JP2005216181A - Document processing method, document processor, and document processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To attain document processing on which the intention of a user is reflected. <P>SOLUTION: This document processing method for changing the layout of a document according to data is provided to decide whether or not data can be arranged in a partial display region where the data can be visually displayed, and to change the font size of the data or the size of the partial display region according to the information of the priority order set in the partial display region when it is decided that it is impossible to arrange the data in the partial display region, and to arrange the data on the page. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a document processing technique for generating, editing, and printing a document composed of text and images, and more particularly, suitable for generating, editing, and printing a variable data document. .

  In recent years, CRM (Customer Relationship Management), due to factors such as the shortening of product life cycle due to the increase in product variety and the increasing popularity of customized services using consumers due to the spread of the Internet The need for one-to-one marketing is drawing attention. These techniques aim to increase customer satisfaction and to cultivate and retain customers.

  One-to-One marketing is a type of database marketing that creates a database of personal attribute information such as customer age, gender, hobbies, preferences, purchase history, etc., analyzes the content, and makes proposals that meet customer needs As a representative method, variable printing can be mentioned. Recently, with the advancement of DTP (desktop publishing) technology and the spread of digital printing devices, a variable print system has been developed to customize and output documents for each customer and optimally lay out content with different amounts of information for each customer. It is now required to display.

  A conventional variable print system achieves layout display by laying out a container (also called a field area in a form form) or the like as an area for displaying information on a document and associating the database with the container.

  In this case, the size of the container where the text and image are pasted and the layout is fixed is fixed, so when a large size of data is inserted depending on the customer, all the text is displayed in the container. In the case of image data, it may be displayed with a reduced size than the original image, or when displaying the original image size, all images may be displayed in the container. There was a problem that I could not.

As a technique for further automatic layout of containers for solving these problems, a technique for reducing the size of an adjacent container when the size of a container increases is disclosed in “Layout Design Device” of Patent Document 1. Has been. Also, “POS terminal device” in Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for increasing or decreasing the font size.
JP 7-129658 A (paragraph [0049], FIG. 8) JP-A-7-085366 (paragraph [0018], FIG. 4)

  However, in the background art described above, in such document layout, when a character string is printed in the frame size specified in the field frame, if the length of the character string is too long, the portion protruding from the frame cannot be printed. There was a problem. As a technique for avoiding this, there is a method (Patent Document 2) in which the character size is reduced and the character string is stored in the field frame. Further, there is a method of expanding the field frame so that the entire character string can be displayed (Patent Document 1).

  However, whether or not the process of reducing the character size or the process of expanding the field frame can be applied differs depending on the actual printed matter, and cannot be determined uniquely. In addition, whether to prioritize the layout between the process of reducing the character size and the process of expanding the field frame depends on the individual contents of the printed matter, but such individual measures are necessary. Even in this case, the user's intention cannot be reflected in the layout control setting.

  For example, if a form exists as a background and a field frame is created to fit a frame in the form, the user generally wants to match the size of the form and the frame. I want to be. In that situation, if the amount of character strings to be inserted into the field frame is large, there may be a case where not all character strings can fit into the field frame. At this time, the character string that cannot be filled overflows from the field frame.

  In that case, it is possible to reduce the font size to fit all the character strings in the field frame, but if the amount of character strings is very large or the field frame itself is not so large, the font size There is a problem that the character string becomes too small and it becomes very difficult to read the character string. In this case, it is possible to set a minimum font size value that is judged to have no problem in reading the character string and maintain a certain font size. However, even in this case, the character string is eventually put in the field frame. The problem of the background art that the character string overflows from the field frame remains unresolved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and priorities are set for font size changes and container size changes, and these are reflected in the design of a template that determines the layout in the page. The purpose is to realize information processing that reflects the intention of the company.

According to the present invention for solving the above problems, a document processing method capable of changing the layout of a document according to data,
A determination step of determining whether or not the data can be arranged in a partial display area for visually displaying the data;
According to the determination result, when the data cannot be arranged in the partial display area, the font size of the data or the size of the partial display area is changed according to the priority information set in the partial display area. An arrangement step of arranging the data on a page.

Alternatively, a document processing apparatus that can change the layout of a document according to data according to the present invention for solving the above-described problem,
Determining means for determining whether or not the data can be arranged in a partial display area for visually displaying the data;
According to the determination result, when the data cannot be arranged in the partial display area, the font size of the data or the size of the partial display area is changed according to the priority information set in the partial display area. An arrangement means for arranging the data on a page is provided.

Alternatively, according to the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a document processing program that causes a computer to execute document processing that can change the layout of a document according to data, the program comprising:
Determining means for determining whether the data can be arranged in a partial display area into which the data is to be poured;
According to the determination result, when the data cannot be arranged in the partial display area, the font size of the data or the size of the partial display area is changed according to the priority information set in the partial display area. It functions as an arrangement means for arranging the data on a page.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to perform document processing that reflects the user's intention by setting priorities for font size changes and container size changes and reflecting these in the design of the template that determines the layout in the page. become.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Embodiment 1>
<System configuration diagram>
FIG. 1A illustrates a system 100 for printing a document with a variable container size. The control of the container size and the link setting between the containers executed in this system are executed under the control of the host computer 101 described in detail in FIG. 1B. The process described in FIG. 16 is executed in the host computer 101 which is a layout control apparatus, and the entire software, such as a layout editing application program 121 (document processing program of the present invention) that can be executed on the system 100, Alternatively, it is executed as a part thereof. In particular, layout editing and printing steps are executed by software by the host computer 101.

  The software is stored, for example, on a computer readable medium including a storage device as described below. The software is loaded from a computer readable medium to a host computer and executed. A computer program recorded in such software or media, or a computer-readable medium storing the program is information relating to arithmetic processing, display control, and content necessary for document layout editing and variable data printing in cooperation with the computer. The function of the computer is specified as a means for executing the processing.

  The host computer 101 is connected to an input device such as a keyboard 132 and a pointing device such as a mouse 133, a display device 144, and an output device including a local printer 145 depending on the situation. An input / output (I / O) interface 138 can connect the host computer 101 to the network 107 and connect the system 100 to other computer devices (eg, database server 117). A typical example of the network 107 is a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

  The host computer 101 typically includes at least one processor unit 135, eg, a memory unit 136 composed of a semiconductor random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), and an INPUT / OUTPUT (I / O) including a video interface 137. ) Interface, I / O interface 143 for keyboard 132 and mouse 133 is included. The storage device 139 includes a hard disk drive 140 and a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 141. Although not shown here, a magnetic tape drive can also be used as a storage device.

  The CD-ROM drive 142 is provided as a nonvolatile data source. The host computer 101 communicates via the interconnection bus 134 by operation of an operation system such as GNU / LINUX or Microsoft Windows (registered trademark), or a computer system typically formed according to the operation system. The I / O interface 143 can be used from the processor unit 135 of the system. As an example of the system including the host computer 101 shown in FIG. 1A, an IBM compatible PC, SUN Sparcstation, or a computer system including them can be considered.

