JP2008065499A - Information processing system, document preparation device, document output device, postscript information processor, document management device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly process postscript information written in each page even when a document is printed to an output medium so as to be divided into a plurality of pages. <P>SOLUTION: An original document 2A is divided into a plurality of pages, each of which is defined as a page document 2P, and the form data are registered in a document information database DB2. A page document output device 5 prepares document data 2Q for the image formation of the page document 2P based on the form data, and transfers the document data to an image forming apparatus 5z by burying document identification information ID to specify the original document 2A and page identification information PID to specify the page document 2P. The image forming apparatus 5z prints a paper document 2X across the plurality of pages. A postscript information processor specifies each page document 2P and the original document 2A corresponding to this from the document identification information ID and page identification information PID of the document with postscript, and performs data processing about the page document 2P for all pages constituting the original document 2A, and completes the data processing about the original document 2A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, a document creation device, a document output device, an additional write information processing device, a document management device, and a program that constitute the information processing system.

  In today's remarkable progress in information processing technology, there is a mechanism for automatically processing various processes related to documents. For example, another additional information (additional information) is entered in a page document in which predetermined information is written in advance, and the additionally written document in which the additional information is entered is processed, based on the entered additional information. There is a mechanism for performing predetermined data processing.

  For example, at the time of scoring aggregation processing, a layout such as a check column is determined, and aggregation processing is performed based on whether or not the check column is filled. In addition, a standard document is prepared in order to efficiently aggregate the results of various questionnaires, applications, or notifications, and information processing such as questionnaire processing is performed based on information entered in each entry section.

  When automatically processing the results collected by these mechanisms, generally, after automatically recognizing the output medium (paper is generally used) with additional information entered using OCR (Optical Character Reader), Apply to data processing. For example, a questionnaire is written on paper with a writing instrument, and a method of counting the answer results is employed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-091701 JP 2005-056255 A

  For example, the mechanism described in Patent Document 1 has a data structure (form data) that has a form document identifier, display contents, definition information for each entry field, and can also hold the contents entered by the user in the entry field. ). Here, the form data is used when displaying an electronic page to be described in the entry field with an instruction input means such as a mouse or a keyboard, or when printing a paper or the like to be described with a means such as a pencil. In addition, the results entered by each means are also captured, and the results entered by different means such as electronic and paper can be handled with the same data structure.

  Further, the mechanism described in Patent Document 2 has a form document identifier and definition information for each entry field. The form data is used when an electronic page to be described in the entry field is displayed by an instruction input unit such as a mouse or a keyboard, or paper or the like for printing by a unit such as a pencil is printed. The results entered by each means are classified and recorded for each form identifier.

  The present invention provides a mechanism capable of appropriately processing additional written information for each page or the entire document even when the document is printed on an output medium and output in a plurality of pages. With the goal.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a page document generation unit that generates a page document for each page that constitutes one original document as a whole, and the original document is added to the page document for each page generated by the page document generation unit. Attaching identification information for generating document data for image formation with unique original document identification information and page identification information for uniquely identifying each page document, and outputting the document data to a predetermined image forming apparatus The output unit, the document information storage unit that stores the data structure of the description content of the page document for each page generated by the page document generation unit in association with the original document identification information and the page identification information, and output from the image forming apparatus In addition, by extracting the original document identification information and the page identification information from the additional written document to be processed in which the additional information is entered in the output medium corresponding to each page document Data structure of the document content of the page document corresponding to the post-added document to be processed from the document information storage unit based on the specification result by the document specifying unit and the document specifying unit for specifying the original document and the page document corresponding to the post-added document And a data processing unit that performs predetermined data processing based on this data structure and additional information existing in the additional-written document, and the data processing unit supports all the page documents constituting the original document. The information processing system is characterized in that the data processing for the original document is completed by performing the data processing for the additionally-written document.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the data processing unit further performs data processing on the added document corresponding to all the page documents constituting the original document, so that the original document is processed. It is characterized by completing the data processing.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first and second aspects of the present invention, the electronic document is electronically displayed on a predetermined display device based on the original document or the page document, and the additional information by the user is displayed on the display. The data processing unit further includes an electronic document entry unit that accepts entry, and the data processing unit stores the additional information received by the electronic document entry unit and the document information storage unit for the original document or page document that is electronically displayed on the display device. Data processing is performed based on the stored data structure.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a page document generation unit that generates a page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole, and data of description contents of the page document for each page generated by the page document generation unit A page document output unit that registers the structure in a predetermined document information storage unit in association with the original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and the page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document. This is a document creation device.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the original document identification information for uniquely specifying the original document and the page identification information for uniquely specifying each of the page documents in a page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole. The document output apparatus includes an identification information attachment output unit that generates document data for image formation by attaching the data and outputs the document data to a predetermined image forming apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the data structure of the original document is stored in the document information storage unit that stores the data structure of the description content of the original document in association with the original document identification information. An original document information acquisition unit for acquiring a page document, a page document generation unit for generating a page document for each page based on the data structure of the original document acquired by the original document information acquisition unit, and for each page generated by the page document generation unit A page document output unit for registering the data structure of the description content of the page document in the document information storage unit in association with the original document identification information and the page identification information.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a process in which additional information is entered in an output medium corresponding to each page document output from the image forming apparatus based on the page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole. By extracting the original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and the page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document from the target added document, the original document and the page document corresponding to the added document are extracted. Based on the document specifying unit to be specified, and the document information storage unit that stores the data structure of the description content of the page document for each page in association with the original document identification information and the page identification information based on the specification result by the document specifying unit The data structure of the description content of the page document corresponding to the postscripted document to be processed is acquired, and predetermined based on this data structure and the postscript information existing in the postscripted document A recordable information processing apparatus characterized by comprising a data processing unit for performing data processing.

  Preferably, the data processing unit completes the data processing for the original document by performing data processing for the appended document corresponding to all the page documents constituting the original document.

  The invention according to claim 8 stores the data structure of the description content of the original document in association with the original document identification information for uniquely specifying the original document, and / or a page constituting one original document as a whole A document information storage unit is provided that stores the data structure of the description content of another page document in association with original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document. This is a document management apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a page document generation unit that generates a page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole, and data of description contents of the page document for each page generated by the page document generation unit The electronic computer is used as a page document output unit that registers the structure in a predetermined document information storage unit in association with the original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and the page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document. It is a program characterized by functioning.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the original document identification information for uniquely specifying the original document and the page identification information for uniquely specifying each page document in the page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole Is a program for generating document data for image formation, and outputting the document data to a predetermined image forming apparatus to cause the electronic computer to function as an identification information attachment output unit.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a process in which additional information is entered in an output medium corresponding to each page document output from the image forming apparatus based on the page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole. By extracting the original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and the page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document from the target added document, the original document and the page document corresponding to the added document are extracted. Based on the document specifying unit to be specified, and the document information storage unit that stores the data structure of the description content of the page document for each page in association with the original document identification information and the page identification information based on the specification result by the document specifying unit The data structure of the description content of the page document corresponding to the postscripted document to be processed is acquired, and based on this data structure and the postscript information existing in the postscripted document, As a data processing unit that performs the data processing is a program for causing to function computer.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system capable of appropriately processing additional written information for each page even when the document is printed on an output medium and output in a plurality of pages. Can be built.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to construct an information processing system that can appropriately process the written additional information for the entire document.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to construct an information processing system that can appropriately process additional information for both handwritten entry on printed output and electronic entry on a display.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to realize a page document creation device suitable for constructing the information processing system described in claims 1-3.

