16 or an external memory 18.

When the data output process is started, first, the input record storage unit 70 stores the file records from the output source file (monthly sales file) one record at a time or in predetermined block units via the “file manager” (FIG. 46). Is stored in

FIG. 61 shows an example of the format of a record management table and a file record of a sales file sent from an output file. Record input section 7
0, the file record defined by the output source file is “BUN”, “HIN”, “T
AN ",....

The data item conversion unit 72 refers to the “file definition data” (FIG. 44) held in the file definition data storage unit 80, and the data items “BUN” and “HIN” of the input file record. , "TAN",
‥‥ is the data item "classification" in each corresponding system,
It is converted into “part number”, “unit price”, and ‥‥ (FIG. 60).

The definition execution processing unit 74 first extracts only file records for a specific month, for example, October, from the file records from the data item conversion unit 72. This can be determined from the "month" data field of the file record.

For the file records extracted in this way, "book table definition" is executed according to "book table definition data" (calculation formula definition data, etc.) stored in book table definition data storage unit 82. .

In the case of the book shown in FIG. 8, "calculation formula definition data"
According to (FIG. 53), a calculation formula “<sales> = <unit price> × <number of sales>” is calculated for each file record, and the data of the calculation result is set in the data item “sales”. As a result, required output data is prepared in each file record as shown in FIG.

As in the book table of this example, the data record output order to the book table in which the data name is not entered in the data entry column is set as a default in the present system when there is no instruction of the record output order on the book table side. The records are stored in the order in which the records are stored in the output destination data file. The file records that have been subjected to the book table definition execution processing by the definition execution processing unit 74 are arranged in the record storage order of the corresponding output source file and stored in the output record storage unit 76.

The record / document element data conversion unit 78
Each file record is extracted from the output record storage unit 76, and the data of each data item in this record is converted into document element data with reference to the data / character code conversion table 84. Thus, for example, in the file record, the data simply representing the size of the numerical value "396" is replaced with a character code string for displaying and outputting a predetermined character string "396" at a predetermined position in a predetermined book table. Converted to data.

[2092] When "substitute symbol definition data" is created as the configuration information of the relevant book table as in this example,
Referring to the same data, in the above character code string data,
Identify what is written as "official registration name", and then replace it with the character code string data of the corresponding substitute symbol. In the case of this example, the “official registration name” and “television” are replaced with “substitute symbols” and “TV” in the first record (first row on the book table).

Here, the entry destination of the converted document element data can be identified from each item definition data of “book table definition data”. At this time, if the layout format is defined, the character size, character pitch, and layout position (for example, numbers are right-justified, character string Is centering). Note that the color of the entry character may be the same color (black) as the other normal entry information. In addition, a pointer to the document element data (character string data) is set in the cell data (FIG. 28) corresponding to each data entry column.

[2110] The document element data generated by the record / document element data conversion section 78 is stored in the document element data storage section 38 together with the document element data originally written in the book table.
Is stored in

Accordingly, the document image output unit 40 reads out all the document element data corresponding to the (black) normal entry information from the document element data area 38 and stores the read document element data in the character / graphic pattern dictionary. 36, the pattern of each document element is identified, and each pattern is converted into bitmap format image data by an expansion program, so that the target book table output document as shown in FIG. 63 is displayed on the display screen 20a, for example. Can be displayed. Further, it is also possible to print out by the printing device 22 or to perform facsimile transmission by the communication device 24.

As described above, in the book table definition, the user additionally writes predetermined definition support information composed of characters, symbols, and figures that are familiar to a desired book table sheet, and adds a predetermined combination rule (construction rule). Can be defined as desired under, so there are very few things to remember and simple tasks or operations are required.

In particular, in the present system, by using a common “item definition” function, all of “data definition”, “file definition”, and “book table definition” have the same (common) memory and common Can be done by operation.

[2150] "Definition of substitute symbols" can also be performed without memorizing new operations and rules by using the "item definition" function. This allows any stakeholder, from the system operator to the end user, to easily participate in various “data definitions”, “file definitions”, and “book table definitions”.

The data output process described above is a process of outputting data from a file to a book table. Conversely, a process of inputting data from a book table to a file and a process of transferring data between different book tables are also described above. Can be performed in the same manner as described above.

In this system, it is also possible to take out data in a specified format from a book table in which "data name" is entered by mixing "substitute symbols". For example, an example will be described in which the data on the book shown in FIG. 63 is input to the “sales file”, contrary to the case described above.
(In this “sales file”, the data format described above is set, but no data is input.)

[2180] FIG. 64 shows the book table shown in FIG. 63, which is defined in the same way as the book table without data input (FIG. 51). Using the definition support entry information (blue) in the “body table”, enter the definition element “[]” of “range specification” in both cells of each field,
The data items “sales quantity”, “unit price”, and “sales” registered in the corresponding application dictionary are enclosed by a definition element “<>” that specifies “data item name”. "Classification", "Part number", "Monthly" with definition support of (blue)
Are written in the vicinity of the corresponding field outside the table, and are connected to each other by a “joining line” “−”. Also, "Substitute symbol definition table"
In FIG. 51, the definition support entry information (blue) is used.
Perform the same definition as.