  The layout application program 121 typically resides in the hard disk drive 140 and is read and executed by the processor unit 135. The storage device 139 that stores the program 121 and the data fetched from the network 107 use the hard disk drive 140 or the memory unit 136 in response thereto, and the application program 121 is stored on a CD-ROM or floppy (registered trademark) disk. It is encoded, read through the corresponding CD-ROM drive 142 or FDD 141, and provided to the user.

  Alternatively, the application program 121 may be installed by the user from the network 107 as another method. In addition, the software stores magnetic tape or ROM or integrated circuits, magneto-optical disks or wireless or infrared communications between the host computer 101 and other devices, computer readable cards such as PCMCIA cards, and email communications and recorded information on WEB sites. It can also be loaded into the host computer 101 from other suitable sized computer readable media, including the Internet or an intranet it has. However, these computer readable media are merely norms for related computer readable media, and the type of media is not limited to these, and other computer readable media can also be used.

  An application 121 named layout editing is a program module for performing variable data printing (VDP), and includes two software components. The first of these is the layout engine module 105, which is one from the variable data stored in the database 119 according to the size and position restrictions of the container (rectangular range) that is a partial area into which the data is flowed. It is a software module for reading the records one by one and calculating the size and position of the container into which the read data is flowed from the read data and the container limit. The layout engine 105 operates as an application for determining the size and position of each partial area (container), and outputs drawing information to a printer driver (not shown) so that the printer driver performs image drawing processing of a variable data document and prints it. Generate data.

  The second module, the user interface module 103, is a module that provides a mechanism for allowing a user to create a document template and associating a data source and a container in the document template. The user interface module 103 and the layout engine module 105 can communicate with each other via a communication channel 123. A data source for document creation is stored in a database 119 on a database server 117 constituted by another computer running a database application. The host computer 101 can communicate with the database server 117 via a connection with the network 107. When executing variable data printing, the layout editing application 121 generates a document template stored in the file server 115 configured by the host computer 101 or another computer. Further, the layout editing application 121 generates a document constituted by a document template merged with data. These documents are stored in the storage device 139 of the host computer 101, stored in the file server 115, or printed directly on the printer 113.

  The print server 109 is a computer that provides a network function to the printer 113 that is not directly connected to the network. The print server 109 and the printer 113 are connected via a typical communication channel 111.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the layout engine module 105 is provided in the engine server 227 in addition to the host computer 101. The engine server 227 is configured by a typical computer, and the document template stored in the file server 115 is combined with the data stored in the database 119 to generate a document by the layout engine 225 when printing or other purposes. can do. Such an operation is input through a user interface (UI) screen under the control of the user interface module 103, and can be set to print only a specific record.

<Application configuration diagram>
<Main window>
The application window 301 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display device 144 during operation by the user interface module 103 (FIG. 1). The application window 301 can be hidden or moved to various places on the screen, a menu bar 302 and a tool bar 303, and a work area 306 that can be moved by the position and operation of the mouse 133 and an option. A pallet 311 and a cursor / pointer device 313 and are characterized by these.

  The menu bar 302 has a number of menu items 304 that extend below the menu option hierarchy, as is known in the art, and the toolbar 303 can be hidden by a special mode of the application, Or it has many tool buttons 305 that can be displayed. An optional ruler 308 is used to indicate the position of a pointer, page, line, margin guide, container or object within the work area. The palette 311 is used to access additional functions such as a variable data library. The palette 311 has a button 312 that provides a window control function for moving, resizing, and closing. The display of the palette 311 is optional and can be displayed in front of the work area or hidden behind. Further, the display control for the palette 311 can be limited only within the range of the application window 301, or can be displayed partially or entirely outside the application window 301.

  The toolbar area 303 includes at least “buttons” (403 to 406) that can be selected by the user (see, for example, FIG. 4). Hereinafter, the buttons 403 to 406 will be described.

  The selection tool button 403 is used for selecting, moving, resizing, and locking (fixing) or unlocking a container edge. Containers allow selection of multiple containers by dragging around multiple containers or holding down the CTRL key while selecting multiple containers.

  An image container tool button 404 is used to create a container having a static or variable image.

  A text container tool button 405 is used to create a container having static or variable text.

  The link tool button 406 is used to create a link for associating containers, and is also used to control the link distance. These buttons are implemented as icons that change according to the operation status, as is well known in the art. The application window 301 shown in FIG. 3 of the layout editing application 121 can determine a basic layout by laying out containers and links in a page. The basic layout is a basic layout for variable data printing. If each container in the basic layout is a fixed container, the layout of the print results of all records is the same. In addition, when each container in the basic layout is a variable container described later, the size and position of each container varies within the constraints described later depending on the amount and size of data read in units of records. Therefore, the document template created by the layout editing application 121 determines the basic layout to the last, and when a variable container is included, the layout of the final printed matter is adjusted by the read data. .

<Document template>
A work area 306 shown in FIG. 3 is used to display / edit the design of the document template. This allows the user to design an overview of the pre-printed document and understand how the merged document will change based on the amount and size of the variable data. is there. If an external database is linked to the template, variable text and images can be displayed in their containers so that the current document can be previewed. The document structure and variable data container display can be displayed whenever the cursor is moved over the container or when a container is selected.

  The work area 306 is characterized by a scroll bar 307, an optional ruler 308, and a document template 309. The document template 309 can indicate that there are a plurality of pages. The page size of a given document template is specified by the user as a well-known technique. For example, by selecting “Page Setup” from “File” in the menu, a dialog for setting the page size is displayed, and the page size specified by the user is reflected there. The actual number of pages in each document may vary depending on the variable data, and if the variable data cannot be contained in one page, there is a restriction that each container can be contained in a page of a predetermined paper size. Additional pages are created automatically if they are not in the layout. If the basic layout is set so that each container can be stored on a page of a given paper size (which can be set using an anchor icon, etc., which will be described later), the containers may be pushed or pressed against each other on the page. On the other hand, the size and position of each container are determined, the variable data to be introduced is reduced as necessary, and the layout is dynamically determined for each record.

  A border line in the page indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3 indicates the maximum width of a printable object on the page, and is a page margin 310 that can be arbitrarily set. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing examples of objects that can be displayed on the document template 309 of one page. In FIG. 4, a plurality of containers 407 and 408 are shown, and the positions of the sides 414 of the containers are shown. The anchor icon 409 to be fixed, the non-fixed side 410, the link 412, and the slider 413 define the mutual relationship between the containers. The anchor icon 409 can be set at a corner of the container rectangle, a side, or the center of the container. When the anchor icon 409 is set, the position of the set location is fixed. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, since the anchor icon 409 is set at the upper left corner of the container 407, when the variable data is poured into the container 407 and the image size or text amount of the variable data is large, the right direction And it shows that it can be expanded downward. When the anchor icon 409 is set to a side, the side is fixed and can be enlarged in each of the other three sides. When the anchor icon 409 is set at the center of the container, the center position of the container is fixed and can be expanded in four directions so that the center position of the container rectangle does not change. Although the link 412 will be described in detail later, it indicates that the container 407 and the container 408 are associated with each other, and the container 408 moves in the right direction while maintaining the length (range can be specified) set in this link. It shows that it is possible. The slider 413 indicates that it can move in the horizontal direction with respect to the set side.

