JP2007048198A - Automatic layout system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem, wherein when data that are to be inserted into a container include a certain value, since the container itself and an object related to the container cannot be deleted simultaneously, the object related to the container remain in the document. <P>SOLUTION: An automatic layout system can made a container and another container or an object related to the container non-displayed, when the data that are to be inserted into the container is a specific value or empty. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic layout system, and more particularly to an apparatus / medium and a layout technique in the automatic layout system.

  In recent years, the need for CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and One-to-One marketing has attracted attention due to factors such as the shortening of product life due to the increase in product variety and the orientation of consumer customization services due to the widespread use of the Internet. Has been. These methods 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 that customizes and outputs documents for each customer has been developed to optimally lay out different amounts of content for each customer. It came to be demanded.

  Conventionally, a variable print system has been achieved by creating a layout on a document using a container or the like and associating the layout with a database. However, the size of the text and image containers was fixed, so when the data in the database was inserted into the container, if the amount of data was larger than the container size, text overlap and image clipping occurred, and the data If the amount is smaller than the container size, there is a gap.

  In order to solve the problem, an automatic layout system has been invented. The automatic layout system can variably set the container size of text and images. As software that implements this automatic layout system, there is Pageflex of Pageflex, etc., and the size of the container is variable, and the size of the container is changed according to the amount of data to be inserted. In addition, in the case of text, when data that does not fit within a fixed container size is inserted, there is a technique for reducing the font size of the text and displaying all the text in the container.

  However, when the size of the container increases, there arises a problem that it overlaps with other containers on the same document. In addition, when adjusting the font size, if the amount of text is large, there is a problem that the font size becomes too small.

As a further automatic layout technique for solving this problem, 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.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-129658 (0049, FIG. 8)

  However, in the conventional technique described above, in the layout of such a document, when data inserted in a container includes a certain value, the container itself and an object related to the container cannot be deleted at the same time, and the contents are related. The object was left on the document.

  Also, the case where the data itself is empty at the time of the data insertion can be considered as one of the cases. In this case as well, it is desired to hide related objects. However, in the above-described conventional technique, only the container in which empty data is inserted is hidden, and other related objects display data. Therefore, data that is not desired to be displayed on the document is displayed. In some cases, document consistency could not be achieved.

  Also, since the hidden container area could not be used, the document area could not be used effectively for layout.

  For example, in a state where three containers are arranged side by side in the vertical direction (object A, container B, and object C from the top), when data of a value in the container B arranged in the center is inserted, the container I want to hide B, but I can't do that now. Therefore, I want to hide not only the container B but also the objects A and C related to the contents, but such an operation cannot be performed.

  If empty data is inserted into the container B, the object A and the object C related to the contents are deleted, but such an operation cannot be performed. As a result, the object A and the object C remain on the document. This created an inconsistent layout on the document. In addition, since the area on the document of the hidden object could not be used by another unrelated container or object, there was a possibility that a layout with a poor appearance was created.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above points. When data inserted into a container is a certain value or empty, another container or object related to the container is displayed. An object is to provide an automatic layout system that can be hidden.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention has the following configuration.

  This is a system consisting of an information processing device such as a personal computer. When creating a document by inserting data such as text and images from a database or data stored locally in a container area, text and In an automatic layout system, it is possible to change the size of the container according to the size of the image, and furthermore, by setting the association between the containers, it is possible to change the container with a certain distance between the containers. A means for creating, a means for creating a link, a means for calculating the optimal layout by changing the size and position of the container according to the amount of data, and a condition for hiding objects other than itself according to the conditions assigned to the object A means of creating expressions and objects And having a means for specifying a property at the origin of the object hidden when transfected.

  According to the present invention, when data inserted into a certain container is a certain value or is empty, another container or object related to the container can be hidden. Thereby, the consistency of the layout content on a document can be taken.

  In addition, the hidden space can be used by another unrelated container or object, which enables layout without creating unnecessary space on the document, increasing the degree of freedom and improving the appearance. Can be created.

  In addition, since the variable area of the container size is expanded, the layout can be performed with the optimum container size suitable for the data amount or size, and the layout result desired by the user can be provided. For example, in a table or the like, if a DB field of “item name (fixed data)” and its “entity (actual data)” is associated with a plurality of containers arranged side by side (in the row direction) in the table, When “Data” is empty, even if “Item name” contains contents (contents), “Item name” is not displayed, and “actual data” assigned container and “item name” assigned container By not displaying at the same time, the table can be created dynamically according to the content.

  As in the above-mentioned special price example, if there are a plurality of semantically related containers in a certain container, and the “actual data” of the container is empty, these related containers can be deleted. Furthermore, it is possible to use the area where those containers are arranged.

  An embodiment suitable for applying the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  Before describing an embodiment of the present invention, a system configuration and an application configuration to which the present invention can be applied will be described.

<System configuration diagram>
FIG. 1A illustrates a system 100 for printing a variable data document. The method shown therein is practiced with the general purpose computer module 101 described in detail in FIG. 1B.

  The process described in FIG. 1B is executed in the computer module 101, and is executed by the whole or a part of software such as the layout editing application program 121 that can be executed on the system 100. In particular, layout editing and inevitably printing steps are performed by software instructions executed by the computer 101.

