JP2006260133A - Medium layout support system, page layout apparatus, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medium layout support system that can facilitate the layout work and management of a replacement version by holding and managing a master version and the replacement version with replacement areas as intermediate data. <P>SOLUTION: A page layout apparatus 103 that accesses a merchandise information database 301 and a post information database 302 comprises a category area allocation means 121, a frame allocation means 122 for setting frames in category areas/replacement areas, a search request means 123, a merchandise allocation means 124, an allocation information recording means 125, and a replacement area creation means 128 for replacing at least one category area selected from layout data on a created master version with a replacement area and setting the entire position size of the selected category areas as replacement area information related to the page. Page layout processing is thereby performed on a replacement version. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium layout support system using a network and linked with a product information database, and more particularly, to a replacement version creation function for leaflets and the like. The medium is a flyer, a catalog, or the like.

  Conventionally, a page layout system equipped with a database suitable for editing and producing printed materials related to a large amount of product information data such as catalogs and leaflets has been put into practical use (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, in recent years, when media production is performed, with the widespread use of computers, it has begun to use product data included in catalogs as a database. Media production systems that are highly compatible with desktop publishing (DTP) work that can be done in collaboration with a database in a form that includes customers have been operated, and the efficiency of media production work has been improved. .

  In addition, there is a layout device that facilitates creation of new layout data by registering created layout data as a pattern when performing medium production, and reading and reusing this pattern as a pattern (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-220548 A JP 7-98704 A

Conventionally, however, flyers such as mass merchandisers that have sales routes throughout the country have a replacement version that is partially replaced with the master version, and it is necessary to create a layout instruction for each. In the conventional instruction, the instruction work and its management are very complicated in the conventional work.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing creation of a replacement version in a conventional page layout system. As shown in FIG. 11, the conventional page layout system 1000 creates replacement versions X, Y, Z, etc. that are partially replaced with the master version 1021 by handwriting instructions based on the layout data of the master version 1021. To do. If there is a change in the position and size of the classification area 1022 in the master version 1021, it is necessary to correct all the replacement versions X, Y, and Z. It was the cause of the decline.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to easily perform layout work and management of the replacement version by holding and managing the master version and the replacement version as intermediate data of the replacement area. An object of the present invention is to provide a media layout support system and the like.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first invention has a product information database for storing and managing product information, and a publication information database for storing and managing page allocation information, and the product information and the page allocation information. A page layout apparatus connected to a server providing a client via a network and comprising a client terminal, wherein the publication information database is created by the page layout apparatus and is associated with each other of each page constituting an information medium. Associated with each classification information / replacement information, at least one classification information associated with a classification area in which a plurality of product information is posted, at least one replacement information associated with a replacement area replacing at least one of the classification areas Associated with frames in the classified / replaced area A database for storing and managing page allocation information consisting of at least one piece of frame information, wherein the position size of the classification area is associated with the page according to the classification area designated on the page. Classification area assigning means to be set as classification information, and at least one classification area selected from the layout data of the created information medium is replaced as a replacement area in accordance with the replacement instruction, and the entire position of the selected classification area A replacement area creating means for setting the size as the replacement information associated with the replacement version of the page, and at least one frame for displaying the product information according to the designated classification area / frame allocation in the replacement area And the classification information / replacement corresponding to the classification region / replacement region The frame information corresponding to the number of frames is associated with the information, the frame allocation means for setting the position size of the frame to each frame information, the input search condition is received, and the product information search request for the product information database is received from the server The product request selected from the search request means for transmitting to the server and one or more product information groups that are the search results acquired from the server is posted on the designated frame, and the product information selected for the corresponding frame information is displayed. Product allocation means to associate, page allocation information created by the product allocation means, registration means for registering and holding the publication information database, and products to be associated with each piece of frame information based on the page allocation information created by the product allocation means An allocation result output means for printing out an allocation result in which information is arranged at the position size of the frame information; and the product allocation means. A page layout apparatus comprising: medium production data output means for outputting data necessary for production of the information medium from the page allocation information created by the method.

  The medium production data output means preferably obtains the product information associated with the frame information from the product information database as data necessary for production of the information medium, and outputs the product information as text data.

