JP2003108331A - Method for data conversion, program and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently convert binary data proper to a variety of applications into data in an XML (Extensible Markup Language) format with high liquidity and visibility capable of processing simultaneously images, characters and ruled lines. SOLUTION: A method for data conversion comprises a first conversion step of converting proper binary data such applications as WORD (RM) and EXCEL (RM) into data in an EMF format to print out by a printer driver 30 of an application 28 and a second conversion step of converting the data in the EMF format into the data in the XML format by a data conversion program 32 in reference to a creation rule described in correspondence with an application 38 using the data in the XML format including elements such as the characters, ruled lines and images.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a printing function and OCR.
Data conversion of a computer system having functions, program, method, device and recording medium, especially XML having information such as highly visible characters on a text base from data of paper management, image files and data formats peculiar to various applications The present invention relates to a data conversion program, method, device, and recording medium for converting data in the format.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the unique data of various application software can be basically handled only by the application software itself, and the data described here must be handled by another application. Had to have the conversion function in the application software itself.

The data recorded and stored on a sheet of paper, which is a print medium, is stored in the data stored on the paper by activating application software for electronic data processing using a computer. It is common to do complicated work such as inputting this software from the keyboard while looking.

Regarding the diversion of application-specific data among these problems, there is, for example, Adobe Acrobat (R) or the like as a system having a method of generating a special file of another format by using a printing system. Can be unified into one format file.

The data printed on paper or stored as an image file is stored in a scanner or the current OC.
If you use R (character recognition) software, you can convert it to a character-based text file.

[0006]

However, in the conventional system for uniformly converting data into a specific data format, it can be said that the management is easy because it can be unified into one format file. The special application software for reading this special file format is still necessary, and it is a data format that cannot be understood by humans because it is binary data. For example, it is referred to on a special operating system (device built-in OS, etc.). The reality is that it is incomplete, such as being unable to do anything.

[0007] Further, it is not possible to easily transfer the data to another tabulation application software such as Excel (R) or incorporate it into a calculation formula, and there is a problem in terms of diversion of asset data. There is.

On the other hand, the XML format file, which is generalized as a database, is compatible with the Internet (HTTP protocol) because it is text-based, and is written in a format that is easy for humans to interpret. It is often used as an intermediate database, and can be said to be remarkably more versatile than an HTML file or the like for the purpose of reference.

The present invention is a data conversion program, method, and device for efficiently converting binary data unique to various applications into XML format data with high fluidity and visibility that can simultaneously handle images, characters, and ruled lines. And to provide a recording medium.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.

The present invention is a data conversion program,
In the computer, a first conversion step of converting the first format data unique to the application 28 into the second format data to be output to the printer by the print function (printer driver 30) of the application, and characters, ruled lines, graphics, etc. Performing a second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data by referring to the production rule description file 34 described corresponding to the application 38 using the third format data including the elements. Is characterized by.

The first conversion step converts the first format data into the second format data of the EMF format by the printer driver 30, and the second conversion step converts the second format data of the EMF format into the third format data of the XML format. Convert to. The first format data converted in the first conversion step is binary data including a word (R) format or an Excel (R) format.

Therefore, according to the present invention, as long as the OS has a printing function for the application, no further special measures are required and the actual printing device need not be connected, and various applications Different binary format data is converted into, for example, EMF format data for printer output, and then converted into XML format data. Therefore, different binary format data can be uniformly converted into XML format data. .

Further, in the present invention, the data is internally interpreted and converted by referring to the generation rule prepared corresponding to the application software that handles the XML format data file, and the XML format file is handled accordingly. It can be converted into the most suitable form for various application software.

According to another aspect of the data conversion program of the present invention, a character recognition (OCR) application converts the first format data of an image of a print medium read by a scanner or an image read from an image file to a computer. After that, the first conversion step of converting into the second format data to be output to the printer by the print function of the application and the description corresponding to the application using the third format data including elements such as characters, ruled lines, and figures The second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data with reference to the generated generation rule is performed.

Therefore, even an image printed on paper or an image stored in an image file can be smoothly and uniformly converted into XML format data by passing through the data conversion by the printing function of the document recognition application. , The diversion of data will be improved.

In the second conversion step, after converting the data into the third format data, an application that handles the converted third format data is automatically activated to pass the data. Thus, the data conversion function of the present invention can be incorporated into the application start condition as an input data conversion function of an application that handles XML format data, and can function as an application that handles various binary formats even though it is an XML format application. it can.

In the second conversion step, the definition of the element name and the attribute name in the XML format is described in the generation rule, and the definition of the element name can be changed by the user according to the input of the operator. For this reason, even if an application handles the XML format, only the data format is XML, and different element names and attribute names are often dealt with, and the application-specific element names are often used.
The user can set the definition of the rule for generating the element name and the attribute name while confirming the rule so as to be compatible with different applications handling the L format.