  The software is stored in a computer readable medium including a storage device as described below, for example. The software is loaded into the computer from the computer readable medium and executed by the computer 101. A computer readable medium having a computer program recorded on such software or medium is a computer program product. The use of the computer program product on the computer desirably provides an advantageous apparatus for document layout editing and variable data printing.

  The computer module 101 connects input devices such as a keyboard 132 and a pointing device such as a mouse 133, and connects a display device 144 and an output device including a local printer 145 depending on the situation. The input / output interface 138 can connect the computer module 101 from the network connection 107 to connect to other computer devices in the system 100. A typical network connection 107 is a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

  The computer module 101 typically includes at least one processor unit 135, eg, a memory unit 136 comprised of a semiconductor random access memory (RAM) or 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 typically includes a hard disk drive 140 and a floppy (registered trademark) disk drive 141. Although not shown in the figure, a magnetic tape drive may also be used. The CD-ROM drive 142 is provided as a nonvolatile data source. The computer module 101 is an operating system such as GNU / LINUX or Microsoft Windows (registered trademark), or a conventional computer system typically formed in accordance with the operating system or known in the related art. The components 135 to 143 of the computer module 101 that communicate via the interconnect bus 134 are utilized in a manner that is consistent with the mode of operation.

  In the example of the arrangement computer described in the figure, an IBM compatible PC, a SUN Sparc Station, or a computer system including them can be considered.

  The layout application program 121 typically resides on the hard disk drive 140 and is executed, read and controlled by the processor 135. Data fetched from the intermediate storage device of the program 121 and the network 107 uses the semiconductor memory 136 in response to the hard disk drive 140. In some instances, the application program 121 is encoded on a CD-ROM or floppy (registered trademark) disk, read through the corresponding drive 142 or 141, and provided to the user. Alternatively, the application program 121 may be read by the user from the network connection 107.

  In addition, the software can record information on magnetic tape or ROM or integrated circuits, magneto-optical disks or wireless or infrared communication between computer module 101 and other devices, computer-readable cards such as PCMCIA cards, and e-mail communications or recorded information on WEB sites. It may be loaded into the computer module 101 from other appropriately sized computer readable media, including the Internet or an intranet it has. The foregoing is merely an example of related computer readable media. Other computer readable media may also be used.

  An application 121 named layout editing instructs to perform variable data printing (VDP) and includes two software components. The first of these components is the layout engine 105, which is a software component for calculating the positions of rectangles and lines according to the restrictions and sizes given within the rectangle.

  The second component, the user interface 103, provides a mechanism for allowing a user to create a document template and associate it with a data source within the document template. The user interface 103 and the layout engine 105 communicate via a communication channel 123.

  The data source for document generation is a typical database 119 residing on a database server 117 that is typically configured by another computer running a database application. Host computer 101 communicates with database server 117 by means of network connection 107. The variable data printing application 121 generates a document template stored in the file server 115 configured by the host computer 101 or generally another computer.

  The variable data printing application 121 generates a document composed of a document template merged with data. These documents are stored in the local file system 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 a printer 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 similar view of FIGS. 1A and 1B, including an isolated version 225 of the layout engine 105, with the addition of an engine server 227. FIG.

  The engine server 227 is a typical computer. The document template stored in the file server 115 can be combined with data stored in the database 119 to generate a document by the layout engine 225 when printing or for other purposes. Such an operation is requested via the user interface 103 or only certain records are required to be printed.

[Application configuration diagram]
[Main window]
As shown in FIG. 3, the user interface 103 includes a user interface formed by an application window 301 displayed on the video display 144 during operation. The window 301 can be hidden, moved to various locations on the screen, a menu bar 302 and a tool bar 303, a work area 306 which can be moved by the position and operation of the mouse 133, and an optional Characterized by a palette 311 and a cursor / pointer device 313.

  The menu bar 302 has a number of menu items 304 that extend below the menu options hierarchy, as is known in the art.

  The toolbar 303 has a number of tool buttons and widgets 305 that can be hidden or displayed depending on the particular mode of the application.

  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 window control 312 for moving, resizing, and closing. The palette 311 is optional and is displayed in front of the work area or hidden behind the object. The palette 311 is restricted from being displayed only within the range of the application window 301, or partially or entirely allowed to be displayed outside the application window 301.

  The toolbar area 303 has at least the following “button” that can be selected by the user (see FIG. 4). The selection tool button 403 is used to select, move, resize, resize, and lock / unlock a container edge. Containers allow multiple selection by dragging a selection box around the (multiple) containers or by holding down the CTRL key while selecting multiple containers. An image container tool button 405 is used to create a container having a static or variable image. A text container tool button 404 is used to create a container having static or variable text. A link tool button 406 is used to create a link that controls the distance between containers.

  These buttons are implemented as tooltips of icons that change according to the operation status, as is well known in the art.

[Document Template]
A work area 306 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.

  If an external data source is linked to the template, variable text and images are displayed in their containers so that you can preview the current document.

  Visual cues that depict the document structure and variable data container are 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. The actual number of pages in each document may vary depending on the variable data. If it fails to fit within a page, an additional page is created automatically.

  The border within each page is an optional page margin 310 that indicates the maximum width of a printable object on the page.

  FIG. 4 is an example of objects that can be displayed on the document template 309 of one page. They have a plurality of containers 407 and 408, an anchor icon 409 to be applied arbitrarily, an unfixed side 410, a link 412, and a slider 413.