  A page layout device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a product information database that stores and manages product information, and a publication information database that stores and manages page allocation information, and a server that provides the product information and the page allocation information. Connected to each other via a network, and the publication information database is associated with at least one classified area created by the page layout apparatus and containing a plurality of mutually related product information for each page constituting the information medium. One classification information, at least one replacement information associated with a replacement area for replacing at least one classification area, and at least one frame associated with each classification information / classification area associated with the replacement information / frame within the replacement area And page allocation information consisting of The position of the classification area is set as the classification information associated with the page according to the classification area specified on the page, and the layout of the created information medium according to the replacement instruction At least one classification area selected from the data is replaced as a replacement area, the entire position size of the selected classification area is set as the replacement information associated with the replacement version of the page, and the specified classification area / replacement According to the frame division in the area, at least one frame for placing product information is arranged, and frame information for the number of frames is associated with the classification information / replacement information corresponding to the classification area / replacement area, and Set the frame position size, accept the entered search conditions, and product information for the product information database Sends a search request to the server, places the product information selected from one or more product information groups, which are the search results obtained from the server, in the specified frame, and associates the selected product information with the corresponding frame information The created page allocation information is registered and held in the publication information database. In addition, based on the created page allocation information, print out the layout result in which the product information associated with each frame information is arranged at the position size of the frame information, and from the created page allocation information, it is necessary for production of information media. Output data.

“Product information” is composed of character information (specs etc.) of products, material information (image information) of products, and the like.
“Page allocation information” is a replacement for replacing at least one classification area and at least one classification area having the position and size of a classification area where a plurality of product information items related to each other are included in each page constituting the information medium. It consists of at least one piece of replacement information associated with a region and at least one piece of piece information associated with each piece of classification information / classification region associated with the replacement information / frames within the replacement region.
Specifically, “information medium (medium)” refers to a flyer, a catalog, or the like. It does not matter whether it is printed on paper or used as digital data.
The “page” constitutes an information medium, and has a “classification area” that is a grouped area in which at least one or more items of product information related to each other are placed on the page. Each classification area has at least one or more “frames (publishing areas)” according to the frame division, and one piece of product information is posted in the “frame (publishing area)”. In addition, it has a “replacement version” created by substituting a part of the classification area for the “master version” composed of data such as the classification area on the page and the frame (publishing area). Is composed of data such as “replacement area” and “frame (posting area)”.

In the first invention, the master version and the replacement version are held and managed with the “replacement area” as intermediate data, so that the two are linked, and the layout instruction mistake of the replacement version is reduced, and the layout instruction work and management of the replacement version Can be done easily and quality is improved. In addition, a system layout support system that can shorten the layout instruction time by systematization, can improve the efficiency of page layout work such as flyers, and can smoothly use the result of layout work for subsequent DTP work without waste. Can be provided.
In addition, the same size area can be maintained by inheriting the coordinates and position of the area to be replaced in the master version to the size and position of the replacement version via intermediate data called “replacement area”. Simplification of creation and change of the master version can be flexibly applied to the replacement version.

  The second invention includes a page layout device including a client terminal, a product information database that stores and manages product information, and a publication information database that stores and manages page allocation information. A server that provides the page allocation information is a medium layout support system connected via a network, and the posting information database is created by the page layout device for each page constituting the information medium, Each classification information / replacement information, at least one classification information associated with a classification area in which a plurality of mutually related product information is posted, at least one replacement information associated with a replacement area that replaces at least one of the classification areas, Corresponds to the frame in the classification area / replacement area associated with The page layout device stores and manages page allocation information including at least one piece of frame information, and the page layout device determines a position size of the classification area according to the classification area specified on the page. The classification area assigning means to be set as the classification information associated with the page, and at least one classification area selected from the layout data of the created information medium is replaced and selected as a replacement area according to the replacement instruction. Product information according to the replacement area creating means for setting the overall position size of the classified area as the replacement information associated with the replacement version of the page, and the designated classification area / frame allocation in the replacement area Place at least one frame to post the classification area / the replacement The frame information corresponding to the number of frames is associated with the classification information / replacement information corresponding to the area, the frame allocation means for setting the position size of the frame for each frame information, the input search condition is received, and the product information A search request means for sending a search request for product information to the database to the server, and product information selected from one or more product information groups that are search results obtained from the server are posted on the designated frame, and Product allocation means for associating the selected product information with the frame information to be performed, registration means for registering and holding the page allocation information created by the product allocation means in the publication information database, and page allocation created by the product allocation means Based on the information, prints out the allocation result in which the product information associated with each piece of piece information is arranged at the position size of the piece of piece information. A medium layout support system, and medium production data output means for outputting data necessary for production of the information medium from page allocation information created by the product allocation means. It is.

