JP2007094756A - Information processor, layout processing method, storage medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To freely lay out an outer frame container based on a designated link condition such that the outer frame container does not overlap an internal container, without performing complicated container correction operation. <P>SOLUTION: In this information processor, the internal container is laid out in an edit area set with a layout engine, and a prescribed content is inserted into the container to prepare a document. In the information processor, the outer frame container is set in the edit area. The set outer frame container and the internal container are linked on the basis of the designated link condition. When the internal container laid out in the edit area is edition-instructed, a space between the linked outer frame container and internal container is dynamically follow-adjusted on the basis of the designated link condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs layout processing of an internal container in a set editing area.

  In recent years, product life has been shortened due to the increase in the number of products. The use of the Internet is also widespread. For this reason, the need for CRM (Customer Relationship Management) and One-to-One marketing has been attracting attention due to factors such as consumer-oriented customization services. 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 It is. A typical example is variable printing.

  Recently, with the advancement of DTP (desktop publishing) technology and the spread of digital printing apparatuses, a variable print system for customizing and outputting a document for each customer has been developed. And it has come to be required to optimally lay out different amounts of content for each customer.

  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, since the sizes of the text and image containers are fixed, the amount of data may be larger than the container size when data in the database is inserted into the container. In this case, text overlap and image clipping occur, and when the data amount is smaller than the container size, a gap is left.

  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., which changes the size of the container and changes the size of the container according to the amount of data to be inserted. In addition, there is a technique for reducing the font size of text and displaying all text in the container when data that does not fit within a fixed container size is inserted in the case of text.

  However, when the size of the container increases, there arises a problem that it overlaps with other containers on the same document. Further, when the font size is adjusted, 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, there is disclosed a layout design apparatus that reduces the size of an adjacent container as shown in FIG. Yes.

In the automatic layout, data is poured into a container arranged in a template, but containers such as an image container and a text container are provided for the types of containers. In addition, a rectangle is provided as the shape of these containers.
JP-A-7-129658

  However, in the case of the existing containers described above, when a plurality of containers are arranged on the template, the outer frame is statically specified so as to surround them. In such a case, if the container is enlarged during dynamic layout, there is a problem that the outer frame may be overwritten and the outer frame cannot be displayed correctly.

  Further, since the outer frame is static at present, there is a problem that the outer frame cannot be dynamically contracted according to the contraction of the inner container.

  Furthermore, it is likely that the distance between the outer container and the inner container can be adjusted by inscribing the container into a certain container. There was a problem that data could not be poured into the frame.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. The object of the present invention is to overlap an outer frame container based on a specified link condition with an inner container without performing a complicated container correction operation. It is to provide a mechanism that can be laid out as freely as possible.

  It is another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism that allows a predetermined content to be freely inserted into a laid out outer frame container without performing a complicated container correction operation.

  The information processing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  An information processing apparatus that lays out an internal container in a set editing area and creates a document by inserting predetermined content into the container, and has setting means for setting an outer frame container in the editing area. Moreover, it has a 1st link means to link the outer-frame container set by the said setting means, and the said inner container based on the designated link conditions. Further, when an internal container laid out in the editing area is instructed to be edited, the interval between the outer frame container and the internal container linked by the first linking means is dynamically changed based on a designated link condition. Layout processing means for adjusting to follow.

  The layout processing method of the present invention that achieves the above object has the following configuration.

  A layout processing method in an information processing apparatus for laying out an internal container in a set editing area and creating a document by inserting predetermined content into the container, the setting step for setting an outer frame container in the editing area Have. In addition, a first link step of linking the outer frame container set by the setting unit and the inner container based on a specified link condition. Furthermore, when an internal container laid out in the editing area is instructed to be edited, the interval between the outer frame container and the internal container linked by the first linking step is dynamically changed based on the designated link condition. And a layout processing step for adjusting the tracking.

  According to the present invention, the outer frame container based on the designated link condition can be freely laid out so as not to overlap the inner container without performing a complicated container correction operation.

  In addition, a desired document can be efficiently edited by freely inserting predetermined contents into the laid out outer frame container without performing a complicated container correction operation.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Description of system configuration>
[First Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

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

<System configuration diagram>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a data processing system to which the information processing apparatus showing the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

  2 and 3 are block diagrams illustrating an example of a module configuration of a data processing system to which the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied. The present system corresponds to an example system for printing a variable data document.

  In FIG. 1, the host computer 101 is connected to an input device such as a pointing device such as a keyboard 132 and a mouse 133 via an I / O interface 143.

  A display device 144 is connected via a video interface 137. Furthermore, a local printer 145 is connected via the I / O interface 138 depending on the situation. The I / O interface 138 is configured so that the computer 101 can be connected from the network connection 107 to connect other computer devices in the system.

  A typical network connection 107 is a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN).

  The computer 101 typically includes at least one processor 135. Further, for example, a memory 136 including a semiconductor random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM) is provided.

  Further, an INPUT / OUTPUT (I / O) interface including a video interface 137 is provided. In addition, an I / O interface 143 for the keyboard 132 and the mouse 133 is provided.

  The storage device 139 typically includes a hard disk drive 140 and a flexible 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 101 includes an operation system such as GNU / LINUX or Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) (trade name), and typically controls input / output processing according to the operation system. The computer 101 also communicates via the interconnect bus 134 by a method according to the conventional operation mode of a computer system formed of what is known in the related art. Further, the processor 135 of the computer 101 controls the input device via the I / O interface 143.

  The hardware configuration example shown in FIG. 1 may be, for example, an IBM compatible PC, a SUN SparcStation, or a computer system including them.