〔container〕
A container is a space having a fixed or variable text image in a document template, and is laid out with other containers and objects. The container is moved, resized and recreated as shown in the user interface using the pointer 313 with mouse 133 movement.

  More precisely, a container has a collection of settings, a visual representation, and interaction and editing operations. The following is the full part of the container definition. Containers have fixed or variable content. Variable content is dynamic in the sense that it comes from a data source and may be different for different documents. Variable content is not intended to include content that changes or animates when it is not printed. Similarly, fixed content is displayed in the same way for all documents generated using the container.

  However, depending on the behavior of the variable container, the fixed content may be different in each document. 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. The container is merged with data from the data source when the document is generated. The decoration function is typically visible in the printed output, as is any fixed content. Variable content results in the display of specific data from the data source. This representation of the container can be printed or displayed on the screen 144, or both.

  The container has a user interface, for example, an interactive GUI for container editing and display settings. Interface elements are typically displayed on the screen 144 but not printed on the document.

  The user interface 103 displays some of the container decoration functions such as the background color and font, and adds a function to allow editing and display of the container settings. Examples of special purposes for user interface features include borders, corner icons for interactively changing and displaying the size and position of containers, or container behavior when containers are merged with data from a data source. There are overpainted numbers, lines, icons, and text to show. One overview of the current publication is a collection of new direct editing techniques and display methods associated with the container's GUI component.

[Container constraints]
According to known techniques, containers have constraints that control how the content displayed in each document is linked. These constraints (as well as linking fixed and variable content with containers) are the primary way for users to control the generation of multiple documents from a single document template. An example of the constraint is “the height of the content of this container is a maximum of 4 inches”. Another constraint is "The left end of the container contents must be displayed in the same horizontal position in each document." The contents described here are various methods for displaying and editing such constraints using a GUI.

  Content placeholders that specify the placement of fixed content so that the image has a defined location on the page are well known in digital printing technology. In the discussion below, containers have a position and size, which may be assumed to be edited and displayed in a manner known in the art. Instead, the current study focuses on display / editing in a method specialized for variable data printing.

  The container allows the user to specify the size and position of the content of the document. Since several documents are generated from a single document template, the container must use a user interface to specify and display a number of possibilities and constraints.

  An edge of one container defines a virtual border where the associated content is displayed in the document. Thus, in this invention, discussing the left side of a container is the same as discussing the leftmost side whose associated content can be displayed in any document. Similarly, discussing container height is understood as discussing content height constraints associated with the generated document. In this specification, this distinction will be clarified when discussing the side or size of the container with reference to the user interface 103.

  In the discussion below, the term “fixed” that defines some values used to restrict the display of content is the same for all documents. If the container width is fixed, the width assigned to the associated content will be the same for all documents. If the container height is fixed, the height assigned to the associated content will be the same for all documents. If the distance constraint is fixed, the specified distance is a constraint for all documents. If the left and right sides of the container are fixed, it means that the horizontal position of the side is the same for all documents with respect to the page, but the height or vertical position of the container may change.

  For example, if the left side of the container is fixed, the associated content will appear near the top of the page in one document and close to the bottom of the page in the other document, but the left side will be the same horizontal in all cases Position. If the top and bottom edges of the container are fixed, it means that the vertical position of the edges is the same for all documents with respect to the page, but the width or horizontal position of the container may change. The vertical axis of the container is an imaginary vertical line located in the middle and parallel to 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.

  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. 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. If the corner of the container, the middle position of the container edge, or the center position of the container is fixed, it will be displayed in the same location in all documents and in the same location 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. The vertical side or axis is fixed in association with the left side, right side, left page margin, right page margin, or other horizontal position of the page. Similarly, the horizontal side or axis is fixed in relation to the top or bottom side or margin of the page or other vertical position. The refinement of the term "fixed" is only important when the page size changes between documents, since these possibilities do not differ in document generation if the page size is the same for all documents.

  The opposite of "Fixed" is "Variable" which means that edges, axes, corners, intermediate positions, or document constraints may vary between documents, but need to do so in specific settings of the document There may not be. For example, there are other external constraints, such as the actual preferred location of the edge due to the change, but if no external constraint is applied, the edge position can be changed because the edge is labeled as unfixed .

[Container display / edit]
[How to create a new container]
Containers are described in two types: text containers and image containers. A text container has text and an embedded image. An image container has only images.

  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.

  Instead, the container is simply created by clicking on the document template 309 after activating the appropriate tool 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. Some containers are created and arranged automatically by predefined or calculated schemas. Other alternatives may be considered.

[Container display method]
Each of the 36 edge states previously described is preferably drawn in a graphical representation. Some edge states may be less than 36 graphic displays to share the representation in some situations.

  5A-5D illustrate exemplary edge rules for containers.

  The application 121 draws a side with a solid line (item 503) or a dotted line (504) to represent the state of the side, and anchors (lines as shown by 506, 507, 509 drawn near the side, Shape, icon), handle (side to move, modify, control point drawn near the shape, 502), slider (short parallel lines drawn on both sides of the side, 413 in FIG. 4), scaling icon (505) and has color as a feature.

  The rules for the container display method of FIGS. 5A-5D are as follows.