<Container>
Here, the container will be described. A container is a space (this is called a partial area) in which fixed or variable text / images are poured from a variable data file into a document template in units of records, and is drawn as another container as shown in FIG. And layout with objects. The container is moved, adjusted in size, and recreated by operating the mouse 133 in accordance with an operation instruction from the user via the user interface screen.

  In the container, a constraint condition regarding the deformation of the container is defined by an anchor icon 409, a link 412, and a slider 413. The deformation of the container space is controlled in a direction in which the deformation is allowed according to the amount of information of the text and image data, and the text data and the image data are laid out in the container. When two containers need to be deformed with each other, the deformation of each container is balanced (there is no stress in each container) according to the amount of text data and image data to be stored in each container. The shape of each container is controlled.

  The position of the container in the work area 306 is specified by the operation of the mouse 133 as a pointing device (313 in FIG. 3), moved and sized in the screen as a user interface (FIG. 3), and a new container is created. It is also possible to add. Various conditions regarding deformation such as the mutual relation between containers are set by anchor icons, links and sliders for containers, visual representation to display content, and interaction between containers and editing function of information in containers Have. Here, the container is defined as follows.

  (1) Fixed or variable content is input to the container, and the variable content is dynamic in the sense that data is taken from the data source and the container size is changed according to different data in different documents. . Variable content is not intended to include animated content or content that changes time in other ways because it is not suitable for printing. Similarly, fixed content is displayed in the same way for all documents generated using the container. However, when the content and the link are set, the display of the fixed content is controlled so that the display position is different in each document by the operation of the variable container.

  (2) The container has a decoration function such as a text setting such as a background color, a border, and a font style applied to the content. Such a setting is called a container attribute. The container attribute can be set for each container, but it is also possible to set the same container attribute as a certain container.

  (3) The container is merged with data from the data source when the document is generated. The decoration function is typically reflected in the printed output, as is any fixed content, and the result of the decoration being reflected is visualized. Variable content results in the display of specific data from the data source. That is, the size of the container is variably set for the specific data in accordance with the conditions set for the container. The layout of the variably set container and the specific data representation in the container can be processed, for example, by being printed via the printer 113, displayed on the display device 144, or both. is there.

  (4) For container settings, the system includes a user interface module 103, for example, an interactive graphical user interface (GUI) for container editing and display settings. The user interface elements are then displayed on the display device 144. But the document is not printed. The user interface module 103 can display some of the decoration functions related to the container such as the background color and the font on the interface screen, and add these decoration functions to the setting, editing, and container display of the container.

(5) Further, as an example of setting by the user interface module 103, a border between containers, a corner icon set in a container to interactively change and display the size and position of the container, or When merging data from a data source, set the container behavior (for example, setting the number of overcoats, setting lines, icons, editing text).
<Constraints on containers>
In order to display the contents of content in each document, the container has restrictions for controlling display by connecting the container to the content. These restrictions (linking fixed and variable content with containers) are the main way for users to control many documents from a single document template. An example of the constraint is, for example, a constraint that the height of the content of the container is a maximum value of 4 inches. Another constraint is that the left edge of the container content must be displayed in the same horizontal position in each document. The contents described here can be set for displaying and editing such restrictions using a GUI.

  Just as the image has a defined position on the page, the location of the content is also identified. Containers have a position and size, and in variable data printing, it is possible to display and edit the contents of the content under the conditions in which the container layout is set according to the contents inserted into the container To do. The container allows the user to specify the size and position of the content of the document. Since several documents are generated from one document template, the container can specify constraints on the container provided by the user interface module 103.

  The edges that make up one container define a virtual boundary where the associated content is displayed in the document. For example, the left side of a rectangular container gives the left position where the associated content is placed, and similarly, the height of the container gives a constraint on the height of the content associated with the generated document.

  In the following description, the term “fixed” that defines a value used to limit the display of content is the same for all documents.

  (1) If the container width is fixed, the width assigned to the associated content is the same for all documents.

  (2) If the height of the container is fixed, the height assigned to the associated content is the same for all documents.

  (3) If the distance constraint is fixed, the specified distance is a constraint for all documents.

  (4) When the left and right sides of the container are fixed, the height or vertical position of the container is the height or vertical direction in which the container size is allowed to be deformed in order to completely accommodate the content in the container. It is possible to change to

  (5) If the upper and lower sides of the container are fixed, the width or horizontal position of the container can be changed to the width direction or the horizontal direction in which deformation is allowed in order to accommodate the content completely in the container. Is possible.

  (6) The vertical axis of the container is an imaginary vertical line located in the middle between the right and left sides of the container. If the container's vertical axis is fixed, the average horizontal position of the left and right sides of the container is the same for all documents. With this constraint, the width of the container may vary, documents with different left and right sides, may be the furthest or closest to the vertical axis, but the axes are in the same horizontal position in all documents. The height and horizontal position of the container are not affected by this constraint.

  (7) Similarly, if the horizontal axis is fixed, the top and bottom sides of the container are constrained to be positioned vertically, but the height is not affected by this constraint.

  (8) If both the horizontal and vertical axes are fixed, it means that the center position of the container is fixed, but the width and height are not affected by this constraint.

  (9) If the corner of the container, the middle position of the container side, or the center position of the container is fixed, it is displayed in the same place in all documents and in the same place associated with the container. For example, if the upper left corner of the container is fixed, it means that the upper left position of the arranged container is the same for all documents.

  (10) The vertical side or the vertical axis can be fixed in association with the left or right side of the page, the left page margin or the right page margin, or another horizontal position. Similarly, the horizontal side or horizontal axis can be fixed in association with the top or bottom side of the page, the top and bottom page margins, or other vertical positions.

  The opposite of “Fixed” is “Variable” meaning that the sides, axes, corners, intermediate positions, or document constraints of the container, or document constraints may change between documents (between records). For example, in a page, it is expected that the layout will be changed dynamically depending on the size and amount of variable data, but for specific containers, the size and position may be fixed, or the corner of the page It may be desired that the four corners be fixed. For this reason, the layout editing application 121 can appropriately set whether to fix or change the sides, axes, corners, intermediate positions, and the like for each container (partial region). Thereby, when determining the basic layout of the document template 309, the user can create the basic layout as desired by the user.

