JP3127551B2 - Layout device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for producing a catalog or a flyer for listing a large number of products or stores on a single sheet of paper. The present invention relates to a layout device that divides data into a plurality of data areas in which data is arranged.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, when a book such as a catalog or a magazine or a flyer is produced, the layout and design of these pages are sometimes performed on the screen of a computer display.

Heretofore, the layout work on the screen on the screen has been, for example, as follows. First, a description of a product or the like, an article, a photograph, or the like posted on the paper is input as character data or image data to a storage device of a computer in advance. Next, a paper area constituting the paper is displayed on a screen of a computer display, and the paper area is divided into a plurality of data areas in order to publish a plurality of character data and image data in the paper area. Then, the layout of the page is performed by allocating image data and character data called from the storage device to each of the data areas.

As a specific method of dividing the paper area into a plurality of data areas, a method of dividing a paper area into vertical and horizontal dividing lines to divide the paper area into a plurality of rectangular data areas, In some cases, the coordinates of two opposing vertices of the four vertices of the area are specified on the screen to provide a data area in the paper area.

[0005] The division of the paper area by such a computer is mainly performed by using the desktop publishing (DTP) function of the computer, but the same can be performed by the CAD function and the drawing function. . Further, since a catalog or a flyer has a large number of products on one page, it is necessary to divide the page into a large number of data areas.

[0006] In general, in a catalog in which photographs and explanations about various types of products are posted, data areas of the same type of products or related products are arranged in one place on a paper area.

[0007] The layout such as the position and size of the data area of each product in the paper area is important in a catalog or a flyer having a function as an advertising medium, which affects the sales volume of each product. .

[0008]

By the way, at the stage where the layout is completed to some extent, or after the actual text or image is allocated to the paper area after the layout, the layout is caused by the problem of the design or the product configuration. However, in the conventional operation on the display screen of the computer, since a change such as reduction or enlargement of a part of the data area spreads to the surrounding data area, considering the balance of the entire paper area, In the worst case, there is a case where the same trouble as starting the division from the beginning is required.

For example, in a case where a rectangular data area is provided by determining the coordinate positions of two opposing vertices as described above, when a large number of data areas are provided in a paper area, when one data area is enlarged, the surrounding area is increased. Must be changed so as to individually reduce a plurality of data areas.Also, in consideration of the balance of the size of each data area, it is necessary to make changes to almost all of the data area of the paper area. Could come.

Further, in the above-mentioned method of dividing a data area by vertical and horizontal dividing lines, when a plurality of parallel dividing lines are provided in a paper area and divided into a large number of data areas, one dividing line is moved. Since the balance of the size of the entire data area is lost, it is necessary to individually change the positions of the remaining dividing lines. In either of the above methods,
If, for example, a product group area composed of, for example, two types of product data areas is divided into right and left in one paper area, the ratio of the area occupied by the left and right product group areas is changed. When exchanging the positions of the areas of the left and right product groups, almost all data areas in the paper area must be changed.

As described above, in the conventional method of dividing the paper area, since the work of changing the data area is complicated, by changing some of the data areas in dividing the paper area, a plurality of paper areas can be changed. The division pattern of the sample is prepared as a sample, the work of comparing and examining these samples and determining the final division of the paper area becomes extremely complicated, and especially in a catalog composed of many papers,
It was virtually impossible.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to easily change the position and size of each data area when a paper area is divided into a plurality of data areas. It is to provide a layout device capable of performing such operations.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A layout apparatus according to the present invention has a data area for arranging image data and character data of each product or the like to be published on a page when producing a page such as a catalog or a flyer. In order to set the paper area, a paper area constituting the paper area is divided into a plurality of the data areas by dividing lines extending vertically and horizontally within the paper area, and the paper area, the data area, and the dividing line are divided. And a display means a for displaying the data area; dividing the paper area into a plurality of first data areas by dividing lines; dividing the first data area into a plurality of second data areas by dividing lines; Dividing the second data area into a plurality of third data areas by a dividing line, and sequentially dividing the paper area and the data area by a dividing line into a plurality of third data areas. Area dividing means b for dividing the data area
When dividing the paper area or the data area into a plurality of areas by the area dividing means b, a dividing instructing means c for instructing a dividing position by the dividing line, and storing a position of the dividing line provided by the area dividing means. Storage means d
And a means for solving the above problem.

Here, the layout device may be arranged such that a dividing position of a dividing line provided in the paper area or each data area is provided in the paper area or each data area, respectively. Dividing line calculating means e for calculating the coordinates of the coordinate system for reducing, enlarging, and moving corresponding to the reduction, enlargement, and movement of each data area, and for storing the coordinates in the storage means d as the relative positions of the dividing lines; It is preferable to have.

[0015] The layout device may be configured to determine the positions of two opposing vertices of the data area divided into rectangles by the division line in a data area one layer above this data area or a paper area one layer above. It is preferable that the apparatus further includes an area calculation unit f that calculates the coordinates in the coordinate system and stores the coordinates in the storage unit d as a relative position of the data area.

