JP2007122486A - Web document processing method, program, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a web document processing system capable of adjusting an output result on a web browser in executing output, wherein it is not required that an output person requests a designer to correct a template or that a system administrator registers a template file, and capable of storing the template as a personal template in the system so that a user can reuse the template. <P>SOLUTION: When the output template can be finely adjusted on the basis of a web browser, the user can finely adjust the template without being aware of a field name by use of a dynamic layout engine and a plugin function of the web browser, thereby reducing the stress in operation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus / medium and a layout method in an 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.

In addition, if there is no free space necessary for modification around the design element to be designed, effective modification is realized by securing the necessary free space and then designing. It can be so. A technique characterized by changing (smaller) the format when there is not enough free space is disclosed in “Document Processing Device” of Patent Document 2.
JP-A-7-129658 JP-A-8-287071

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, if the output result by the automatic layout is different from the one intended by the user, the template file itself is requested to be corrected by the designer even if it is a slight correction. It was necessary for the system administrator to register with the system again, which was a burden on the user. That is, it is impossible to perform fine adjustment at the time of output by the output user. Further, in the variable output system by the Web, since the system as a whole has a template, a template for personal use is not considered, and the user is inconvenienced.

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

  A Web system composed of an information processing device such as a personal computer, and when creating a document by inserting text and image data from data such as a database into a container area, the size of the text and image is set at the time of preview. At the same time, it is possible to change the size of the container, and by setting the relation between the containers, it is possible to edit it (layout change) with an automatic layout function that can be changed while maintaining the interval. A step of selecting a field, a step of selecting enlargement / reduction layout information, a step of transmitting enlargement / reduction layout information to a server, and a file (template) that acquires enlargement / reduction information from a client and stores layout information ) Information related to the content is stored in the database, including the step of reflecting the template, the step of applying the template newly created by copying, the step of outputting again, and the step of saving the finally determined template as a template for personal use. Managed Web document processing method.

  According to the present invention, in a Web document processing system, an output result is output on a Web browser at the time of output execution without requesting a designer to modify a template or having a system administrator register a template file. Can be adjusted. Further, it can be left in the system as a personal template, and the template can be reused by the user.

Example 1
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. 1 illustrates a system 100 for printing a variable data document. The method shown therein is implemented in the general purpose computer module 101 described in detail in FIG. The process described in FIG. 26 is executed in the computer module 101 and executed by the whole or a part of software like 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 storage medium including a storage device as described below, for example. The software is loaded from the computer storage medium to the computer and executed by the computer 101. A computer storage 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 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 module 101 is connected to the interconnect bus 134 in a manner consistent with the operating system, typically in accordance with the operating system, or according to a conventional operating mode of the computer system formed of what is known in the relevant arts. The components 135 to 143 of the computer module 101 that communicate with each other are used.

  In the example of the arrangement computer described in the figure, an IBM compatible PC, SUN's Sparc Station (registered trademark), 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 media storage device of the program 121 and the network 1020 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 flexible 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. The software also stores magnetic tape or ROM or integrated circuits, magneto-optical disks or wireless or infrared communication between the computer module 101 and other devices, computer storage cards such as PCMCIA cards, and e-mail communications and recorded information on WEB sites. The computer module 101 may be loaded from other appropriate sized computer storage media including the Internet or an intranet. The foregoing is merely an example of related computer storage media. Other computer storage 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. 27 is a block diagram showing a network configuration in which an instruction / operation is realized from a client having a Web browser to a Web server to which the document processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  In the figure, reference numeral 151 denotes a local area network (LAN), which is a client personal computer (hereinafter “client PC”) 152, 153, 154 and a server personal computer (hereinafter referred to as “server PC”) having the document processing apparatus of the present invention. ]) 161 is connected to this LAN. In this embodiment, the server PC 121 has a Web server function, and receives an instruction from the Web browser of the client PCs 152, 153, and 154, and performs a process of returning the processing result to the browser of the client PC instructing the processing result. Describe. However, in the present invention, the communication method between the server and the client is not particularly limited. Further, the server PC may be configured to directly perform an instruction process for the document processing apparatus of the present invention.

  Further, FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a module configuration according to the present invention.