<Container display / edit>
<How to create a new container>
There are two types of containers: text containers and image containers. A text container has text and an embedded image. An image container has only an image. As shown in FIG. 4, a new text container and an image container are created on the document template 309 by clicking the text container tool 404 or the image container tool 405 with the mouse 133 and dragging a rectangle to the template 309. Is done. The container is created by clicking the mouse 133 on the document template 309 after activating the appropriate tools 404, 405. A default size container is inserted, or a dialog box or other prompt is provided to enter the dimensions of the new container. Containers are automatically defined in advance, created with a calculated schema, and placed on a document template 309. A container property dialog is displayed by selecting the generated container with an input means such as a mouse and performing an operation such as instructing a property by right-clicking, and the constraints of the container can be set. In the container property dialog UI (corresponding to the partial area setting means), the above-described various restrictions can be set. In the container property dialog, you can determine the size (width, height) and position of the container. To change the size, set the basic pattern (basic size and reference position) of the container. The maximum container size (width and height) and the minimum container size (width and height) can be set.

<Container display method>
5A to 5D are diagrams for exemplarily explaining rules for the sides constituting the container. The layout editing application 121 draws a side with a solid line (503) or a dotted line (504) to express the state of the side, and anchors (lines as indicated by 506, 507, and 509 drawn near the side) , Shape, icon), handle (side to move, modify, control point drawn near shape, 502), slider (short parallel lines drawn on both sides of side, 413 in FIG. 4), scale It has an icon (505), and features color.

  The rules for the container display method shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D are as follows.

  1. Draw with solid lines to fix each side.

  2. If the width is fixed, draw the left and right sides with solid lines.

  3. If the height is fixed, draw the top and bottom edges with solid lines.

  4. Do not draw axes.

  5. For all sides that have not yet been drawn, an enlargement / reduction icon is drawn near each side and becomes a dotted line.

  6. For each pair of vertical edges or axes, if both are fixed, an anchor is drawn at the intersection.

  7. For each fixed edge, if no anchor is drawn anywhere on the edge, a slider is drawn at the center of the edge.

  8. For each pair of vertical edges or axes, if no anchor or slider is drawn, a handle is drawn at the intersection.

  Since the lines defined by the above rules 1, 2, and 3 are fixed or restricted as described above, they are drawn as solid lines. As in rule 5, the variable side is drawn with a dotted line. Fixed points defined in rules 6, 7, and 8 display anchors, some fixed edges display sliders, and others display handles.

  The above rules are given priority over constraints set later by the user. That is, when another constraint is set later, if the above rule affects the side to be drawn, the drawn content of the solid line or the dotted line is changed.

  The location where the variable side is drawn depends on the content of the container. As will be described later, “dynamic proofing” is used, which means that content is merged into a document template and made visible in the user interface. Alternative execution means can be used in the content area of the container that is averaged over all documents, or other means of determining where variable edges should be laid out in the user interface. The layout editing application 121 can execute container display control according to the above rules.

  The content expression is visualized by being inserted into a container whose size can be changed according to the setting of an anchor icon, a slider icon, or the like set on the side of the container. Specific icons set in the container and sides constituting the container function as described below.

  Like the side 410 in FIG. 4, the dotted line means that the position of the side in the document can be moved depending on the content inserted into the container. A solid line 414 indicates a side whose position is limited.

  An anchor means that the place where the sides or axes intersect is fixed. The icon 409 in FIG. 4 is an example of an anchor icon indicating that the intersecting sides 414 are fixed.

  The slider means that the associated side is fixed in the vertical direction of the side but may move in parallel. The width / height size is displayed in a secondary dialog window under the control of the layout editing application 121, and it is possible to set basic patterns of basic values, minimum values, and maximum values allowed as container sizes. It is.

  In FIG. 5A, a side 503 indicated by a solid line constituting the container 501 is fixed, and a side 504 indicated by a dotted line is variable in both width and height. The enlargement / reduction icon 505 indicates that the adjacent side 504 is variable. 5B, a side 503 indicated by a solid line constituting the container 501 is fixed. In FIG. 5B, the anchor icon 506 indicates that the displacement is restricted in the height direction and the width direction where the side 503 intersects. Show.

  In FIG. 5C, the container 501 is set so that the expansion or contraction of the container spreads evenly in the width direction and the height direction around the center point as indicated by the arbitrary anchor icon 507. Both are variable on each side. In FIG. 5D, the container 501 has a slider icon 509 set to the upper side 508 and is fixed, but the side 502 indicated by a dotted line is variable in both width and height. In this case, it is possible to displace the side 502 in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction with reference to the central axis (vertical axis) passing through the anchor icon 509, thereby changing the size of the container. In this enlargement / reduction, the layout is adjusted so that the position of the anchor icon 507 always becomes the center point of the container 501.

<Link setting method>
FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a link setting method by the layout editing application 121. FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating screen display examples of the user interface. Hereinafter, an operation method for setting a link in a container will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 6. First, in order to set a link to a container, containers (at least two) that are targets for link setting are created (S1601). FIG. 6A shows a state in which two containers 601 and 602 have been created.

  Next, the above-described link tool button (see FIG. 4) is selected (S1602). Here, the containers 601 and 602 in FIG. 6A have the same contents as the containers 407 and 408 in FIG. 4 described above, and the containers are configured by fixed sides (indicated by solid lines). It is shown that. Icons 603 and 604 indicate the same anchor icon as the icon 409 in FIG. 4, and 605 indicates a mouse pointer.

  When the selection of the link tool button 406 is completed in step S1602, next, a container is selected (S1603). In this selection, a container is selected by clicking one of the containers (for example, 601) to be set with a link with the mouse 133. Next, the selection of the other container for setting the link is completed by clicking the other container (for example, 602) for setting the link with the mouse 133 (S1604).

  606 in FIG. 6B is a line segment showing a rough locus of the mouse pointer 133 connecting the position (P1) where the mouse 133 is clicked in step S1603 and the position (P2) where the mouse is clicked in step S1604. Yes (S1605 in FIG. 16), a link 607 is set between the sides 611 and 612 of the container where the line segments intersect, and finally the interface screen in which the link 607 is set between the containers is updated ( S1606). By setting the link 607, the screen display for displaying the container is automatically switched. In the switched screen ((C) in FIG. 6), the side 608 is a side indicated by a dotted line and indicates a variable side as described above. The reason why 608 is switched from a fixed side (corresponding to 611 and 612 before link setting) to a variable side is because the sides of containers 601 and 602 need to be made variable by setting link 607. Yes, if all the sides are fixed even though the link 607 is set, this is to prevent the contradiction that the relative relationship between containers is specified by the link. Under the control of the layout editing application 121, automatic This process is performed automatically.