When the form sheet shown in FIG. 64 is input to the system through the scanner 10, the corresponding image data and document element data are sequentially generated, the user confirms the recognition result on the display screen 20a, and presses the "interpretation of definition" button. , The definition element data is generated, and the procedure goes to the “definition data creation” procedure. As in the case of the book table in FIG. 51 described above, an “item definition data chain” is generated for the “body table” and the “substitution symbol table”. First, from the “item definition data chain” of the “substitution symbol table”, “Substitute symbol definition data” is created. From the "item definition data chain" in the "body table", "book name definition data" is created through collation of "item names" with various registered item names (application data dictionary, data definition essential name registration word) Is done.

[2200] The "book table management data" that summarizes the "book table definition data" includes, in addition to the corresponding "item definition data chain" and the item definition data having "monthly" as the item name as common data outside the table. , “Substitute symbol definition data”. The corresponding definition information on the display screen 20a is given a special display.

For example, when the "file input" button on the display screen 20a is instructed, the system receives this and displays, for example, a list of data files possessed by the system on the display screen 20a. Select a data file. A subsequent execution instruction by the user (for example, the display screen 20)
a), the system performs the following processing. First, on the “body table”, the item name “category” is identified as “substitute symbol definition item”, and then the corresponding “item definition data chain” is referred to, and the data entry column (field) of the book table Then, a column (set) of “data name” for each row is extracted as a character code string. Among them, the character code (string) that is the “substitute symbol” is replaced with a formal registered name character code string with reference to the “substitution symbol definition data”. For example, in the case of the first line, "T
"TV" is substituted for "V".

The data name “October” of the item name “Monthly” outside the table and the data item name “Sales” obtained by executing the definition formula are displayed in the column of the data name for one row in the table thus obtained. Add the data name belonging to "". Subsequently, a record of the output destination file is created by converting each character code string of the data name string obtained above according to the data format specified in the output destination data file. The above processing is repeated for all rows in the table. All the generated records are transferred and stored in the corresponding file.

Although the main functions of the system according to the present embodiment have been described above, various modifications are possible. For example, FIG. 65 shows an example in which definition information is input by a command from the screen. As shown in FIG. 65, the document content of the input book document is displayed on the display screen 20a, and while confirming the input document content, a predetermined command is input from the keyboard 12 or the mouse 14 or the like to obtain a desired command. You can enter definition information.

In FIG. 62, for example, when "sales number" of the normal entry information is designated and clicked in the "definition" mode, the designated portion 90 is specified (for example, highlighted) and simultaneously displayed. At an appropriate position in the screen 20a, a sub-screen 94 listing various definition items such as "1. field", "2. data item", and "3. unit name" appears. Here, when "2. data item" is selected and instructed, the normal entry information "sales number" is converted to the data item "sales number". Similarly, when the user designates and clicks on the area 92 in the "sales number" column and designates "1. field" for this area 2, the area 92 is defined as a field for entering the data of "sales number". Is done.

In FIG. 62, for convenience of explanation, a state where the data item location 90 and the field area 92 are simultaneously selected and instructed is shown, but actually, one location is selected for each click. Be instructed.

In the system, in response to the above-mentioned user operation, the command recognition / execution processing unit 62 analyzes the input command, and sets a position (click position) on the screen as a target of the command, The collation with the “position” information of the document element data stored in the document element data storage unit 38 is repeated to identify the corresponding document element data (picking processing). Then, necessary definition data is generated from the identified document element data and the instruction content of the input command.

In the present invention, a program or software for realizing the above-described functions of the present invention is used. Such software can be installed in the system of the present invention via an arbitrary medium, for example, a storage medium or online. Therefore,
An act of transferring a storage medium storing software for carrying out the present invention as a business and an act of installing the software on a system online are one embodiment of the present invention.

[2280]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Entry information in which desired book table definition, data definition, and file definition with substitute symbol definitions are written in the form of characters, symbols, figures, etc., which are used by the user on a daily basis with definition information representing desired definition contents on a document. Can be performed by inputting via the.

Also, by using the various definitions, the common item definition function, and the item name designation function, the user can
It can be performed with simple operations with little learning.

Further, the above-described various definitions are performed on the corresponding form entry sheet, and the screen operation can be performed by a simple confirmation operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a list of main modes in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a “main mode list menu screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an “environment setting mode screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition element identification data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a “definition information distinction instruction screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition information distinction data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a “main mode screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a definition document used in “data definition” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of item name metadata in the system according to the embodiment.