  Reference numeral 171 denotes a client PC, which is used in the present invention, an information registration module 172 for registering data files such as catalog information and image data in the server, an output form registration module 173 for registering a form for outputting product data. A fine adjustment module 174 is stored. However, since these modules are automatically distributed from the server PC in the plug-in format of the Web browser as necessary, there is no need to perform installation processing on the client PC. A network 175 exchanges data. Reference numeral 176 denotes an HTTP Web application server, which stores a module 177 for processing a request from a client PC. Supported functions include user authentication, search processing, batch registration of various data, various maintenance functions, and product information output. These modules are loaded on the memory in response to a request from the client and execute processing. In addition to these modules, there are an image editing module 178 for editing an image such as a PDF file using a layout engine, and a file editing module 178 for editing a data file such as combining and dividing. Further, there are a library 180 and various utility libraries 181 for exchanging data with the database 179.

  FIG. 2 is a similar view of FIGS. 1 and 26, including a separate version 225 of the layout engine 105, with the addition of the 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 or moved to various places on the screen, a menu bar 302 and a tool bar 303, a work area 306 that 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.

  See FIG. The toolbar area 303 has at least the following “button” that can be selected by the user.

  Selection tool button 403: used to select, move, resize, resize and lock / unlock container edges. Containers allow multiple selection by dragging a selection box around the (multiple) containers or by holding down the CTRL key while selecting multiple containers.

  Image container tool button 405: used to create a container with a static or variable image.

  Text container tool button 404: used to create a container with static or variable text.

  Link tool button 406: 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 a one-page document template 309. These include a plurality of containers 407 and 408, an arbitrarily applied anchor icon 409, and an unfixed side 410. , Link 412 and 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.

  ● Containers have decoration functions such as text settings such as background color, border, font style applied to 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.

  ● Containers have 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 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 edge 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 / 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, discussing the left side of a container in this patent is the same as discussing the leftmost side where the 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 patent 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 container corner, the middle of the container edge, or the center 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 relation to 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 in FIGS. 5A and 5D are as follows.

  1. Draw 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 solid lines.

  4. Do not draw axes.

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

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

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

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

  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.

  ● Filled lines mean restricted sides because the sides are 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 can be positioned at many positions along the edge “slide length”. 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 (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 (0602). 7A to 7C show an operation of creating a container and setting a link from a state in which the link tool has been selected. 7A to 7C 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 (0603). Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the mouse pointer is moved to the other container and clicked (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 the processing 0604 is completed, a link UI indicated by 0707 is displayed at the set location (0605). The container is in the state shown in FIG. Further, the UI of the container is automatically changed by setting the link (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 (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. In the preview mode, a record to be previewed is selected and inserted (0802). When a record is inserted, calculations are performed to lay out the record. (0803). The layout calculated in the process 0803 is displayed (0804). It is determined whether or not to preview other records (0805). If it is determined in process 0805 that there is no need to preview another record, the preview mode is terminated (0807). If the preview is to be performed for another record, the other record is selected, the layout calculation is performed again, and the preview is performed (0806). When printing not in the preview mode, the layout is calculated in order for all the records to be printed. Therefore, the processes 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 (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 0901 in order to calculate the layout (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 (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 (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, the steps 0902 to 0904 are applied to all the sets on the page, and the layout of the entire page is calculated (0905).

  FIG. 10A to FIG. 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. Similar to 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. For this reason, 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 value (1410) and minimum value (1412) 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 and selected (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 (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 in the Link Type 1405 is selected (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 (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. (1306) The setting information of this 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).

  The above is the automatic layout method which is the premise in the present invention. A method for finely adjusting the layout result during preview by the browser as a client will be described below.

[Documents and databases with merge fields]
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the relationship between a database and a document having a merge field in this system. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 1701 denotes a document having a merge field. In the present invention, it is assumed that the document template described above is used.

  The document 1701 includes a field 1702 for inserting “product name” data, a “insertion field A”, a field 1703 for inserting “product code” data, a “insertion field B”, and a field 1704 for inserting “product image” data. Document with “insert field C”.

  A database 1705 is a database for storing data for each of the insertion fields 1702 to 1704. This database includes at least a table 1706 “insertion data management table” and 1711 “classified key name management field”.

  The table 1706 is a table for managing data that is actually inserted into the insertion fields 1702 to 1704. The field 1702 “insertion field A” has a key 1708 “DATA_A”, and the field 1703 “insertion field B” has a key. A key 1710 “DATA_C” is associated with 1709 “DATA_B” and a field 1704 “insert field C”.

[Preview and content fine-tuning]
FIG. 18 and FIG. 25 are examples of screens that allow preview and content fine adjustment on the client browser using the database data and document template of the structure on the server described above.