The present invention provides a data conversion method for converting application-specific first format data into
A first conversion step of converting into second format data for outputting to a printer by the print function of the application;
Third format data (XM including elements such as characters, ruled lines, and figures)
The second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data by referring to the generation rule described corresponding to the application using the L format data).

In another form of data conversion method,
A first conversion in which an image of a print medium read by a scanner or an image read from an image file is converted into first format data by a document recognition application and then converted into second format data to be output to a printer by a printing function of the application. The second format data is converted into the third format data by referring to the generation rule described corresponding to the step and the application using the third format data (XML format data) including elements such as characters, ruled lines, and figures. And a second converting step for converting. The definition can be set while the user confirms it.

[0021] The present invention provides a data converter, which converts application-specific first format data into
A first conversion unit for converting the data into a second format data to be output to the printer by the print function of the application;
Second conversion for converting the second format data into the third format data by referring to the generation rule described corresponding to the application that uses the third format data (XML format data) including elements such as ruled lines and figures And a section.

In another form of the data conversion device,
A first conversion in which an image of a print medium read by a scanner or an image read from an image file is converted into first format data by a document recognition application and then converted into second format data to be output to a printer by a printing function of the application. The second format data is converted into the third format data by referring to the generation rule described corresponding to the application that uses the third format data (XML format data) including the part and elements such as characters, ruled lines, and graphics. Second to convert
And a conversion unit.

The present invention provides a computer-readable recording medium in which a data conversion program is stored. The program stored in the recording medium causes a computer to print application-specific first format data and print the application. A first conversion step for converting the data into a second format data to be output to the printer by the function;
Second conversion for converting the second format data into the third format data by referring to the generation rule described corresponding to the application that uses the third format data (XML format data) including elements such as ruled lines and figures Perform steps and.

According to another aspect of the program stored in a computer-readable recording medium, a computer recognizes an image of a print medium read by a scanner or an image read from an image file in a first format by a document recognition application. After the data conversion, the first conversion step of converting the data into the second format data to be output to the printer by the printing function of the application, and the third format data (XML format data) including elements such as characters, ruled lines and figures
And a second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data with reference to the generation rule described corresponding to the application that uses the.

The details of the method, apparatus and recording medium are basically the same as those of the data conversion program.

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 2 is a basic configuration diagram of a computer to which the data conversion of the present invention is applied. The computing device of the computer is realized by the CPU 10, and the main storage device 14, the input device 16, the output device 18, and the auxiliary storage device 20 are connected to the CPU 10 via the bus 12.

The main storage device 14 is a memory such as a RAM that can be read and written by a semiconductor storage device. The input device 16 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a trackball, and the like. The output device 18 includes a CRT display device, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, a printer, a plotter, and the like as needed.

The auxiliary storage device 20 includes a hard disk drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, a semiconductor memory, etc., and a magnetic disk and a magneto-optical disk correspond to the storage medium 22 of the hard disk drive and the magneto-optical disk drive. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the scanner 24 is provided as necessary for reading an image printed on paper and converting the data, and the scanner 24 is included in the input device 16.

A data conversion program for implementing the data conversion method of the present invention is installed in, for example, a magnetic disk of a hard disk drive in the auxiliary storage device 20, read from the auxiliary storage device 20, and expanded in the main storage device 14. However, the data conversion is executed by the CPU 10.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of processing functions by data conversion of the present invention. The data to be converted in the data conversion of the present invention is the document data 26.
For example, when Windows (R) is used as the OS of the computer, it is a data file in the word (R) format or the Excel (R) format.

For example, in the case of the word (R) format document data 26 that handles the document data 26, the word (R)
Are provided as the application 28. Further, when handling the document data 26 in the Excel (R) format, the Excel (R) is provided as the application 28.

The application 28 such as the word (R) or the Excel (R) is provided with the printing function in cooperation with the application itself, and the printing dialog is opened on the menu screen of the application 28 to perform the printing operation. When instructed, the printer driver 30 provided as a printing function converts the document data 26 into a data format for outputting to the printer and outputs it.

The data file format converted and output by the printer driver 30 is converted into an EMF format data file when Windows (R) is used.

The data conversion of the present invention is performed by the printer driver 3
It is performed by the data conversion program 32 provided subsequent to 0. The data conversion program 32 takes in, for example, an EMF data file output from the printer driver 30, converts the EMF format data into XML format data according to the contents defined in the generation rule description file 34,
The XML data file 36 is generated. Then, after the XML data file 36 is generated, the application 28 that can handle the related XML is started, and the converted XML
The L data file 36 is delivered.

Since the generation method description file 34 has a different description method in the XML format for each application 28 that handles XML, it corresponds so as to match each application and to set the extension and the program path of the application. We are preparing production rules. The contents of the generation rule description file 34 will be clarified later.