14 is a diagram showing an example in which definition support information is additionally entered in the data definition document of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document input and document element data generation unit in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “image management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an input image that is a target of “image management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “character data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 19 shows “character string data” in the system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of FIG.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to a line segment in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to an ellipse in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to a rectangle or the like in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an overall procedure of definition interpretation in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a definition information recognition and format setting unit and a definition execution processing unit in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of “definition element data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “item definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of an “item definition data chain” created by “data definition” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “cell data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a structure of “cell data chain in a field” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a structure of “cell data chain in record” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a definition data creation procedure in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 32 shows “data definition related data” based on “item definition data chain” in the system of the embodiment.
It is a flowchart which shows the whole procedure which branches to each definition data creation process of "file definition related data" and "book table definition data".

FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “data definition format data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating “data definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing a procedure for creating “data definition format data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition support information is additionally written in a data definition format in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of a definition document using substitute symbols used for data definition in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a diagram showing an example in which definition support information is additionally written in the data definition document of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of substitute symbol definition data in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition support information is additionally written in a data definition book format using substitute symbols in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 41 shows “file definition” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a definition document used in the example.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing an example in which definition support information is additionally written in the file definition document of FIG. 41.

FIG. 43: “File definition” in the system of the embodiment
It is a figure which shows typically the structure of "item definition data chain" created by.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “file definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for creating “file definition format data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a file management unit in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition support information is additionally written in a file definition document format in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 48 “File definition” in the system of the embodiment
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a definition document using a substitute symbol used in FIG.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition support information is additionally written in the file definition document of FIG. 48 in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a diagram showing an example of a book table format using substitute symbols in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing an example in which definition support information is additionally written in the book table of FIG. 50;

FIG. 52 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of an “item definition data chain” created by “book creation” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “calculation formula definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 54 is a diagram showing a procedure for creating “book table definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a data format example of “book management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating an example of terms included in an applied term dictionary in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 57 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “dictionary term data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 58 is a block diagram showing a configuration for performing processing of document entry information and definition information by a screen input method in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a “data output mode screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 60 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data output unit in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 61 is a diagram showing processing for converting a data item on the output source file side into a data item in the system in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 62 is a diagram showing an arrangement order of “file records” obtained by executing “sort” of book definition in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 63 is a diagram showing an example of a book table with data having substitute symbols in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 64 is a diagram showing an example in which definition support information is additionally written in the book table of FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is a diagram illustrating an example of inputting definition information from a screen using a command in the system according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 color image scanner 12 keyboard 14 mouse 15 digitizer 16 internal memory 18 external memory 20 display device 24 CPU 27 communication device 32 document image storage unit 34 character / graphic element recognition unit 37 character / graphic element input unit 38 document element data storage unit 40 Document image display output unit 42 Definition element data generation unit 46 Definition data generation unit 48 Definition element identification data storage unit 50 Definition information distinction data storage unit 52 Application term dictionary 54 Definition data storage unit 60 Command input unit 62 Command recognition execution processing unit 70 Input record storage unit 72 Data item conversion unit 74 Definition execution processing unit 76 Output record storage unit 78 Record / document element data conversion unit 80 File definition data storage unit 82 Book table definition data storage unit 84 Data / character code conversion table

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. In a book table, a data definition document, and a file definition document, definition information that specifies a format for data management, including definition information that specifies a substitute symbol to be entered in place of a specific data name, is used. A book entry table, a data definition book, and a file, a file definition book, are entered through entry information entered in the form of characters, symbols, or graphics, and are entered based on the entered definition information. A book table creation method in an information device, wherein a format for data management is set. 2. A means for performing "item definition" in which a "item name" and a "data" or a "data entry area" belonging to the item name are defined as a pair, and a "item definition" in the "substitute symbol definition table". It has a dictionary means for holding a specific term to be an `` item name '', and a means for specifying in a document the `` item name '' of the `` substitute symbol definition book ''. An information processing apparatus for obtaining a “substitute symbol definition” which is a correspondence with a formal data name in which the “substitute symbol” is used. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the means for performing the “item definition” and the “item name” specifying means for the “substitute symbol definition area” are specified entry information or entry information. An information processing apparatus characterized by performing a combination of information. 4. A means for performing said "item definition", a dictionary means for holding specific terms to be "item names" of a "substitute symbol table", a "data definition document", and a "file definition document";"Itemname" designation means of "Substitute symbol definition table",
Obtaining “data definition” and “file definition” having “item name” specifying means of the above “data definition document” and “file definition document” and including the above “substitute symbol definition” from the above combination An information processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said “substitute symbol definition” specifies “item name” and said “data definition” and “file definition” specify “item name”. An information processing apparatus characterized in that the means and the means are written by common entry information or an operation method. 6. A method of defining a book table definition, a data definition, and a file definition, wherein a document element on a relevant document related to the definition is displayed separately from document elements on other relevant documents. Information processing device.