  The second invention is an invention relating to a medium layout support system comprising a page layout device of the first invention and a server for performing database management and providing product information and page allocation information.

A third invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the page layout apparatus of the first invention.
A fourth invention is a recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the page layout apparatus of the first invention is recorded.

  The above-described program may be distributed by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program can be transmitted and received via a communication line.

  The present invention can provide a media layout support system and the like that can easily perform layout work and management of a replacement version by holding and managing the master version and the replacement version as intermediate data in the replacement area. .

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a medium layout support system and the like according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to components having substantially the same functional configuration, and redundant description is omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a medium layout support system 100 according to the present embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a media layout support system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the media layout support system 100 is configured by connecting a server 101, a plurality of client terminals 103, and the like via a network 109. The

  The network 109 is a network such as the Internet, a local area network (LAN), or an in-house LAN, and may be wired or wireless.

  The server 101 is a server computer or the like and has a database management unit 111. The database management unit 111 is a database engine and responds to various requests such as search, reference, registration, and deletion to the product information database 301 and the publication information database 302 in response to requests from the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103. Perform the appropriate process.

The client terminal 103 is a personal computer, a portable terminal (Personal Digital Assistant), or the like. The client terminal 103 is a page layout device, and uses a product information database 301 of the server 101 to create a media page layout, product allocation processing, and a master version and a part of a flyer, etc. when producing media such as flyers and catalogs. Perform the layout process of the replacement version that is being replaced.
The medium is an information medium, and specifically refers to a product catalog, a flyer, or the like. It does not matter whether it is printed on paper or used as digital data. In the present embodiment, description will be made using a leaflet as a medium.

  The client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 includes a classification area allocation unit 121, a frame (posting area) allocation unit 122, a search request unit 123, a product allocation unit 124, an allocation information recording unit 125, an allocation result output unit 126, and medium production data. An output unit 127, a replacement area creation unit 128, and the like are included.

The classification area assigning means 121 sets a classification area that is an area for each classification in which a plurality of product information items related to each other are posted on a page constituting a leaflet (medium).
The frame (posting area) allocation unit 122 sets frame allocation in each classification area / replacement area. The top is a posting area in which one product information is posted.
The search request unit 123 transmits a product information search request for the product information database 301 to the server 101.
The merchandise allocation means 124 allocates the selected merchandise information to the designated frame from the merchandise information group as the search result.
The allocation information recording unit 125 registers and holds the created allocation information in the posting information database 302 via the server 101.
The allocation result output means 126 prints out the allocation result based on the allocation information.
The medium production data output means 127 outputs text data necessary for production of a flyer (medium) from the allocation information.
The replacement area creating unit 128 sets at least one classification area selected from the layout data of the created flyer (master version) as a replacement area in response to the replacement instruction, and creates a replacement area.

  The medium layout support system 100 according to the present embodiment is realized by using WWW (World Wide Web) technology. The server 101 includes a Web server, the client terminal 103 includes a Web browser, and the server 101 and the client terminal 103. Transmits and receives data via a Web server and a Web browser, respectively.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the server 101 will be described. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the server 101.

  The server 101 is configured by connecting a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a media input / output unit 203, a communication control unit 204, an input unit 205, a display unit 206, a printing unit 207, and the like via a system bus 209.

  The control unit 201 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

The CPU calls a program stored in the storage unit 202, ROM, recording medium or the like to a work memory area on the RAM, executes it, controls the drive of each device connected via the system bus 209, and is performed by the server 101. Implement various database management processes.
The ROM is a non-volatile memory and permanently holds a computer boot program, a program such as BIOS, data, and the like.
The RAM is a volatile memory, and temporarily stores a program, data, and the like loaded from the storage unit 202, ROM, recording medium, and the like, and includes a work area used by the control unit 201 for performing various processes.

The storage unit 202 is an HDD (hard disk drive), and stores a program executed by the control unit 201, data necessary for program execution, an OS (operating system), and the like. As for programs, a control program 391 corresponding to an OS (operating system), an application program 392 corresponding to various database management processes performed by the server 101 to which the present computer is applied, and the like are stored.
Each of these program codes is read by the control unit 201 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, read by the CPU, and executed as various means.