  In FIG. 2, a system 100 for printing a variable data document is illustrated. The host computer 101 is simply referred to as the computer 101.

  The process shown in FIG. 1 is executed in the computer 101 and 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, for example, a storage device as described below. Here, the readable medium includes the various media described above.

  The software is loaded into the computer from the readable medium of the computer 100 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 layout editing application program 121 typically resides in the hard disk drive 140 and is executed, read and controlled by the processor 135. The layout editing application program 121 uses the memory 136 in response to the hard disk drive 140 for data fetched from the storage device 139 and the network 1020. Hereinafter, the layout editing application program 121 is simply referred to as an editing program 121.

  In some instances, the editing program 121 is encoded on the CD-ROM 142 or flexible disk 141, read through the corresponding CD-ROM 142 or flexible disk 141, and provided to the user. Alternatively, the editing program 121 may be read by the user from the network connection 107.

  In addition, the software may be loaded into the computer 101 by magnetic tape or ROM or integrated circuit, magneto-optical disk or wireless or infrared communication between the computer 101 and other devices. The software may also be loaded into the computer 101 via a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card.

  Further, the computer 101 may be loaded into the computer 101 from other appropriate sized computer-readable media including the Internet and intranets having recorded information on e-mail communications and WEB sites. The foregoing is merely an example of related computer readable media. Other computer readable media may also be used.

  An editing program 121 named layout editing instructs to perform variable data printing (VDP) and includes three software components.

  The first software component of these 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 software component, 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 UI model analyzer 104, which is the third software component, converts user interface elements provided by the user interface 103 into an internal format that can be recognized by the layout engine 105. Here, the user interface elements are containers, anchors, sliders, links, and the like.

  That is, the UI model analyzer 104 can easily replace the user interface 103 with another display / input type user interface without changing the layout engine 105.

  The user interface 103, UI model analyzer 104, and layout engine 105 communicate via communication channels 123 and 124.

  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.

  Further, the variable data printing application 121 generates a document constituted by 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 communicably connected via a typical communication channel 111.

  The system example shown in FIG. 3 is an example of a system that includes a layout engine 225 that is a separate version of the layout engine 105 by adding an engine server 227 to the system example shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.

  In FIG. 3, the engine server 227 is configured by a typical computer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and the like.

  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 as shown in FIG. 3 or only specific records are required to be printed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an edit screen displayed on the display device 144 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 4, the user interface 103 includes a user interface formed by an application window (AW) 301 displayed on the video display 144 during operation.

  The AW 301 is characterized by a menu bar 302 and a tool bar 303 that can be hidden or moved to various locations on the screen. The AW 301 is characterized by a work area 306 that can be moved by the position and movement of the mouse 133, an optional palette 311, and a cursor / pointer device 313. Reference numeral 307 denotes a scroll bar. Reference numeral 306 denotes a layout editing screen. Reference numeral 309 denotes a one-page document template. Reference numeral 310 denotes an outer frame container.

  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.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a first editing screen displayed on the display device 144 shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.
In FIG. 5, the tool bar area 303 has at least a “button” that can be selected by the next user.

  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 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. Reference numerals 414 and 411 denote fixed sides.

  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.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of objects that can be displayed on the document template 309 of one page. They have a plurality of containers 407, 408, an anchor icon 409 to be applied arbitrarily, an unfixed side 410, a link 412, and a slider 413.

[Document Template]
In FIG. 3, a work area 306 is used to display / edit the design of the document template. This will give the user an overview of the document printed with the preparation. Then, it is possible to understand how the merged document changes based on the amount and size of 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.

  In this embodiment, containers such as containers 407 and 408 are spaces having fixed or variable text images in the document template, and are 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.

  (1) A container has 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.

  (2) Variable content is not intended to include content that changes or animates during non-printing times.

  (3) Similarly, fixed content is displayed in the same way in all documents generated using a container. However, depending on the behavior of the variable container, the fixed content may be different in each document.

  (4) 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.

  (5) 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.

  (6) 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.

  (7) The container has a user interface, for example, an interactive GUI for editing and setting the display of the container.

  Note that the elements of the interface are typically displayed on the screen 144, but are 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 for allowing editing and display of the container settings.

  An example of a special purpose of the user interface function is a corner icon for interactively changing and displaying the size or position of a border or container. Or, when a container is merged with data from a data source, there are overprinted numbers, lines, icons, and text to show the container's behavior. One overview of the current announcement is a collection of new direct editing techniques and display methods with container GUI components.

[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 a constraint is “The maximum content height of this container is 4 inches. ]. Another constraint is “The left end of the container contents must be displayed in the same horizontal position in each document. ].

  The content described here is a variety of ways to display and edit such constraints using the 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 and editing in a method specialized for variable data printing.

  The container allows the user to specify the size and position of the document content. 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 embodiment, 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 embodiment, this distinction will be clarified when the side or size of the container is discussed 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.

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

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

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

  (4) 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.

  However, the height or vertical position of the container may change. For example, if the left side of the container is fixed, the associated content is displayed close to the top of the page in one document and close to the bottom of the page in the other document. However, the left side is the same horizontal position in all cases.

  (5) If the top and bottom sides of the container are fixed, it means that the vertical position of the side is the same for all documents with respect to the page. However, the width or horizontal position of the container may change.

  (6) The vertical axis of the container is an imaginary vertical line located in the middle between the right and left sides of the container. If the container's vertical axis is fixed, the average horizontal position of the left and right sides of the container is the same for all documents.

  With this constraint, the width of the container may change, and it may be the farthest or the nearest to the vertical axis for documents with different left and right sides.

  However, the axis is in the same horizontal position in all documents. The height and horizontal position of the container are not affected by this constraint.