  As an additional effect, when creating each page document before sending the document to the output side, consider page separation in relation to output conditions such as the image forming device used for print output and paper size Thus, it is possible to cope with the layout of each page document so that there is no inconvenience.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to realize a page document output apparatus suitable for constructing the information processing system described in claims 1-3.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to dynamically create and output each page document at the time of print output, and when the document creator creates the document, image formation used for print output It is not necessary to create a page document in consideration of output conditions such as the device and paper size.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to realize an additional information processing apparatus suitable for constructing the information processing system described in claims 1 to 3.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, a document management apparatus suitable for constructing the information processing system described in claims 1-3 can be realized.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the page document creation apparatus suitable for constructing the information processing system according to the first to third aspects can be realized using an electronic computer.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the page document output apparatus suitable for constructing the information processing system according to the first to third aspects can be realized using an electronic computer.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the postscript information processing apparatus suitable for constructing the information processing system according to the first to third aspects can be realized using an electronic computer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Example of processing target document>
1 to 6 are diagrams illustrating an example of a document. Here, the original document 2A is shown in FIG. 1 (A), an example of registration information in the database of the original document 2A is shown in FIG. 1 (B), and an additional document 2B in which additional information is entered in the original document 2A. Is shown in FIG.

  Further, a page document 2P in a state where the original document 2A is divided into a plurality of pages is shown in FIGS. 3A and 5A, and an example of registration information in the database of each page document 2P is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 and FIG. 6 show the added document 2B shown in FIG. 5 (B), in which the additional information is entered in the page document 2P. Here, “part 1” shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is a case where the corresponding standard part 22 and entry part 24 for the same item are output on the same page, and “part 2” shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. "" Is a case where the corresponding standard part 22 and entry part 24 for the same item are divided into a plurality of (two adjacent) pages and output.

  The original document 2A may be any document as long as it is used for data processing. For example, educational material used as a paper medium in an educational field, fixed form document used for automatic form processing (So-called forms), business documents such as notebooks for schedule management used by businessmen, etc., or questionnaire documents.

  In order to efficiently execute the automatic data processing for the additional information added to the document, it is important to specify the position where each additional information is added, and for this purpose, In addition to the page document, position information in the entry field is registered in the database. Also, in some cases, it is necessary to specify not only the location information but also what purpose it was added to, and in this case, for automatic processing such as other attribute information corresponding to the entry field Register the information in the database. At the time of automatic data processing based on additional information, position information of each entry field on the document is acquired, and data processing is executed by associating the position information with the additional information.

  For example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a questionnaire document is shown as an example, but the original document 2A and the page document 2P have a fixed form part 22 and an entry part 24 at predetermined positions.

  The fixed part 22 is a part in which an explanatory text read by a human is described, and this part can be created by a normal word processor function. About this fixed form part 22, output data can be produced | generated by the process similar to normal word processor data.

  On the other hand, the entry unit 24 is a part where a person performs entry, and at the same time, a part where the system recognizes entry. For the entry unit 24, for example, information on the entry unit 24 is extracted from the electronic data of the input original document 2A and page document 2P, and based on the type (type) information described in the information of the entry unit 24, The type of the entry unit 24 is determined. The entry unit 24 has a plurality of types according to the type of entry content. For example, there are three types of entry fields, a check box and a free entry field.

  For example, in the example of FIGS. 1 and 3, three types of check boxes (entry parts 24_1 and 24_2), numeric entry fields (entry parts 24_3 and 24_6), and free entry fields (entry parts 24_4 and 24_5) are shown. Yes. These entry sections 24 can be created by a dedicated creation tool provided for each type of entry section 24, such as a check box or a numeric entry field. That is, a desired entry section 24 can be set in the original document 2A by starting the creation tool and specifying the position and size in the WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) format with a mouse or the like. it can.

  As the user designs the appearance of the original document 2A shown in FIG. 1A in the WYSIWYG format as described above, the definition data representing the original document 2A is shown in FIG. Generated in the format.

  The definition data shown in FIG. 1 (B) includes information on the fixed part 22 and information on the entry part 24. The information of the fixed part 22 is document data of the fixed part 22 of the original document 2A. On the other hand, the information of the entry section 24 is described for each entry section 24, and the type (type) of the entry section 24, the position in the original document 2A, the size (width and height), etc. are set according to the user input. It will be done. The information of each entry unit 24 is provided with an attribute area for setting user entry contents according to the type of the entry unit 24. That is, a check attribute area for setting check on / off in the check box, a numeric string attribute area for setting numeric string data in the numeric entry field, and an image attribute area for setting a bitmap image in the free entry field Are provided. The definition data of the original document 2A created in this way is an example of form data, and is called an electronic form document in this embodiment. This definition data (form data) is registered as a database.

<Conventional processing method>
At the time of data processing of additional information, the original document 2A shown in FIG. 1A is printed out and distributed by an image forming apparatus such as a printer, and predetermined information is added to each entry section 24 by a user. Data processing is performed on the additional writing information of each entry unit 24 with the additional written document 2B as a processing target. At this time, a form document as an output image POI for print output is generated based on the form data shown in FIG. 1B, and original document identification information OID for uniquely specifying the original document 2A is embedded together. To print on paper media. The original document identification information OID is used for classifying the entry result in the additionally written document 2B for each original document 2A.

  Thereafter, the appended document 2B is read by the image reading device, the original document identification information OID is extracted from the read image, and the form data corresponding to the original document 2A is specified based on the extracted original document identification information OID. To do. Thereafter, based on the specified form data, the coordinate information of each entry unit 24 is acquired, the image of each entry unit 24 is analyzed to determine the user's entry result, and the result is reflected in the form data. .

  Here, when the original document 2A shown in FIG. 1A is printed out by an image forming apparatus such as a printer, the entire original document 2A does not fit on one sheet of paper, as shown in FIG. It may be output in multiple pages.

  As described above, when a document covering a plurality of pages is generated when outputting to a paper medium based on the original document 2A shown in FIG. 1A, for example, the same form identifier is attached to each page. If this happens, the description result of the user cannot be obtained and reflected correctly.

  In other words, for what was originally considered as one original document 2A but was output on a medium with a page concept at the time of actual print output, the result entered by the user is correctly converted into form data. It cannot be reflected.

<The processing method of this embodiment>
In the present embodiment, as a mechanism for eliminating this point, a page document 2P for each page corresponding to the original original document 2A is prepared and printed out, and information on the page document 2P of each page is associated with each other. It will be registered in the database as form data.

  Here, “corresponding to each other” means that the original document 2A corresponding to each page document 2P can be specified for each output medium of the page document 2P. This is based on the fact that each page document for each page constitutes one original document as a whole.

  Therefore, when each page document 2P is printed out, the original document 2A corresponding to each output medium is uniquely specified based on the form data shown in FIG. 3B. The document identification information ID for identifying the page document 2P and the page identification information PID for uniquely identifying each page document 2P are embedded together and printed on a paper medium.

  In this example, a reference (eg, “_P”) is added to the original document identification information OID (eg, ABCDE) of the original original document 2A, and the document identification information ID (ABCDE_P) of the page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages. It is said. The document identification information ID is not limited to such an example as long as it can uniquely identify one original document composed of a set of page documents 2P for each page. Can be adopted.

