JP2001005904A - Information processor and form preparing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make simply preparable a desired form by executing direct and easy-to-understand format designation by additively writing simple and familiar definition supporting writing information to writing samples usually given in order to show a format. SOLUTION: First, a definition element generating part 42 generates data for every definition element writing information written in each document based on document element data stored in a document element data storing part 38 by referring to definition element identifying data and definition information discriminating data respectively held in a definition element identifying data storing part 48 and a definition information discriminating data storing part 50. Next, a definition data generating part 46 generates definition data for every definition information written in each document or page by referring to definition information discriminating data stored in the part 50 and referring to definition element data stored in a definition element data storing part 44, document element data stored in the part 38 and a combining rule algorithm stored in a combining rule memory 45.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

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

[0020]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, information processing apparatuses (computer systems) have been widely used for business processing in office work. Initially, in an information processing apparatus, to create an electronic book (for example, a slip book table ledger), COBO
Although all the formats are described in a special language such as L, it is originally burdensome for the user to describe various book formats in this kind of indirect method. There was little freedom in the format that could be used.

In recent years, along with a remarkable improvement in hardware performance, a method of creating a book table format on a screen and adding a desired definition designation to each part of the format from the screen has been performed.

Further, the definition on the created book table format is performed by adding entry information for a specific definition, thereby enabling the definition in the book table on paper, and the freely created book table. Various definitions on the table,
An easy way to do this has been proposed. (Japanese Patent Application No. 7-
317319)

However, the formats that can be specified by these conventional methods are formats whose positions, dimensions, shapes, and the like are limited to fixed ones from the beginning. Many items are left.

Further, although the dimensions of the book table format are, from the user's point of view, originally, they want to be "conditionally" determined in accordance with the length of the data character string to be output thereto. In the method, there is a problem that the format intended for the creation can be fixed as it is depending on the dimension and the position created first.

[0070]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has various book formats,
It is another object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a book table creation method capable of specifying a data output format on a book table by a more direct and easy-to-understand operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a book table creating method which can easily and easily specify a format format determined according to data output.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a method of creating a book table, which can conditionally specify the dimensions of the book table.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a method for creating a book table, in which dimensions of the book table can be conditionally specified, including the length of a data character string to be output. is there.

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for creating a book table in an information processing apparatus, comprising: A step of exemplarily filling in a data output format using symbols, a step of additionally filling in definition support entry information that is a specific symbol and a character string assigned exclusively for definition, and a step of filling in the above-described example entry information and definition support entry Analyzing a combination of information to generate required format information; and generating a book format based on the generated format information and output data, and obtaining an output data character string thereon. It is characterized by.

[0110] The information processing method according to the second aspect includes a step of setting a dimension between the ruled lines constituting the book table format or between the ruled line and a reference position which is a position fixed on the paper. Determining the position on the paper of each ruled line by adding the set dimension.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method comprising: setting an algebraic expression at a specified position obtained by adding a set dimension including an algebraic expression document; Then, the variable values obtained by the above are substituted again to obtain the real numerical value of each ruled line position.

Further, the information processing method according to the fourth aspect is characterized in that a specific symbol representing the longest character string in the corresponding field;
It is characterized in that a dimension is specified between the corresponding ruled line and each ruled line is positioned in accordance with the longest output data character string.

The information processing method according to the fifth aspect is characterized in that characters written in a document on a sheet or an electronic document,
Means for inputting entry information consisting of symbols or figures, means for identifying definition support entry information that has been input exclusively for definition, and analyzing the exemplary filled-in output format based on the identified definition support entry information, It is characterized by having means for generating required book table format information, and means for creating a book table format based on the book table format information and output data and outputting a data character string.

[0150]

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 this 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 FIG. 5 to FIG. 6, in this embodiment, a plurality of definition systems such as “common”, “data management”, and “document creation definition” are prepared, and a plurality of definition elements are included in each definition system. Is set. Among these definition systems, each definition element of "data management" is used for setting a format for data management. Each definition element of “common” is shared by each format of “data management” and “document creation definition”.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, 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.

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 through screen input. In any case, for example, in the data format shown in FIG. 7, the definition element identification data having a variable data length corresponding to the comparison table in FIGS. 5 and 6 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. 7, the data field of the “definition system code” is the data field of the definition system (format definition) to which this 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.

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 a 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. 8 appears on the display screen 20a.

In FIG. 8, 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 shown in FIG. 8, (blue) is entered in the “color” column in “data management”. In addition, (red) is input for “document creation”, and (red) is input for “document creation”. 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. 9, for example. This definition information distinction data is stored in a definition information distinction data storage unit 50 (FIG. 24) of a definition information recognition unit described later.
Is held.

FIG. 10 shows a screen of a "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,
The “Main” mode screen appears by default on the display screen 20a immediately after the power is turned on, and when the “Mode” button constantly displayed in the lower left corner of the screen is clicked, the above “Main mode list menu” screen is displayed. It is designed to switch.

Next, a 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.

FIG. 11 shows an example of “monthly sales ledger”.
Shows a book cover sheet in which the basic items are written by hand in advance. All of the characters, symbols, and figures entered on this book cover sheet are normal entry information indicating the document content of the form,
It is described in the same color, for example, black.

In this book cover sheet, the data item names “article name”, “number of sales”, “unit price”, and “sales” are entered in the item name entry fields 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 “1998” 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.

The following “exemplary entry” is performed on the book table format, and the data entry (output) form is specified on the “exemplary entry”. First, the character string example symbol “xxx” is placed on the first and second rows (hereinafter, referred to as the first or second row) from the upper side of the data entry area in the same book table format. Fill in as shown in 12. On the first row in the same area, the same symbol is written in the first and second columns from the left (hereinafter referred to as the first or second column), and on the second row, only in the second column I have filled in.

In the present system, the character string representative symbol "xxx" is a symbol registered in the system as a definition element in "data management". At times, it is considered that the information is to be entered in place of the (black) data numeral string as the entry information, and the entry is made in the (black) color.

In the present specification, a set of data records which share the same data as a certain data entry field and are continuously output and entered on a book table format is referred to as a “record block” for the corresponding field. To In the above example entry, when the same data is successively output (in the column direction) in the first column, the common data is output only in the first row (record) of the corresponding record block. This indicates that entry is omitted for subsequent lines in the record block.

In the place where the data in the first column is replaced, the summary item data on the book (in the case of this example,
The following example entry is performed to indicate that the total number in the corresponding record group is to be entered in the desired record group, and that the total value is entered in a desired format. First, an arbitrary row in the table is selected to indicate a "total row" in which the total value is to be entered. In the horizontal direction (row direction), a desired position in the row indicates that the total row is present. "Subtotal" text is entered. This "subtotal" character string is entered in the same (black) color as the intended output.