  Reference numeral 609 functions in the same manner as 505 in FIG. 5 and is an identification display that visually indicates to the user the direction in which the containers 601 and 602 can be displaced by setting the link 607. In the example of FIG. 6C, the right side of the left container 601 and the left side of the right container 602 change variably, but this is an example, and the right container 601 moves the slider indicated by 413 in FIG. It can be displayed that the side 608 is variable depending on the setting. The above processing can be executed under the control of the layout editing application.

<Layout calculation method (overall flow)>
The layout editing application according to the present embodiment creates containers using the user interface 103, creates layouts by creating associations (link settings) between the containers, and creates data in the created layout using the layout engine 105. Each record of the source is inserted, and it is divided into a preview mode for previewing a layout result after the record is actually inserted. In this preview mode, an actual record is inserted, and the layout is calculated according to the above-mentioned priority order. However, the preview mode is a layout calculation on the display. Even in the actual printing, the layout engine 105 calculates the layout by inserting data into each container, and the calculation method at that time is the same as the preview mode.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of layout calculation. First, the preview mode is selected (S1001). The automatic layout system creates containers, associates them, and inserts the layout mode for creating layouts and the data records (hereinafter referred to as “records”) to be displayed in the created layouts. Can be divided into a preview mode for previewing the layout result after. In this preview mode, the actual record is inserted and the layout is calculated. However, the preview mode is a layout calculation on the display. Even in actual printing, a record is inserted to calculate the layout. The calculation method at that time is the same. When the preview mode is set, a record to be previewed is selected and inserted (S1002). When the record is inserted, layout calculation is performed to lay out the record (S1003).

  Then, the layout calculated in the processing step S1003 is displayed (S1004), and it is determined whether or not to preview other records (S1005). If it is determined in process step S1005 that it is not necessary to preview another record (S1005-No), the process proceeds to step S1007, and the preview mode ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1005 that previewing is performed for another record, another record is selected (S1006), layout calculation is performed again (S1003), and preview is performed (S1004). When printing not in the preview mode, the layout is calculated in order for all the records to be printed. Therefore, the process S1004 is a step that is not necessary in the process during printing. In step S1005, it is determined whether all records to be printed have been processed. The result of layout calculation in step S1003 is drawn and output, and is generated as print data using a printer driver, and the print data is output to the printer. In this case, the process is terminated when the output of the print data is completed for all the records (all records designated to be printed). The above processing can be executed under the control of the processor unit 135.

<Layout calculation method>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the detailed processing flow of layout calculation, and FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a display example of the user interface screen at that time. Since this figure is a flowchart for explaining only the layout calculation processing method, it corresponds to the layout calculation method for printing / previewing one record of variable data printing. In the case of multiple records, the following processing is repeated.

  First, the layout editing application 121 obtains a set of containers for calculating a layout (S1101). In the layout calculation, the associated containers are calculated as one set. For example, referring to FIG. 15, four containers A, B, C, and D are laid out on the page, and an association is set for each container. In this case, container A and container B, and container C and container D are associated by a link. Accordingly, containers A and B are set 1 and containers C and D are set 2. Reference numeral 1501 denotes an anchor, 1502 denotes a fixed side, 1503 denotes a control point, 1504 denotes an arrow indicating a change direction of a variable side, 1505 denotes a variable side, 1506 denotes a link, and 1507 denotes a slider. .

  Next, the layout editing application 121 selects one set for calculating the layout from the set of containers obtained in step S1101 (S1102). Then, the layout of the selected set of containers is calculated. First, for the two containers (A, B), which are variable elements included in the selected set of containers, the size when each container is not subject to any restrictions is calculated from the image size or text amount of the data to be sent. To do. Specifically, the layout editing application 121 determines whether the container A is an image data container or a text container. This determination can be made based on the attributes set for the container as described above. Next, the layout editing application 121 reads the data to be poured into the container A. When the container A is an image data container, the size (number of pixels of width, height, and resolution) of the image data is the container A. This is the size when not subject to the restrictions. When the container A is a text container, the text data is also stored on the basis of the number of characters and character attributes such as the font type, font size, character pitch, and line pitch specified in the container A container attribute. The amount of data to be fed into A can be calculated. Here, in the case of a text container, since the aspect ratio of the container A cannot be determined without considering the constraint, the constraint is applied.

  In the example of FIG. 15, since anchors are set at the upper left and lower left corners of the container A, the height (vertical direction) is fixed. Therefore, the layout editing application 121 determines whether or not characters of the calculated data amount (text amount) can be poured into the container A having the width (horizontal direction) set as the basic pattern of the container A. If it is determined that all can be poured, the size (width, height) of the container A is not changed in the basic pattern. If it is determined that all the containers cannot be poured, the container A has a fixed height due to the anchor setting, and thus extends in the horizontal direction. Here, the layout editing application 121 calculates the size of the container A by calculating how much the width of the container A can be filled with characters of the calculated data amount.

  Next, the layout editing application 121 optimizes the layout so that the size of the container to be laid out is as small as possible with the actual content size (S1103). Layout optimization is such that the difference between the size of the inserted content and the size of the layout is the same as much as possible in the associated containers so that the size can be changed dynamically. Done. The layout editing application 121 obtains the size of the set of containers calculated in step S1102, that is, the total size of containers A, B, and links 1506 (here, fixed links), and the total size and the set of the containers in the basic layout. (Corresponding to the distance between the anchor icons of container A and container B in the example of FIG. 15). If the width of container A or container B is increased, a difference value is generated if it is calculated in the previous step. The layout editing application 121 adjusts the layout by equally distributing the difference value to each element of the set of containers.

  The layout editing application 121 optimizes the layout, and when the optimization calculation violates a rule (limit imposed on the container), calculates the container size so as not to violate the rule again (S1104). ). The rules described here are restrictions set by the user at the time of layout creation, such as the size and position of the container, and the link length in the case of a variable link. When the layout is calculated so as not to violate the rule, the layout of the set selected in step S1102 is completed. Then, steps S1102 to S1104 are performed on a set of all containers on the page, the layout of the entire page is calculated (S1105), and the layout calculation process is terminated.

  FIGS. 17A to 17C are diagrams illustrating user interface screens shown at the time of layout calculation. FIG. 17A shows a state in which a certain record is inserted and a layout is determined. Reference numerals 1701 and 1702 denote anchors, 1703 and 1704 denote fixed sides, 1705 denotes a variable side, 1706 denotes an arrow indicating a change direction of the variable side, and 1708 denotes a link. In this state, if the record is changed and contents of different sizes are inserted, the state shown in FIG. How the variable side is displaced from the state of FIG. 17A is indicated by a two-dot chain line. Then, layout calculation taking into account the rules is performed. FIG. 17C shows the result of layout calculation. The calculated sizes of the containers 1712 and 1713 are calculated so as to be equally different from the size of the actually inserted content, and are calculated so as not to violate the above-described rules. As shown in FIG. 17C, the inserted content size (a1b1c1d1, e1f1g1h1) and the calculated content size (a2b2c2d2, e2f2g2h2) shown in FIG. The container size is calculated with the difference. The above processing can be executed under the control of the processor unit 135.