  The portion of the original document identification information OID in the document identification information ID is used to specify the original document 2A composed of a set of each page document 2P, and the page identification information PID is additionally written for each page document 2P. Used to classify the entry results in the completed document 2B. That is, when data processing is performed for each additional document 2B corresponding to each page document 2P, the coordinate information of each entry unit 24 is acquired from the original document identification information OID and the page identification information PID, and the user The result of entry is reflected in the form data.

  Here, the page document 2P for each page is prepared, and the information of the page document 2P for each page is associated with each other and registered in the database as form data, that is, at what point in time. It is conceivable to adopt various mechanisms depending on whether the page correspondence is taken. The mechanism can be roughly divided into two types before sending the document to the output side and after sending the document to the output side.

  Prior to sending the document to the output side, the document creator divided the page document in advance in consideration of page separation in relation to the output conditions such as the image forming device used for print output and paper size. 2P will be prepared. In other words, as shown in “No. 1” in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the page division is performed in the layout state intended by the document creator so that the layout correspondence between the fixed part 22 and the entry part 24 is not inconvenient for each item. It is preferable to keep it.

  On the other hand, in the method after being sent to the output side, when the document creator creates a document, the page is conscious of multiple pages in consideration of the output conditions such as the image forming device used for print output and the paper size. Although it is not necessary to create the document 2P, when creating the page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages, it is left to page breaks in the image forming apparatus, so that “part 2” in FIGS. 5 and 6 is used. As shown, there is a possibility that the corresponding standard part 22 and entry part 24 corresponding to the same item will be divided into a plurality of pages and output. In some cases, the fixed part 22 itself and the entry part 24 themselves may be divided into a plurality of pages and output for the same item.

<System Configuration; First Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a first embodiment of an information processing system including a page document creation device, a page document output device, and an additional information processing device. This information processing system is shown as an application example to an automatic counting system in which a counting sheet such as a questionnaire sheet is used as a process-added document 2B.

  Here, the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment is characterized in that the document creation device 3 creates in advance a page document 2P in consideration of a plurality of pages. Two methods are considered: an aspect in which the original document 2A corresponding to the long document is first created and the page document 2P is created by dividing the original document 2A, and an aspect in which the page document 2P is created by dividing the page from the beginning. However, in the present embodiment, the latter example will be described.

  As illustrated, the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a document creation device 3 that creates a page document, a document management device 4 that stores electronic data of the page document created by the document creation device 3, and a document. And a page document output device 5 for outputting the page document created by the creation device 3 to a predetermined output medium.

  Further, the information processing system 1 includes a handwritten document input device 6 that reads an added document in which predetermined information is added to the page document output by the page document output device 5 and converts the added document into electronic data. The electronic document entry device 7 for obtaining the added document converted into electronic data by filling in the page document displayed on the display screen, and the data based on the additional information entered in the added document 2B And a postscript information processing apparatus 8 that performs processing.

  The page document output device 5 is connected to an image forming device 5z such as a printer. Note that the page document output device 5 and the image forming device 5z can be configured integrally.

  Further, if a multi-function machine having a printing function and an image reading function is used, in addition to the page document output device 5 and the image forming device 5z, the handwritten document input device 6 is also integrated and integrated. A system can also be configured with a single multifunction device.

  As an example, the document creation device 3, the document management device 4, the page document output device 5, the handwritten document input device 6, the electronic document entry device 7, and the postscript information processing device 8 have an information communication path 9. Connected using.

  The information communication path 9 may be either a wired or wireless system. Further, a configuration in which devices are directly connected may be employed, or a communication network configuration such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) may be employed. Here, the communication network (network) configuration is assumed.

  The document creation device 3 is a device used to design a page document, and a document creator who creates a page document such as an automatic tabulation paper using a questionnaire form as a representative example uses the document creation apparatus 3 to create a new page document. And the information is registered in the document management apparatus 4.

  The document creation device 3 provides a user interface similar to a word processor (hereinafter also referred to as a word processor), and the document creator can create a page document as if it were a word processor.

  Here, the document creation apparatus 3 according to the first embodiment is characterized in that a page document 2P that is conscious of a plurality of pages is created in advance based on an original document 2A corresponding to a long document. Therefore, the document creation device 3 has a function of generating a page document 2P for each page and registering information of the page document 2P of each page in the database as form data in association with each other.

  Specifically, the document creation device 3 includes an original document generation unit 320 capable of generating a long document for generating the original original document 2A before page division, and the original document 2A generated by the original document generation unit 320. The original document correction unit 370 that corrects the page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages, the information of the original document 2A generated by the original document generation unit 320 and the information of the page document 2P generated by the original document correction unit 370 are converted into the original document 2A. Page document output unit 380 for registering as form data in the document management apparatus 4 functioning as a database in association with original document identification information OID for uniquely identifying each page document 2P and page identification information PID for uniquely identifying each page document 2P And.

  In the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment, the original document generating unit 320 and the original document correcting unit 370 constitute a page document generating unit 310 that generates a page document 2P for each page.

  The original document generation unit 320 assigns original document identification information OID that uniquely identifies the original document 2A to the generated original document 2A. The original document correction unit 370 gives page identification information PID for uniquely specifying each page document 2P to the page document 2P for each page.

  The page document output unit 380 specifies the information of the original document 2A generated by the original document generation unit 320 or the page document 2P generated by the original document correction unit 370 and the attribute information necessary for data processing. In this way, it is registered in the document management apparatus 4 functioning as a database.

  The document management apparatus 4 has a data structure (form data) of description contents of each page document 2P for each page constituting one original document 2A as a whole, original document identification information OID for uniquely specifying the original document 2A, and each A document information storage unit 410 is provided that stores each page document 2P in association with page identification information PID that uniquely specifies each page document 2P.

  In this embodiment, in order to register the form data of the original document 2A itself in the document management apparatus 4, not the original document identification information OID itself but the document identification information ID that can specify the original document identification information OID is displayed on the page. The document information is stored in the document information storage unit 410 in association with the identification information PID.

  That is, the document information storage unit 410 associates the original document 2A with the original document identification information OID, and associates the page document 2P of each page with the document identification information ID and the page identification information PID. Save to media. For example, the original image corresponding to the original document 2A is associated with the document identification information ID for uniquely specifying the page document 2P and the page identification information PID for uniquely specifying each page for each page. And is registered as a document information database DB2 in a predetermined storage medium such as an optical disk device.

  In the present embodiment, it is not essential to register the information of the original document 2A in the document management apparatus 4. This is because processing is possible based on the information (form data) of the page document 2P of each page. In this case, the reference (“_P” in this example) attached to the document identification information ID may be omitted.

  The page document output device 5 generates output data indicating an output image of the page document 2P for each page based on the electronic data related to the page document 2P for each page of the original document 2A created by the document creation device 3, and outputs this output data. The output image generation unit 520 that supplies data to the image forming apparatus 5z, and the identification information that gives the document identification information ID that can specify the original document identification information OID and the page identification information PID to the output medium on which the page form document PFB is printed And an attached output unit 590.

  Note that the document identification information ID and the page identification information PID can be generated integrally with the page form document PFB on the output image. In this case, the output image generation unit 520 functions as the identification information attachment output unit 590. Get ready.

  In the first embodiment, the document creation device 3 uses the original document 2A as a page document 2P for each page, and the output image output from the output image generation unit 520 is automatically (naturally) a page. This is another output image POI. The output image generation unit 520 supplies the output image POI for each page (corresponding to the page document 2P) to the image forming apparatus 5z. As a result, the original document 2A is divided into pages and printed out in the state of the page document 2X corresponding to the page document 2P.