In the present specification, a character string indicating a total field, such as this “subtotal” character string, is called a “total designation character string”.

In order to show the relative position (distance in the column direction) between the total row and the data entry row immediately before and immediately after the total row, a desired position on both sides (in the column direction) of the total row entered in this example is shown in FIG.
The character string example symbol “xxx” is entered. The distance between the total line entered by way of example and the "xxx" symbol entered by this example specifies the distance between the total line when data is actually output on the book table and the data entry lines before and after it. Will be. This "xx" to be entered before and after the total line entered
The "x" symbol may be an entry in at least one field.

A format for entering the total value of all records to be output on the book is shown as follows. In the data entry area of the book table, a "total" character string is entered at an arbitrary arbitrary row position below the example entry portion of "subtotal". As in the case of the above “subtotal”, in the same horizontal direction (row direction) as in the case of actual data output, a desired position is written in (black) color. Similarly, in order to indicate the position of the data entry line immediately before this total line, the character string example symbol “xxx” is entered at a desired line position with respect to the example total line.

The example entry positions of the above example total line and the preceding and following data entry lines may be arbitrary positions on the book table, however, the example entry information indicating other formats may interfere with each other. It must be a remote location that does not fit. Further, as an exemplary method of specifying the entry format of the same data in the first column of the book table, a data entry line following the example total line of the corresponding record block as shown in FIG. 13 may be used.

[0430] In order to conclusively inform the system of the book table format and the contents of the example entry added thereto, definitions are made as shown in FIG. The user may enter the definition support information with a color writing instrument or the like as shown in FIG. 14 with reference to the “definition element / entry information comparison table” of FIGS. . 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 the “common” definition system is entered in (blue).

First, the definition of each “item definition” constituting the book table is performed. In this specification, “item definition” refers to defining a pair of “data item name” and a corresponding “(data entry) field” or “data (name)”. In the book table of FIG. 14, the definition element entry information “[]” of “range designation” is entered inside the cells (blue), and these cells (data entry columns) are defined as fields. "[" And "]", which are constituent symbols of the definition element of "range designation", are written in such a manner as to face the upper and lower ends of the cell, respectively.

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”. Each item is connected to two fields corresponding to “article name” via “−”. 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” instead of the original (black) data item name.
This means that the data item names "classification" and "part number" additionally entered in (blue) are defined to correspond to each other.

[0460] In each column on the right side of the column of "article name", each data item name character string of "(black)""sales","unitprice", and "sales" are indicated by (blue) on both left and right sides of "item". 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 the 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 (blue) connecting line "-" is omitted between the two, definition information for "item definition" that associates each data item name with each field has been entered. .

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.

[0490] 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>.

At the bottom of the book table, in the annotation “sales = unit price × number of sales” described in the (black) normal entry information, the character strings “sales”, “unit price”, “sales” of each data item name 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.

Next, the following definitions are made in order to determine the specified contents of the example entry added to the data entry area of the book table. First, the character string example symbol “XX” added to the first and second rows of the data entry area on the book table
In order to indicate that the example entry of “×” is one definition content of the first column of the book table (data item “classification” field) format specification, a range symbol is added to the left margin outside the book table. "[] Is entered. Both ends of the range symbol in the range specification direction are the first line and the second line where
It is written so that it is included in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the line).

Next, in each example total line, “subtotal”,
Each character string of “total” is surrounded by a definition element symbol “O” of “definition element / registration word designation”. The “subtotal” and “total” enclosed by the same symbols are registered as terms for “total field designation” in the application term dictionary 52 in the present system, and the “subtotal” and “total” enclosed by the definition element symbol “○” The character strings “subtotal” and “total” indicate that they are definition information for designating the total field.

In order to specify the character size of this “total” character string, a “14P” character string is written in the vicinity thereof.
They are connected by "coupling lines". "14P" string,
In the present system, the "connection line" is also distinguished and entered in (red) as definition support entry information in the document creation definition. “P” in the “14P” character string is registered in advance as a definition element as a unit name representing a character size. As the “subtotal” character string whose character size is not specified in the above manner, a system-prepared value closest to the size of the character string entered as an example or a predetermined default value is set.

[0540] The "subtotal" on the exemplified total line and an arbitrary position in the field (first column on the book table) of the data item "classification" are connected by the "joining line" of the defining element. As a result, where the data value of the data item "classification" changes,
This indicates that the total value totaled for the corresponding record block is to be output and written in the format defined on the example total line of “subtotal”. "Sum" on another example sum line
Because the character string is not connected to a specific field with a "join line", the total value of all output records on the book is output and written in the format defined on the total line of "Example". It is shown that

As the correspondence in the record block, the data item character string of the corresponding field may be selected instead of the arbitrary position of the corresponding field, and the total value entry field may be selected instead of the total designation character string. In addition, the relevant data item name “Classification” is additionally added (blue) in the vicinity of the total entry field or the total indication character string “Subtotal” that has been entered, and the corresponding total entry field or total indication character string is added. A method of associating with a connection line may be adopted. The data item name character string additionally entered here may be enclosed by the definition element symbol “<>” (blue) in order to clearly indicate that it is a data item name.

In the right part of the character string of “subtotal” on each example total line, the area of the line and the total item “number of sales”,
The definition element symbol "[]" of "Range designation" is entered so as to include two rectangular areas overlapping the data entry field area of "Sales" (the third and fifth columns of the book table). . As a result, the two rectangular areas are designated as the total (entry) fields in each example total line. The range specification to specify this sum field is
As shown in the example total line of “subtotal”, both the “sales” and “sales” total fields may be performed simultaneously, or as shown in the example total line of “total”, It may be performed for each individual total field. When the range is specified in a form including a plurality of total fields, the fields of all total items included therein are defined as total fields.

In addition, the dimension is defined between the example total line of “subtotal” and the example data entry lines before and after the total line.
For example, as in this example, the lower end of the character string or the character string example symbol "xxx" is set as a reference position (reference line), and a "dimension auxiliary line" is drawn out in the extension direction from the reference position.
A "dimension line" is drawn, and a numeral string representing a required dimension is entered at a predetermined position in the vicinity thereof. "Dimension auxiliary line" and "dimension line" are registered in the system as definition elements for "document creation definition".
It is distinguished by color.

[0570] No dimension is defined between the example total line in which the "total" character string is entered and the example data entry line immediately before (the actual entry line for "subtotal"). In this case, the specified distance between the total line and the immediately preceding data line when the data is actually output is the same as the distance between the two lines (the total line and the data line). Becomes In this case, in order to show that the total example line and the example data entry line constitute one definition content, the first line and the second line of the book table data entry area are described above.
As in the case of the row, the range symbol “[” is entered on the left side of the table.