  1. Draw with a solid line to fix each side.

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

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

  4). The axes are not drawn.

  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 sides 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 sides or axes, if no anchor or slider is drawn, a handle is drawn at the intersection.

  The lines guaranteed by rules 1, 2, and 3 are drawn with dotted lines if they are fixed or restricted. The variable side guaranteed by rule 5 is drawn with a dotted line. Fixed points guaranteed by rules 6, 7, and 8 display anchors, some fixed edges display sliders, and others display handles.

  In the above, the edge needs to be drawn only once, but if the rule affects the edge to be drawn, then the subsequent rule will not affect the edge to be drawn again. If it is convenient to do so, for example if the container is very small and the icons overlap each other or obscure other display functions, the icons may be drawn differently or omitted. .

  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.

  These content representations provide a graphical means for displaying the state of a container edge. The interpretation of the expression is as follows.

  Like the side 410 in FIG. 4, the dotted line indicates the position of the side in the document depending on the contents of the container.

  A solid line means a restricted side because the side is fixed (side 414) or the width and height of the container are fixed (both are fixed in container 408). .

  Anchor means that the place where the side and axis intersect is fixed. Therefore, anchor points will appear at the horizontal and vertical positions of all documents. Of course, the anchor is fixed. The icon 409 in FIG. 4 is an example of an anchor icon intended to have the intersecting sides 414 fixed.

  A slider means that the associated edge is fixed, but the container is positioned at many positions "slide length" along the edge. For example, in FIG. 4, slider 413 may display the contents of container 408 to the left or right of the position represented by a particular diagram in the document.

  Some or all of these icons / edges may or may not be drawn depending on which tool, which container is selected, highlighted or activated. In general, the sides and icons of a container are not drawn on a printed matter because they help to design a document template.

  Settings for minimum and maximum width and height are displayed in a secondary dialog window.

  In FIG. 5A, the container 501 is not fixed in both width and height. The fixed side 503 is represented by a solid line. The variable side 504 is represented by a dotted line. The enlargement / reduction icon 505 is an additional or alternative indicator indicating that the adjacent side 504 is variable.

  In FIG. 5B, the container 501 is variable in both width and height. Anchor icon 506 additionally or alternatively indicates that both intersecting sides 503 are fixed.

  In FIG. 5C, the container 501 is variable in both width and height, with the container expanding or contracting spreading evenly around the center point as indicated by the optional anchor icon 507.

  In FIG. 5D, the container 501 is variable in both width and height except that the upper side 508 is fixed. An anchor icon 509 shown to be positioned at the center of the upper side 508 is fixed, and the left and right sides of the container are enlarged and reduced around a central axis (vertical axis) drawn vertically through the icon. Indicates to do.

〔Link〕
The link indicates the relationship between containers. “Relation” indicates a distance between containers, and containers associated by a link are affected by each other's layout change and calculate a layout. What is indicated by 412 in FIG. 4 is a link. In this figure, containers 407 and 408 are associated with each other. A link setting method and a layout calculation method for containers associated with the link will be described later.

[Link setting method]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a link setting method. 7A to 7C show UI examples. A method for setting a link in a container using them will be described.

  First, in order to set a link, containers (at least two) for setting a link are created (step 0601). FIG. 7 shows an example in which two containers are created and links are set. Next, the above-described link tool 406 is selected (step 0602). FIGS. 7A to 7C show an operation of creating a container and setting a link from a state where the link tool is selected. 7A-C will be described in order.

  Reference numerals 0701 and 0702 in FIG. 7-A are the same as 407 and 408 in FIG. 4 described above and mean fixed sides. Also, 0703 and 0704 are the same as 409, meaning anchors. 0705 indicates a mouse pointer.

  First, one container for setting a link is clicked to select it (step 0603). Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the mouse pointer is moved to the other container and clicked (step 0604). Reference numeral 0706 in FIG. 7B denotes a line connecting the clicked position in FIG. 7A and the moved mouse pointer. The UI indicates to which position a link is set.

  After step 0604 is completed, a link UI indicated by 0707 is displayed at the set location (step 0605). The container is in the state shown in FIG. Further, the UI of the container is automatically changed by setting the link (step 0606). Reference numeral 0708 denotes a side indicated by a dotted line, and indicates a variable side as described above.

  The state of the side of the container has changed as shown in FIG. 7-C because it is necessary to make the side of the container variable by setting the link. This is an automatic process to prevent the contradiction that the edges are fixed. Reference numeral 0709 is the same as 505 in FIG. 5, and is a sign that visually indicates to the user the direction in which the container can be changed by setting a link. In the example of FIG. 7C, the right side of the left container and the left side of the right container are variably changed. However, this is an example, and the right container is changed to a setting having a slider indicated by 413 in FIG. It doesn't matter.

[Layout calculation method (overall flow)]
FIG. 8 shows a flow of layout calculation.

  First, the preview mode is selected (step 0801). In the automatic layout system described above, create a container, associate it between the containers, create a layout mode, and insert the record into the created layout, and the layout result after the record is actually inserted Can be divided into preview modes. 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 (step 0802). When a record is inserted, calculation is performed to lay out the record (step 0803). The layout calculated in step 0803 is displayed (step 0804). It is determined whether or not to preview other records (step 0805). If it is determined in step 0805 that the other records do not need to be previewed, the preview mode is terminated (step 0807).