<Priority layout>
Next, processing for assigning priorities and setting container layouts will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a layout of a general document created using a container, and an example in which layout calculation is performed with priority on the container size will be described. Similar to FIG. 4, there are an application window 301 and a toolbar 303 on the screen, and a container A (701), a container B (702), and a container C (703) exist on the document template 309. Each container includes an anchor icon 704, anchor icons 705 and 706, an anchor icon 707, a fixed side 710, a side 712, a side 713, and a side 711 and a side 714 that move to a variable length. In the figure, the fixed side is indicated by a solid line, and the side moving to a variable length is indicated by a dotted line. An anchor icon (hereinafter also referred to as “anchor”) is placed at a corner of the container, and the corner fixes the container at a specified position in the document and does not move from that position. There is a function to show. Since each container has a side that moves in a variable length, an indicator 708 and an indicator 709 indicating the direction in which the container moves variably are displayed in container A and container C, respectively. This is a function indicating that the sides of each container can move variably in the direction indicated by the indicator (or the opposite direction). In addition, a clip 720 representing nine base points of the container (the end and middle points of each side, and the center position inside the container) is displayed on each container.

  In FIG. 7, the maximum size of the container width (maximum position where the container can be expanded) is shown as a dotted line 715 for the container A and a dotted line 716 for the container C. This is visually shown in the description of this embodiment. It is used as a general aid and is not an essential display in the actual preview function. In FIG. 7, container A has <product name> (717), container B has <product image> (718), and container C has <description> (719). Is an example showing the relationship with the DB field name (column name) of the database. For example, the container A has a product name text, the container B has a product image of the product in the container A, and the container C has a container. This means that the description text of the product in A is inserted as data.

  Further, FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the property dialog window of the container C in the state of FIG. 7, and FIG. 20 is a flowchart for explaining the operation procedure of the property dialog window. Hereinafter, the operation procedure of the property dialog window will be described with reference to both the drawings. First, in step S2002, the layout editing application 121 selects a container for which a condition is set (for example, container C is selected) in accordance with an operation instruction from an instruction input unit such as a keyboard 132 or a mouse 133. In step S2003, the container properties are displayed on the screen (144). Here, the property can be displayed by selecting the right-click menu of the mouse or by the Alt key from the keyboard.

  In this embodiment, only whether the container size and font size are variable and the settings associated therewith are displayed in the property dialog window. The property dialog window 1801 includes a title bar 1802, a tool button 1803, a button 1804 for opening and closing the property dialog window, and an area 1827 for setting various information. This property dialog window 1801 has a selection option 1805 for changing the container size (Flexible Container). When this selection option is turned ON, 1806 (Container Size) is enabled (S2004-YES). However, in this case, since the height of the container C is fixed by the anchor 707, the area 1808 for designating the height is grayed out. On the other hand, since the side 714 of the width of the container C is variable, the area 1807 for specifying the width is in an enable state in which data can be input. Similarly, when all the container corners are anchored, the selection option 1805 itself is grayed out and cannot be selected. In another embodiment, the preview display 309 may be changed from the container property. On the other hand, if the container size is not changed in step S2004 of FIG. 20 (S2004-NO), the process ends.

  In step S2005 of FIG. 20, the layout editing application 121 inputs and determines the maximum value and the minimum value of the container size in accordance with an operation instruction from the user (second information). A minimum value of the width of the container is set in a box 1809 (Min. Distance). The current data has a value 80 set in this column. A box 1810 (Distance) displays the current width of the container. In the state of FIG. 7, the current width is 80. Next, in the box 1811 (Max. Distance), the maximum value of the width of the container is set. Currently, the value 120 is set here.

  Similarly, 1813 is a minimum value of the container height, 1814 is a current height of the container, and 1815 is a maximum value of the container height. In the list box 1812 and the list box 1816, the unit of the container size can be set. Here, mm is displayed as an example, but inch, pixel, and the like are also conceivable.

  The process advances to step S2006, and the layout editing application 121 determines whether or not to change the font size in accordance with an operation instruction from the user. The property dialog window 1801 has a selection option 1817 for changing the font size (Shrink to Fit). When the font size is made variable (YES in S2006), when this selection option is turned ON, 1818 (Font Size) becomes Enable. If the font size is not variable (S2006-NO), the process ends.

  In step S2007, the layout editing application 121 inputs and determines the maximum value and the minimum value of the font size in accordance with an operation instruction from the user (first information). Here, the minimum value of the font is set in a box 1820 (Minimum Size) in FIG. The current setting value indicates a state where 12 is set. A box 1821 (Current Size) displays the current font size setting. In the setting of FIG. 7, the font size is 16. A maximum value of the font is set in a box 1822 (Maximum Size). The value 16 is currently set here. In the list box 1823, a unit of font size is set, and “points” is currently displayed as an example, but a unit similar to the case of the container size is also conceivable. Reference numeral 1819 denotes a visual auxiliary preview for the user representing the minimum value, current value, and maximum value of the font.

  In addition to the above, the property dialog window 1801 gives priority to either the container size or the font size if the container has a large size text or if the current container size or font setting overflows characters from the container. Then, there are a selection button 1825 and a selection button 1826 for determining whether to proceed with the layout calculation. These two selection buttons do not need to set the calculation priority when either the container size or the font size does not change variably, so both the selection option 1805 and the selection option 1817 described above are checked. In this case, it can be enabled.

  In step S2008, the layout editing application 121 selects a priority order for layout calculation in accordance with an operation instruction from the user. Here, since the selection button 1826 (increase the container size first) is selected, if the text data overflows from the container, the container size is increased first to perform layout calculation.

  With the above procedure, the operation on the property dialog window is completed.

<When container size has priority>
Next, an example in which the container size is prioritized will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the progress of the layout when data is inserted into the layout in the state of FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing for calculating the layout using the options set in the property dialog window of FIG. 18 when data is inserted. First, in step S2102, the layout editing application 121 delivers content data to each container. In step S2103, the layout editing application 121 defines the reference value of the container size (width, height) defined by the basic pattern of the target container, the text amount of the data to be loaded, and the container attribute. It is determined whether or not characters overflow from the container based on the font size. If it is determined that characters overflow from the reference value of the container size, the process proceeds to step S2104. If it is determined that characters do not overflow, the calculation processing of the target container size ends. When characters overflow from the container (S2103-YES), the layout editing application 121 reads the container property setting and determines whether there is a calculation order priority setting (S2104).