  The media input / output unit 203 (drive device) performs data input / output, for example, floppy disk drive, PD drive, CD drive (-ROM, -R, -RW, etc.), DVD drive (-ROM, -R, etc.) -RW etc.) and media input / output devices such as MO drives.

  The communication control unit 204 includes a communication control device, a communication port, and the like, and is a communication interface that mediates communication between the server 101 and the network 109. Communication control between the server 101 and the client terminal 103 is performed via the network 109. I do.

The input unit 205 inputs data and includes, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, and an input device such as a numeric keypad.
An operation instruction, an operation instruction, data input, and the like can be performed on the server 101 via the input unit 205.

  The display unit 206 includes a display device such as a CRT monitor and a liquid crystal panel, and a logic circuit (such as a video adapter) for realizing a video function of the computer in cooperation with the display device.

  A printing unit 207 is a printer and performs print output processing.

  The system bus 209 is a path that mediates transmission / reception of control signals, data signals, and the like between the devices.

  Next, information stored in the storage unit 202 of the server 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating information stored in the storage unit 202.

  In the storage unit 202, a plurality of product information databases 301, a publication information database 302, a control program 391, an application program 392, and the like are stored.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the data structures of the product information database 301 and the publication database 302.
As shown in FIG. 4, the product information database 301 includes a plurality of product information 310 and the like. Note that a plurality of product information databases 301 managed by the server 101 may exist as necessary.

  The product information 310 includes a product information ID, product specification information 311 (character information), product material information 312 (image information), and the like.

  The data configuration of the product information database 301 is not limited to this configuration.

The posting information database 302 includes allocation information 320 created by the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103.
The allocation information 320 is page layout information for each page 21 constituting a medium such as a flyer, and includes master information 321, at least one classification information 322, at least one piece of frame information 323, at least one replacement version information 324, at least It consists of one replacement area information 325 and the like.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration of page layout information.
As shown in FIG. 5, the page layout information to be created manages data in a hierarchical structure of a page 21, a classification area 22, and a frame (posting area) 23.
The page 21 constitutes a leaflet (information medium), and has a classification area 21 that is a grouped area on which at least one or more pieces of related product information are posted. Each classification area 22 has at least one or more frames (publishing areas) 23 according to the frame division, and one piece of product information 310 is posted in the frames (publishing areas) 23.
In addition, the master version 20 composed of data such as the classification area 22 and the frame (posting area) 23 on the page 21 has at least one replacement version 24 in which the classification area 22 is partially replaced and created. The replacement version 24 includes data such as at least one replacement area 25 and a frame (posting area) 23.

  The master information 321 includes master ID, leaflet (medium) name, size, publication date, and the like, and is information on the master version 20.

  The classification information 322 is position size information of the classification region 22 in which a plurality of product information 310 (product value set information such as specification information 311 and material information 312) related to each other is posted, and is at least one associated with the master information 321. It consists of the above classification information 322. The classification information 322 includes a master ID, a classification ID, a classification area size, classification area position information (for example, a classification area lower left coordinate, a classification area coordinate upper right coordinate), and the like.

The frame information 323 is position size information of a frame (posting region) 23 allocated in each classification region 22 and product information ID to be posted, and includes at least one piece of frame information 323 associated with the classification information 322. The frame information 323 includes a classification ID, a frame ID, a frame size, frame position information (for example, a frame lower left coordinate, a frame coordinate upper right coordinate), a product information ID to be posted, and the like.
The data structure of the posting information database 302 is not limited to this structure.

  The replacement version information 324 is information of the replacement version 24 created by partially replacing the master version 20 associated with the master information 321 and includes a master ID, a replacement version ID, a replacement version name, and the like.

  The replacement area information 325 is position size information of the replacement area 25 that replaces at least one classification area 22 of the layout data of the master version 20, and includes at least one replacement area information 325 associated with the replacement version information 324. The replacement area information 325 includes a replacement version ID, a replacement area ID, a replacement area name, a replacement area size, replacement area position information (for example, a replacement area lower left coordinate, a replacement area coordinate upper right coordinate), and the like. Note that the position size information of the replacement area 25 is the position size information of the entire plurality of classification areas 22 when a plurality of adjacent classification areas 22 are selected.

The frame information 323 is position size information of the frame (posting area) 23 allocated in each replacement area 25 and product information ID to be posted, and includes at least one piece of piece information 323 associated with the replacement area information 325. The frame information 323 includes a replacement area ID, a frame ID, a frame size, frame position information (for example, a frame lower left coordinate, a frame coordinate upper right coordinate), a product information ID to be posted, and the like.
The data structure of the posting information database 302 is not limited to this structure.