  If a preview is to be performed for another record, the other record is selected, layout calculation is performed again, and a preview is performed (step 0806). When printing not in the preview mode, the layout is calculated in order for all the records to be printed. Therefore, steps 0805 and 0807 do not exist. The process ends when printing is completed for all records.

[Layout calculation method (detailed flow)]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of layout calculation. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a UI display example at that time.

  First, a set of containers for calculating the layout is obtained (step 0901). In the layout calculation, the associated containers are calculated as one set. For example, referring to FIG. 11, four containers 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. As described above, 1101 is an anchor, 1102 is a fixed side, 1103 is a controller, 1104 is an arrow indicating a change direction of a variable side, 1105 is a variable side, 1106 is a link, and 1107 is a slider. Is shown.

  Next, one is selected from the set of containers obtained in step 0901 in order to calculate the layout (step 0902). Then, the layout of the selected set of containers is calculated. Here, the layout is optimized so that the size of the container to be laid out is as small as possible with the actual content size (step 0903). 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.

  When the layout is optimized and the rule is violated, the calculation is performed again so as not to violate the rule (step 0904). The rules described here are restrictions set by the user when creating a layout, such as the size and position of a container, the length of a link, and the like. Once the layout is calculated so that it does not violate the rules, the set layout is completed. Then, steps 0902 to 0904 are applied to all the sets on the page, and the layout of the entire page is calculated (step 0905).

  10A to 10C are UI examples at the time of layout calculation.

  FIG. 10A shows a state in which a certain record is inserted and a layout is determined. 1001 and 1002 are anchors, 1003 and 1004 are fixed sides, 1005 is a variable side, 1006 is an arrow indicating the change direction of the variable side, and 1008 is a link.

  In this state, the record is changed and contents of different sizes are inserted. FIG. 10-B shows the size of the new content superimposed on the state of FIG. 10-A. Reference numeral 1009 denotes the size of content inserted in each container. Then, layout calculation is performed. FIG. 10C shows the result of layout calculation. The size of each container after the calculation is calculated so that there is a difference equivalent to the size of the content that is actually inserted, and is calculated so as not to violate the rules described above. As shown in FIG. 10C, the inserted content size (1009) and the calculated content size (1010) shown in FIG. 10-B have the same difference in both.

[Setting of variable link]
FIG. 12 shows a general variable link state.

  As in FIG. 4, there are an application window 301 and a toolbar 303, and a container 1203 and a container 1204 exist on the document template 309. Each container typically includes an anchor icon 1201, an anchor icon 1202, a fixed side 1205, and a side 1206. There is a variable-size link 1209 between the edge containers 1203 and 1204, which connects the containers. Since a link is set between the container 1203 and the container 1204, the right side 1207 and the left side 1208 are represented by dotted lines. Therefore, an indicator 1210 and an indicator 1211 are displayed in each container, which indicates that the sides 1207 and 1208 are variable.

  FIG. 14 shows an example of a dialog window 1401 in which information of the link 1209 is set.

  This dialog typically includes a title bar 1402, a tool button 1403, a button 1404 for opening / closing the dialog window, and an area 1409 for setting various information. In this dialog window, the link type is variable (1407) or fixed (1406), and if it is variable, the maximum length (1412) and minimum value (1410) of the link length and the current value (1411) are set. it can.

  FIG. 13 is based on the above link setting method, for example, operations from the state of the fixed size link 1503 stretched between the container A and the container B of FIG. 15 to the state of FIG. 12 showing the variable size link 1209. Represents a transition.

  The link 1503 is clicked with the mouse to select it (step 1302). A property dialog window 1401 of the link 1503 selected by right-clicking the mouse or a specific key on the keyboard is displayed (step 1303). In this state, since the link size is not variable but fixed, Fixed Length 1406 is selected in Link Type 1405.

  In order to change the link from the fixed size to the variable size, the Flexible Length 1407 for setting the link size to be variable is selected in the Link Type 1405 (Step 1304). As a result, the Max. Distance 1412, Min. The distance 1410 and the distance 1411 are activated, and numerical values can be set.

  Therefore, in order to set the variable size of the link, the maximum value of the link length is set to Max. Distance 1412, the minimum value is Min. Distance 1410, the current value is set in distance 1411 (step 1305). When the setting is applied by a general dialog window open / close button 1404, the UI display of the link changes to a state like the link 1209 in FIG. 12 (step 1306). The setting information of the dialog window 1401 is stored in the memory.

  FIG. 15 shows a layout result when a fixed-size link is used.

  The layout calculation method is performed as described above. For example, when different sizes of data are inserted into the container 1203 and the container 1204 in FIG. 12, each container considers that the data size is optimum, and the container 1203 has a frame 1504 (optimum container) that has the inserted image size. The size of the container 1204 increases to the right in order to approach the (size), and similarly, the size of the container 1204 increases slightly to the left in order to approach the frame 1505 (optimum container size) that becomes the inserted image size.

  However, if a fixed-size link is set between the container 1203 and the container 1204, the left side 1212 and the right side 1213 cannot be moved by the anchor 1201 and the anchor 1202, respectively. The size to be larger than the link size. Since the link size is fixed, it is preferentially calculated at the time of layout calculation, so the sizes of the containers 1203 and 1204 are changed.