[0580] The book document (FIG. 14) in which the definition support information is additionally written as described above is stored in the color image scanner 10.
Input to the system.

FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the 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. .

When the reading operation of the book table document (FIG. 14) of this example is performed by the image scanner 10, a color image signal representing the contents of the document (all entries) is input to the input unit 30.
Is stored in the image storage unit. The color image signal for each document taken into the input unit 30 is in the form of a signal (black),
The image signal is decomposed into color image signals of (blue) and (red), and the image signal of (black), the image signal of (blue),
As the (red) image signal, the black image storage unit 32a,
It is stored in the blue image storage unit 32b and the red image storage unit 32c.

Next, the character / graphic element recognizing unit 34 determines the individual character and graphic elements in the document for each color (black, blue, red) for the pixel data for each document stored in the document image storage unit 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.

At the time of 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.

The characters / graphics in the character / graphics 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.

[0640] 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.

[0650] For the ruled lines forming a table such as a list, for example, recognition processing is performed 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.

[0660] The character / graphic element recognizing section 34 performs the above-described character / graphic recognition processing on each color (black, blue, red) image of the image-inputted document, thereby obtaining 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.

[0680] 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 direction) 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 on the screen 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.

[0710] The document image output unit 40 is the document image storage unit 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.

[0720] 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 “interpretation of definition” button is instructed, the apparatus generally performs “overall procedure of definition interpretation” 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.
The document element data (FIGS. 18 to 22) stored in the document element data storage unit 38 with reference to the definition element identification data (FIG. 7) and the definition information discrimination data (FIG. 9) held respectively in FIG. Then, data (definition element data) for each definition element entry information written in each document is generated based on the information.

FIG. 25 shows an example of the data format of the definition element data. A "definition code" and a "definition element code" for identifying the definition element entry information are set, and a pointer for referring to document element data corresponding to characters, graphics, 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.

To generate the definition element data, a search is made for document element data having specific modification information, for example, (red) color information. As a result of this search, for example, when the entry information of "[" is extracted, the other entry information "" of the pair is determined, and the definition element entry information "[]" of "range designation" is determined. . 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.

[0780] As described above, the definition element data generation unit 4
2 is stored in the definition element data storage unit 44.

[0790] Next, the definition data generation unit 46 refers to the definition information discrimination data (Fig. 9) held in the definition information discrimination data storage unit 50, and stores the definition stored in the definition element data storage unit 44. The element data (FIG. 25) and the document element data stored in the document element data storage unit 38 (FIG. 1)
With reference to FIGS. 8 to 22) and the associative rule (constitutive rule) algorithm stored in the associative rule (constitutive rule) memory 45, definition data is generated for each piece of definition information written in each document or page. .

In this system, first, document creation definition data is generated. In the case of this example, “dimension definition data” is generated based on “dimension definition” between the “subtotal” character string and the character string example symbol “xxx”. “Dimension lines” and “dimension lines” written in the (red) color used for defining the document creation and having a predetermined arrangement relationship are first identified. Similarly, a dimension number that is also written in (red) and has a specific arrangement relationship with the “dimension line” is identified, and this is digitized to be a designated dimension value. Next, an object to be dimensioned is identified. First, a line element that is in contact with an end point of the dimension line or a line element that is an extension of the dimension auxiliary line is searched. Further, with respect to a character string, a corresponding character string is searched for as a target of dimension designation with reference to a rectangular component line circumscribing the character string. In the case of this example, it is identified that the dimension auxiliary line is drawn at the lower end of both the character string of the "subtotal" character string and the character string example symbol "xxx", and the corresponding character strings are designated as the dimension designation. Judge as a target.

In the dimension definition, the character string example symbol “×
The corresponding definition element data of “xx” and the character string data of the “subtotal” character string are pointed as the target information (data) for dimension specification. In addition, a code indicating “lower end” is set as the “designated reference section”.

After all dimension definitions have been completed as document creation definition data, creation of book table definition data begins as data management definition. First, all the item definition data are created in the corresponding table, and then all “item definition data chains” are created based on the above definition data.
The creation of each “item definition data chain” is performed as follows.

First, “cell data” (FIG. 29) is created. In order to identify each cell (data entry frame) by searching for a line segment or a ruled line of the table via the document element data, and to provide a connection with the next cell in the record together with data indicating the position of the cell. Set the pointer for In addition, a cell sectioned by the (blue) range specification “[]” is detected, and a character string enclosed by “items” “<>” in the (blue) is adjacent to the cell (field) in the extension direction. If the cell string is connected to the cell by the “connection line” “−” of (blue), the character string is determined to be the data item name corresponding to the field according to the connection rule, and “ Item definition data "(FIG. 27).

If a plurality of field cells 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. 28) is created.

[0850] As described above, in the present system, the definition data generation unit refers to the associative rule algorithm registered in the associative rule memory 45, so that a plurality of units respectively given by a plurality of definition element entry information. Recognize one complex definition information by combining definition information, and recognize more complex or advanced definition information by combining multiple unit definition information and complex definition information or complex definition information. In accordance with the recognition result, necessary definition data defining each definition content is created.

Next, the table is searched for the definition element symbol “O” of “definition element / registration word designation”. In the case of this example, the same symbols surrounding “subtotal” and “total” are detected, respectively. Since “subtotal” and “total” are registered as terms for total indication in the application term dictionary, The “subtotal” and “total” enclosed by “O” are determined as the definition information of the total definition instruction, and the processing for analyzing the total definition is started.

In the process of analyzing the total definition, first, the detected total instruction character strings “subtotal”, “total”
The character string example symbol “xxx” is entered before and after the table in the vertical and vertical direction, and it is connected to the total designating character string according to the dimension definition or enclosed in “range symbol” “[”. Is determined. If the above conditions are determined, it is considered that “exemplary total definition”, which is the definition of the total value entry format when the total value output position changes at the time of data output, is performed, and a process of analyzing the exemplary total definition is performed. .

The above-described detection of the dimension definition connecting the “subtotal” character string and the character string example symbol “xxx” is performed by detecting the “designation target” in the dimension definition data pointed to from the already created dimension definition data. This is done by collating "data". In addition, the detection of the “range symbol” “[” that encloses the “total” character string and the character string example symbol “xxx” is performed by using the “total” character string and “xxx This is performed by detecting the (blue) color range symbol that has been written in a form that includes the “” symbol in the direction perpendicular to the writing direction.