  The description of FIG. 18 will be given. Reference numeral 1801 denotes a general Web browser, which is a UI for a preview and fine adjustment screen. Reference numeral 1802 denotes a layout-completed document created in FIG. 19 (explained later). Reference numeral 1803 denotes a frame for displaying 1802. Reference numeral 1804 denotes a frame for inputting parameters for fine adjustment when fine adjustment is performed on 1802 displayed in the frame 1803. Reference numeral 1805 denotes a check box for selecting whether to apply fine adjustment to the entire laid-out document (all pages) or only a certain page. Reference numeral 1806 denotes a button for displaying an association state between a document template and a database for a laid-out document, as shown in FIG. 25 (explained later). Reference numeral 1807 denotes a thumbnail of each page of the laid out document. Reference numeral 1808 denotes a control for selecting a field for fine adjustment. Reference numeral 1809 denotes a control for selecting a fine adjustment parameter. In this embodiment, “enlarge image”, “enlarge text”, etc. are listed. Reference numeral 1810 denotes a control for displaying a list of the thumbnails described in 1807 and selecting a certain thumbnail. When the selection is made, the user is notified of the selection state by coloring the outer frame of the thumbnail. This control is provided using a browser plug-in function. Specifically, an applet provided by Microsoft (registered trademark) or Java (registered trademark), which is a technology of Microsoft Corporation, is used. Reference numeral 1811 denotes a button for transmitting the fine adjustment parameter set in the frame 1804 to the server and requesting a preview again. Reference numeral 1812 denotes a button for transmitting a request to cancel the operation (undo) to the server when the re-preview is performed by executing 1811. Reference numeral 1813 denotes a button for requesting the server to save the document template file as the user's personal document template with the fine adjustment parameters set in the frame 1804.

  The description of FIG. 25 will be made. The difference from FIG. 18 is that the information of the association between the document template container and the database field overlaps. The field name is displayed in a rectangle of the same size as the container, and plays a role of supporting user input when selecting a field for fine adjustment in 1808.

  The steps for displaying the screen shown in FIG. 18 will be described below. The document template to be used and the method for selecting data to be inserted are not specified here.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generating preview data that has been laid out on the server side and data used for fine adjustment and transmitting the data to the client browser. Step 1901 indicates that the client has selected insertion data to be previewed and a document template for performing automatic layout on the data, and has requested the server for preview and fine adjustment. Step 1902 shows a process of creating an output result as a laid-out document by the above-described method using a document template for the insertion data. Step 1903 shows a process of assigning a sequence number (ID) to the output result created in Step 1902 and saving it in a temporary directory. Step 1904 shows a process of storing the document template, the insertion data, and the client user's sequence number (ID) in case the process is canceled (undoed) by the client in the future. Step 1905 shows processing for obtaining the number of pages of the output result created in Step 1902. Step 1906 shows the repetition processing of the number of pages acquired in step 1905. Step 1907 shows processing for creating a thumbnail file of the page of the output result. Step 1908 shows processing for saving the thumbnail file created in step 1907 in a temporary directory. In step 1909, the thumbnail files of all pages created in steps 1905 to 1908 are included in the browser plug-in and transmitted to the client. The plug-in here is generally an ActiveX control, which is a technology of Microsoft, or an applet format, which is a Java (registered trademark) technology. Step 1910 shows processing for transmitting the output result saved in step 1903 to the client. The above is the process flow in the server.