  As a result, the container 1203 and the container 1204 cannot secure the optimum size according to the data, and finally the optimal size (frame 1504, frame 1505) like the container 1501 and the container 1502 in FIG. It gets smaller. Since the size of the link 1503 is fixed, the container 1501 and the container 1502 do not achieve the optimum size.

  FIG. 16 shows a case where the link has a variable size.

  In this case, if a variable size link is set between the container 1203 and the container 1204 as shown in the above example, the link size is reduced when the size of the container 1203 and the container 1204 is changed. The size of the container 1203 and the container 1204 can be larger than the above example, and the optimum size according to the inserted data size is achieved, or the container frame is calculated closer to the inserted data size (optimum size). I can do it. The result is a container 1601 and a container 1602 in FIG. As a result of the layout calculation, the variable link 1209 is in the size state of the variable link 1603. In this case, the container 1601 and the container 1602 are optimal sizes (sizes suitable for the data size).

  FIG. 17 shows an example of a UI dialog for setting a conditional expression property.

  The property dialog window is typically displayed by selecting a container with the keyboard 132 or the mouse 133 and selecting the right-click menu of the mouse or the Alt key from the keyboard. In this embodiment, only the setting of one conditional expression is displayed in the property dialog window.

  The property dialog window 1201 typically includes a title bar 1202, a tool button 1203, a button 1204 for opening and closing the property dialog window, and an area 1205 for setting various information.

  The property dialog window 1201 has a control 1701 for determining a condition name. In the edit box 1702, the condition name can be input and changed. Conditional expressions are basically created in the form of “if you do”. In the conditional expression UI property dialog, it is possible to set in a method according to the creation flow. If (If (1703)) item 1704 is item 1706 (Then (1707)), item 1709 is operated in operation 1708.

  An item 1704 is a drop-down list that displays a list of DB fields in the connected database, from which a target DB field can be selected. An item 1706 is a drop-down list or an edit box that can be input, and selects or inputs the content when the data content of the DB field selected in the item 1704 matches the setting content in the item 1716. Here, “Empty” is selected, and when the sentence so far is interpreted, it means “if the DB field <Item> is Empty (data is empty)”.

  An item 1708 is a place where an operation to be performed under the above conditions is set. This is a drop-down list, and various operations such as “Hide”, “Template switching”, “Image switching”, and “Font switching” can be specified. Here, Hide is specified. An item 1709 is a drop-down list for designating an operation target of the item 1708, and various items such as “object name”, “template name”, “image file name”, and “font name” can be designated. Here, <Item Name> is designated, and it is assumed that it points to a certain object.

  That is, when the conditional expression in the window dialog 1201 is interpreted, it means “if the DB field <Item> is Empty (data is empty), the object <Item Name> is hidden (hidden)”.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of a UI dialog for setting container properties.

  The property dialog window is typically displayed by selecting a container with the keyboard 132 or the mouse 133 and selecting the right-click menu of the mouse or the Alt key from the keyboard. In this embodiment, only the settings related to specifying the container origin are displayed in the property dialog window.

  The property dialog window 1201 typically includes a title bar 1202, a tool button 1203, a button 1204 for opening and closing the property dialog window, and an area 1205 for setting various information. The property dialog window 1201 includes a large area 1801 for setting the edge state of the container, an area 1811 for assigning the conditional expression created in FIG. 17 to the container, and an area 1821 for selecting the origin position of the container.

  In the area 1801, controls for changing the edge state of each side are arranged. Check boxes are placed in Top (upper side) 1802, Bottom (lower side) 1803, Right (right side) 1804, and Left (left side) 1805. When this check box is checked, the side becomes variable, and when the check is removed, it is fixed. Become.

  In the area 1811, there is a check box 1812 for determining whether or not to use the conditional expression. When this is checked, the lower drop-down list box 1813 is enabled. In this drop-down list box, the currently registered conditional expressions are listed and displayed. Here, “Condition 1” is selected.

  In the area 1821, a control for designating the origin position of the container is arranged. A container typically has nine positions where it can be placed: Top-Left (top left) 1822, Top-Center (top center) 1823, Top-Right (top right) 1824, Middle-Left (top left) 1825, Middle -Center (center) 1826, Middle-Right (center right) 1827, Bottom-Left (bottom left) 1828, Bottom-Center (bottom center) 1829, Bottom-Right (bottom right) 1830. Since the origin can basically have only one container, these 9 points are grouped by radio buttons. Here, Top-Left 1822 is selected.

  It is necessary to specify the origin even for an object containing fixed data that is not displayed due to the Hide condition. If it is not decided where to collect the mark when it is hidden, when it is hidden, for example, another linked container cannot use the area. This will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, a drop-down list box for setting an aggregation point (Share Base Point) is arranged in the area 1821. This list displays a list of objects linked to this container and allows you to make a selection. This exists in order to aggregate marks at the origin of the designated object when Hide (hide) a plurality of linked objects.

  FIG. 23 shows an operation flow when selecting the origin on the UI property dialog window of FIG.

  First, a container is selected (step 2302), and a container property dialog is opened (step 2303). Then, the Hide conditional expression is assigned to the container (step 2304), and the origin is designated (step 2305). Next, when the container in which the Hide condition is set is linked to another container (step 2306), the aggregation point of the origin is set (step 2307). If there is no linked container in decision 2306, setting of the aggregation point is not necessary.