In the example total definition analyzing process, “exemplary total definition data” (FIG. 31) is generated. In this process, first,
"Total indication character string data" in "Example total definition data"
The storage addresses on the memory of the character string data of “subtotal” and “total” entered as examples are set in the pointer. As for the "total" character string, the character size of "14P" is defined by the (red) color definition-dedicated entry information. Information ". The character string data of the total indication character strings "subtotal" and "total" output at the time of data output are generated as the above "total indication character string data" given the required vertical and vertical position information. Become.

Next, for each total indication character string, a "joining line" connecting it to an arbitrary point in the field on the book is searched. In this example, since the “join line” connecting the “subtotal” character string and the field of the data item “classification” is identified, the total line indicated by “subtotal” is the record of the data item “classification”. It is determined that it is the total row of the block, and the item definition data of “classification” is pointed as “applicable item definition data” information in the corresponding example total definition data.

As for “total”, since there is no “joining line” (written in (blue) color as a definition element for data management) connecting to the field, the total line indicated by the “total” character string Is determined to be the total of all records output on the book table. A specific code indicating this is set in “applicable item definition data” in the example total definition data.

Next, in the same processing, the distance defined between the “subtotal” and “total” character strings and the character string example symbol “xxx” is obtained, and each distance is defined in the “example total definition data”. Are set as "forward interval data" and "rearward interval data". The defined distance between the "subtotal" character string defined for the dimension and the preceding and following "xxx" symbols is a numerical value of the dimension numeric string (filled in (red)) in the dimension definition. The defined distance between the "total" character string without definition and the "xxx" symbol can be obtained from the vertical / vertical position information of the character string data corresponding to both character strings of the primitive entry.

Next, on the example total line, the “range designation” symbol “[]” written in (blue) color to the right of the total designation character string “subtotal” and “total” character string is displayed horizontally. Detects the fields (columns) of the summary item in the direction,
The address of the corresponding item definition data is set in “total item definition data point” in “exemplary total definition data”. The above-described detection of the total item is performed by comparing the position information of the cell constituting the corresponding field in the table horizontal direction with the position information of the symbols at both ends constituting the detected “range designation” symbol. In the case of this example, the item definition data of the data items “sales number” and “sales amount” are set.

Here, the classification of whether each data item is a tally item is registered in advance in a data dictionary provided in the system. The data dictionary registers, for each data item name on the application, attributes such as the data division (numeric text or, if it is numeric data, a tabulated numeric value or a non-tabulated numeric value) in the form shown in FIG. 32, for example. It was done.

[0950] After the analysis of the "exemplary total definition" is completed, a character string exemplar symbol "xxx" other than that used in the "exemplary total definition" is detected in the table. In the case of this example, the character string example symbol “xxx” is written over the first and second rows of the data entry field portion in the table, and the first and second rows are enclosed. "Range symbol""[" is detected in the left part outside the table. In addition, the character string example symbol “xxx” is written over a plurality of fields (the first and second columns of the table), and one of the fields (the second
Column), it is detected that the first line and the second line are successively entered. Therefore, it is considered that “an entry format of consecutive identical data in a field” is defined, and the content thereof is determined. Enter the interpretation.

In the case of this example, the character string example symbol “xxx”
Is detected when only the first row is entered in the first column (field of item name "classification"). Therefore, when the same data is successively entered in the first column, Determines that the format `` Enter only the first line and omit the rest afterwards '' is defined, and enter the corresponding code indicating that format into the common data of `` Field format data '' in the corresponding item definition data Set to format information.

Next, the definition contents outside the table are interpreted. From the definition information “□-<monthly>” entered in the upper right corner of the table, a single “item definition data” (FIG. 27) having “monthly” as a data item name is created. Also, “calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 33) is created from the definition information relating to the annotation “sales = unit price × the number of sales” described in the right part of the blank space below the table.
"Book table management data" for collectively managing various definition data ("item definition data", "item definition data chain", "calculation formula definition data", etc.) related to the book table as described above. (FIG. 34).

[0980] In the "table definition data creation processing", the definition data relating to this list, that is, "item definition data", "item definition data chain", and "cell data in record"
In addition to the "chain", it is generated from the definition information linked to the table by the connection line "-", or even if there is no connection line "-", from the predetermined definition information written in the same document or page. The definition data is also recognized as configuration information related to the same book table, and these definition data are collectively collected as "book table definition data" in "book table management data" (FIG. 34). 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. 34).

[1000] The annotation “<sales> = <unit price> × <number of sales>” below the table indicates 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 are satisfied, these characters (character strings) or symbols are changed according to the registered contents (in this example, the operation symbol "-",
Recognize (in the meaning of "x"). From this recognition result, “calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 33) that defines the calculation formula of this annotation “<sales> = <unit price> × <number of sales>” is created. Then, the item name on the right side of the calculation formula is checked against the “data dictionary”, and the “calculation formula definition data” is also determined as the book-table related definition data relating to the book, and “book-table management data” (FIG. 3).
Point to 4).

[1010] FIG. 52 shows an example of the data format of term data included in the response 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 the header, a character code string constituting each character, character string, and symbol belonging to the sub-definition system is sequentially set in a data field of (character code string) in a list format. “Separation identification data” corresponds to a comma “,” separating each term in FIG.

[1020] As described above, when all the definition data of the book table containing the definition information input to the system (FIG. 14) has been generated, the processing performed by the present system, especially the recognition processing ( Character / graphic recognition, position /
The result of the correction of the size, etc., and the definition contents) is displayed and output, and the confirmation by the user is obtained.

In this display output, the document content of each document recognized by the system is sequentially displayed on the display screen 20a, for example, by a toggle method. In order to display this document image, the document image output unit refers to the document element data for each document stored in the document element data storage unit with a character / graphic pattern dictionary to identify the pattern of each document element, Each pattern is converted into bitmap image data by a development program to generate a video signal.

[1040] In this way, when the contents of the document in the book table according to the recognition processing result of the system are displayed on the display screen 20a, the user can use the keyboard, mouse or digitizer to display each document from the screen. Can be corrected or new entry information can be input.

[1050] With respect to the entry information input from the keyboard, the character / graphic element input unit 37 (FIG. 15) can generate document element data without performing the character / graphic recognition processing. For entry information input from a mouse or a digitizer, input each entry information in the character / graphic element input section, and perform character / graphic recognition processing sequentially (for each input entry information) in the character / graphic element recognition section. Generate element data. When inputting the definition information using these screen input type input devices, the modification information of each definition system is set and input in the "definition information discrimination" mode (FIG. 4) of the "environment setting".

[1060] If the screen input method is used, it is possible to give an instruction for coloring the entry information not only before the entry information is input 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”
You can also find out how to select and indicate a button.