  The format of the output data generated by the output image generation unit 520 of the page document output device 5 may be, for example, a bitmap format or a page description language format, and may be any method as long as the data format can be processed by the image forming device 5z. . That is, the page document output device 5 generates output data representing the output image of the fixed form part 22 and each entry part 24 based on the electronic data of the original document 2A supplied from the document creation apparatus 3 or the document management apparatus 4.

  When the page information 2P created by the document creation device 3 is printed out, the identification information attachment output unit 590 outputs a document identification information ID for uniquely specifying the original document 2A of the page document 2P and each page document 2P. The document data 2Q for output (image formation) is passed to the image forming apparatus 5z with page identification information PID (collectively referred to as document identification code) that uniquely identifies the page attached. By identifying the specific code of the output page document 2P and accessing the document management apparatus 4, it is possible to acquire position information registered in the document management apparatus 4 and attribute information necessary for data processing. is there.

  The image forming apparatus 5z performs a printing process based on the document data 2Q supplied from the page document output apparatus 5. As a result, each paper document 2X corresponding to the page document 2P of each page is output from the image forming apparatus 5z. This paper document 2X is distributed to the user, and the user fills in the entry section 24.

  The additionally written document 2B, which is the paper document 2X after the user entry, is taken into the system by the handwritten document input device 6. A bitmap image as a result of image reading by the handwritten document input device 6 is input to the additional information processing device 8.

  The handwritten document input device 6 is an image using a known optical image reading technique with respect to the post-recorded document 2B having the post-recording information written in the entry section 24 or the vicinity thereof in the original document 2A (or page document 2P). Reading is performed to obtain image data from the additionally written document 2B.

  The handwritten document input device 6 only needs to have a function of converting the additionally-recorded document 2B, which is a processing target document, into electronic data. For example, a copier, a multifunction device, or a scanner having a function as an image reading device. It can be realized by using an apparatus. In this case, if an automatic document feeder (ADF) is attached, it is convenient that images can be continuously read from a plurality of additional written documents 2B.

  In addition, the questionnaire process using the additionally written document 2B is not limited to using a paper medium. For example, in the case of conducting a questionnaire using a tablet PC, it is possible to obtain the added document 2B in the form of electronic data from the beginning. In this case, the handwritten document input device 6 is not required due to the system configuration. Become.

  However, in this embodiment, in order to obtain more information, a configuration including both the handwritten document input device 6 and the electronic document entry device 7 is adopted in order to support both handwritten input and electronic input.

  The electronic document entry device 7 acquires the electronic data of the original document 2A (or page document 2P) requested by the user from the document creation device 3 or the document management device 4, and stores the original document 2A (or page document 2P). A display image of the original document 2A (or page document 2P) is displayed on the display screen based on the electronic data. This electronic document entry device 7 provides an interface for the user to fill in the display.

  For the display, the user uses the instruction input member such as a mouse or a keyboard to input the entry contents for each entry field by the same operation as that for document editing, for example. The electronic document entry device 7 acquires this user input content, sets it in the attribute area of the corresponding entry section 24 on the original document 2A (or page document 2P), and passes it to the additional information processing device 8.

  The additional writing information processing device 8 processes the entry result of the original document 2A (or page document 2P) based on the electronic data of the additional written document 2B acquired by the handwritten document input device 6 or the electronic document entry device 7. As an example, application software for processing entry results, such as a counting program for counting questionnaires, is incorporated in the additional information processing apparatus 8.

  In this embodiment, regardless of the handwriting method or the electronic method of entry, the entry result is collected in a unified data format called an electronic additional document 2B (for example, an electronic form document) in the system. The additional recording information processing device 8 is configured to be able to process data of one data format called the electronic additional recorded document 2B, thereby eliminating the need for separate processing for handwritten input and electronic input.

  Correspondingly, the document information storage unit 410 of the document management apparatus 4 can identify the identification information (form document 2A or form document 2P) such as the original document 2P so that the user's entry result can be obtained regardless of electronic / paper. A data structure (form data) that has original document identification information OID, document identification information ID, and page identification information PID), display contents, definition information for each entry section 24, and can also hold results entered by the user in the entry section 24 ) Holds the information of the original document 2A and the page document 2P.

  Functionally, the postscript information processing device 8 functionally reads the original original document 2A corresponding to the postscript added document 2B read by the handwritten document input device 6 (particularly, page-specific page document 2P in this example). A form document recognition / reproduction device 8a, which is an example of a page document specification device to be specified, and a form document processing device 8b, which is an example of a data processing device that processes the entry result in the added document 2B, are provided. Note that the form document recognition / reproduction device 8a and the form document processing device 8b may be configured integrally or may be configured separately.

  For example, the form document recognition / reproduction device 8a includes a read image processing unit 810 that performs predetermined signal processing based on the image data of the additionally written document 2B input from the handwritten document input device 6, and processing by the read image processing unit 810. The document specifying unit 820 that identifies and specifies the original document 2A that is the basis of the read image input from the handwritten document input device 6 on a page-by-page basis.

  As an example, the form document processing apparatus 8b includes a postscript information extraction unit 830 that extracts postscript information (annotation) from image data processed by the read image processing unit 810, and a data process extracted by the postscript information extraction unit 830. Data processing target additional information specifying processing unit 850 for recognizing and specifying the description content and entry position based on the target additional information, and data processing based on the description content of the additional information specified by the data processing target additional information specifying unit 850 And a data processing unit 870.

  The details of the form document recognition / reproduction device 8a and the form document processing device 8b are omitted from the description, but various known mechanisms can be employed.

<Overall Processing Procedure; First Embodiment>
8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining the processing procedure in the information processing system 1 of the first embodiment. Here, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the first embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the processing procedure of the first embodiment. Here, a case will be described where a questionnaire totaling form document (hereinafter referred to as a questionnaire form document) is used as the original document 2A.

  When conducting a questionnaire, the original document generation unit 320 of the document creation device 3 generates a questionnaire form document in the form of an electronic form document (S100), and the document management device 4 identifies the information on the questionnaire form document as an original document. While registering with the information OID (S104), the questionnaire form document is distributed in a form suitable for the processing environment of the person to be surveyed. As described above, in the first embodiment, registration of the questionnaire form document AFB information itself to the document management apparatus 4 is not essential.

  For example, a person who has an electronic computer equipped with the electronic document entry device 7 transmits the electronic form document of the questionnaire form document AFB as it is via the information communication path 9 and has such an electronic computer. For those who do not, the page document output device 5 and the image forming device 5z generate an output form document OFB for paper output, and distribute the output form document OFB. The person who has received the questionnaire form document AFB fills in the questionnaire form document AFB by handwritten entry or electronic entry using the electronic document entry device 7 according to the processing environment of the person.

  Here, in the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, first, the document creation device 3 takes into account the paged output when the image forming device 5z prints in advance, and the original document correction unit 370 performs the processing. Then, the questionnaire form document AFB generated by the original document generation unit 320 is divided into pages to generate a page form document PFB corresponding to a plurality of pages (S106), and as shown in FIG. 3B, the original original document A document identification information ID that can identify the original document identification information OID of 2A and information about each page (page identification information PID) are added and registered in the document management apparatus 4 (S108).

  That is, one questionnaire form document is converted into information of a page form document PFB over a plurality of pages before distribution (particularly before supply to the page document output device 5 in the first embodiment), and a document ( The page form document PFB) is associated with the original questionnaire form document AFB.