  FIG. 24 is a control flow of the UI property dialog window as seen from the system of FIG.

  First, the selected container is confirmed (step 2402), and the property information of the container is acquired (step 2403). A container property dialog is displayed (step 2404), and it is determined whether or not a Hide conditional expression is set for the container (step 2405). If assigned, the origin setting UI control is displayed (step 2406), the origin is automatically calculated from the container properties (step 2407), and the calculated origin is displayed on the UI (step 2408). If there is no assignment, the process ends.

  Then, it is determined whether or not the container in which the Hide condition is set is linked to another container (step 2409). If there is a link, the control for setting the aggregation point of the origin is displayed on the UI (step 2410). If there is no link, the process ends as it is (step 2411).

  FIG. 25 shows a flow of a typical method for automatically calculating the origin of FIG.

  The automatic calculation of the origin is performed according to the edge state. The edge state is specified by the user, and the content inserted into the container basically has directionality and moves variably depending on the state. Therefore, by setting the origin according to the directionality, it is possible to select a functionally high position without having the user set it. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the user from making a mistake in selecting a functionally low position. If the user wants to specify the origin intentionally, it can be specified in the UI property dialog after automatic calculation.

  In the automatic calculation, container edge information is first acquired (step 2502). Then, it is determined whether there is a variable edge (step 2503). If there is a variable edge, the edge state is checked (step 2504). If there is no variable edge, the middle-center (center) is set as the origin (step 2508).

  After checking the edge state (step 2504), when only one side is variable, the opposite side center point of the variable side is set as the origin (step 2506). If the two sides are variable, it is determined whether or not there is a contact between the variable sides (step 2505). If there is, the diagonal point of the contact is set as the origin (step 2509). If there is no contact, Middle-Center (center) is set as the origin (step 2508). If the three sides are variable, the center point of the fixed side is set as the origin (step 2507). If all four sides are variable, the middle-center (center) is set as the origin (step 2508).

  FIG. 19 shows a conceptual example in which the present invention is effectively utilized.

  FIG. 19 shows a table in a general document. This table is created by a collection of containers. Container A (1901), Container B (1903), Container C (1905), Container D (1907), Container E (1902), Container F (1904), Container G (1906) and 8 containers of container H (1908).

  The containers A to H each contain data, the containers A to D are assigned fixed data, and the containers E to H are assigned variable data inserted from the database. Further, a conditional expression 1909 is assigned to the container G, and this conditional expression is set to “hide the container C if the data of the container G is empty”. Therefore, when the data entering the container G is empty as in this example, the container C is also deleted from the display, and moved upward to fill the areas of the container C and container G where the containers D and H are hidden. As a result, a table like 1911 to 1916 is obtained. In the result table, it can be seen that container C and container G disappear from the table, and container D and container H are arranged in the area, and the completeness as a table is not lowered.

  FIG. 20 also shows another conceptual example in which the present invention is effectively utilized.

  This is a state in which a layout such as Container B (2002) arranged so as to overlap Object A (2001) that is fixed data is performed. In addition, a conditional expression 2013 is assigned to ContainerB, and the setting is “Hide ObjectA if the data of ContainerB is empty”. Therefore, when empty data is inserted into ContainerB (2012), ContainerB itself also calculates the container size as 0, and ObjectA is hidden by the conditional expression assigned to ContainerB. As a result, ObjectA and ContainerB are It becomes a non-display state like 2021 and 2022.

  If Object A is still displayed in this case, a display that is not necessary in the original will be displayed, resulting in a document that does not look good on the layout. By deleting objects associated with objects to be hidden in this way from the layout at the same time, it is possible to maintain a consistent layout and create a good-looking document.

  FIG. 21 shows an embodiment in which an object is hidden according to a condition and the area is used by another object. As described above, marks are used for layout, but here, the description will be focused on the marks.

  First, on a document, a container A (2101), an object B (2102), a container C (2103), a link D (2104) between the container A and the object B, and a link E (2105) between the container C and the object B. ) Is arranged.

  A DB field is associated with container A and container C, and data of “¥ 5,000” and “¥ 3,000” are displayed in the current record, respectively. Those texts are right-justified in the container. Object B is a type of shape and is fixed data.

  From 2111 to 2115, a layout method when data inserted into the container C is empty is shown. Since the data entering the container C is empty, it is blank. The object B is set to hide the object B when the data of the container C is empty according to a certain conditional expression. In this case, the object B is also hidden.

  Reference numerals 2121 to 2127 show examples of layout methods using marks. Here, it is assumed that the origin is set to the upper right for the object B, and the origin is also set to the upper right for the container C. Therefore, the upper right point of the object B is referred to as a mark F, and the upper right point of the container C is referred to as a mark G. In the object B, the sides of the container (marks at the vertices) are gathered at the mark F according to the above conditional expression. Since the container G also has empty data, each side gathers at the mark G. Then, both the object B and the container C try to move in the right direction.

  Therefore, the container A can use the area that has been moved, and the container A expands in the right direction. Further, since the container in which the Hide condition is set is linked to another container, the mark F and the mark G are collected. Here, assuming that the origin of the container C is set as an aggregation point, all marks of the object B and the container C are aggregated into the mark G.