The control program 391 is a program that drives and controls each component of the server 101, and corresponds to an OS (operating system).
The application program 392 is an executable program corresponding to the data management unit 111 performed by the server 101.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the client terminal 103 (page layout apparatus) 103 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of the client terminal 103 (page layout apparatus) 103.

The client terminal 103 is connected to a control unit 401, a storage unit 402, a communication control unit 403, a media input / output unit 404, an input unit 405, a display unit 406, a printing unit 407, and the like via a system bus 409.
The hardware configuration of the client terminal 103 is the same as that of the server 101 described above with reference to FIG.

  Note that the storage unit 402 corresponds to a process described later by a control program 391 corresponding to an OS (operating system) and a client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 to which the computer is applied (FIG. 7, FIG. 7). 8) Executable program, classification area allocation means 121, frame (posting area) allocation means 122, search request means 123, product allocation means 124, allocation information recording means 125, allocation result output means 126, medium production data The output means 127, the replacement area creating means 128, and the like are corresponding page layout processing programs. Each of these program codes is read by the control unit 401 as necessary, transferred to the RAM, read by the CPU, and executed as various means.

  Next, the processing operation of the page layout process of the replacement version 24 of the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the page layout processing of the replacement version 24 of the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103. FIG. FIG. 9 is a screen transition diagram of the page layout processing of the replacement version 24.

A page layout processing program, which is an application program 392, is installed in the storage unit 402 of the client terminal 103, and the following page layout processing (classification area allocation unit 121, frame (posting area) allocation unit 122, The search request unit 123, the product allocation unit 124, the allocation information recording unit 125, the allocation result output unit 126, the media production data output unit 127, the replacement area creation unit 128, and the like are performed by the control unit 401 of the client 103.
A database management program that is an application program 392 is installed in the storage unit 202 of the server 101. The following processing of the server 101 is performed by the control unit 201 of the server 101 according to the control of this database management program.

  The control unit 401 of the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 accesses the server 101 and makes a login request to the product information database 301 (step S701).

  For example, a predetermined URL of the server 101 is designated from the client terminal 103 to access the server 101, and the control unit 201 of the server 101 transmits login screen data to the client terminal 103. The control unit 401 of the client terminal 103 transmits the input user ID, password, and server name to the server 101 according to the login screen 60.

  The control unit 201 of the server 101 performs user authentication from the received user ID, password, and the like, and when the user authentication is correct, sets and connects the product information database 301 corresponding to the specified server name (step S702).

  The control unit 401 of the client terminal 103 displays the layout screen 10 (step S703). The control unit 401 reads the allocation information 320 of the existing leaflets in the publishing information database 302 from the server 101, creates the layout screen 10 from the read information, and displays it.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the layout screen 10.
As shown in FIG. 10, a flyer (medium) tree 11, a flyer list 12, a layout area 13, a publication list 14, a menu bar 15 and the like are displayed on the layout screen 10.

The leaflet (medium) tree 11 represents a tree structure of a leaflet (medium) based on the master information 321.
The flyer list 12 displays a flyer list indicating flyer information 16 included in a folder selected from the flyer (medium) tree 11. The leaflet information 16 includes a leaflet name, a paper size, a publication date, and the like, which are master information 321 of the allocation information 320.
The layout area 13 is an area for performing layout work, and displays layout data. Control buttons such as a classification assignment 28, a frame assignment 26, and a replacement setting 27 are provided.
The posting list 14 includes a frame information record 17 indicating a product information ID, a frame size, and the like arranged in a frame (posting area) 23 of the page 21 displayed in the layout area 13.
The menu bar 15 is an interface for calling a menu for performing various operations of the page layout apparatus. For example, when searching for the product information database 301, the search dialog is called by pulling down “Search” in the menu bar 15.

  The control unit 401 of the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 displays the layout display of the flyer (master version) on the layout area 13 based on the corresponding allocation information 320 by selecting the desired flyer information 16 from the flyer list 12. (Step S704) (FIG. 9 (1) Display of master version).

  The control unit 401 sets the replacement area 25 of the replacement version 24 by selecting the classification area 22 to be replaced (step S705) ((2) Replacement area selection of replacement version, (3) Replacement area setting).