  Note that the page division work here is performed based on a user's work instruction. In other words, the questionnaire form document AFB generated by the original document generation unit 320 is divided into pages in the layout state intended by the user.

  When filling in electronically, the user (questionnaire fill-in) operates the electronic document filling device 7 to access the document management device 4 to obtain the page form document PFB of each page, or to create a document The questionnaire form document AFB or the page form document PFB of each page supplied from the apparatus 3 is acquired, displayed on the screen, and accepted on the screen (S110-YES, S112).

  On the other hand, when filling in a paper medium, a user (a questionnaire form distributor or a survey person) does not write the electronic form document of the original questionnaire form document AFB but the information (page form document PFB) of each page form document. The page document output device 5 is fetched from the management device 4 (S110-NO, S120). Here, the information of each page form document PFB to be transmitted includes the electronic form document of each page form document PFB, the document identification information ID that identifies the original questionnaire form document AFB, and each page divided page. Page identification information PID to be included.

  The page document output device 5 that has received the information of each page form document PFB uses the image forming device 5z to generate a paper output output form document OFB for each page (S138). At this time, the document identification information ID and the page identification information PID are embedded together in the identification information column 25 on the output form document OFB for each page. That is, when the questionnaire form document AFB output form document OFB is generated, the document identification information ID and the page identification information PID are embedded in each output form document OFB. Here, as each identification information, for example, a number indicating a code may be printed out, a barcode may be printed out, or a barcode is prepared in advance and pasted on each output form document OFB. You may make it attach.

  Next, the result of filling in the questionnaire form document is directly written in the electronic form document on the screen by the electronic document filling device 7 in the case of electronic filling (S140-YES, S142). In the case of handwritten entry, the image recognition result of handwritten entry is acquired by the processing of the document specifying unit 820 in the additional information processing device 8 and the image recognition result is written in the electronic form document (S140-NO, S144).

  Such a completed electronic form document is input to the additional information extraction unit 830, the data processing target additional information identification processing unit 850, and the data processing unit 870 of the additional information processing device 8 having a questionnaire totaling function. The postscript information processing apparatus 8 performs questionnaire totalization by counting the attribute information of each entry section 24 of the input electronic form document. In other words, regardless of which method is used, the result of filling in the questionnaire form document AFB is in the form of an electronic form document in which the entry contents are set, and the entry contents are based on the electronic form document in which the entry results are reflected. Data processing is performed.

  At this time, with respect to the entry result for the output form document OFB, the postscript information processing apparatus 8 first captures the image information of the output form document OFB for each page read by the handwritten document input apparatus 6 by the read image processing unit 810 and reads the document. The data is passed to the identification unit 820 (S146).

  The document specifying unit 820 cuts out the image in the identification information column 25 from the identification information column 25 of the page form document PFB passed from the read image processing unit 810, and performs a number recognition process, a barcode recognition process, and the like on the image. The document identification information ID and the page identification information PID are specified by performing the recognition process (S148).

  Next, the document specifying unit 820 uses the specified document identification information ID or page identification information PID as a key to search the questionnaire form document AFB or page form document PFB to be processed (divide the questionnaire form document AFB into pages). The electronic data corresponding to the information on the additional information in each entry column is processed.

  In this case, when processing by page, the document specifying unit 820 first acquires the page form document PFB from the document management apparatus 4 based on the extracted document identification information ID and page identification information PID (S154). .

  Next, based on the page form document PFB and the page identification information PID, the document specifying unit 820 acquires information on the entry unit 24 of the page form document PFB (here, the total number of entry fields on the page), and the data The processing unit 870 is notified (S156).

  Next, the additional information extraction unit 830, the data processing target additional information identification processing unit 850, and the data processing unit 870 perform data processing of the additional information entered in all the entry fields of the output form document OFB to be processed.

  Therefore, the document specifying unit 820 first resets the processing operator i to “0” (S160). Next, the document specifying unit 820 determines whether or not the processing operator i exceeds the total number of entry fields (S162).

  If the processing operator i does not exceed the total number of entry fields (S162-YES), the entry field area is specified, and the additional information extraction unit 830 and the data processing target additional information identification processing unit 850 cooperate to complete the entry. Whether or not additional information is entered in the column, and if it is entered, the entry content is recognized, for example, the entry content is identified by graphic recognition or character recognition (S164). Then, the recognition processing result of the entered content is reflected in the original questionnaire form document AFB (S166). That is, regarding the processing target page, it is in the form of an electronic form document in which entry contents are set.

  Next, the document identification unit 820 adds “1” to the processing operator i (S168), returns to step S162, and repeats the same. When the processing operator i exceeds the total number of entry fields (S162—NO), the processing regarding the output form document OFB to be processed is completed.

  The postscript information processing apparatus 8 performs steps S154 to S168 until the recognition processing result of the contents entered in all pages is reflected in the questionnaire form document AFB for each output form document OFB obtained by dividing the original questionnaire form document AFB into pages. Repeat (S170-NO). Thereby, finally (S170-YES), even when each output form document OFB obtained by dividing the original questionnaire form document AFB into pages is processed, it is the same as in the case where the electronic document entry device 7 is used. In addition, the result of filling in the questionnaire form document AFB is in the form of an electronic form document in which entry contents are set.

  In the case of electronic entry, when the page form document PFB of each page is displayed and entered, the additional information recognition process may be performed for each page in the same manner as in the paper medium. When the original questionnaire form document AFB is displayed and filled in, the additional information recognition process may be performed as a whole, omitting the page concept.

  Next, when the form of the electronic form document in which all the entry contents are set is obtained (S170-YES), the data processing unit 870 performs data processing regarding the entry contents based on the electronic form document in which the entry result is reflected. (S172). That is, the additional recording information processing apparatus 8 performs questionnaire totalization by counting the attribute information of each entry unit 24 of the input electronic form document.

<System Configuration; Second Embodiment>
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a second embodiment of an information processing system including a page document creation device, a page document output device, and a postscript information processing device. The information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of original documents 2A divided into pages when the original document 2A, which is a long document, is output in the page document output device 5 (finally the image forming device 5z). It is characterized in that a printed matter of the page document 2P corresponding to the page is dynamically created. That is, in the mechanism of the second embodiment, the page document output device 5 generates a page document 2P for each page, and registers the information of the page document 2P of each page in the database as form data in association with each other. It has. Hereinafter, the difference from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As illustrated, in the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment, the document creation device 3 does not include the original document correction unit 370. That is, in the second embodiment, the document creation device 3 does not have a function as a page document creation device that generates and registers each page document for each page.

  Also, the page document output device 5 of the second embodiment acquires original document identification information for acquiring (extracting) original document identification information OID for specifying the original document 2A from the acquired original document 2A (Web page-based). An acquisition unit 540 and an original document information acquisition unit 550 that acquires information (form data) of the original document 2A from the document management apparatus 4 with reference to the original document identification information OID acquired by the original document identification information acquisition unit 540. ing.

  Further, the page document output device 5 replaces the output image generation unit 520 of the first embodiment with the original document 2A as a plurality of pages based on the information (form data) of the original document 2A acquired from the document management device 4. A page dividing unit 560 that divides and generates an output image POI for each page is provided.

  Further, the page document output device 5 uses the layout information indicating the output image POI of each page divided by the page dividing unit 560 and the information of the original document 2A acquired by the original document information acquiring unit 550, An original document correction unit 570 that corrects the original document 2A into a page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages, information on the page document 2P generated by the original document correction unit 570, original document identification information OID that uniquely identifies the original document 2A, and A page document output unit 580 that registers each page document 2P as form data in the document management apparatus 4 functioning as a database in association with page identification information PID that uniquely identifies each page document 2P.