[1070] If the entry information is entered on the screen under the desired definition sub-mode, the system attaches the entered entry information to the definition distinction modifier designated in the sub-mode, and It can also be displayed on the screen.
In this case, the definition information is recognized from the entry information provided with the definition distinction modification. When the entry information is input on the screen as described above, every time the entry information is input, the character / graphic element input unit 3 is set based on the input data.
7 (FIG. 15) generates or changes document element data corresponding to each entry information.

[1080] Entries entered on the screen (character strings,
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 use level, it is convenient to use such a screen input method together with the above-described image input method. Since both the entry information entered as an image from the form and the entry information entered from the screen are managed in the system as the same document element data, the original entry information (normal entry information) on the book table or on top of it Irrespective of the definition entry information to be added, the entry information can be arbitrarily input from either the image input or the screen input.

[1100] Furthermore, 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.

[1110] A well-known on-screen designation method may be used as an item definition method for associating a data item name with a field. That is, after designating a field on the screen, a corresponding data item name is input from a predetermined sub-screen. Alternatively, a data item name to be used is registered in advance, and is displayed on the sub-screen to allow the user to select.

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. This data output process 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.

[1130] The data output process is performed under the "data output" mode. When the "mode" button on the display screen 20a is clicked (FIG. 10) and "data output" is selected from the mode list menu, the system is switched to the "data output" mode, and FIG. 36 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, and in the case of the book shown in FIG. 14 of this example, selects “1. Sales file” and clicks an “execute output” button. Good.

[1140] FIG. 37 shows the configuration of a data output unit for outputting book-related data 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. The input record storage unit 70, the file definition data storage unit 80, the book table definition data storage unit 82, the output record storage unit 76, and the data / character code conversion table 84 are configured by the internal memory 16 or the external memory 18.

[1150] FIG. 39 shows the overall procedure of data output. When the data output process is started, first, the file records are stored in the input record storage unit 70 from the output source file (monthly sales file) one by one or in a predetermined block unit via the “file manager” (FIG. 40). You.

[1160] FIG. 38 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 ”,.

[1170] The data item conversion unit 72 refers to the "file definition data" (FIG. 38) held in the file definition data storage unit 80, and the data items "BUN" and "HIN" of the input file record. , "TAN",
... are converted into data items "classification", "part number", "unit", ... in each corresponding system (FIG. 41).

[1180] 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.

[1190] The "book table definition" is executed on the file records extracted in this manner in accordance with the "book table definition data" (calculation formula definition data, etc.) stored in the book table definition data storage unit 82. .

In the case of the book shown in FIG. 14, a calculation formula “<sales> = <unit price> × <sales>” is calculated for each file record according to “calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 33). The result data is set in the data item “sales”. As a result, required output data is prepared in each file record as shown in FIG.

Next, referring to the example total definition data, the “total value storage record” is specified for each corresponding record block.
Alternatively, a “total record” is created and inserted into the output record storage unit 76 at the end of the corresponding record block in the file record sequence.

In the output record storage unit 76, each output record is grouped for each record block by a known method, and the arrangement order between each record block and the arrangement order of each record in the record block are required. It is assumed that it is available in the product.

FIG. 43 shows the format of the total record. The “type” which is the first data is data for distinguishing from other output records, and the next “example total definition data pointer” stores the address of the corresponding example total definition data. The subsequent data structure has the same structure as the other output records, but as the data, only the total value of the corresponding record block for the corresponding aggregation item is set.

In the present example, three total records are created for the example total definition data in which “subtotal” is a total designation character string, and the corresponding record blocks for the data items “number of sales” and “sales” Are stored as data of the data items “SUU” and “DAKA”, respectively. In addition, a corresponding total record is created from the example total definition data of “total”, and similarly, the total value of all output records for the data item names “sales number” and “sales amount” is the data item “SUU” “DAKA”. Is set as data. The total record corresponding to the example total definition data of “total” is stored in the output record storage unit 76.
At the end of all output records.

When the output record string has been created (step K1), it is next determined whether or not “longest character string margin definition data” (described later) has been created.
(Step K2) In the case of this example, since the same data has not been created, a process for converting each data in the output record into character string data is started. (Step K3)

[1260] The record / document element data conversion unit 78
Each file record and total record are fetched one by one 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 numerical value “396” is simply used.
Is converted into a character code string for displaying and outputting a predetermined character string "396" at a predetermined position in a predetermined book table.

[1270] The entry position in the vertical direction of each record is determined by adding a predetermined line pitch for each record, starting from the first line position of a predetermined data entry area.

[1280] Whether the row pitch information is predefined or
Alternatively, it is determined by default, and among the item definition data constituting the table, for example, the left end (first from the left side)
It is registered in the field format data of the item definition data of the column.

[1290] The entry position of each data character string in the table horizontal direction is as follows.
It can be determined based on the layout format (discrimination such as right-justification, centering, etc.) of the corresponding entry field (cell), its lateral end positions, and the character string length. Note that the color of the input characters is also the same color (black).

[1300] In the field in which the format of "only the first line is entered" is registered, such as the field of the data item "classification" in this example, only the data of the first record of the corresponding record block, the above character string Performs conversion generation to data.

If the next record retrieved is a total record from the output record string, the corresponding "exemplary total definition data" is retrieved, and the position of the entry line is determined based on the "forward interval" information registered therein. Is determined. The entry line position of the record next to the total record can be determined by the “backward interval” information in the “exemplary total definition data”.

[1320] Next, the total designation character string data is extracted from the "exemplary total definition data", and the entry line position (table vertical position) information is changed to the current entry line position obtained above. Generate

The total numeric data in the total record can be converted to (numerical) character string data just like the data in a normal record.

As described above, the document element data generated by record / document element data conversion section 78 is stored in document element data storage section 38 together with the document element data originally written in the book table. .

Therefore, 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. To identify the pattern of each document element, and convert each pattern into bitmap image data by a development program, so that the target book table output document as shown in FIG. 44 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, also in the book table definition, the user additionally writes predetermined definition support information composed of characters, symbols, and figures that are familiar to the user on 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.

Next, as a method of designating a data output format on a book table, another application example using an example entry using a character string example symbol “xxx” will be described. It is assumed that the book table format has been created on the paper as the part of (black) color entry in FIG. Each ruled line that is created in the form of so-called "rough writing" by handwriting and composes a book table,
The character string is entered at the approximate location. It is written in the same (black) color as the book table for the purpose of preparation.

The data items “number of sales” and “sales” of this book table (the third column and the fifth column from the left side of the table, respectively)
Character string example symbol "xxx" in
Each is written right-justified at an arbitrary line position (vertical position in the table). The character string example symbol “xxx” is entered as a numeric character string having the maximum length in each field of the data items “number of sales” and “sales”. As in the case of the above-described example, it is written in the same (black) color as the actually output numeric character string.