Further, when converting the EMF data file from the printer driver 30 into the XML data file 36, the data conversion program 32 sequentially reads the following functions and executes the processing. (1) XML file creation start processing function (2) Page data analysis processing function (3) XML file creation end processing function FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the basic processing procedure by the data conversion of the present invention shown in FIG. . First, step S1
Then, the XML file creation start process is performed. Since this embodiment uses the case of using Windows (R) as an example, the document data 26 of the application 28 by the printer driver 30 is converted into an EMF format data file by the printer driver 30 for outputting to the printer in step S2. The print data to be converted is converted into EMF.

Subsequently, page data analysis processing is performed on the EMF data file in step S3, and the corresponding conversion modules are used for each data such as characters, ruled lines, and images contained in the EMF data file. Performs data conversion to XML format.

Then, after deleting the EMF file for one page created in step S4, it is checked in step S5 whether or not all the pages are finished, and the steps S2 to S4 are repeated until all the pages are finished. When the end of all pages is determined in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6, the XML file creation ending process is performed, and the series of data conversion is ended.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a user interface for activating data conversion by the data conversion program 32 of the present invention shown in FIG. As the user interface shown in FIG. 5, the print dialog 40 expanded by clicking the print (P) displayed when the file of the toolbar of the Windows (R) word (R) document screen corresponding to the application 28 is opened. To use.

According to the present invention, an XML application selection list box 41 is provided in the printing dialog 40. In the application selection list box 41, a data name of the data conversion program 32 of the present invention, for example, "FF99 FORMCREa" is displayed.
“TER” is displayed, and when the list box is opened, one or a plurality of applications 28 that handle the converted XML data file are listed therein.

Therefore, when the XML application selection list box 41 is opened and the name of the application that handles the XML data to be converted is clicked, data conversion by the data conversion program 32 of the present invention is started, and after conversion to the XML data file 36, click. The created application 28 is automatically started, and the processing related to the converted XML data file 36 is executed.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the generation rule selection dialog 42 displayed when the application name is selected from the XML data application selection list box 41 of FIG. 5 to start the data conversion material.

X is displayed in the production rule selection dialog 42.
The job name of the application that handles the ML data file, for example, "software purchase specification" and the name of the generation rule "WORD.rul" corresponding to this are shown.

Of course, the production rule selection list box 4
If you open 4, the names of the generation rules corresponding to the other applications that handle XML data files are listed, and the generation rules corresponding to the applications in the XML that the user wants to start from the list in the list box are listed. By selecting and setting the application 28 prepared in advance in the generation rule description file 34 of FIG.
Data conversion program 3 using generation rules corresponding to
The conversion to the XML data file 36 by 2 is performed.

Next, the XML file creation start process of step S1, the page data analysis process of step S3, and the XML file creation end process of step S6 shown in the flowchart of the basic processing procedure of FIG. This will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the details of the XML file creation start processing in step S1 of FIG. In the XML file creation start processing, a new file in XML format is created as "document title" plus "extension" according to the creation rule description file 34 in step S1.

Then, in step S2, an XML header is similarly created according to the creation rule description file 34 and written in the file. The XML header created in step S2 is, for example, as shown in FIG. The element names and attribute names of the generation rule description file 34 used to create the header will be clarified later.

9 and 10 are flow charts showing details of the page data analysis process in step S3 of FIG. In this page data analysis process, EMF
The internal analysis of the data file is performed, and even if data such as characters, ruled lines, and images are distributed, the data is converted into the XML format and saved by using each conversion module.

The page data analysis process starts with step S.
In 1, the page header is created according to the generation rule description file 34 and written in the file. Next, in step S2, EMF is performed.
Read one record in the file.

Next, in step S3, it is checked whether the generation rule is programmable. This is the character of EMF data,
Since the internal rules can be read out for the conversion rules such as ruled lines and images, the generation rule description file 34 is set for each data material, or the conversion rule of the internal program for ending the generation rules is set or the user can set it. .

That is, when the generation rule is not programmable in step S3, it is read from the generation rule description file 34 and expanded in the memory. On the other hand, if the generation rule is programmable, the process proceeds to step S5, the external program is read, and the memory is expanded to the generation rule.

Next, in step S6, the commands of the records are classified. Here, there are the following seven categories of records in the EMF file. (1) Font face change record (2) Text color change record (3) Pen change record (4) Pen position change record (5) Character information (6) Ruled line information (7) Image information Therefore, the command of the record in step S6 When a specific type is discriminated by the classification, the corresponding step S
The processing from 7 to S13 is performed. If the record type is the end command, the EMF file close processing is performed in step S14.

As command processing of classified records,
A step S7 extracts the font face name from the font face change record and encodes the variable according to the generation rule. Further set the font size.
The text color is extracted from the text color change record in step S8.

The pen color is extracted from the pen change record in step S9. For the pen position change record in step S10, the pen X coordinate and the pen Y coordinate are extracted. Regarding the character information in step S11, the character information is converted into XML format data and recorded in a file.
Regarding the ruled line information in step S12, the ruled line information is XML.
Convert the format and record the file. Further step S
The image information 13 is converted into XML format image information and recorded in a file.