  In the second embodiment, the original document identification information OID can be specified and the document identification information ID can be specified in order to register (leave) the form data of the original document 2A itself in the document management apparatus 4. The document is stored in the document information storage unit 410 in association with the page identification information PID. At this time, in order to cope with both handwritten entry and electronic entry, the correspondence between the page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages and the original document 2A is made known.

  As an example, a reference (for example, “_P”) is added to the original document identification information OID (for example, ABCDE) of the original original document 2A to form a document identification information ID (ABCDE_P) for the page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages. Good. Alternatively, as an identifier ID of a page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages, a completely different document identification information ID (for example, EFGH) is attached, and information on the page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages is registered in the document management device 4. The information that associates the two (for example, the original document identification information OID of the original document 2A before the page division) may be registered as additional information. In the present embodiment, the latter is adopted.

  In the information processing system 1 according to the second embodiment, the page dividing unit 560 and the original document correcting unit 570 constitute a page document generating unit 510 that generates a page document 2P for each page. The page document generation unit 510 and the page document output unit 580 constitute a page document creation device 5a that generates and registers each page document for each page.

  The page dividing unit 560 divides the original document 2A into page units of paper to be actually printed based on the information of the original document 2A acquired by the original document information acquisition unit 550, and layout information for correctly printing each page. Is generated. The layout information includes information to be displayed for each page and the coordinates of the information.

  The original document correcting unit 570 corrects the original document 2A into a page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages in response to the page dividing unit 560 dividing the original document 2A into pages, and via the page document output unit 580, Information is registered in the document management apparatus 4.

  For example, the original document correction unit 570 uses the information of the questionnaire form document AFB acquired by the original document information acquisition unit 550 and the layout information for each page generated by the page division unit 560 to generate the original original document 2A. In this information, the regular part information and the information in the entry part 24 are classified by page and set again in the regular part information and the information in the entry part 24, and the page identification information PID is added to the page break. In addition, the information of the entry unit 24 classified by page corresponds to the position of each page based on the coordinates in the layout information for each page generated by the page dividing unit 560 at least for the entry position. Correct it. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3B, form data of a page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages is generated.

  When the page document output unit 580 registers the information of the page document 2P in the document management apparatus 4, data processing (for example, questionnaire processing) can be performed in the same manner for both electronic entry and handwriting entry. Therefore, it is preferable that the correspondence between the page document 2P corresponding to a plurality of pages and the original original document 2A is known.

  With such a configuration, in the page document output device 5 of the second embodiment, the acquired original document 2A is divided into pages by the page dividing unit 560 in order to perform the function of the original document correcting unit 370 of the first embodiment. The output image POI for each page is generated, and the output image POI for each page is supplied to the image forming apparatus 5z. Thereby, also in the second embodiment, the original document 2A is divided into pages and printed out.

<Overall Processing Procedure; Second Embodiment>
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are diagrams for explaining the processing procedure in the information processing system 1 of the second embodiment. Here, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure of the second embodiment, and FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of the processing procedure of the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, steps in the procedure of the second embodiment are given numbers in the 200s, and processes similar to or similar to those in the first embodiment are in the 10s and 1s of the first embodiment. The number is shown.

  Here, as the original document 2A, a questionnaire form document AFB, which is an example of the original document 2A, is provided as a Web page described in a page description language such as HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) or XML (Extensible Markup Language). The case where a web page is printed on the page document output device 5 side is output over a plurality of sheets. Further, the document management apparatus 4 has the function of a Web page generation apparatus, and the function that provides the questionnaire form document AFB in the form of a Web page is assumed to be assumed by the document management apparatus 4.

  First, a questionnaire form document AFB is generated in the form of an electronic form document by the original document generation unit 320 of the document creation device 3 (S200), and the information of the questionnaire form document AFB is registered as form data in the document management device 4. (S204).

  When electronically filling out the questionnaire form document AFB while displaying it, the user (questionnaire filling person) operates the electronic document filling device 7 to access the document management device 4 and form data of the questionnaire form document AFB. Is received and displayed on the screen to accept entry on the screen (S210-YES, S212).

  On the other hand, when filling in a paper medium, a user (a questionnaire form distributor or a questionnaire entry person) operates the page document output device 5 to the document management device 4 so as to provide the questionnaire form document AFB as a Web page. Request (S210-NO, S220).

  When the document management device 4 receives a Web page creation request from the page document output device 5, the document management device 4 creates a questionnaire form document AFB as a Web page based on the registered form data of the questionnaire form document AFB, and the page document output device. 5 (S222). In the metadata of the questionnaire form document AFB as the Web page, original document identification information OID for uniquely specifying the questionnaire form document AFB is described.

  Next, the user instructs the page document output device 5 to print the questionnaire form document AFB of the Web page received from the document management device 4, that is, inputs a print request to the page document output device 5 ( S224).

  In the page document output device 5 that has received the print request, first, the original document identification information acquisition unit 540 receives a meta form from the questionnaire form document AFB as a Web page received from the document management device 4 having the function of the Web page generation device. The original document identification information OID described as data is extracted by the original document identification information acquisition unit 540 and passed to the original document information acquisition unit 550 (S226). Based on the original document identification information OID extracted by the original document identification information acquisition unit 540, the original document information acquisition unit 550 acquires form data of the questionnaire form document AFB having the same original document identification information OID from the document management device 4. (S228).

  Next, the page division unit 560 divides the page into paper pages to be actually printed based on the form data of the questionnaire form document AFB acquired by the original document information acquisition unit 550, and each page is printed correctly. Layout information (having information to be displayed for each page and coordinates of the information) is generated (S230).

  Based on the layout information for each page generated by the page dividing unit 560 and the form data of the questionnaire form document AFB acquired by the original document information acquisition unit 550, the original document correction unit 570 is based on the original questionnaire form document AFB. The form part data in the form data and the information in the entry part 24 are classified by page, and necessary information is set in the form part information and the information in the entry part 24, and the page identification information PID is set as a page break. By adding, a page form document PFB corresponding to a plurality of pages is generated (S232).

  The page document output unit 580 allows the information of the page form document PFB corresponding to a plurality of pages generated by the original document correction unit 570 to correspond to the original questionnaire form document AFB, while identifying the original document identification information of the questionnaire form document AFB. A document identification information ID different from the OID is assigned and registered as new form data in the document management apparatus 4 (S234).

  Thereafter, the page document output device 5 supplies the output image POI for each page generated by the page dividing unit 560 to the image forming device 5z, thereby generating the output form document OFB for paper output for each page (S238). At this time, the document identification information ID that can specify the original document identification information OID and the page identification information PID are embedded together in the identification information column 25 on the output form document OFB for each page.

  Hereinafter, it is the same as that of 1st Embodiment.

  As described above, in the mechanism of the second embodiment, the document creating apparatus 3 has the function of dividing the original document 2A (for example, the questionnaire form document AFB) into pages by the page document output apparatus 5. This is different from the first embodiment, but is the same as the first embodiment in that the original original document 2A is printed on a paper medium as a page document 2P having a plurality of pages. In any case, the image forming apparatus 5z prints a form document extending over a plurality of pages.