[1390] On the book table format, the definition prepared by the present system is performed as follows.
(FIG. 45) First, the definition of each item definition constituting the book table format is added in the form of supplementary definition support entry information distinguished by (blue) color in the same manner as in the above example.
On the book table format, the data item name string that is originally entered or the data item string that has been added as the definition support entry information is enclosed by the definition element symbol “<>” of “data item name”, In the corresponding field, enter the definition element symbol "[]" for "Specify range".

[1400] If there is no uniqueness in the correspondence between the data item name and the field, the two are connected by a "connection line" definition element symbol. For the item definitions that make up the out-of-line book table format, the "field" corresponding to the "data item name"
Is enclosed in the corresponding definition element, and the same operation is performed.

[1410] The dimension is defined between the "character string example symbol""xxx" written on the book table format and the left ruled line. As in the case described above, the definition support entry information of the (red) color assigned for the document creation definition is additionally entered. A “dimension auxiliary line” is drawn in the vertical direction (the direction perpendicular to the character string) to the left of the “character string example symbol” “xxx”, and the left ruled line is connected by a “dimension line”. "Dimension number" is written near the upper side of the dimension line. The above dimension definition specifies that the left ruled line that separates the relevant field should be drawn by taking the maximum length character string in the field and the margin width (margin) indicated by the above-mentioned numeric value. .

The corresponding fields (data items of “sales number” and “sales amount”) are “right-justified” by default as fields for entering numerical values, and the right ruled line of the field is The drawing is performed with a space between the entered numeric character string aligned in the direction and a predetermined set value.

In order to specify the position of each ruled line in the book table format, a dimension is defined between ruled lines or between a ruled line and a paper edge. As in the case of the above example, the definition support entry information of the (red) color assigned for the document creation definition is added. In the case of defining a dimension between crease lines, draw a "dimension line" near the extension of the specified crease line, and connect the "dimension line" to the "dimension line".
Is drawn, and a “dimension number” is entered at a predetermined position in the vicinity. As for the definition of the dimension between the edge of the sheet and the ruled line, a “dimension line” is drawn so as to connect the corresponding “dimension auxiliary line” and the edge of the sheet.

[1440] The dimension numeral "a" is entered as the (horizontal) field width of the data item "classification", and the dimension numeral "1.2a" is entered as the field width of the data item "part number". As a result, in the table for the purpose of creation, first, it is specified that the field width of the data item “part number” should be created with 1.2 times the field width of the data item “classification”. Become.

[1450] Also, as the designated dimension numbers between the ruled lines forming both lateral ends of the book table and the left and right sheet edges, "1.
3a "is entered. With this, the book table to be created has a sheet width of the left and right sides in the horizontal direction and a width of 1.1 of the horizontal field width of the data item" classification ".
This means that it is specified that the data should be created by centering with a margin of three times. As for the dimension between ruled lines for which no dimension is defined (the width dimension of the column of the book table), the dimension of the corresponding part in the book table format (FIG. 45) originally entered is used as it is for the purpose of creation. Is determined. In the case of this example, the field width of the data item “unit price” is 32 which is the original entry dimension.

In this manner, the positions of the ruled lines in the horizontal direction on the book table start from the end of the sheet and are sequentially designated. The variable "a" used for the above designation is set between the sheet end and the ruled line. Alternatively, 1.3a +
a + 1.2a + (8 + L1 + 1) +32+ (10 + L2
+1) + 1.3a is determined by solving an equation in which the paper width in the horizontal direction is set equal to 210 mm. Based on this value, the real value of each ruled line position in the horizontal direction is also determined.

In the above formula for adding the dimension between ruled lines, L1 and L2 are the longest character string lengths of “number of sales” and “sales”, respectively, and the numerical value “L” added after L1 and L2 is “ 1 "is a standard right margin value of the corresponding field.

When the book format sheet defined as described above is input to the system via the scanner 10, the corresponding document element data and definition data are generated from the image data as in the above-described example. Then, they are combined to create definition data. As in the case of the above-described application example, first, as the document creation definition data, “dimension definition data” between the character string example symbol “xxx” and its left ruled line is individually defined. Created.

[1490] As "designation target information" of "dimension definition data" to be created, "ruled line data" of the corresponding ruled line and definition element data of the corresponding character string illustration symbol are set. The “target designation information” for designating the character string example symbol is provided with “reference classification information” indicating that the “left end” of the character string is a reference line.

Next, "item definition data" and "item definition data chain" in the table are created in the same manner as in the above example.

Next, in the table, the above-described individual definition data are combined to create combination definition data. First, the character string example symbol "xxx" is entered in each field of the data items "sales number" and "sales amount", and the dimension is defined with the end (ruled line) of the left field. Is identified, and it is determined that a left margin (margin) value corresponding to the maximum length character string is specified for the corresponding field, and “longest character string margin definition data” is created. (FIG. 46) The “longest character string margin definition data” is created for each designated field, points to the corresponding item definition data, and has a designated margin value.

As described above, when the “longest character string margin definition data” is created in the table, in the definition in the book table format, the combination corresponding to the definition data combination rule prepared by the other system is used. Finally, as in the above example, finally, out-of-line item definition data and calculation formula definition data are created, book management data (see FIG. 34) is created, and related definition data is collected. deep. "Longest character string margin definition data" and each "dimension definition data" created for this book table format
Point from the same data.

When the same "data output" instruction is given to the book format in which the definition data is generated based on the definition as described above, similarly to FIG. The output record sequence having the data to be output to the book table is arranged in the output record storage unit 76 by following the procedure described above.

Next, in “determination of longest character string margin definition” (step K2) in the same procedure, it is determined whether or not “longest character string margin definition data” is created in the corresponding book table. In the case of this example, since the same definition data has been created, the process branches to “(the longest character string) output data dependent format creation process”. FIG. 47 shows the overall procedure of the "output data dependent format creation process".

[1550] "Output data dependent format creation processing"
First, the "longest character string margin definition data"
For the field in which is created, find the longest of the data strings output in it. (Step S1) Each data is converted into a character code string by the record / document element data conversion unit 78 in the same manner as in the above-described example, and a predetermined character pitch and character size are set in the corresponding field. By referring to the length of each output data character string, the longest one is obtained from the length by a known method. In the case of this example, for example, the longest character string in the “sales amount” field is determined to be 10 mm, and the longest character string in the “sales amount” field is determined to be 25 mm.