  FIG. 20 is a flowchart in which a request for fine adjustment of an output result is issued from the client browser to the server. Step 2001 indicates that processing for requesting a preview again to the server is started. Step 2002 shows a process of acquiring and branching the state of a check box for whether or not to finely adjust all pages. Step 2003 indicates a process of turning off the all-page application flag when No in step 2002 (no fine adjustment is applied to all pages). Step 2004 shows a process of acquiring the sequence number of the master data to be finely adjusted from the selected thumbnail. Step 2005 indicates a process of turning on the all-page application flag when Yes in step 2002 (fine adjustment is applied to all pages). Step 2006 shows a process for acquiring the selected field (container) name for fine adjustment. Step 2007 represents processing for acquiring fine adjustment parameters such as enlargement and reduction. Step 2008 represents processing for transmitting the document template sequence number (ID), the all-page application flag, the master data sequence number, the fine adjustment parameters acquired in steps 2006 and 2007, and a re-preview request to the server. ing. This request transmission process is performed by the browser.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart of processing in which the server receives the re-preview request described with reference to FIG. 20 and previews the client again. Reference numeral 2101 denotes processing for receiving the re-preview request transmitted in step 2001 of FIG. In this embodiment, HTTP communication is used. In step 2102, it is determined whether or not the all-page application flag, which is one of the parameters of the re-preview request, is On. Step 2103 shows a process of creating a copy of the applied document template file from the sequence number (ID) of the document template transmitted from the client. Step 2104 shows processing for storing the document template created in step 2103 in the temporary area. Step 2105 shows a step of applying the adjustment parameter (container / enlargement or reduction) received in step 2101 to the document template saved in step 2104 and saving it. Step 2106 shows a process of outputting the laid out document and the thumbnail file again using the document template saved in step 2105 (to which the fine adjustment parameter is applied). This processing is the same as the processing content of FIG. Step 2109 indicates processing for acquiring the master ID for fine adjustment received in step 2101 when it is determined in step 2102 that the all-page application flag is not On. Step 2110 indicates the end of the loop that repeats the number of records to be output. Step 2111 shows processing for determining whether or not the master ID is a request for fine adjustment. In the case of a master ID that performs fine adjustment, in step 2112, the same processing as in steps 2103 to 2105 is performed, and a document that has been laid out is created using a document template that reflects the fine adjustment parameters. In the case of a master ID that is not a target for fine adjustment, a layout-completed document is created using the original document template as shown in step 2114. In step 2113, a thumbnail file creation process corresponding to each page of the laid out document repeatedly output in step 2110 is shown. This process is the same as steps 1906 to 1908 in FIG. Step 2107 shows a process of transmitting a thumbnail file created by branching depending on whether or not all page application flag On is included in a browser plug-in that transmits to the client. This process is the same as step 1909 in FIG. Step 2108 shows a process of transmitting the created layout document as a preview to the client. This process is the same as step 1910 in FIG.

  FIG. 22 shows a flowchart of processing on the server side when the undo request button described in 1812 of FIG. 18 is pressed. Step 2201 shows processing for acquiring the user ID / master ID transmitted from the client. Step 2202 shows a process for acquiring from the temporary directory the layout-completed document / thumbnail file already created in the process described with reference to FIG. 19 based on the user ID / master ID acquired in step 2201. Step 2203 shows processing for transmitting the thumbnail file acquired in step 2202 in a browser plug-in that is transmitted to the client. This process is the same as step 1909 in FIG. Step 2204 shows processing for retransmitting the laid-out document acquired in step 2202 to the client as a preview. This process is the same as step 1910 in FIG. By this processing, it is possible to undo (cancel) the fine adjustment performed by the client.

  FIG. 23 shows a flowchart of processing on the server side when the determination / document template save button described in 1813 of FIG. 18 is pressed. In this figure, only step 2309 is different from that in FIG. Step 2309 shows a process for naming and saving a document template file that has been newly saved temporarily by a user ID and a sequence number. This process realizes saving of a reusable document template by the user.

  FIG. 24 shows a flowchart of processing on the server side when the document template / master data association state display request button described in 1806 of FIG. 18 is pressed. Step 2401 shows processing for acquiring the sequence number (ID) of the document template from the request from the client. Step 2402 shows processing for opening the document template with the ID specified in step 2401. Step 2403 shows processing for creating an empty document used for indicating the association between the document template and the master data. Step 2404 indicates a loop end that repeats the number of containers included in the document template. Step 2405 shows processing for acquiring container position (coordinate) information and rectangular size. Step 2406 shows processing for creating a rectangular area based on the information acquired in step 2405. Step 2407 shows processing for acquiring a field name of master data (database) associated with the container. Step 2408 shows processing for adding the field name acquired in step 2407 to the rectangular area created in step 2406. Step 2409 shows processing for adding the rectangular area created in step 2408 to the document created in step 2403. Step 2410 shows a process for creating a laid out document. This process is the same as the layout document creation process described with reference to FIG. Step 2411 shows a process of overlaying (overlaying) the document created in Step 2409 on the layout-completed document created in Step 2410. For this processing, an image editing module represented by 178 in FIG. 28 is used. Step 2412 shows processing for retransmitting the layout-completed document edited in step 2412 to the client. By this processing, as shown by 1820 in FIG. 25, it is possible to visually notify the client of the association between the document template and the master data.