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

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

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

  (10) The vertical side or 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”, meaning that edges, axes, corners, intermediate positions, or document constraints may vary between documents.

  However, it may not be necessary to do so with specific document settings. There are other external constraints, such as the actual preferred location of the edge due to changes. However, if no external constraints are applied, the edges can be repositioned because the edges are 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. 5, for the new text container and the image container, the text container tool 404 or the image container tool 405 is clicked with the mouse 133. Then, it is created on the document template 309 by dragging a rectangle to the template 309.

  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 side states described above is preferably drawn in a graphical representation. Some edge states may be less than 36 graphic displays to share the representation in some situations.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary side rule of the container illustrated in FIG. 5.

  In FIG. 6, the application 121 draws a side with a solid line (item 503) or a dotted line (504) in order to express the state of the side. Reference numeral 501 denotes a container.

  The application 121 also features an anchor (a line 506 drawn near the upper side 508, a shape 509, an icon 507) and a handle (a control point 502 drawn near the side or shape to move or modify. The application 121 has a slider (a short parallel line drawn on both sides of the side, the slider 413 shown in FIG. 5), an enlargement / reduction icon 505, and a color.

  The rules for the container display method in FIGS. 6A to 6D are as follows.

  (1) Draw with solid lines to fix each side.

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

  (3) If the height is fixed, draw the top and bottom sides with solid lines.

  (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 side, if no anchor is drawn anywhere on the side, 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) to (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)-(8) display anchors, some fixed edges display sliders, 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 the 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.

  (1) Like the side 410 shown in FIG. 5, the dotted line means the position of the side in the document depending on the contents of the container.

  (2) 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 the container 408) For.

  (3) An anchor means that the place where the side and the 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 shown in FIG. 5 is an example of an anchor icon intended to fix the intersecting sides 414.

  (4) The slider means that the associated edge is fixed, but the container is positioned at many positions “slide length” along the edge.

  For example, the slider 413 shown in FIG. 5 may display the contents of the 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. 6A, the width and height of the container 501 are not fixed. The fixed side 503 is represented by a solid line. The variable side 504 is represented by a dotted line. The scaling icon 505 is an additional or alternative indicator that indicates that the adjacent side 504 is variable.

  In FIG. 6B, the width and height of the container 501 are variable. Anchor icon 506 additionally or alternatively indicates that both intersecting sides 503 are fixed.

  In FIG. 6C, the container 501 is variable in both width and height in a state where the expansion or contraction of the container spreads evenly around the center point as indicated by the arbitrary anchor icon 507.

  In FIG. 6D, 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. Here, “relation” indicates a distance between containers, and containers associated by a link are affected by each other's layout change to calculate a layout.

  In FIG. 5, what is indicated by 412 is a link. In this figure, the container 407 and the container 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. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a first editing processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to the link setting processing procedure. In addition, (601)-(606) show each step. Each step is realized by the processor 135 shown in FIG. 1 loading various modules (including the layout engine 105) into the memory 136 and executing them. Hereinafter, link processing in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the link processing operation explanatory diagram shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a UI example for explaining a link setting state for a container on the editing screen displayed on the display device 144 illustrated in FIG. 1. A method for setting a link in a container using them will be described.

  First, in order to set the link, the user operates the input device to create containers (at least two) for setting the link (601). The example shown in FIG. 8A shows an example in which two containers C1 and C2 are created and links are set.

  Next, the link tool 406 shown in FIG. 5 is selected (602).

  8A to 8C show the transition from the state in which the containers C1 and C2 are created and the link tool 406 is selected to the time when the link is set and the edit screen.

  701 and 702 shown in FIG. 8A are the same as 407 and 408 shown in FIG. 5 described above, and mean fixed sides.

  Further, 703 and 704 are the same as 409 shown in FIG. 5 described above, and mean anchors.

  Reference numeral 705 denotes a mouse pointer. First, one container C1 for setting a link is clicked and selected (603).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the mouse pointer 705 is moved to the other container C2 and clicked (604).

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 8B, a line 706 connecting the clicked position in FIG. 8A and the moved mouse pointer is drawn, and the user can determine where the link is set. It is shown by the UI shown in FIG.

  After the step (604) is completed in this way, the link UI indicated by the link 707 is displayed at the place where the link is set (605).

  Thereby, the container C1 and the container C2 are in the display state of (C) shown in FIG.

In addition, since the link is set, the UIs of the containers C1 and C2 are also automatically changed (606), and this process ends.
As an example of the change in step (606), in FIG. 8C, reference numeral 708 denotes a side indicated by a dotted line, which indicates a variable side as described above.

  The reason why the side of the container has changed as shown in FIG. 8C is that it is necessary to make the side of the container variable by setting a link. That is, this is a characteristic drawing process in the present embodiment that is automatically performed in order to prevent the occurrence of a contradiction that all sides are fixed in spite of setting the link.

  In FIG. 8C, 709 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. 8C, 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 the slider 413 shown in FIG. It doesn't matter.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a second editing process procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to the layout calculation processing procedure. In addition, (801)-(807) show each step. Each step is realized by the processor 135 shown in FIG. 1 loading various modules (including the layout engine 105) into the memory 136 and executing them.

  First, the user selects a preview mode by operating a button on the editing screen shown in FIG. 4 (801). The automatic layout system described above has a layout mode in which containers are created and associated (linked) between the containers to create a layout. In addition, the automatic layout system has a preview mode in which a record is inserted into the created layout and a layout result after the record is actually inserted is previewed.

  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.

  Next, when the preview mode is entered, the user operates the button on the editing screen shown in FIG. 4 to select and insert a record to be previewed (802). When the record is inserted, calculation is performed to lay out the record (803). Details of the layout calculation process will be described with reference to FIG.