  The results are shown in the states 2131 to 2135. Since all the marks of the object B and the container C are collected into the mark G, the link 2133 has moved to the right end. As a result, the right side of the container A is expanded to the mark H (2134). Further, since the container in which the Hide condition is set is linked to another container, the mark H and the mark G are collected. Here, assuming that the origin of container C is set as an aggregation point, all marks in container A and container C are aggregated into mark G.

  The results are shown in the states 2141 to 2143. All the marks in the upper right of the object B, the container C, and the container A are collected into the mark G (2143), and as a result, the container A can use the area that the mark has moved.

  FIG. 22 shows a state when the layout of FIG. 21 is performed on an actual editor window.

  Similar to FIG. 4, there are an application window 301 and a toolbar 303, and a container 2201, an object 2203, and a container 2205 exist on the document template 709. A link 2202 is associated between the container 2201 and the object 2203, and a link 2204 is associated between the object 2203 and the container 2205.

  When the data inserted into the container 2205 is empty as in the container 2113 in FIG. 21, the object 2203 is also hidden according to the set conditions, and all of the objects 2203 and the container 2205 and the right side of the container 2201 are displayed. By moving the mark to the upper right vertex of the container 2205, the container 2201 can be expanded in the right direction, and as a result, a state like the container 2211 can be obtained.

  In such a layout, it is conceivable that the container 2201 shows a fixed price and the container 2205 shows a special price. If there is no special price, only the fixed price is displayed. In such a case, it may be desirable to move the fixed price display position to the right corner. This shows that the present invention is effective in such a case.

  FIG. 26 shows a preview display flow on the document of FIG.

  First, contents are inserted into the container from the DB (step 2602). Next, a conditional expression is applied (step 2603), and it is determined whether the value of the conditional expression matches part or all of the contents (step 2604). If they match, the container to be hidden is determined by the conditional expression (step 2605), and zero calculation is performed at the origin set in the property (step 2606). The calculation result is displayed in a layout (step 2607). If they do not match in the decision 2604, the layout calculation is performed as it is, and the layout result is displayed (step 2607).

  FIG. 27 describes the flow of the calculation method in step 2606 in FIG.

  First, marks other than the origin set in the container are moved to the origin (step 2702). Then, it is determined whether the related containers are linked under the Hide condition (step 2703). If so, the origins related to the link mark are collected at the aggregation point (step 2704). If not, the process ends (step 2705).

It is a computer system block diagram of this invention. 1B is a schematic diagram of the computer module in FIG. 1A of the present invention. FIG. 1B is a configuration diagram of the present invention in which an engine server is added to the computer system of FIG. 1A. FIG. It is a figure which shows the main window of the typical application containing the menu bar of this invention, a tool bar, a work area, and a floating palette. It is a figure which shows one surface of the typical container which has the link between the containers of this invention, an anchor, and a slider with a screen, a tool, and an icon. It is a figure which shows the typical container rule of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow which produces the link of this invention. It is a figure which shows UI example example at the time of link preparation. It is a figure which shows the whole flow of the layout calculation in this invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of the layout calculation in this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of UI corresponding to the flow of FIG. 9 in this invention. It is a figure explaining a set of containers at the time of layout calculation of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the container arrangement | positioning by the typical variable link of this invention. It is a figure showing the operation transition to the state of FIG. 12 of this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a typical link setting dialog window of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the layout result by the fixed link of this invention. It is a figure which shows the layout result by the variable link of this invention. It is a figure which shows the property dialog window which sets the conditional expression of this invention. It is a figure which shows the property dialog window which assigns the conditional expression in this invention, and sets an origin and an aggregation point. It is a figure which shows an example of the layout operation | movement in this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the layout operation | movement in this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the layout operation | movement in this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the preview operation | movement on the edit window in this invention. It is a figure which shows the setting flow of the origin and aggregation point in this invention. It is a figure which shows the control flow of the origin and aggregation point in this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the automatic calculation of the origin in this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow of the preview operation | movement in this invention. It is a figure which shows the flow about the movement method of the mark at the time of the origin setting in this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 General-purpose computer module 103 User interface 105 Layout engine 119 Database 121 Layout application program 132 Keyboard

Claims (6)

This is a system consisting of an information processing device such as a personal computer. When creating a document by inserting data such as text and images from a database or data stored locally in a container area, text and In the automatic layout system, it is possible to change the size of the container according to the size of the image, and furthermore, by setting the relationship between the containers, it is possible to change with a certain distance between the containers.
A means of creating a container;
A means for creating a link, a means for calculating the optimum layout by changing the size and position of the container according to the amount of data,
A means for creating a conditional expression that hides objects other than yourself according to the condition assigned to the object,
An automatic layout system comprising means for designating an origin when an object is not displayed in an object property.   2. The automatic layout system according to claim 1, further comprising means for automatically determining an origin when the object is not displayed.   2. The automatic layout system according to claim 1, further comprising means for setting an aggregation point when a plurality of containers having origins are linked.   2. The automatic layout system according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing another object to use the area of the hidden object.   2. The automatic layout system according to claim 1, further comprising means capable of changing a size of a link stretched between containers at a constant amount or a constant ratio.   2. An automatic layout system according to claim 1, further comprising means for selecting / changing records in the database and means for displaying a preview of a layout at each record.

Images