<Configuration example using an electronic computer>
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the document processing apparatus 100 such as the document creation apparatus 3, the document management apparatus 4, the page document output apparatus 5, and the postscript information processing apparatus 8. The document creation device 3, the page document output device 5, and the additional information processing device 8 can be realized by a general-purpose personal computer (referred to as a personal computer) in terms of hardware. The document management apparatus 4 can be realized by a general-purpose server computer in terms of hardware.

  That is, the document processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is not limited to a part of various functional units configured by a hardware processing circuit, and is similar to an electronic computer (computer) based on a program code that realizes the function. It can be realized by software using a mechanism.

  When a page document generation function, a page document output (registration) function, and an additional information processing function (collectively referred to as a document processing function) are executed by software using a mechanism similar to that of an electronic computer, a processing program constituting the software Are installed in a storage medium (storage medium) inside the apparatus from a storage medium (recording medium) such as a CD-ROM or flexible disk storing the processing program.

  The storage medium that stores the processing program causes a change in the state of energy such as magnetism, light, electricity, etc. according to the description of the program for the reader provided in the hardware resources of the computer. The description contents of the program can be transmitted to the reading device in the form of a signal to be transmitted.

  The program for causing the computer to execute the document processing function is not limited to being distributed through a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, but may be a network (wired or wireless) such as the Internet from another server such as a download site. The program may be downloaded (transferred to a computer) via the Internet, or may be obtained or updated. The computer receives the program transferred in this way and installs it in a storage medium such as a built-in hard disk.

  In addition, the program is provided as a file describing a program code that realizes the document processing function. In this case, the program is not limited to being provided as a batch program file, but according to the hardware configuration of the system configured by the computer. The program modules may be provided as individual program modules.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a document processing apparatus 100 configured as a computer system includes a system control unit 102 for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus in the apparatus main body 2a. In the present embodiment, the system control unit 102 has a function as a document processing control unit (in particular, a page document generation unit, a page document output (registration) unit, and an additional information processing unit in the present embodiment) that realizes a document processing function. .

  Specifically, the system control unit 102 includes a controller unit (control unit) 104, a hard disk device (HDD) 118 or an optical / magnetic disk device 119 shown in the figure, a flexible disk (FD) drive, a CD not shown in the figure. A recording / reading control unit 106 for reading and recording data from a predetermined storage medium such as a ROM (Compact Disk ROM) drive and a semiconductor memory controller;

  The hard disk device 118 and the optical / magnetic disk device 119 may be provided outside as the information storage device 2b instead of inside the device main body 2a. This aspect is particularly suitable when the document management apparatus 4 is configured.

  The controller unit 104 includes a CPU 112, a ROM 113 that is a read-only storage unit, a RAM 115 that is an example of a volatile storage unit that can be written and read at any time, and a RAM (NVRAM) that is an example of a nonvolatile storage unit. 116).

  In the above description, the “volatile storage unit” means a storage unit in which the stored contents are lost when the power of the apparatus is turned off. On the other hand, the “nonvolatile storage unit” means a storage unit in a form that keeps stored contents even when the main power supply of the apparatus is turned off. Any memory device can be used as long as it can retain the stored contents. The semiconductor memory device itself is not limited to a nonvolatile memory device, and a backup power supply is provided to make a volatile memory device “nonvolatile”. You may comprise as follows.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to a semiconductor memory element, and may be configured using a medium such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk. For example, the hard disk device 118 and the optical / magnetic disk device 119 can be used as a nonvolatile storage unit. Moreover, it can utilize as a non-volatile storage part also by taking the structure which reads information from storage media, such as CD-ROM.

  In addition, the document processing apparatus 100 configured with a mechanism similar to that of the computer system includes an instruction receiving unit 152 as a functional unit that forms a user interface such as receiving an operation instruction of the apparatus, and a guidance screen (operation menu) at the time of operation. And a display output unit 154 for presenting predetermined information such as the operating state of the apparatus and processing results to the user, and an interface unit (IF unit) 190 that performs an interface function with each functional unit in the apparatus main body 2a. Have.

  The interface unit 190 includes a system bus 191 that is a transfer path for processing data (including document data D and operation history information OH) and control data, and a user having an operation panel unit 192a and an operation key unit 192b, for example. It includes an interface unit 192, a communication interface unit 194 that performs protocol control and performs an interface function with a network, and a device interface unit that performs an interface function with other external devices.

  The communication interface unit 194 is a communication such as a network controller 142 that controls a wired network such as a LAN or WAN, a modem 144 that is used when data is exchanged between computers via a public line network (for example, a telephone line), or the like. Has control function. The network is not limited to a wired type, and may be a wireless type network. In this case, a wireless network controller 146 is provided.

  The device interface unit controls various device devices, as will be described later.

  As the instruction receiving unit 152, for example, an operation key unit 192b of the user interface unit 192 can be used. Alternatively, a keyboard 152a, a mouse 152b, or the like can be used.

  The user interface unit 192, the keyboard 152a, and the mouse 152b are not shown in the figure, but the system bus 191 is connected via a device interface unit that controls key input from the keyboard 152a and input from a pointing device such as the mouse 152b. Connected to.

  The display output unit 154 includes a display control unit and a display device. As the display device, for example, the operation panel unit 192a of the user interface unit 192 can be used. Alternatively, another display unit 154a made of CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) may be used.

  The document processing apparatus 100 is also provided with a specific function unit corresponding to the device function in addition to the above-described function units. As an example, if you have a function to reduce the amount of data such as document data (document images) stored in various storage media and form data, compression / decompression processing and data processing of document data and other data A data processing unit 180 is provided to execute the process.

  Further, the document processing apparatus 100 and the image forming apparatus can be configured integrally, and further, the image reading apparatus can also be configured integrally. For example, if an image forming apparatus having a print output function, a copying function, or the like is integrally constructed to form a multi-function peripheral and the multi-function peripheral also has the function of the document processing apparatus 100, an original Based on an image read by the image reading unit 182 or print data acquired via the communication interface unit 194 in order to configure the image reading unit 182 to read an image or to print and output image information to the user. An image recording unit (image forming unit) 184 that outputs an image to a predetermined output medium (for example, printing paper) may be provided.

  The image reading unit 182 and the image recording unit 184 are connected to the system bus 191 via a scanner interface unit 196 and a printer interface unit 197 as device interface units that form the interface unit 190.

  In addition to these, for example, an audio device 188 that emits audio information is connected to the system bus 191 via an audio interface unit 198 that controls input / output of audio signals.

  Various devices are related to the document generation, acquisition, storage, and the document by cooperation (cooperation) of the application program corresponding to them and the application program (software for the operating system, etc.) that controls the whole by the controller unit 104. It is constructed so as to provide various services related to document management processing such as acquisition and storage of information (for example, form data).

  Each application for each of these devices can be added (installed), changed in specifications (small changes within the same version such as version upgrades and bug fixes), or deleted (uninstalled) for each application. It is possible to add, change specifications, or delete each module that constitutes.

  The CPU 112 controls the entire system via the system bus 191. The ROM 113 stores various fixed data including a control program used by the CPU 112. The RAM 115 is configured by an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or the like, stores program control variables, data for various processes, and the like, data obtained by calculation according to a predetermined application program, data obtained from the outside, and the like. Is temporarily stored, and is used for a work memory or the like when the CPU 112 performs data processing or the like.

  The NVRAM 116 stores control parameters and processed data, and is backed up. In particular, the configuration of the present embodiment is configured to store various data related to document processing.