  Note that the layout calculated in step (803) is displayed as a preview (804).

  Next, it is determined whether or not to preview other records (805). If it is determined in step (805) that it is not necessary to preview another record, the preview mode is terminated (807).

  On the other hand, if previewing is performed for another record in step (805), another record is selected, layout calculation is performed again, preview is performed (806), and the process returns to step (803).

  Note that when printing is performed instead of the preview mode, the layout is calculated in order for all records to be printed. Therefore, steps (805) and (807) do not exist. The process ends when printing is completed for all records.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a third editing processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to the detailed procedure of layout calculation in step (803) shown in FIG. In addition, (901)-(905) shows each step. Each step is realized by the processor 135 shown in FIG. 1 loading various modules (including the layout engine 105) into the memory 136 and executing them.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a UI example for explaining a link processing state for a container on the editing screen displayed on the display device 144 illustrated in FIG. 1.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a UI example for explaining the layout editing state for the container on the editing screen displayed on the display device 144 shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 12, 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. Yes.

  First, a set of containers for calculating the layout is obtained (901). In the layout calculation, the associated containers are calculated as one set. For example, referring to FIG. 12, four containers A to D are laid out on the page, and associations are set for the containers A to D. In this case, container A and container B, and container C and container D are associated by a link.

  Therefore, containers A and B are set 1, and containers C and D are set 2.

  Next, in step (901), one set is selected from the obtained set of containers to calculate the layout (902). 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 (903).

  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.

  In this way, the layout is optimized and it is determined whether or not the rule is violated (904). If the rule is violated, the process returns to step (903) and the calculation is performed so as not to violate the rule again. do.

  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.

  In this way, when the layout is calculated so as not to violate the rule, the layout of the set is completed. Then, the steps (902) to (904) are applied to all the sets on the page, and it is determined whether or not the calculation is completed for the set of all containers (905). Return to step (902).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (905) that the calculation has been completed for the set of all containers, the calculation of the layout of the entire page is terminated.

  Hereinafter, the layout editing processing operation will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 11A 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 and 1007 are arrows indicating a 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. 11B shows the new content size superimposed on the state of FIG.

  Reference numeral 1009 denotes the size of content inserted in each container. Then, layout calculation is performed.

  FIG. 11C shows the result of layout calculation. That is, the size of each container after the calculation is calculated so as to have 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. 11C, the inserted content size 1009 shown in FIG. 11B and the calculated content size 1010 have the same difference in both.

[Setting of variable link]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a second editing screen displayed on the display device 144 shown in FIG. The same components as those in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals. This is an example of a general variable link editing screen.

  The edit screen shown in FIG. 13 includes the application window 301 and the tool bar 303 shown in FIG. 5, and the container 1203 and the container 1204 exist on the document template 309.

  Each container typically includes an anchor icon 1201, an anchor icon 1202, fixed sides 1205 and 1212, and sides 1206 and 1213. 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 is a diagram showing an example of a dialog window that can be displayed on the second editing screen displayed on the display device 144 shown in FIG. This example is an example of the dialog window 1401 in which the information of the link 1209 is set.

  In FIG. 14, 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 can be selected from the variable button 1407 or the fixed button 1406, and when the link type is variable, the maximum value 1410 and the minimum value 1412 of the link length and the current value 1411 can be set. Reference numeral 1405 denotes a link type designation unit (Link Type). Reference numeral 1408 denotes a link length designation section (Link Distance).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth editing processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to the detailed procedure of layout calculation in step (803) shown in FIG. Note that (1301) to (1305) indicate each step. Each step is realized by the processor 135 shown in FIG. 1 loading various modules (including the layout engine 105) into the memory 136 and executing them.

  16 and 17 are diagrams illustrating an example of a container editing screen displayed on the display device 144 illustrated in FIG.

  Based on the above link setting method, for example, operation transition from the state of the fixed size link 1503 stretched between the container A and the container B shown in FIG. 16 to the state of FIG. 13 showing the variable size link 1209 Represents.

  First, the user operates the mouse to click the link 1503 to select it (1301). Then, the property dialog window 1401 of the link 1503 selected by right-clicking the mouse or a specific key on the keyboard is displayed on the display device 144 (1302).

  In this state, since the link size is not variable but fixed, the Fixed Length 1406 is displayed in a state selected in the Link Type 1405.

  Next, the user operates the mouse to change the link from a fixed size to a variable size. For example, in the Link Type 1405 on the property dialog window 1401 shown in FIG. 14, the Flexible Length 1407 for setting the link size to be variable is selected (1303).

  As a result, Max. Distance 1412, Min. Distance 1410, and Distance 1411 arranged in the Link Distance 1408 are validated, 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 in Max. Distance 1412, the minimum value is set in Min. Distance 1410, and the current value is set in Distance 1411 (1304).

  When the setting is applied by a general dialog window open / close button 1404, the link UI display changes to a state like the link 1209 shown in FIG. 13 (1305). The setting information of this dialog window 1401 is stored in the memory.

  FIG. 16 shows a layout result when a fixed-size link is used. The layout calculation method is performed as described above.

  For example, when data of different sizes are inserted into the container 1203 and the container 1204 in FIG. 13, the data size of each container is considered optimal. The container 1203 tries to change the size to the right in order to approach the frame 1504 (optimum container size) that becomes the inserted image size. Similarly, the size of the container 1204 is slightly increased in the left direction so as 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. For this reason, the size to be changed exceeds the link size. Since the link size is fixed and is preferentially calculated at the time of layout calculation, 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 optimum size (frame 1504, frame 1505) like the container 1501 and the container 1502 shown in FIG. Will also get smaller. Since the size of the link 1503 is fixed, the container 1501 and the container 1502 do not achieve the optimum size.