  If there is a priority setting (S2104-YES), the layout editing application 121 determines whether to change the container size or the font size (S2105). If the change of the container size is set to be prioritized (S2105-container), the change of the container size is prioritized over the font size, and the layout editing application 121 sets the container according to the indicator (an arrow indicating a movable direction). Is expanded in the direction allowed by the constraint (S2106). The container A in FIG. 7 has a large amount of text, so that the movable side 714 reaches the maximum size 716 of the container. In this state, since the font size has not been reduced yet, not all the inserted text is displayed.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state when the font size of the text inserted in the container C shown in FIG. 8 is reduced. In step S2108 of FIG. 21, the layout editing application 121 determines whether text overflows from the container even when the container size is increased to the maximum value. If it is determined that text overflows from the container (YES in S2108), the process proceeds to step S2110, and the layout editing application 121 reduces the font size to fit in the container or to a restriction on the minimum font size. Due to the reduction of the font size, all the text is stored in the container C shown in FIG. In the state of FIG. 9, the size of the container C is the maximum value of 120, and the font size is the minimum value of 12 (see setting in FIG. 18).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 21, when it is determined in step S2103 that text does not overflow from the container (S2103-NO), or in step S2104, priority is not set (S2104-NO). If it is determined in step S2108 that all text can be accommodated by enlarging the container size (NO in S2108), the processing performed with priority on the container size in FIG. 21 ends.

<When font size has priority>
Next, an example in which the font size is preferentially calculated will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a general layout state created using containers. Similar to FIG. 7, there are an application window 301 and a toolbar 303, and a container A (1201), a container on the document template 309. B (1202), container C (1203), container D (1240), container E (1245), and container F (1250) exist.

  Container A, container B, and container C include an anchor icon 1213, an anchor icon 1214, and an anchor icon 1215, and fixed sides 1204, 1205, and 1206. Container D, container E, and container F are fixed side 1207, side 1208, and side 1209, movable side 1228, side 1229, side 1230, side 1231, side 1232, side 1233, and container It includes a slider 1210, a slider 1211, a slider 1212, and other indicators (1260, 1265, etc.) and clips (1290, etc.) described in FIG.

  In the diagram of FIG. 12, the maximum size of the container height (maximum expandable position of the container) is given by the upward dotted line 1216 and the downward dotted line 1217 in the case of the container D. The maximum size of container E is given by an upward dotted line 1218 and a downward dotted line 1219, and the maximum size of container F is given by an upward dotted line 1220 and a downward dotted line 1221. The broken lines (1216, 1217, etc.) indicating the maximum size shown here are displays for visually assisting the explanation, and are not essential displays in the actual preview function. Also, <item name> (1222, 1223, 1224) is displayed in container A, container B, and container C, and <description> (1225, 1226, 1227) is displayed in container D, container E, and container F. Although it is inserted, this is also an example showing the relationship with the DB field name (column name) of the database. For example, container A contains the item text, and container D contains the description of the item that enters container A. This means that text is inserted as data.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a property dialog window of the container E in the state of FIG. This content is the same as that shown in FIG. 18, and only whether the container size and font size are variable and the settings associated therewith are displayed in the property dialog window. In FIG. 12, the selection option 1805 is not grayed out because the corner of container E is not fixed by anchors. Since the selection option 1805 is checked, the inside of the frame 1806 is enabled. In this example, the boxes 1809, 1810, and 1811 and the list box 1812 of the area 1807 for setting the width of the container are grayed out. This is because, as shown in FIG. 12, the width of the container E is a fixed size, and the length of the side 1208 is variably moved up and down by the slider, and expansion and contraction in the width direction is restricted. . A minimum value of the height of the container is set in a box 1813 (Min. Distance). Currently, the value 30 is set. A box 1814 (Distance) displays the current height of the container. In the state of FIG. 12, the current height is 30. In a box 1815 (Max. Distance), a maximum value of the height of the container is set, and a value 45 is currently set.

  A minimum value of the font is set in a box 1820 (Minimum Size), and a value 10 is set here. A current font size 12 is set in a box 1821 (Current Size). In the box 1822 (Maximum Size), the maximum font value is set, and a value of 12 is set here. In the designation of the calculation priority, the selection button 1825 (the font size is reduced first) is selected. Therefore, when the text data overflows from the container, the font size is reduced first and the layout calculation is performed.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the progress of the layout when data is inserted into the layout of FIG. Here, the process of changing the layout with font priority will be described with reference to FIG. Text data is inserted in all containers (S2102). In container D, the text data overflows from the container with the font size set in FIG. 12, and the font is slightly reduced to display all text ( Here, the calculation of font size is given priority.)

  The font size of the container D is changed from the value 12 set initially at this time to the value 11. Further, since the text of the container F does not overflow from the container even at the current (initial setting) font size (value 12), the size is not changed at all, and all the text is stored in the container and the data can be displayed. is made of.

  On the other hand, since a large amount of text has been inserted in the container E (S2103-YES in FIG. 21), the layout editing application 121 reads the property setting of the container E and determines whether there is a priority setting for the calculation order. (S2104). When it is determined that the change of the font size is set to be prioritized (S2105-font), the layout editing application 121 prioritizes the font size over the container size and sets the font of the text inserted in the container to the container. Or is reduced to the restriction on the minimum font size (S2107).

  However, it is determined whether or not the amount of characters overflows from the container in spite of the font size being reduced to the minimum value in the process of step S2107. The amount of characters overflows from the container. That is, if it is determined that all the text cannot be displayed (S2109—YES), the layout editing application 121 enlarges the container size (width, height) based on the constraints (S2111). The container E expands the container from the center until all the text is displayed in the left-right direction and the up-down direction based on restrictions.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a state when the container size of the container E is enlarged in the height direction. If you reduce the font size and the text still overflows from the container, you can display all the text by changing the container size. In the state of FIG. 14, the font size of the container E is 10 as the minimum value and the container size is 42 (the maximum value is 45). In the example in which priority is given to the process of reducing the font size shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, when the user desires to arrange the text so as to fit the background form as much as possible, when large-size text data is inserted. Wants to deal with it by reducing the font size without changing the container size as much as possible, but conversely, if you make the font too small, it will be difficult to read, so while maintaining a certain font size, more text If you want to be able to display all the text, after reducing the font size, slightly increase the container size, and even if the form is slightly over, the entire text is stored in the container while maintaining readability. It becomes possible.

<Data structure of document template>
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a document template that defines a layout of data arranged on a page. The document template data includes page size 2301, information related to containers (2302, 2303, 2304), and information related to links connecting containers.

  The page size 2301 includes vertical and horizontal lengths, standard sizes, and the like, and the container information 2302 includes a container width and height, a layout position in the page, and whether the sides constituting the container are fixed. Attribute information such as whether it is movable and whether an anchor or a slider is set, and priority setting information relating to the process of reducing the font size or increasing the container size described above. Determining whether data can be stored in this container by comparing the information about the width and height of the container information with the number of characters of the data assigned to this container, the amount of data, font information, etc. Can do. Further, the link information includes data indicating the connection relationship between containers, information regarding the setting of fixed links and variable length links. The template data is stored in the memory 136 or the hard disk 140, and various document processing can be performed using a template reflecting the above-described priority order during preview display and data printing.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the priority order is set for the font size change and the container size change, and these are reflected in the design of the template that determines the layout in the page. The reflected document processing can be realized.