Send the PDF of the result of applying DLE with server-side content to the client. It also generates thumbnails for each page of the PDF and sends them to the client ActiveX. (Server side operation)
Select the record position you want to fine tune in the page list (thumbnail) in the left frame, and select the field you want to fine tune from the drop-down list. Select whether to fix the aspect ratio of the field you want to adjust, and determine the enlargement / reduction ratio. (Client operation)
Press the preview button on the left frame. (Client operation)
Parameters to be fine-tuned (record, field, +-) are sent to the server. (Client operation)
Receive fine adjustment parameters, apply DLE again to reflect them, generate PDF, and send it to the client. (Server side operation)
The fine-tuned PDF is previewed in the right frame. (Client side operation)
In the selection of record position in “3”, “all pages” can be selected. In this case, the fields of all records are finely adjusted. (Client operation)
When the template status button is pressed in step 3, template status request information is transmitted to the server.

  When the server receives the information in 9., it again outputs a PDF with the field name linked to the DLE template overlaid, and sends it to the client.

As a result of 9., the client previews the PDF with the field name associated with the DLE template overlaid on the right frame. (Client operation)
When the Undo button is pressed, cancellation information is sent to the server. (Client operation)
Send the PDF of the result of applying DLE with server-side content to the client. (Server side operation)
When the template save button is pressed, the parameters to be fine-tuned (record, field, +-, template save) are sent to the server. (Client operation)
The server receives the parameters to fine tune, copies the original DLE template, changes the parameters, and saves it as a personal one with a different name. (Server side operation)
In the present invention, a storage medium (or recording medium) storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the medium.

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

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

  In addition, the present invention distributes the program code of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments via a network, so that storage means such as a hard disk or memory of a system or apparatus, CD-RW, CD-R, etc. Needless to say, this 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 means or the storage medium. Absent.

1 shows a computer system configuration diagram of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 shows a configuration diagram of the present invention in which an engine server is added to the computer system of FIG. 1. Fig. 2 shows a typical application main window including a menu bar, toolbar, work area and floating palette of the present invention. One side of a typical container having links, anchors, and sliders between containers of the present invention is shown by a screen, a tool, and an icon. Fig. 4 illustrates a typical container rule of the present invention. 3 shows a flow for creating a link of the present invention. The UI figure example at the time of link creation is shown. 2 shows an overall flow of layout calculation in the present invention. The detailed flow of the layout calculation in this invention is shown. 10 is a UI example corresponding to the flow of FIG. 9 in the present invention. The figure explaining the collection of containers at the time of layout calculation of this invention is shown. Fig. 5 shows a container arrangement with a typical variable link of the present invention. The operation transition to the state of FIG. 12 of this invention is represented. Fig. 5 illustrates a typical link settings dialog window of the present invention. The layout result by the fixed link of this invention is shown. The layout result by the variable link of this invention is shown. Fig. 4 shows the association between a document template and a database of the present invention. 6 shows an example of a preview / fine adjustment screen in the Web browser of the present invention. 6 shows a flow for transmitting a preview / fine adjustment screen according to the present invention. The flow of a re-preview request in the present invention is shown. The flow of re-preview creation in the present invention is shown. The flow of the undo process of fine adjustment in the present invention is shown. 2 shows a flow of document template storage in the present invention. The flow which displays the document template and master data correlation state in this invention is shown. 6 shows an association state display screen for a document template and master data in the Web browser of the present invention. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the computer module in FIG. 1 of the present invention. 1 shows a network configuration diagram of the present invention. 1 shows a block diagram of a module configuration of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 General-purpose computer module 103 User interface 105 Layout engine 119 Database 121 Layout application program 132 Keyboard 133 Mouse 143 I / O interface 144 Video display 301 Application window 303 Toolbar 313 Cursor / pointer 406 Link tool button 407, 408 Container 409 Anchor icon 410 Fixed Side not yet 412 link

Claims (5)

Equipped with an information processing device, when creating a document by inserting at least text and image data from the data in the container area, the size of the container can be changed according to the size of the text and image during preview In addition, by setting an association between containers, using an automatic layout system that can be changed while maintaining the interval,
Selecting the field you want to edit (change layout),
Selecting enlargement / reduction layout information; and
Sending enlargement / reduction layout information to the server;
Obtaining enlargement / reduction information from the client, copying a file (document template) storing layout information and reflecting the enlargement / reduction information;
Applying a newly created template by copying and outputting again,
A Web document processing method comprising a step of storing a finally determined template as a template for personal use, and information associated with content is managed in a database.   A Web document comprising the steps of claim 1 and a step of temporarily saving the output result and re-using the output result to undo (cancel) the output process again. Processing method.   2. A Web document processing method, comprising: a step of superimposing a rectangular area and text on an output result for associating a document template with a database in addition to the step according to claim 1; .   The program for making a computer implement | achieve the Web document processing method in any one of Claims 1-3.   A computer-readable storage medium storing the program according to claim 4.

Images