For example, when the user selects at least one classification area 22 to be replaced on the layout area 13 and presses the replacement setting button 27, a replacement version name 31, a replacement area name 32, etc. are displayed on the displayed replacement area setting screen 30. Is specified. When a plurality of replacement areas 25 are set, the classification area 22 to be replaced is subsequently selected and the replacement area name 32 is designated.
For example, the classification area 22 “classification 3” and “classification 5” to be replaced on the layout area 13 are selected, and the replacement area name 31 “Kansai version” and the replacement area name 32 “A” are designated on the replacement area setting screen 30. Further, the classification area 22 “classification 7” to be replaced on the layout area 13 is selected, and the replacement area name 32 “B” is designated. This means that the replacement area “A” and the replacement area “B” are designated as the replacement version “Kansai version”.

The control unit 401 creates replacement version information 324 associated with the master information 321 of the page. As the replacement version information 324, the master ID, the replacement version ID, the designated replacement version name 31, and the like are set. Next, it is arranged as one replacement area 25 for replacing the selected at least one classification area 22, and the associated replacement version ID and replacement area ID are specified as replacement area information 325 associated with the replacement version information 324. A replacement area name, a replacement area size, replacement area position information, and the like are set. The replacement area size and replacement area position information set the overall position size of at least one selected classification area 22.
In the present embodiment, the replacement area name, the replacement area 25, etc. are specified on the replacement area setting screen 30 and the replacement version information 324 and the replacement area information 325 are set. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a replacement version name may be set in advance.

The control unit 401 displays the replacement area 25 of the set replacement version 24 (step S706) (FIG. 9 (4) display of replacement version).
For example, as the replacement version 24, the replacement area 25 “A” in which the classification areas 22 “class 3” and “class 5” are replaced and the replacement area 25 “B” in which the classification area 22 “class 7” is replaced are displayed.
The processes in steps S705 and S706 correspond to the replacement area creating unit 128.

  The control unit 401 sets frame allocation in each replacement area 25 (step S707) (FIG. 9 (5) frame allocation setting in the replacement area 25).

For example, when the user presses the frame assignment button 26, an arbitrary placement frame selected from the placement frame list of a plurality of types of placement frames composed of the “vertical division number” × “horizontal division number” is displayed in the layout area. The frame division is designated by dragging and dropping to 13 designated replacement areas 25.
The control unit 401 displays the frame 23 in the replacement area 25 on the layout area 13 according to the designated frame division, and creates frame information 323 associated with the corresponding replacement area 25 by the number of frames. As the frame information 323, a replacement area ID, a frame ID, a frame size, frame position information, and the like are set.
The processing in step S707 corresponds to the frame (publication area) assigning means 122.

The control unit 401 transmits a product information search request for the search condition designated by the search function to the server 101 (step S708).
The user selects a search function from a search menu (not shown) displayed by pulling down “Search” in the menu bar 15 on the layout screen 10, and the control unit 401 displays a product search screen (not shown). Display and send a product information search request with the specified search conditions.

The control unit 201 of the server 101 searches for the product information 310 from the product information database 301 based on the specified search condition, and transmits search result data (step S709).
The processing in steps S708 and S709 corresponds to the product search request unit 124.

The control unit 401 of the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 allocates the selected product information from the search result list that is the received search result data to the designated frame 23 in the replacement area 25, and displays the product information allocation result. Displayed in the layout area 13 (step S710).
The processing in step S710 corresponds to the product allocation unit 124.

The display of switching between the replacement area 24 and the layout area 13 of the master version 20 is performed by, for example, a switching tab between the master version 20 and each replacement version 24 in the layout area 13 in which the flyer name of each master version, each replacement version name, and the like are specified. A certain “master version” tab 41 (for example, “flyer 02”), “replacement version” tab 42 (for example, “Kansai version”) or the like is used.
When the position size of the classification area 22 of the master version 20 is changed, the “master version” tab 41 causes the control unit 401 to display the layout of the master version 20 of the flyer and change the classification area 22, frame division, and the like. Do. At this time, when the classification area 22 is changed beyond a predetermined position or size in relation to the replacement area 25 of the replacement version, the control unit 401 outputs a warning message, an alert, or the like to call attention.
The display switching of the layout area 13 of the replacement version 24 and the master version 20 is not limited to this switching tab.