Second Embodiment
In addition to the methods shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 in the first embodiment, a method of setting whether to give priority to the font size or the container size at the time of layout calculation is conceivable. In the method shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, it is necessary to open the property dialog window of the container. For example, an arbitrary container is selected from the container layout displayed on the screen of the display device 144, and the mouse is selected. Those setting commands may be inserted in a pop-up menu displayed by right-clicking 133.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a pop-up menu (2200) by right-clicking the mouse. A menu 2201 is a command for setting a font attribute of the text in the container. The menu 2202 is a font color setting, the menu 2203 is a horizontal alignment, the menu 2204 is a vertical alignment, the menu 2205 is a background color (including transparent), the menu 2206 is an order setting, and the menu 2207 is a container Delete command, menu 2208 is for editing the expression, menu 2209 is a command for opening the container property dialog window, command for setting the menu 2210 to calculate the layout in favor of the font size over the container size, and the menu 2211 is the font This is a command that sets the layout calculation with the container size given priority over the size.

  As described in the first embodiment, these commands are based on the assumption that the container size and font size are set to be variable in the container properties. In the state where the document is previewed on the screen of the display device 144 and the container setting is to be changed directly, the setting state of the fixed side and the movable side is determined by the processor unit 135, and the size and font of the container are determined. Only when the size can be changed in the property of the container, the pop-up menu can be displayed as Enable; otherwise, it can be grayed out.

  According to the setting method according to the present embodiment, the user can perform settings for layout calculation more quickly, and the layout can be executed more efficiently.

<Other embodiments>
An object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the computer system concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the specific structure of a host computer. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration in which a layout engine module 225 is provided in an engine server 227 in addition to a host computer 101. FIG. It is a figure which shows the user interface screen containing a menu bar, a tool bar, a work area, and a floating palette. It is a figure which shows the container which has the link between containers, an anchor, and a slider. It is a figure explaining the rule with respect to the edge | side which comprises a container exemplarily. It is a figure explaining the rule with respect to the edge | side which comprises a container exemplarily. It is a figure explaining the rule with respect to the edge | side which comprises a container exemplarily. It is a figure explaining the rule with respect to the edge | side which comprises a container exemplarily. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the user interface at the time of link creation. It is a figure which shows the layout of the general document produced using the container. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a progress in the middle of layout when data is inserted into the layout in the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows a state when the font size of the text inserted in the container C shown in FIG. 8 is reduced. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of layout calculation. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the detailed process of layout calculation. It is a figure which shows the state of the general layout produced using the container. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a progress of the layout when data is inserted into the layout of FIG. 12. It is a figure which shows a state when the container size of the container E is expanded in the height direction. It is a figure explaining the set of containers at the time of layout calculation. It is a flowchart explaining the specific content of the setting method of a link. It is the figure which showed the example of a display of the user interface screen corresponding to the flow of FIG. It is a figure which shows the property dialog window of the container C in the state of FIG. It is a figure which shows the property dialog window of the container E in the state of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the operation procedure of a property dialog window. FIG. 19 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of processing for calculating a layout using options set in the property dialog window of FIG. 18 when data is inserted. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the pop-up menu (2200) by the right click of a mouse | mouth. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the data of a document template.

Claims (21)

A document processing method capable of changing a document layout according to data,
A determination step of determining whether the data can be arranged in a partial display area into which the data is to be poured;
According to the determination result, when the data cannot be arranged in the partial display area, the font size of the data or the size of the partial display area is changed according to the priority information set in the partial display area. A document processing method comprising: an arrangement step of arranging the data on a page. The document processing method according to claim 1, further comprising a generation step of generating a document template including information indicating the priority order associated with the partial display area. The document template includes link information that defines a connection between at least two partial display areas arranged on the page,
The document processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the arranging step, the data is arranged so that display areas do not overlap with other partial display areas connected by the link information. Whether to give priority to the first information related to the font size for displaying the data, the second information related to the size of the partial display area, or the first information or the second information for the priority order information The document processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: designation information for designating. 5. The document processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the arranging step, the font size of the data is changed in accordance with information on the font size. 5. The document processing method according to claim 1, wherein in the arranging step, at least one of a width and a height of the partial display area is changed according to information on a size of the partial display area. The document according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the arranging step executes the change of the font size and the change of the size of the partial display area with priority according to the designation information. Processing method. A document processing apparatus capable of changing a document layout according to data,
Determining means for determining whether or not the data can be arranged in a partial display area into which the data is to be poured;
According to the determination result, when the data cannot be arranged in the partial display area, the font size of the data or the size of the partial display area is changed according to the priority information set in the partial display area. A document processing apparatus comprising: arrangement means for arranging the data on a page. The document processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a generation unit configured to generate a document template including information indicating the priority order associated with the partial display area. The document template includes link information that defines a connection between at least two partial display areas arranged on the page,
The document processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the arrangement unit arranges the data such that display areas do not overlap with other partial display areas connected by the link information. Whether to give priority to the first information related to the font size for displaying the data, the second information related to the size of the partial display area, or the first information or the second information for the priority order information The document processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising designation information for designating a document. The document processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the arrangement unit changes a font size of the data according to information on the font size. 12. The document processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the arrangement unit changes at least one of a width and a height of the partial display area according to information on the size of the partial display area. The document according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the arrangement unit executes the change of the font size and the change of the size of the partial display area with priority according to the designation information. Processing equipment. A document processing program that causes a computer to execute document processing that can change the layout of a document according to data, and the program
Determining means for determining whether the data can be arranged in a partial display area into which the data is to be poured;
According to the determination result, when the data cannot be arranged in the partial display area, the font size of the data or the size of the partial display area is changed according to the priority information set in the partial display area. A document processing program that functions as an arrangement unit that arranges the data on a page. 16. The document processing program according to claim 15, wherein the document processing program further causes the computer to function as a generation unit that generates a document template including information indicating the priority order associated with the partial display area. . The document template includes link information that defines a connection between at least two partial display areas arranged on the page,
17. The arrangement according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the arrangement unit causes the computer to execute a process of arranging the data so that display areas do not overlap with other partial display areas connected by the link information. The document processing program described. Whether priority is given to the first information related to the font size for displaying the data, the second information related to the size of the partial display area, or the first information or the second information. The document processing program according to claim 15, further comprising: designation information for designating. The document processing program according to claim 15 or 18, wherein the arrangement unit causes the computer to execute a process of changing a font size of the data according to information on the font size. 19. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the arrangement unit causes the computer to execute a process of changing at least one of a width and a height of the partial display area according to information on the size of the partial display area. The document processing program described. 21. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the arrangement unit causes the computer to execute the change of the font size and the change of the size of the partial display area with priority according to the designation information. The document processing program described.

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