  On the other hand, FIG. 17 shows a case where the link has a variable size.

  In this case, in the above example, a variable-size link is set between the container 1203 and the container 1204 as shown in the figure. Reference numeral 3016 denotes a one-page document template.

  When the sizes of the container 1203 and the container 1204 are changed, the link size is reduced. Thereby, the size of the container 1203 and the container 1204 can be larger than the above example. Then, it is possible to achieve the optimum size according to the data size to be inserted, or to calculate the container frame closer to the insertion data size (optimum size).

  The result is a container 1601 and a container 1602 shown in FIG. The variable link 1209 becomes the size state of the variable link 1603 as a result of the layout calculation. In this case, each of the container 1601 and the container 1602 has an optimum size (a size suitable for the data size).

  FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the configuration of a container in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  In this example, a text container and an image container are arranged for a dynamic layout template.

  Then, the dynamic layout can be performed by linking each.

  Next, an outer frame container whose shape can be changed according to the dynamic layout of the internal container or its own data amount is arranged outside these containers.

  1702 shows the result of executing dynamic layout processing by flowing data into the container group arranged in the container 1701 by the layout engine 105 with respect to the outer frame container. Note that the layout engine 105 may control the content to flow into the inner container and the outer frame container at the same time.

  Although the outer frame container is pushed by the dynamic layout of the inner container, the data inserted into the outer frame container is not overwritten.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of an outer frame container setting screen applied to the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This example is a setting UI for setting information for an outer frame container.

  In FIG. 19, reference numeral 1801 denotes a link setting method between the outer frame container and the inner container. In this embodiment, the link setting method includes an automatic link method and a manual link method.

  The automatic link method means that the layout editing application 121 automatically establishes a link between the inner container and the outer frame container. Further, regarding manual linking, it means that the user himself / herself establishes a link between the inner container and the outer frame container.

  Reference numeral 1802 denotes a link length setting method. The variable link means that the length of the link extended between the inner container and the outer frame container is dynamically changed by the dynamic layout.

  When a variable link is set, a variable range of the link that is changed by the layout process is set.

  The fixed link length means that the shapes of the inner container and the outer frame container change depending on the dynamic layout, but the link length set between them is always kept constant.

  Reference numeral 1803 denotes outer frame container limit area setting. The limit area is an area that defines a range in which the outer frame container can be expanded to the maximum when its shape is expanded by the dynamic layout.

  The print limit area means that the outer frame container can be expanded to a printable area. Manual setting means that the user manually sets the enlarged region of the outer frame container.

  Reference numeral 1804 denotes a method for setting the default width of the outer frame container. Set how much width to have in the initial state. Reference numeral 1805 designates the type of data to be flowed into the outer frame container. Text data and image data can be selected.

  1806 sets the path of the data file to be flowed into the outer frame container. The data file path can be entered directly or selected from a reference and the path can be specified.

  In the present embodiment, the designation state of each item designated via the outer frame container setting screen shown in FIG. Thus, as will be described later, it is possible to adjust the boundary width between the outer frame container and the editing area and to insert predetermined content into the outer frame container following the editing process of the inner container. Yes.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a specific example of arrangement based on the setting of the outer frame container shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 20, reference numerals 1901 and 1902 denote dynamic layout editors.

  The user selects “Insert” 1901A from the tab menu using a mouse or the like, and designates “Outer frame container”.

  By this designation processing, the outer frame container can be arranged on the dynamic layout template 1901B.

  Reference numeral 1902 denotes a dynamic layout editor, which shows a method of expanding the area of the outer frame container. The expansion method is shown below.

  When the user designates one point of the outer frame container 1902A and the user performs a drag process with a mouse or the like, the user expands the outer frame container 1902B (dotted line portion). The position and size of the designated outer frame container 1902A are stored in the memory 136.

  21 and 22 are diagrams showing specific examples of arrangement areas based on the settings of the outer frame container shown in FIG.

  FIG. 21A shows a state in which the internal containers 2001-1 to 2001-4 are linked. C100 is a designated outer frame container.

  FIG. 21B shows the outer frame container C200 and the inner containers 2002-1 to 2002-4 when the link condition is specified on the outer frame container setting screen shown in FIG. Corresponding to the state. The link processing is executed by the layout engine 105.

  In the layout example shown in FIG. 22A, the area of the outer frame container is represented by a hatched portion, and the outer frame 2001A in the outer frame container is the enlargement limit region (shaded portion in the drawing) of the outer frame container. . In addition, the inner frame 2101B in the outer frame container represents the current position of the outer frame container set. The inner / outer difference width indicates the outer frame container width X.

  The layout example shown in FIG. 22B is different from the layout example shown in FIG. 22A in that there are links between the inner containers 2102-1 to 2102-4 inside the outer frame container and the outer frame container. The example of a display when set is shown.

  In the pre-layout state 2101 shown in FIG. 22A, content data is poured into the internal containers 2111 to 2114. Thereby, as shown in the post-layout state 2102 shown in FIG. 22B, the layout editing application (layout engine 105) performs dynamic layout (dynamic layout processing).

  By this layout processing, the frame 2101A, which is the current position of the outer frame shown in FIG. 22A, is changed from the inner containers 2102-1 to 2102-4 to the current position of the outer frame as shown in FIG. This represents a state in which the frame 2101A is pushed outward.

  In the layout state shown in FIG. 22B, it can be seen that the width X of the outer frame container is narrower than that before the layout process shown in FIG. 21 because the outer frame container is pushed from the inner container.