Next, based on the length of the longest output data character string obtained as described above and the margin value specified in the “longest character string margin definition data”, the width of the corresponding field (in the present example) In this case, the length in the horizontal direction is obtained. (Step S
2) In the case of this example, the corresponding fields (the fields of the data items “sales quantity” and “sales”) are “right-justified” by default as fields for entering numerical values,
The right margin of the data string of the field is set to a certain standard value. The required field width can be obtained by adding the specified margin value on the left side and the standard margin value on the right side to the longest character string length described above.

In the “output data dependent format creation / output processing”, next, the width dimension (horizontal length) of the field defined in the “longest character string margin definition” obtained above and another ruled line, or Then, the position of the ruled line forming the book table format is obtained based on the dimension definition defined between the ruled line and the sheet edge. FIG. 48 shows the procedure of this “ruled line position determination procedure”.

In the “ruled line position determining procedure”, each “position of ruled line on paper” constituting the book table is obtained. Here, the “ruled line position” refers to a horizontal position in the case of a vertical (direction) ruled line, and refers to a vertical position in the case of a horizontal (directional) ruled line.

[1590] The "ruled line position determination procedure" is applied when a dimension is defined between ruled lines constituting a book table or between a ruled line and another position on a document (including a sheet edge). In the case of this example, it is applied in the horizontal direction. The vertical direction is not applied, and the vertical position of each ruled line is the original writing position on the sheet as it is for the purpose of creation.

In the “ruled line position determination order”, first,
A "reference position" at which a position on the paper is determined is obtained, and from that, each ruled line position is sequentially obtained. The “reference position” is a position at which the position on the paper is fixed, for example,
There is a paper edge or a position of a document element (ruled line or the like) to which "reference position designation" described later is given. For the document element given to "designation of reference position", the position where the original element is entered is used as it is for the purpose of creation. In the present system, the reference position is specified, for example, by adding a definition element symbol “△”.

First, search is made for a ruled line in a book table designated as a "reference position" or a "reference position" whose distance from the ruled line in the book table is "dimension defined". (Step T1) In the case of this example, the left and right sheet edges are obtained as “reference positions”,
For example, the left edge of the sheet is selected as the “starting position” to be obtained by sequentially adding the positions of the ruled lines.

Starting from the left end position of the paper selected as the “start position”, the designated dimension value between the paper edge and the ruled line or between the ruled lines is
The position of the creation purpose is calculated for each ruled line. (Step T2) Using the upper left point of the paper as the origin,
The horizontal position is “0” for the left end of the sheet, and “0 + 1.3a = 1.3” for the first ruled line on the left side.
a ”, and the second ruled line from the left is“ 1.3a
+ A = 2.3a ".
As described above, in the case of adjacent ruled lines for which no dimension is defined, the distance between the positions where the two ruled lines are originally written is
This addition method is specified.

The width in the horizontal direction of the “sales number” and “sales” fields defined in “longest character string margin definition” is the margin value defined on the left side by the longest character string length. And the standard margin value on the right,
8 + 10 + 1 = 19 and 10 + 25 + 1 = 36.

The position of each ruled line thus determined for the purpose of creation is stored in the “ruled line position correspondence data” in the form of a “pair” with the entry position where the corresponding ruled line is originally written. (FIG. 49) The original entry position of each ruled line is obtained from the horizontal position information of the corresponding ruled line data. The "ruled line position correspondence data" is composed of "ruled line data block" which is information for each ruled line. The "ruled line position data block" is arranged in the "ruled line position correspondence data" in the order in which the corresponding ruled lines are arranged on the paper. . In each “ruled line data block”, “primary entry position” and “creation target position”
And are stored in pairs.

[1650] The "position to be created" is stored as fixed-length numerical data when it is obtained as a numerical value. In the case of a character string including a variable name as in this example, a variable-length character code is used. The data is stored as column data, and "partition data" indicating the above-mentioned division is added at the head.

Subsequently, the next ruled line is taken out, its "target position" is obtained, and it is determined whether or not the ruled line is the "reference position" described above. (Step T3).
If it is the "reference position", then the next ruled line is taken out and the cycle for finding a position for the purpose of creation is stopped. In the case of this example, the "reference position" does not appear up to the right end of the sheet, and a cycle is performed in which the specified dimensions are added up to that point. If the designation of the "reference position" described above appears in the ruled lines that are successively taken out, the positions of the remaining ruled lines may be obtained by applying the "ruled line position determination procedure" again from the beginning. .

Next, it is determined whether or not the creation target position of each ruled line obtained as described above is obtained as a numerical value (step T4). If it is obtained as a numerical value, the "ruled line position setting procedure" is performed here. finish. If the target position for creation is an expression that includes a variable name, as in this example, an equation in which the specified value and the variable expression obtained by the addition are equal for the last "reference position" is set up. (Step T5), this is solved. (Step T6)

In the case of this example, 1.3a + a + 1.2a + 1 obtained by sequentially adding the designated dimensions for the right side of the paper edge.
Equation 1.3a + a + 1.2a + 19 + where 9 + 32 + 36 + 1.3a is equal to the right paper edge position 210.
Solving 32 + 36 + 1.3a = 210, a ≒ 25.6
Is obtained. The above equation is represented in the format shown in FIG. 33, and a solution can be obtained by a known method. The obtained solution is represented in the form shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the value of the variable obtained as described above is substituted into the creation target position expressed by the variable for each ruled line, and its real value is obtained. (Step T7) The target data for creating the ruled line position correspondence data is replaced from the variable expression to the real numerical expression obtained above.

[1700] As described above, for each ruled line, when the ruled line position for the purpose of creation is completed, the position information of the corresponding document element data such as the ruled line, character string, etc. forming the book table is restored based on the ruled line position. Updates the source entry reading to the intended purpose. (FIG. 47, step S4) FIG. 50 shows a procedure for updating the position information of the document elements constituting the book table.

First, the position information of the corresponding ruled line data is
Replaces the original source entry reading position with the creation destination position. (Step P1) On the basis of the position information of the original entry in each original ruled line data, a corresponding "data block for each ruled line" is obtained in "ruled line position corresponding data".
This can be performed by identifying the corresponding creation target position.

Next, the arrangement format of each character string entered in the book table in the corresponding cell is determined. (Step P2) As the layout format, a distinction is made between "centering", "right-right" and "left-left" entries in the cell. This determination is made by identifying the entry cell of each character string and comparing the corresponding character string data with the horizontal position information of the cell data.

First, both end positions of the circumscribed rectangle are obtained from the corresponding character string data. The character string head position is registered as horizontal position information of the character string data. The end position of the character string can be obtained by obtaining the character string length by referring to the character code string, the character pitch, and the character size information, and adding it to the head position.