Of these, the conversion of the character information, ruled line information, and image information into XML files in steps S11 to S13 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. When the EMF file close processing to the end command is performed in step S14, the process proceeds to step S15 in FIG. 10 to create a page footer according to the generation rule description file 34, write the page footer in the file, and return to the main routine in FIG.

11 to 13 show step S11 in FIG.
5 is a flowchart of a processing procedure of recording an XML file of character information in FIG. In this character information XML file recording processing procedure, first, XML is performed in steps S1 to S4.
It has a mechanism that allows the user to interactively change the element name and attribute name of each EMF data for conversion into the format. Therefore, the mechanism specified by the user can be performed in the generation rule description file 34.

First, in step S1, it is checked whether or not the generation rule description file 34 is described in an interactive format.
If it is described in the interactive form, it is checked in step S2 whether the element name and the attribute name are required in the generation rule developed in the memory.

If the generation rule satisfies this condition, the process proceeds to step S3, and a dialog for setting the element name and the attribute name is displayed. Information such as text and coordinates is displayed in this dialog, and the user can interactively change the element name and attribute name by inputting them.

Next, in step S4, the element name and attribute name input by the user are saved. Details of changing the settings of the element names and attribute names used for converting to the XML format by the dialog format with the user in steps S1 to S4 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be specifically described in Section 9.

Next, in step S5, the generated storage relating to the character information of the EMF data is copied onto the memory as a character information tag. Next, in step S6,% POSX% is generated and stored.
It is checked whether or not there is, and if there is, E in step S7.
The start X coordinate of the MF record is extracted as "POSX".

Next, in step S8, PosX is once set to 288.
Generation rule "Scale" even if converted to 00 dpi logical value
It is converted according to the calculation of and replaced with the% POSX% portion of the character information tag.

A similar coordinate extraction conversion is performed in steps S9 to S.
In step 11, the start Y coordinate of the EMF record is performed. Subsequently, in steps S12 to S14, the character width of the EMF record is converted into the XML format.

The following steps S5 to S7 are the XML format conversion of the height of the EMF record. When the conversion of the start X coordinate, the start Y coordinate, the character width, and the character height is established in this way, the character string of the EMF record is extracted and the data conversion to the XML format is performed in steps S18 to S21.

When the character string conversion is completed, the process proceeds to FIG. 13, the font size conversion is performed in steps S22 and S23, the font conversion is performed in steps S24 and S25, and the color conversion is performed in steps S26 and S27. ,
The character information tag generated in this way is used in step S28.
To write in XML format and return to the main routine of FIG. By such a recording process of the XML file of the character information in FIGS. 11 to 13, a tag of the character information as shown in FIG. 14 is created.

FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are flowcharts showing details of the recording processing procedure of the XML file of the ruled line information in step S6 of FIG. XML of this ruled line information
In the file recording processing procedure, steps S1 to S4
Allows the user to interactively change the element names and attribute names necessary for converting ruled line information.

Subsequently, in step S5, the generation rule including the element name and the attribute name changed by the user or the generation memory from the generation rule description file 34 is copied onto the memory as ruled line tag information. Next, in steps S6 to S9, the ruled line start coordinates (X, Y) of the EMF record are converted into the respective XML formats.

Next, proceeding to FIG. 16, steps S10 to S1.
In step 4, the width of the ruled line is extracted and converted into the XML format. That is,
In step S10, there is% width% in the generation rule, and in step S11, PenX of the X coordinate of the pen position of the EMF record in the diagonal position with respect to the ruled line start coordinates (X, Y).
2 is extracted, and the ruled line start coordinates (X,
Y) and PenX are calculated as the width in the X-axis direction from the bottom. After converting to XML format in step S13,
Initialize in step 14.

In the next steps S15 to S19,
By extracting the Y coordinate, the ruled line in the Y-axis direction and the height are extracted and converted to the XML format. Steps S20-S
In 22, the tag information of the ruled line is converted into the XML format. Finally, the ruled line information tag generated in step S22 is written in the XML format and the process returns to the routine of FIG. By the process of recording the ruled line information in the XML file in FIGS. 15 and 16, a ruled line information tag in the XML format as shown in FIG. 17, for example, is created.

18 to 20 show step S13 of FIG.
3 is a detailed processing procedure for recording an XML file of image information in FIG. The process for recording the XML file of the image information allows the user to set the element name and the attribute name in an interactive format in steps S1 to S5.

Then, in steps S6 to S8, the start X coordinate is converted into XML format, in steps S9 to S11 the start Y coordinate is converted into XML format, and from step S12 to step S12.
In step S14, the character width of the image information is converted into the XML format, and in steps S15 to S17, the height of the image information is converted into the XML format. Then step S1
8. In S19, even if the bitmap image is expanded from the EMF record into the memory, it is converted into the specified image format according to the generation rule.