  The layout state shown in FIG. 22B shows a state where the dynamic layout has been completed. Data may be inserted into the outer frame container after the dynamic layout of the inner container.

  However, in the example of FIG. 22B, no data is inserted into the outer frame container and it is expressed as a line segment.

  The link length includes a variable link length and a fixed link length. When the variable link length is selected, the maximum value and minimum value of the link length are set. Next, the outer frame container limit area is set. In setting the area, the print limit area and the area can be manually specified.

  In the information processing apparatus configured as described above, an editing program 121 of the information processing apparatus for laying out an internal container in the editing area set in the present embodiment and inserting a predetermined content into the container to create a document includes: The following functions are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 20, a setting function for setting an outer frame container in a template area corresponding to an editing area is provided according to a mouse operation instruction by a user.

  Further, a first link function for linking the outer frame container set by the setting function and the inner container based on the specified link condition via the outer frame container designation screen shown in FIG. 19 is provided. Thereby, the outer frame container and the inner container are linked, and the state is identified and displayed by an icon or the like.

  Furthermore, when an internal container laid out in the editing area is instructed to edit, the interval between the outer frame container and the internal container linked by the first link function is dynamically followed based on the specified link condition. A layout processing function for adjustment is provided.

  As a result, even if the arrangement area, size, and the like are changed as the internal container is edited, the outer frame container area is ensured to the minimum, so that they do not overlap each other. That is, since the respective editing areas do not interfere with each other, it is possible to always ensure an area where predetermined content can be inserted in the outer frame container.

  Further, the layout engine 105 can insert predetermined contents into the outer frame container or the inner container as shown in FIG. 27 described later by the layout processing function.

  In addition, a first link designating function for designating a link condition for the outer frame container is provided.

  Specifically, the outer frame designation screen shown in FIG. 19 can be designated by being displayed on the display 144 via the user interface 103.

  In the present embodiment, the first link specifying function is configured to be able to specify the link method, link length, outer frame container limit area, outer frame container width, content type to be inserted, and content to be inserted.

  Further, a link designation can be performed by displaying an edit screen for the internal container shown in FIG. 5 or 13 on the display 144 via the user interface 103.

  Furthermore, a second specifying function for specifying the link length between the internal containers by displaying an editing screen for the internal containers shown in FIG. 5 or 13 on the display 144 via the user interface 103 is provided.

  Items that can be specified by the second link specification function can specify a link method, a link length, a content type to be inserted, and a content to be inserted.

  Further, the link length can be fixed or variable for the inner container or the outer frame container. The display mode of each side of the internal container is made different between the fixed case and the variable case. As a result, the user can easily visually recognize the mode during editing.

  Furthermore, the layout processing function is configured such that the container size can be expanded to the outer frame container limit area designated by the first link designation function in accordance with the layout processing for the internal container.

  Further, the outer frame container limit area is configured to be a printable maximum area or arbitrarily designated in the designation screen example shown in FIG.

  Further, the outer frame container width is configured so that the inner and outer rectangular widths forming the outer frame container can be designated by default to a predetermined value in the example of the designation screen shown in FIG.

  FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an example of a fifth editing processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This process corresponds to the layout editing procedure. Note that (2201) to (2203) indicate each step. Each step is realized by the processor 135 shown in FIG. 1 loading various modules (including the layout engine 105) into the memory 136 and executing them.

  First, in step (2201), the layout editing application displays a setting screen (see FIG. 19) for performing settings related to the behavior of the outer frame container, performs outer frame container setting processing, and stores the set contents in the memory. Stored in 136. Details of the outer frame container setting process will be described later.

  In step (2202), the layout editing application 121 arranges the outer frame container on the document template.

  The position information and size of the arranged outer frame container are stored in the memory 136.

  Next, in step (2203), the layout editing application 121 executes dynamic layout processing and ends this processing. Specifically, in step (2201), based on the setting contents stored in the memory 136, the content data to be flowed into the internal container and the outer frame container is arranged and the dynamic layout process is executed, and this process is executed. finish.

  FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing an example of a sixth editing process procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This process corresponds to the outer frame container setting procedure. In addition, (2301)-(2316) show each step. Each step is realized by the processor 135 shown in FIG. 1 loading various modules (including the layout engine 105) into the memory 136 and executing them.

  First, in step (2301), the layout editing application determines a method for setting a link between the outer frame container and the inner container.

  Specifically, in a state where the setting UI shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the display device 144, the layout editing application analyzes the contents set by the user operating the mouse or the like, and saves them in the memory 136.

  As shown in FIG. 19, in this embodiment, there are link setting methods for automatic links and manual links.

  In step (2301), when the layout editing application 121 determines that a manual link has been set (2302), the user operates the mouse or the like to set a link between the inner container and the outer frame container. Wait for. The link information set by the user is stored in the memory 136 (S2304).

  On the other hand, if the layout editing application 121 determines in step (2301) that the automatic link has been set, the positional relationship between the outer frame container and the inner container is read from the memory 136, and link information to be set between the two. Is calculated.

  The position information of the outer frame container and the inner container is stored in the memory 136 when each container is set.

  Next, the layout editing application 121 determines the link length setting (2305).

  The layout editing application 121 analyzes the contents set by the setting UI shown in FIG. 19 and stores the link length in the memory 136.

  In this step (2305), the link length setting determination process determines that the layout editing application 121 has set the variable link length (2307). In this case, in step (2308), the maximum value and the minimum value of the link length set by the setting UI shown in FIG. 19 are stored in the memory 136 in association with the variable link.

  On the other hand, if the layout editing application 121 determines in step (2305) that a fixed-length link has been set, in step (2306), the space between the outer frame container and the inner container is calculated, and the fixed link length is stored in the memory 136. Remember.