When the layout process of the replacement version 24 is completed, the control unit 401 registers the created allocation information 320 in the posting information database 302 and transmits a storage request (step S711).
The control unit 201 of the server 101 registers and stores the received allocation information 320 in the posting information database 302 (step S712).
The processes in steps S711 and S712 correspond to the allocation information recording unit 125.

  Further, the control unit 401 transmits a product information acquisition request for the product information ID associated with the piece information 323 to the product information database 301 to the server 101 as an assignment result output function corresponding to the assignment result output unit 126. The layout result data created by arranging the item value (spec information 311 and / or material information 312) of the product information 310 acquired from the server 101 in each frame 23 is printed out. This output can be used as an instruction to the worker of the DTP work, which is a subsequent process.

  Further, the control unit 401 uses the item value (spec information 311 and / or material information 312) of the product information 310 acquired from the server 101 as text data as a medium production data output function corresponding to the medium production data output unit 127. Is created and output. The output text data can be used for pouring in DTP work.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the page layout apparatus that accesses the product information database 301 that stores and manages product information and the publication information database 302 that stores and manages allocation information 320 for each page of the flyer. 103, a classification area allocation unit 121 that sets a classification area 22 in which a plurality of product information 310 related to each other is placed on the page 21, and a frame allocation means 122 that sets a frame allocation in the classification area 22 / replacement area 25; , A search request unit 123 that makes a product information search request to the product information database 301, a product allocation unit 124 that creates the allocation information 320 by placing the product information 310 selected from the acquired search results on the designated frame 23, and the allocation Allocation information recording means for registering and holding information 320 in the posting information database 302 25 and at least one classification area 22 selected from the layout data of the master version in response to the replacement instruction is arranged as one replacement area 25, and the overall position size of the selected at least one classification area 22 is A replacement area creating unit 128 that is set as replacement area information 325 associated with the page, and performs page layout processing of the replacement version 24 that is created by partially replacing the master version 20.

As a result, the master version and the replacement version are held and managed with the "replacement area" as intermediate data, so that they can be linked together, reducing mistakes in the layout instruction of the replacement version, and simplifying the layout instruction work and management of the replacement version It becomes possible to improve quality. In addition, a system layout support system that can shorten the layout instruction time by systematization, can improve the efficiency of page layout work such as flyers, and can smoothly use the result of layout work for subsequent DTP work without waste. Can be provided.
In addition, the same size area can be maintained by inheriting the coordinates and position of the area to be replaced in the master version to the size and position of the replacement version via intermediate data called “replacement area”. Simplification of creation and change of the master version can be flexibly applied to the replacement version.

  In this embodiment, the server 101 has a database management unit 111, a product information database 301, a publication information database 302, and the like, and a client terminal (page layout device) 103 has a classification area allocation unit 121 and a frame (posting). Area) allocation means 122, search request means 123, product allocation means 124, allocation information recording means 125, allocation result output means 126, medium production data output means 127, replacement area setting means 128, etc., and these executable programs The page layout program is started, and the page layout processing is performed while accessing the product information database 301 and the publication information database 302 via the database management unit 111 on the server 101 side. Equipped with Access to the page layout section is from Ant terminal 103 of the server 101 application, it may be activated.

  Note that the program for performing the processing shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 may be distributed by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or the program can be transmitted and received via a communication line.

  The preferred embodiments of the medium layout support system and the like according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea disclosed in the present application, and these naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

The figure which shows schematic structure of the medium layout assistance system 100 which concerns on this Embodiment. Hardware configuration diagram of server 101 The figure which shows the information which the memory | storage part 202 hold | maintains The figure which shows the data structure of the merchandise information database 301 and the publication information database 302 Diagram showing the data structure of page layout information Hardware configuration diagram of client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the page layout process of the replacement version of the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 The flowchart which shows the process sequence of the page layout process of the replacement version of the client terminal (page layout apparatus) 103 Screen transition diagram of replacement page layout processing The figure which shows the layout screen 10 Diagram showing creation of replacement version in conventional page layout system