Next, in step S20 of FIG. 20, it is checked whether or not the generation rule specifies that the image should be stored in another file. If specified, the image file in XML format converted into another image file is saved in step S21, and this file path is written in% imagedata% in the image information tag.

If another file is not designated in step S20, the image file converted in step S22 is encoded in the encoding format designated in the generation rule "ImageType". Image information is also% in the tag
Write to imagedata%. Finally step S
The image information tag generated in 23 is written in the XML format file, and the process returns to the routine of FIG.

The image information tag as shown in FIG. 21, for example, is created by the process of recording the XML file of the image information shown in FIGS.

FIG. 22 shows X in step S6 of FIG.
It is a flow chart of ML creation end processing. This XML
Upon completion of the creation, in step S1, an XML footer is created according to the creation rule description file 34 and written in the XML format file.

Further, as the footer created here, for example, the one shown in the example of FIG. 23 is created. Next, in step S2, an application associated with the extension of the XML format file is started, and the converted XML file is delivered as a parameter to the started application.

24 and 25 show, as an example, specific contents of the generation rule description file 34 used in the data conversion processing according to the present invention shown in detail in FIGS. 7 to 23. The content of the generation rule description file 34 is not limited to the XML format, and can be defined so that it can be started up in a general file in the text data format.

In the examples of FIGS. 24 and 25, XM
It processes the production rules for applications that can handle L, but the format itself can be freely described in the dialogue, and the reserved white space words enclosed by "%%" can be freely used in the description. XM that matched that
It will be recorded in the L format file.

The reserved words defined in the generation rule description file 34 shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 are as shown in FIG. Of course, reserved words are limited to the example of FIG. The format enclosed by "%%" is not limited.

FIG. 27 shows the structure of an EMF format data file converted as print data by the printer driver 30 which is the conversion target of the data conversion program 32 for performing the data conversion of the present invention in FIG.

This EMF data file 31 is shown in FIG.
As described above, the header, the font record, the text color change record, the pen record of FIG. 28, the character information record, the ruled line information record, the image information record of FIG.

That is, the EMF data file 31 has a format in which each drawing element including information such as a header is sequentially listed. By sequentially reading this data from the beginning, each element is accurately extracted, and XML is extracted. Can be converted to a format.

The extraction by each element of the EMF data file 31 is performed by the record command classification of step S6 of FIG. 9, and the XML conversion processing of steps S7 to S13 is performed on each element according to the classification result. Become.

Next, when converting the XML format data, the EM
A specific example in the case where the user interactively changes the setting of the element name and attribute name of the F data will be described.

FIG. 30 shows the ruled line information of the original document as X.
It is an explanatory view of user specification to convert into an input field in ML format. In FIG. 30, a rectangle 48 is described in the original document 46 such as a word (R) by ruled line information, and rectangles 50 and 52 corresponding to “name” and “address” are described in the rectangle 48.

When the original document 46 is converted into the XML format, the rectangle 48 is "rectangle" as the conversion type.
On the other hand, by specifying "input field" as the conversion type for the rectangles 50 and 52, it is possible to display the XML form template 54 as the conversion result.

In this form template 54, the rectangle 56 is the same as the original document 46, but the original document 46 corresponding to the "name" and "address" therein is included.
In the XML format, the rectangles 50 and 52 are converted into input fields 58 and 60.

FIG. 31 is a specific example of a dialog used as a user interface for generating the XML-formatted form template 54 for the original document 46 of FIG.

FIG. 31A shows a conversion designation dialog 62a displayed first, in which a rectangle 48 is displayed in a red line on the right side screen 66, and a "red tag name and type of part changed to red" is displayed. Please set. "Is displayed, and the list boxes for input and input are displayed corresponding to the tag name 63 and the type 64.

Therefore, since the tag name 63 is not particularly entered, "rectangle" is selected and set as the type 64. Then, when the OK button is pressed, the conversion rule for the EMF data "rectangle" to be "rectangle" for the XML format is set by the user.

Subsequently, the conversion designation dialog 62b of FIG. 31B corresponding to the record of the next rectangle 50 is generated. In this case, the tag name 63 "name" is input, the "input field" is set as the type 64, and the OK button is clicked. As a result, with respect to the rectangle 50 of the EMF data, the generation rule that becomes the input field in the XML format is transcribed.

Subsequently, the conversion designation dialog 62C corresponding to the third rectangle 52 is displayed. Before this, tag name 6
Input "address" in 3, set "input field" for type 64, and press the OK button. This makes E
A rectangle 52 of the MF data defines a generation rule that is converted into an input field in XML format.

FIG. 32 shows the structure of the EMF data file for the rectangles 48, 50 and 52 in the original document 46 of FIG. In this EMF data file 31, the coordinates are continuous indicating the rectangles 48, 50, and 52, and since it is ruled line information, the start point and the end point of the rectangle match.