  Next, the layout editing application 121 determines the outer frame container limit area set by the setting UI shown in FIG. 19 (2309). When it is recognized in step (2309) that the print limit area has been set, in step (2310), the layout editing application 121 reads the current print limit area from the memory 136 and sets the limit area of the outer frame container. Store as information.

  On the other hand, if it is recognized in step (2309) that the manual setting has been set, the layout editing application 121 holds the limit area set by the user in the memory 136.

  In step (2312), the layout editing application 121 reads the default width of the outer frame container set by the setting UI shown in FIG. 19 and stores it in the memory 136. Then, the layout editing application 121 determines the type of insertion data (2313). Specifically, the layout editing application determines the contents (text or image) set by the setting UI shown in FIG. 19 (2314) and (2315).

  In step (2316), the layout editing application 121 specifies insertion data and ends the process.

  Specifically, the layout editing application 121 analyzes the file path name specified by the setting UI shown in FIG. 19 and stores it in the memory 136.

  When the content data is actually flowed into each container, the content data held in the file path stored in the memory 136 is read and the layout process is executed.

  Note that the content data of the file path may be read out and stored in the memory 136 according to the designation of the file path. The outer frame container setting process is completed by this series of processes.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing an example of a seventh editing process procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to the dynamic layout processing procedure. In addition, (2401)-(2410) shows each step. Each step is realized by the processor 135 shown in FIG. 1 loading various modules (including the layout engine 105) into the memory 136 and executing them.

  First, the layout editing application 121 determines whether an outer frame container is set in the template (2401).

  Specifically, information regarding the outer frame container set as shown in FIG. 22 is stored in the memory 136. Therefore, the layout editing application 121 can execute the determination process of step (2401) by referring to the memory 136.

  If it is determined in step (2401) that the outer frame container is not specified, normal dynamic layout processing is performed.

  If it is determined in step (2401) that the outer frame container is set, the layout editing application 121 checks the link state set between the inner container and the outer frame container (2402).

  More specifically, since the link information between the outer frame container and the inner container is stored in the memory 136, the layout editing application 121 can perform the process of step (2402).

  The layout editing application 121 flows content data associated with the template to be processed into the internal container and executes layout processing (S2403).

  The specific layout processing has been described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, and is omitted here.

  Subsequently, the layout editing application 121 determines whether or not the outer frame container is pressed from the inner container (2404).

  Specifically, the layout editing application 121 determines whether or not the size of the internal container is larger than the size at the time of template setting as a result of the content data being poured and the layout process being executed. And when it determines with expanding, it can determine with the outer frame container having been pushed from the inner container.

  Then, the layout editing application 121 checks a limit area where the outer frame container can be expanded (2406).

  More specifically, since the limit area information is set by the setting UI shown in FIG. 19 and stored in the memory 136, the layout editing application 121 can perform the process of S2406.

  The layout editing application 121 determines whether or not the outer frame container has reached the limit area by being pushed from the inner container (2407). The layout engine included in the layout editing application 121 can grasp the arrangement position of each container. Therefore, the determination process in step (2407) can be performed by comparing the position of the outer frame container with the limit area confirmed in S2406.

  If it is determined in step (2407) that the limit area has not been reached, the layout editing application 121 determines again whether or not the outer frame container has been pressed by the inner container (2403).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2407) that the limit area has been reached, the layout editing application 121 determines whether or not the link connecting the inner container and the outer frame container is fluctuating (2408). If it is determined that the link length is not fluctuating, this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2408) that the link length is variable, the layout editing application 121 reduces the link length as necessary to the minimum value that the link has (2409).

  Since the minimum value and the maximum value of the link are stored in the memory 136, the layout editing application 121 can be grasped by referring to the memory 136.

  Then, the layout editing application 121 determines whether or not the link length has reached the minimum value as a result of reducing the link length in step (2409) (2410). On the other hand, if it is determined in step (2410) that the minimum value has not been reached, the process returns to step (2404).

  If it is determined that the minimum value has been reached, the link cannot be further reduced, so the outer frame container is reduced and the process is terminated.

  Also, when priority is set for the outer frame container and the inner container and the limit area is reached, the layout editing application 121 preferentially reduces either the outer frame container or the inner container based on the priority. It doesn't matter.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of an eighth editing process procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. This processing corresponds to the data flow processing procedure to the outer frame container. In addition, (2501)-(2504) show each step. Each step is realized by the processor 135 shown in FIG. 1 loading various modules (including the layout engine 105) into the memory 136 and executing them.

  FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a layout editing result in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention. In this example, a layout editing result example is displayed on the display device 144 shown in FIG.

  First, the layout editing application divides the outer frame container into rectangular areas in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction (2501).

  Next, the layout editing application sets the y-axis direction with the side that was inside the outer frame container in the divided rectangle as the minus side of the y-axis and the outside as the plus side (2502). The layout editing application sets the outer frame container from the upper right to the lower right, from the lower right to the lower left, from the lower left to the upper left, and from the upper left to the upper right as the positive direction of the x axis (2503).

  Next, the layout editing application flows the data in the positive direction of the x-axis while the upper side of the text data faces the positive side of the y-axis (2504), and ends this processing.

  By executing the processing shown in FIG. 26 in this way, the content data that is flowed into the outer frame container is automatically displayed in the outer direction with respect to the outer frame container 2701 by the layout engine 105 as shown in FIG. Is laid out as a vertical direction. For this reason, an operation such as a user correcting the direction of the content data can be simplified.