  Also, the hard disk device 118 and the optical / magnetic disk device 119 are a document processing program, various application programs, font data, and user files imported from a portable storage medium 107 such as a flexible disk 107a or a CD-ROM 107b. It contains areas for storing user data and control management data, and for storing a large amount of data acquired by its own device or externally acquired data. Reading and writing of data are controlled by the reading control unit 106.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to read a CD-ROM or the like in which a program for executing a document processing function such as a page document generation function, a page document output (registration) function, and an additional information processing function is stored according to a predetermined command. A document processing program is installed in the RAM 115 from a simple storage medium or via a communication network, and the document processing program is activated by an automatic process triggered by an instruction from the operator or a predetermined condition via the instruction receiving unit 152 Is done.

  The CPU 112 executes the processing steps associated with the document management processing according to the document processing program, stores the processing results in a storage device such as the RAM 115 or the hard disk device 118, and displays the operation panel unit or CRT or LCD as necessary. Information is presented and output to the device. By using a storage medium in which a program for executing document management processing is recorded, it is possible to construct a document processing apparatus 100 that executes a document processing function for a general purpose without changing an existing system.

  Not only the configuration using such a computer, but also the document processing apparatus 100 that can execute the document processing function by a combination of dedicated hardware that performs processing of each functional unit as described above. It can also be configured. Further, the series of processing for document processing is not limited to being executed by only one of hardware and software, but can be executed by a combined configuration of both.

  The document processing (page document generation processing, page document output (registration) processing, and additional information processing) is not only executed in time series according to the above description, but also the processing capability or necessary of the device that executes the processing. May be executed in parallel or individually depending on

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing an original document, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of information registered in the database of the original document. It is a figure which shows an example of the postscript completed document in which the postscript information was written in the original document. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a page document, and FIG. 4B is a diagram showing an example of information registered in the database of the page document (No. 1). It is a figure which shows an example of the postscript addition document in which the postscript information was entered in the page document (the 1). FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a page document, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example of information registered in the database of the page document (part 2). It is a figure which shows an example of the postscript addition document in which postscript information was entered in the page document (the 2). It is a figure which shows the structural example of 1st Embodiment of an information processing system. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process sequence of 1st Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the outline | summary of the process sequence of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of 2nd Embodiment of information processing system. It is the flowchart which showed an example of the process sequence of 2nd Embodiment. It is the schematic diagram which showed the outline | summary of the process sequence of 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions in the case of comprising a document processing apparatus using an electronic computer.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing system, 100 ... Document processing apparatus, 3 ... Document creation apparatus, 310 ... Page document production | generation part, 320 ... Original document production | generation part, 370 ... Original document correction part, 380 ... Document original output part, 4 ... Document management Device: 410 ... Document information storage unit, 5 ... Page document output device, 510 ... Page document generation unit, 520 ... Output image generation unit, 540 ... Original document identification information acquisition unit, 550 ... Original document information acquisition unit, 560 ... Page Dividing unit, 570 ... original document correcting unit, 580 ... document original output unit, 590 ... identification information attached output unit, 5a ... page document creation device, 5z ... image forming device, 6 ... handwritten document input device, 7 ... electronic document Entry device, 8 ... additional information processing device, 8a ... form document recognition / reproduction device, 8b ... form document processing device, 810 ... read image processing unit, 820 ... document specifying unit, 830 ... additional information extraction , 850 ... data processed additional information identification processing section, 870 ... data processing unit, 9 ... data channel

Claims (11)

A page document generation unit for generating page documents for each page constituting one original document as a whole;
The page document generated by the page document generation unit is attached with page identification information for uniquely identifying the original document and page identification information for uniquely identifying each page document. An identification information attachment output unit for generating document data and outputting the document data to a predetermined image forming apparatus;
A document information storage unit that stores the data structure of the description content of the page document for each page generated by the page document generation unit in association with the original document identification information and the page identification information;
By extracting the original document identification information and the page identification information from the additionally recorded document to be processed in which the additional information is written in the output medium corresponding to each page document output from the image forming apparatus, the additional recording is performed. A document specifying unit for specifying the original document and the page document corresponding to a completed document;
The data structure of the description content of the page document corresponding to the added document to be processed is acquired from the document information storage unit based on the specified result by the document specifying unit, and the data structure and the added document are present in the added document An information processing system comprising: a data processing unit that performs predetermined data processing based on the additional recording information. The data processing unit completes the data processing on the original document by performing the data processing on the appended document corresponding to all the page documents constituting the original document. 1. The information processing system according to 1. An electronic document entry unit that electronically displays on a predetermined display device based on the original document or page document, and accepts entry of the additional information by a user on this display,
The data processing unit stores the additional information received by the electronic document entry unit and data stored in the document information storage unit for the original document or the page document displayed electronically on the display device. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing is performed based on a structure. A page document generation unit for generating page documents for each page constituting one original document as a whole;
The data structure of the description content of the page document for each page generated by the page document generation unit corresponds to the original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and the page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document And a page document output unit registered in a predetermined document information storage unit. A page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole is attached with original document identification information for uniquely identifying the original document and page identification information for uniquely identifying each page document. A document output apparatus comprising: an identification information attachment output unit that generates document data and outputs the document data to a predetermined image forming apparatus. An original document information acquisition unit that acquires the data structure of the original document from a document information storage unit that stores the data structure of the description content of the original document in association with the original document identification information;
A page document generation unit that generates a page document for each page based on the data structure of the original document acquired by the original document information acquisition unit;
A page document output unit that registers the data structure of the description content of the page document for each page generated by the page document generation unit in the document information storage unit in association with the original document identification information and the page identification information; The document output device according to claim 5, further comprising: From the additionally recorded document to be processed in which additional information is written in the output medium corresponding to each of the page documents output from the image forming apparatus based on the page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole, Document identification that identifies the original document and the page document corresponding to the added document by extracting original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document And
Based on the identification result by the document identification unit, the data structure of the description content of the page document for each page is stored in association with the original document identification information and the page identification information. A data processing unit that acquires a data structure of the description content of the page document corresponding to the added document and performs predetermined data processing based on the data structure and the additional information existing in the added document. A postscript information processing apparatus characterized by that. The data structure of the description content of the original document is stored in association with the original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document, and / or the description of page documents for each page that constitutes one original document as a whole A document information storage unit for storing a content data structure in association with original document identification information for uniquely identifying the original document and page identification information for uniquely identifying each page document; Document management device. A page document generation unit for generating page documents for each page constituting one original document as a whole;
The data structure of the description content of the page document for each page generated by the page document generation unit corresponds to the original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and the page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document In addition, a program for causing an electronic computer to function as a page document output unit registered in a predetermined document information storage unit. A page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole is attached with original document identification information for uniquely identifying the original document and page identification information for uniquely identifying each page document. A program that causes an electronic computer to function as an identification information attachment output unit that generates document data and outputs the document data to a predetermined image forming apparatus. From the additionally recorded document to be processed in which additional information is written in the output medium corresponding to each of the page documents output from the image forming apparatus based on the page document for each page constituting one original document as a whole, Document identification that identifies the original document and the page document corresponding to the added document by extracting original document identification information that uniquely identifies the original document and page identification information that uniquely identifies each page document And
Based on the identification result by the document identification unit, the data structure of the description content of the page document for each page is stored in association with the original document identification information and the page identification information. A data processing unit that obtains a data structure of the description content of the page document corresponding to the added document and performs predetermined data processing based on this data structure and the additional information existing in the added document. A program characterized by causing a computer to function.

Images