FIG. 33 shows the contents of the generation rule description file 34 for converting the original document 46 of FIG. 30 into the form template 54. This is the type 6 of FIG.
The generation definition of the "rectangle" and the "input field" to be selected by entering the list box 4 is performed.

FIG. 34 shows an XML data file 36 converted from the EMF data file 31 of FIG. 32 using the generation rule description file 34 of FIG. 33.
The L data file 36 can display the XML form template 54 of FIG.

Next, a concrete example of changing the element name, the attribute name, and the dialog setting of the user when converting the character information into the XML format will be described.

In FIG. 35, an original document 46 such as a word (R) is described as a gender in a rectangle 48, and male and female are described. In front of the description of male and female, one white circle text 67 and one black circle character. The text 68 is described.

Regarding the data conversion of the original document 46 in the XML format, the user can select the one-character text 67,
By defining a production rule for converting 68 into a radio button, radio buttons 70 and 72 can be set corresponding to a male and a female in a rectangle 48 on an XML form template 54 shown below. it can.

In FIG. 36, the one-character texts 67 and 68 of the original document 46 shown in FIG.
It is a specific example of a dialog display which serves as a user interface for making the radio buttons 70 and 72 above.

FIG. 36A shows a conversion designation dialog 62d displayed first, and a rectangle 4 is displayed on the document screen 66 on the right side.
8 is displayed, and the white one-character text 67 as a gender is displayed therein. In response to this, a message "Please set the tag name and type of the part changed to red" is displayed, and the tag name 63 and the type 64 are provided.

Therefore, enter "male" in the tag name 63,
Select and set "Radio button (OFF)" as the type and OK
I press the button. As a result, the one-character text 66 of the EMF data is converted into "radio button (OFF)" in the XML format, and the generation rule is defined by the user setting.

Subsequently, the conversion designation dialog screen 62e of FIG. 36B is switched to, and the one-character text 68 in the rectangle 48 is set in a state changed to red. Then, "male" is input as the tag name 63, a list box is opened as the type 64, "radio button (ON)" is selected, and the OK button is pressed. 1-character text of EMF data 6
In the XML format, the generation rule for converting 8 into “radio button (ON)” is defined by the user setting.

FIG. 37 shows the EMF data file 31 converted by the printer driver from the original document 46 of FIG. 35, and if the number of characters is “1”, it can be seen that it is one character text.

In FIG. 38, the one-character texts 67 and 68 from the original document 46 shown in FIG.
The contents of the production rule description file 34 to be converted to.
A dialog, that is, "radio1" is shown in FIG.
The generation rule used in FIG. 36B is described, and the generation rule used in FIG. 36B as “radioO” is implemented.

Further, as the selection items set when the list box corresponding to the type 64 in FIG. 36 is opened, the text radio buttons “ON” and “OFF” are described as the attributes on the generation rule. .

FIG. 39 shows the contents of the XML data file 36 obtained by expanding the EMF data file 31 of FIG. 37 according to the generation rule description file 34 of FIG. 38. Based on this XML data file 36, the converted XML form template 54 of FIG. 35 can be displayed.

When the original document 46 such as the word (R) is converted into the XML format, the user can draw a ruled line or 1
By freely setting the element name and attribute name after conversion for character text, for example, operation of application on word (R), various input fields in contents, radio button, cursor, etc. It is possible to create a dialog screen or operation screen that can be used as a user interface with an XML format because it can be created as information and a generation rule description file corresponding to 1-character text or ruled line information can be selected and specified during data conversion. can do.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the OCR function is used for the image read from the paper printed by the scanner or the image read from the image file. XML
The feature is that the data conversion for converting to the format is performed.

In FIG. 40, an OCR 76 functioning as a document recognition application is provided on the input side of the data conversion program 32 according to the present invention. OCR7
6 reads an image from the paper 74 printed by the scanner 24, forms an image file, and inputs the image file. Further, the image data stored in the image file 78 is read.

Scanner 24 or image file 78
The image data from is recognized by the OCR 76 and converted into data including characters, ruled lines, and graphics. This OC
With respect to the dialog data drawn in R, the image data for designating printing in the OCR 76 for printer output is converted into an EMF format data file when used in Windows (R), for example, and data conversion of the present invention. It is delivered to the program 32 and converted into an XML data file 36 using the generation rule description file 34.

After the conversion, the data conversion program 32
Activates an application 38 that can handle XML, and delivers the converted XML data file 36.
In the embodiment of FIG. 40, the processing of the data conversion program 32 is the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. 3 already described.

FIG. 41 shows the OC in the embodiment of FIG.
It is a flowchart of a processing procedure by the data conversion program according to the present invention using the R function. This flowchart of FIG. 41 shows a dialog 8 when a file in the toolbar of the OCR screen 80 as shown in FIG. 42 is opened.
2 is displayed, and an XML application selection list box 84 is displayed in this dialog 82. By opening this list box and selecting an appropriate conversion item, specifically an application that handles XML, FIG. The data conversion process of is started.