  Therefore, content data can be automatically poured into the outer frame container 2701 in a direction desired by the user without being forced to perform complicated operations. The example shown in FIG. 27 shows an example in which text data is inserted as content, but it is configured to be able to insert even content (image, graphic, etc.) having an attribute different from that of text.

  According to the above embodiment, when the layout condition of the outer frame container is specified at the time of dynamic layout editing, the outer frame container and each inner container will not interfere with each other and overlap even if the layout for the inner container is dynamically performed. Thereby, the outer frame container can be displayed in the edit display area as intended by the operator who performs the dynamic layout.

  In addition, because the outer frame container can flow not only line types but also text and images, its expressive power expands more than the current dynamic layout.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment is characterized in that, instead of setting an outer frame container for a template of a dynamic layout, an outer frame is automatically set when a general container finishes the dynamic layout.

  That is, the layout engine 105 obtains the end points of the area that covers all the arranged containers based on the coordinates of the container after the dynamic layout, sets the outer frame container area based on the coordinates, and flows the data.

  According to the present embodiment, it is possible to use the outer frame container relatively easily without the trouble of the user who arranges the outer frame container.

[Seventh Embodiment]
The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium for storing various data processing programs readable by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 7, 9, 10, 15, and 23 to 26 in the present embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, the storage medium storing the software program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

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

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition, the functions of the above-described embodiments are not only realized by executing the program code read by the computer. For example, based on an instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing. Needless to say, the process includes the case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized.

  Further, the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

  Although various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the data processing system which can apply the information processing apparatus which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the module structure of the data processing system which can apply the information processing apparatus which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the module structure of the data processing system which can apply the information processing apparatus which shows 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the 1st edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary side rule of the container illustrated in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st edit process procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows UI example explaining the link setting state with respect to the container on the edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd edit processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 3rd edit process sequence in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows UI example explaining the link process state with respect to the container on the edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows UI example explaining the layout edit state with respect to the container on the edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the 2nd edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog window which can be displayed with respect to the 2nd edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th edit processing procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the container edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the container edit screen displayed on the display apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the structure of the container in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting screen of the outer frame container applied to the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the specific example of arrangement | positioning based on the setting of the outer frame container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the arrangement | positioning area | region based on the setting of the outer frame container shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the arrangement | positioning area | region based on the setting of the outer frame container shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 5th edit process procedure in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 6th edit process sequence in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 7th edit process sequence in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 8th edit process sequence in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the schematic which shows the example of a layout edit result in the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the information processing apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Host Computer 103 User Interface 104 UI Model Analyzer 105 Layout Engine 119 Database 121 Layout Application Program 124 Communication Channel 132 Keyboard 133 Mouse 143 I / O Interface 144 Video Display

Claims (20)

An information processing apparatus that lays out an internal container in a set editing area and inserts predetermined content into the container to create a document,
Setting means for setting an outer frame container in the editing area;
First linking means for linking the outer frame container set by the setting means and the inner container based on a designated link condition;
When an internal container laid out in the editing area is instructed to edit, the distance between the outer frame container and the internal container linked by the first linking means is dynamically tracked based on a designated link condition. Layout processing means to adjust;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout processing unit inserts predetermined content into the outer frame container or the inner container. A first link designating unit for designating a link condition for the outer frame container;
3. The first link designating unit is capable of designating a link method, a link length, an outer frame container limit area, an outer frame container width, a content type to be inserted, and a content to be inserted. Information processing device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second link unit that links the laid out internal containers based on a designated link condition. A second specifying means for specifying a link length between the internal containers;
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second link designating unit is capable of designating a link method, a link length, a content type to be inserted, and a content to be inserted.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the link length can be specified as fixed or variable.   2. The layout processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the size of the container can be expanded to the outer container limit area designated by the first link designating unit in accordance with the layout process for the internal container. Information processing device.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame container limit area is a maximum printable area or can be arbitrarily specified.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame container width allows a default designation of an inner and outer rectangular width forming the outer frame container to be a predetermined value. A layout processing method in an information processing apparatus for laying out an internal container in a set editing area and creating a document by inserting predetermined content into the container,
A setting step of setting an outer frame container in the editing area;
A first linking step for linking the outer frame container set by the setting means and the inner container based on a specified link condition;
When an internal container laid out in the editing area is instructed to be edited, the interval between the outer frame container and the internal container linked by the first linking step is dynamically followed based on a designated link condition. Layout processing steps to be adjusted;
A layout processing method comprising:   The layout processing method according to claim 10, wherein the layout processing step inserts predetermined content into the outer frame container or the inner container. A first link specifying step for specifying a link condition for the outer frame container;
12. The first link specifying step can specify a link method, a link length, an outer frame container limit area, an outer frame container width, a content type to be inserted, and a content to be inserted. Layout processing method.   11. The layout processing method according to claim 10, further comprising a second linking step for linking each of the laid out internal containers based on a designated link condition. A second specifying means for specifying a link length between the internal containers;
12. The layout processing method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the second link designation step can designate a link method, a link length, a content type to be inserted, and a content to be inserted.   15. The information layout processing method according to claim 12, wherein the link length can be specified as fixed or variable.   11. The layout process step according to claim 10, wherein the container size can be expanded to the outer frame container limit area designated by the first link designation step according to the layout process for the internal container. Layout processing method.   The layout processing method according to claim 10, wherein the outer frame container limit area is a maximum printable area or can be arbitrarily specified.   11. The layout processing method according to claim 10, wherein the outer frame container width can be designated by default to a predetermined value for the inner and outer rectangular widths forming the outer frame container.   A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the layout processing method according to claim 10.   A program causing a computer to execute the layout processing method according to claim 10.

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