Explanation of symbols

100... Media layout support system 101... Server 103... Client terminal (page layout device)
109... Network 111... Database management means 121... Classification area assigning means 122... Frame assigning means 123... Search request means 124. ......... Allocation result output means 127 ......... Media production data output means 128 ......... Replacement area creation means 201, 401 ......... Control section 202, 402 ......... Storage section 301 ......... Product information database 302 ... ... Posted information database 310 ... …… Product information 311 ……… Spec information (text information)
312 ... Material information (image information)
320 ......... Allocation information 321 ......... Master information 322 ... ... Classification information 323 ... ... Frame information 324 ... ... Replacement version information 325 ... ... Replacement area information 12 ... ... Flyer list 13 ... ... Layout area 14 ……… List of publications 20 ……… Master version 21 ……… Page 22 ……… Classification area 23 ……… Frame (publication area)
24 ……… Replacement version 25 ……… Replacement area 26 ……… Frame assignment 27 ……… Replacement area setting 28 ……… Classification assignment

Claims (6)

A product information database for storing and managing product information, and a publication information database for storing and managing page allocation information, and connected to a server for providing the product information and the page allocation information via a network; A page layout device comprising terminals,
The publication information database is created by the page layout device, and includes at least one classification information associated with a classification area for posting a plurality of product information items related to each other, for each page constituting an information medium. Page allocation comprising at least one replacement information associated with a replacement area for replacing the classification area, and at least one piece of frame information associated with each classification information / classification area associated with the replacement information / frame in the replacement area A database for storing and managing information,
According to a classification area designated on the page, a classification area allocation means for setting a position size of the classification area as the classification information associated with the page;
In response to the replacement instruction, at least one classification area selected from the layout data of the created information medium is replaced as a replacement area, and the entire position size of the selected classification area is associated with the replacement version of the page. A replacement area creating means to be set as the replacement information;
In accordance with the frame division in the designated classification area / replacement area, at least one frame for placing product information is arranged, and a frame is displayed in the classification information / replacement information corresponding to the classification area / replacement area. Frame allocation means for associating several pieces of the frame information and setting the position size of the frame for each piece of frame information;
Search request means for receiving the input search condition and transmitting a search request for product information for the product information database to the server;
Product allocation means for posting product information selected from one or more product information groups as search results acquired from the server on a designated frame and associating the selected product information with the corresponding frame information;
Registration means for registering and holding the page allocation information created by the product allocation means with respect to the publication information database;
Based on the page allocation information created by the product allocation unit, an allocation result output unit that prints out an allocation result in which product information associated with each piece of frame information is arranged at the position size of the frame information;
From the page allocation information created by the product allocation means, medium production data output means for outputting data necessary for production of the information medium,
A page layout apparatus comprising: The medium production data output means includes
2. The page layout apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the product information associated with the frame information is acquired from the product information database as data necessary for producing the information medium, and is output as text data. The product information is
The page layout apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the page layout apparatus is character information that is spec data of a product and / or material information that is image data of the product. A server that includes a page layout device including a client terminal, a product information database that stores and manages product information, and a publication information database that stores and manages page allocation information, and provides the product information and the page allocation information Is a media layout support system connected through a network,
The publication information database is created by the page layout device, and includes at least one classification information associated with a classification area for posting a plurality of product information items related to each other, for each page constituting an information medium. Page allocation comprising at least one replacement information associated with a replacement area for replacing the classification area and at least one piece of frame information associated with each classification information / classification area associated with the replacement information / frame in the replacement area A database for storing and managing information,
The page layout device includes:
According to a classification area designated on the page, a classification area allocation means for setting a position size of the classification area as the classification information associated with the page;
In response to the replacement instruction, at least one classification area selected from the layout data of the created information medium is replaced as a replacement area, and the entire position size of the selected classification area is associated with the replacement version of the page. A replacement area creating means to be set as the replacement information;
In accordance with the frame division in the designated classification area / replacement area, at least one frame for placing product information is arranged, and a frame is displayed in the classification information / replacement information corresponding to the classification area / replacement area. Frame allocation means for associating several pieces of the frame information and setting the position size of the frame for each piece of frame information;
Search request means for receiving the input search condition and transmitting a search request for product information for the product information database to the server;
Product allocation means for posting product information selected from one or more product information groups as search results acquired from the server on a designated frame and associating the selected product information with the corresponding frame information;
Registration means for registering and holding the page allocation information created by the product allocation means with respect to the publication information database;
Based on the page allocation information created by the product allocation unit, an allocation result output unit that prints out an allocation result in which product information associated with each piece of frame information is arranged at the position size of the frame information;
From the page allocation information created by the product allocation means, medium production data output means for outputting data necessary for production of the information medium,
A medium layout support system comprising: The program which makes a computer function as a page layout apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3. A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the page layout apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is recorded.

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