The data conversion process of FIG. 41 is performed in step S1.
In step S2, it is checked whether the processing target is paper, and if it is paper, the contents printed on the paper are converted into an image file using a scanner in step S2. Next, in step S3, an XML file creation start process is executed to create a new file as a "document title" and "extension", and an XML header is created according to the creation rule description file 34 and stored in the file.

Next, in step S4, one page of the image file is converted to EMF using OCR software. This EMF image file for one page is subjected to page data analysis processing in step S5 and converted into XML format using a conversion program corresponding to each processing such as characters, ruled lines and figures.

Subsequently, in step S6, the created EMF that has been converted to the XML format is deleted, and in step S7 it is checked whether or not all pages have ended, and the processing from step S4 is repeated until all pages have ended.

When all pages are completed, the process proceeds to step S8, the XML footer is written in the file, the related application that handles the corresponding converted XML data file is activated, and the process is completed.

The above-described embodiment is Windows (R).
An example is also given in which the original document of the application is converted into the EMF data file format by the printer driver used in the above and unified, and then the data is converted into the XML format by the data conversion program of the present invention. Of course, the data conversion of the present invention may be performed for a data format for printer output by an arbitrary printer driver used in an application that handles original documents.

Further, in the above embodiment, the data conversion to the XML format data file is taken as an example, but in the present invention, the generation rule description file to the XML format data file can be freely defined. , XML format as well as HTML format that can be displayed by a WEB browser and data for other text-based applications can be converted.

In a normal HTML data file, if there is a link or an image part, it becomes a separate file, and in many cases it is not possible to simply send the data file to another person. In conversion, since characters, ruled lines, images, all can be put together in one file, not only conversion to XML format but also lease or conversion to HTML format or other text database or application. Distribution can be greatly improved.

Furthermore, the present invention includes appropriate modifications that do not impair the object and advantages thereof, and is not limited by the numerical values shown in the above embodiments.

(Supplementary Note) (Supplementary Note 1) A first conversion step of converting the first format data unique to the application into second format data to be output to the printer by the printing function of the application in the computer, and characters and ruled lines. And a second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data with reference to a generation rule described corresponding to an application using the third format data including elements such as graphics. A data conversion program characterized by:
(1)

(Supplementary Note 2) For converting the image of the print medium read by the scanner or the image read from the image file into the first format data by the document recognition application, and outputting to the printer by the printing function of the application. The first conversion step of converting into the second format data, and the second format data by referring to the generation rule described corresponding to the application using the third format data including elements such as characters, ruled lines and figures And a second conversion step for converting the data into the third format data, and a data conversion program. (2)

(Supplementary Note 3) In the data conversion program according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, in the first conversion step, the first format data is converted into the second format data in the EMF format by the printer driver, and the second conversion step is performed. The step is the EM
A data conversion program for converting second format data of F format into third format data of XML format.
(3)

(Supplementary Note 4) In the data conversion program according to Supplementary Note 3, the second conversion step describes the definition of the element name and the attribute name in the XML format in the generation rule.
Furthermore, a data conversion program, characterized in that the definition of the element name is changed according to an operator's input. (4)

(Supplementary Note 5) First conversion of application-specific first format data into second format data for output to a printer by the printing function of the application
Third step including conversion step and elements such as characters, ruled lines, and graphics
A second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data with reference to a generation rule described corresponding to an application using the format data. . (5)

(Supplementary Note 6) The second format for outputting the image of the print medium read by the scanner or the image read from the image file to the first format data by the document recognition application, and then outputting to the printer by the printing function of the application. The first conversion step of converting the second format data into the third data is performed by referring to the first conversion step of converting the second format data into the data and the generation rule described corresponding to the application using the third format data including elements such as characters, ruled lines, and graphics. A second conversion step of converting into formal data, and a data conversion method.

(Supplementary Note 7) The first format data unique to the application is converted into the second format data to be output to the printer by the printing function of the application.
Converting the second format data to the third format data by referring to a conversion section and a generation rule described corresponding to an application using the third format data including elements such as characters, ruled lines, and graphics A data conversion device comprising: two conversion units.

(Supplementary Note 8) A second format for outputting an image of a print medium read by a scanner or an image read from an image file into first format data by a document recognition application, and then outputting to a printer by a printing function of the application. The first conversion section for converting the second format data into the third data is referred to by referring to the first conversion unit for converting the second format data into the data and the generation rule described corresponding to the application using the third format data including elements such as characters, ruled lines, and figures. And a second conversion unit for converting the data into format data.

(Supplementary Note 9) A first conversion step of converting the first format data specific to the application into the second format data to be output to the printer by the printing function of the application in the computer, characters, ruled lines, figures, etc. A second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data with reference to a generation rule described corresponding to an application using the third format data including the element of A computer-readable recording medium storing a characteristic data conversion program.