Subsequently, the left and right margin lengths ML and MR in the corresponding cell are determined, and the ratio between the ratio and a predetermined threshold value is determined to determine the discrimination of the layout format. In the case of this example, for example, when ML / MR> 0.5, “leftward”, ML / M
If R <2, it is determined to be "right-justified", otherwise it is determined to be "centering".

Subsequently, the position information of each character string is updated. (Step P3) For the corresponding entry cell, a new creation target position at both ends in the horizontal direction is obtained with reference to the "ruled line position correspondence data", and the character string creation target position is determined based on the division of the arrangement format obtained above. I do. For example, in the case of centering entry, the positions of both ends in the horizontal direction of the entry cell are X1,
X2, and the character string length is L, the character string head position is
It can be obtained as (X1 + X2) / 2−L / 2.

Finally, the cell data is updated.
(Step P4) Since the positions of both ends in the horizontal direction of each cell are also the horizontal positions of ruled lines forming both ends in the horizontal direction, for each cell data, refer to “ruled line position corresponding data”.
The position information at both ends in the horizontal direction may be updated from the original “primary entry position” to the “creation target position”.

As described above, according to the longest character string length of the designated field, the output data is arranged and written on the book table format in which the constituent ruled lines and constituent character strings have been repositioned. At the same time as the above case, for each data in the output record, the position information of the character string data may be determined. In this way, a desired book output document as shown in FIG. 51 can be obtained, for example, on the display screen 20a. Further, it can be printed out by the printing device 22 or transmitted by facsimile by the communication device 24.

The above-described method of determining the position of the ruled line by defining the dimensions can be applied as it is to the usual method of creating a table without adding a book table definition.

That is, as shown in FIG. 53, a sheet on which only the dimension definition has been performed by adding (red) color on the rough-filled table is input to the apparatus of this embodiment by a scanner, and a “definition interpretation” button is clicked. When the instruction is given, the apparatus recognizes the character string and the ruled line on the paper and creates the corresponding character string data and ruled line data. Further, when the "execute" button is supported, the apparatus performs the ruled line position determining procedure in the same manner as in the above example, and then updates the corresponding ruled line data and character string data to obtain a desired table document. .

[1800] Also, from the book table definition example shown in FIG. 45 (blue)
After removing the item definition added by the above and inputting the form with only the character string illustration symbol indicating the longest character string and the dimension definition in the field into the scanner, the screen where all the entry information on the form is recognized and displayed Consider an operation of adding an item definition by a known method from above. When a data output instruction is given to the book table, the same procedure as in the above example is followed, and the same data output result is obtained.

The present invention uses a program or software for realizing the functions of the present invention described above. 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 implementing the present invention as a business, an act of installing the software online in a system, and the like are one embodiment of the present invention.

[1820]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In order to indicate the format, add a simple and familiar definition support entry information after the typical entry that is made every day, and specify the format directly and intelligibly, and easily create the desired book table be able to.

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily create a book of desired dimensions by conditional specification by defining dimensions within a ruled line or between a ruled line and a reference position. it can.

Also, according to the present invention, by defining a dimension between a specific symbol exemplarily entered and a corresponding ruled line, a book table of dimensions corresponding to the length of the output data character string can be obtained. It can be easily created.

In addition, according to the present invention, setting of a format according to an output data character string or conditional specification of a book table format dimension can be performed by an exemplary entry and a definition support entry. Allows format to be set on paper.

[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 illustrating a data format example of “definition element identification data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a “definition information discriminating instruction screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition information distinction data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a “main mode screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a book sheet before entry of exemplary entry and definition support entry information for total output in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a book sheet on which an example entry for total output is performed in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a book sheet according to a modification in which an example entry for total output is made in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a book sheet in which definition support entry information for total output is entered in the system of the embodiment.

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 “dimension definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “item definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a diagram schematically illustrating the structure of “item definition data chain” performed in “creation of book” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “cell data” 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 data format example of “exemplary total definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating “data definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

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

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “book management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of terms included in an applied term dictionary in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram showing a “data output mode screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data output unit in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “file definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a creation procedure of “overall data output procedure” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a file management unit in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a process of converting data items on the output source file side into data items in the system in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating an arrangement order of “file records” obtained by executing “sort” of book definition in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 43: “Total records” in the system of the embodiment
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of FIG.

FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a book table to which data has been output in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a diagram showing a book sheet on which an example entry for “maximum length margin definition” and definition support entry information have been entered in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “longest character string margin definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart illustrating a creation procedure of a “book table format dynamic creation procedure” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart illustrating a creation procedure of “ruled line position determination procedure” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “ruled line position correspondence data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart illustrating a creation procedure of “book table constituent document element data update procedure” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of a book table in which data is input in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen of a book table in which data is input in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a screen example of a table in which dimensions are defined 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 22 printing device 24 CPU 27 communication device 30 document image input unit 32 document image storage unit 34 character / graphic element recognition unit 36 character / graphic pattern dictionary 37 Character / graphic element input section 38 Document element data storage section 40 Document image display output section 42 Definition element data generation section 44 Definition element data storage section 45 Associative rule (constitutive rule) 46 Definition data generation section 48 Definition element identification data storage section 50 definition information distinction data storage unit 52 applied term dictionary 54 definition data storage 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 Table definition data storage unit 84 the data / code conversion table

Claims (5)

[Claims] At least a step of exemplifying a data output format using at least a specific symbol representing a character string of entry data, and adding definition support entry information which is a specific symbol and a character string assigned exclusively for definition. Filling step, analyzing the combination of the above-mentioned example entry information and definition support entry information, generating the required format information, and creating a book table format based on the generated format information and output data, Obtaining an output data character string thereon. 2. A step of setting a dimension between ruled lines constituting a book format or between a ruled line and a reference position which is a position fixed on a sheet, and setting the position of each ruled line on the sheet. A book table creation method including a step of obtaining dimensions by adding dimensions. 3. An algebraic expression at a specified position obtained by adding a set dimension including an algebraic expression document and an equation in which the specified real number position is made equal, and a variable obtained by solving the expression is substituted again. 3. The book table creation method according to claim 2, wherein a real numerical value of each ruled line position is obtained. 4. The method according to claim 2, wherein a dimension is specified between the specific symbol representing the longest character string in the corresponding field and the corresponding ruled line, and each ruled line is positioned in accordance with the longest output data character string. How to create the book table described. 5. A means for inputting entry information consisting of characters, symbols or graphics entered in a document on paper or an electronic document, a means for identifying definition support entry information entered exclusively for definition, Means for analyzing the exemplary filled-in output format based on the identified definition support entry information and generating required book table format information; and creating a book table format based on the book table format information and the output data. And an output unit for outputting a data character string.