(Supplementary Note 10) For converting the image of the print medium read by the scanner or the image read from the image file into the first format data by the document recognition application, and then outputting to the printer by the print function of the application. The first conversion step of converting into the second format data, and the second format data by referring to the generation rule described corresponding to the application using the third format data including elements such as characters, ruled lines and figures A computer-readable recording medium storing a data conversion program, characterized by executing a second conversion step for converting the data into a third format data.

[0130]

As described above, according to the present invention, all types of documents such as documents including characters, ruled lines, and graphics in a format unique to an application, images printed on paper, images of image files, and the like can be used. It is possible to efficiently and smoothly convert the print function of the application for a document into an XML format data file via data conversion.

Also, an application that handles the converted XML format data file is automatically started to convert the converted X
By processing data files in ML format as required, X
Depending on the application that handles ML format data files, various analyzes and data usage can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a processing function by data conversion of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a basic processing procedure by data conversion of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a user interface for printing including a list box for activating data conversion of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a user interface for generating rule selection used in the data conversion of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the XML file creation start process of FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram of a header created by the process of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the page data analysis process of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart following FIG. 9;

11 is a flowchart showing details of recording an XML file of the character information of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart following FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart following FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a character information tag created by the processing of FIGS. 11 to 13.

15 is a flowchart showing details of XML file recording of ruled line information in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart following FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a ruled line information tag created by the processing of FIGS.

18 is a flowchart showing details of XML file recording of the image information of FIG.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart following FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart following FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an image information tag created by the processing of FIGS.

22 is a flowchart showing details of the XML file creation end processing of FIG.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of a footer created by the process of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of a production rule description file used in the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of a production rule description file following FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of reserved words defined in the generation rule description file.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of an EMF file converted by a printer driver.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of an EMF file following FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the EMF file following FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a rectangle on a word (R) set as X by user setting.
Explanatory drawing of data conversion to ML input field

31 is a diagram showing a rectangle on a word (R) in FIG.
Explanatory diagram of user interface for selecting and setting production rule definition to be converted to L input field

32 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of the EMF file used in the data conversion of FIG.

33 is an explanatory diagram of a production rule description file used for the conversion of FIG. 30.

34 is an explanatory diagram of an XML file generated by the conversion of FIG.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram for converting one-character text on a word (R) into an XML radio button by user setting.

36 is a diagram showing a rectangle on a word (R) in FIG.
Explanatory diagram of user interface for selecting and setting production rule definition to be converted to L input field

37 is an explanatory diagram of the structure of an EMF file used in the data conversion of FIG. 35.

38 is an explanatory diagram of a production rule description file used for the conversion of FIG. 35.

FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram of an XML file generated by the conversion of FIG.

FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram of a processing function by the data conversion of the present invention using the OCR function.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of a processing procedure by data conversion of the present invention using the OCR function.

42 is an explanatory diagram of a printing user interface opened on an OCR screen having a list box for activating the data conversion of FIG. 40.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: CPU 12: Bus 14: Main storage device 16: Input device 18: Output device 20: Auxiliary storage device 22: Storage medium 24: Scanner 26: Document data 28: Application 30: Printer driver 31: EMF data file 32: Data Conversion program 34: Generation rule description file 36: XML data file 38: XML compatible application 40: Printing dialog 41, 84: XML application selection list box 42: Generation rule selection dialog 46: Original document 48, 50, 52: Rectangle 54: Form template 56: Rectangle 58, 60: Input fields 62a to 62C: Conversion designation user interface 63: Tag name 64: Type 67, 68: 1 Character text 70, 72: Radio button 74: Printed paper 76: OCR ( Character recognition application) 78: Image file 80: OCR screen 82: OCR print dialog

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first conversion step of causing a computer to convert first format data specific to an application into second format data to be output to a printer by a printing function of the application, and elements such as characters, ruled lines, and graphics. And a second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data by referring to a generation rule described corresponding to an application using the third format data including Data conversion program. 2. A second computer for converting the image of the print medium read by the scanner or the image read from the image file into the first format data by the document recognition application, and then outputting to the printer by the printing function of the application. The first conversion step for converting to the format data and the generation rule described corresponding to the application that uses the third format data including elements such as characters, ruled lines and figures A data conversion program, characterized by causing a second conversion step of converting into three-format data. 3. The data conversion program according to claim 1, wherein the first conversion step converts the first format data into second format data of EMF format by a printer driver, and the second conversion step. Is a data conversion program for converting the second format data in the EMF format into the third format data in the XML format. 4. The data conversion program according to claim 3, wherein the second conversion step uses XML as the generation rule.
A data conversion program, which describes the definition of an element name and an attribute name of a format, and further changes the setting of the definition of the element name according to an operator's input. 5. A first conversion step for converting first format data specific to an application into second format data to be output to a printer by a printing function of the application, and a first step including elements such as characters, ruled lines and graphics. A second conversion step of converting the second format data into the third format data with reference to a generation rule described corresponding to an application using the three format data. Method.