The layout device may further include: an absolute position of the data area and the dividing line hierarchically provided in the paper area in the paper area; coordinates indicating the relative positions of the data area and the dividing line; The calculation is performed as a chain with respective coordinates indicating the relative positions of the data regions of each upper layer hierarchically provided above the data region and the division line, and the chain of these coordinates is calculated as the chain of the data region and the division line. A layout apparatus comprising a hierarchical calculation means g for storing the absolute position in the storage means d as an absolute position in a paper area.

Further, the layout device moves the dividing line in a direction orthogonal to the dividing line, and moves the dividing line relative to the uppermost data area among the data areas which are reduced and enlarged in accordance with the movement of the dividing line. The coordinates indicating the position are changed in accordance with the moved division line, the coordinates indicating the relative position of the moved division line and the data area of the uppermost layer are stored in the storage means d, and the data of the uppermost layer are stored. By converting a chain of coordinates indicating the absolute position of each of the lower layer dividing line and the lower data area provided in the area in the paper area into coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area, It is preferable to include a dividing line moving means h for redisplaying the dividing line and the data area in the paper area on the display means a.

Further, the layout device inserts a new dividing line in the paper area or the data area,
In addition, a new data area is provided in one of the two areas divided by the division line, and the uppermost data area in the paper area is reduced and arranged in the other area. And changing the respective coordinates indicating the relative position of the new data area and the uppermost data area, storing these coordinates in the storage means d, and
A chain of coordinates indicating an absolute position in the paper area of each of the lower division line and the lower data area provided in each of the uppermost data areas is converted to coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area. It is preferable to include a dividing line inserting means i for re-displaying the dividing line and the data area in the paper area by the conversion on the display means a.

Further, the layout apparatus exchanges respective coordinates indicating the relative positions of different data areas provided on the same layer with each other, as well as a lower dividing line and a lower layer provided respectively in the different data areas. By converting a chain of coordinates indicating the absolute position of each of the data areas in the paper area into coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area, the dividing line and the data area in the paper area are displayed. Preferably, the means a is provided with an area exchange means j for redisplaying.

In addition, the layout device deletes the data area displayed on the display means a, corrects the movement, reduction, enlargement, etc. of the data area by moving the coordinates indicating the relative position of the data area. And stores the moved coordinates in the storage means, and stores a chain of coordinates indicating the absolute position of each of the lower dividing line and the lower data area provided in the corrected data area on the paper. It is preferable that the image processing apparatus further includes a correction unit k that redisplays the division line and the data region in the paper surface region on the display unit a by converting the data into coordinates of the coordinate system provided in the region.

Further, the layout device inputs the number of divisions of the paper area or the data area,
It is preferable that the area dividing means includes a division pattern instructing means 1 for instructing the area dividing means b on a position of a dividing line to be provided in the paper area or the data area.

The layout apparatus calculates the number of data areas in the lowermost layer having no dividing line therein as the number of commodities, stores the number of commodities in the storage means d, and displays the number on the display means a. It is preferable to include a product number calculation means m.

Further, the layout device stores in advance the data of the product to be published on the paper in the storage means d, allocates the data of each product to the data area of the lowermost layer, and allocates the allocated product. Allocating means n for displaying said data on said display means a and storing said data in said storage means d as data of said lowermost data area
It is preferable to have.

[0024]

According to the above construction, the paper area is hierarchically divided by the dividing line provided by the area dividing means b, so that a change in the lower data area or the dividing line affects the upper data area. Nothing. That is, the lower data area and the dividing line need only be changed in the upper data area including the lower data area and the dividing line.
There is no need to change other upper-layer data areas.

The relative positions of the dividing line and the data area are provided in an upper data area or a paper area including the dividing line and the data area by the dividing line calculating means e and the area calculating means f. Since the data area or the paper area is represented as the coordinates of the coordinate system for reducing, enlarging, and moving in accordance with the reduction, enlargement, and movement of the area, the dividing line moving means h, the dividing line inserting means i, and the area replacing means j are used.
Even if the position of the dividing line is changed by the correction means k and the upper data area is reduced, enlarged, or moved, the interval between the lower dividing lines in the area and the size of the data area are correspondingly changed. Since the data area is reduced, enlarged, or moved, it is not necessary to change the lower data area and the lower dividing line in order to balance the size of each lower data area.

Further, the absolute position of the data area and the dividing line in the paper area by the hierarchical calculating means g is set to coordinates indicating the relative positions of the data area and the dividing line, and to the upper layer of the data area and the dividing line. It is represented as a chain with the respective coordinates indicating the relative position of each data area.
Therefore, the absolute values of the lower data area and the lower dividing line whose coordinates indicating the relative position of the upper data area have been changed by the dividing line moving means h, the dividing line inserting means i, the area exchanging means j, and the correcting means k. As for the position, only the coordinates of the upper-layer data area in the chained coordinates that have been changed are changed. The lower data area and the lower dividing line are
By converting the chain of coordinates indicating the absolute position into the coordinates of the coordinate system provided in the paper area, the display can be re-displayed at any time.

If the division pattern of the data area or the paper area is determined in advance for each division number or is divided evenly according to the division number, the division pattern instructing means 1 can be input simply by inputting the division number. Indicates the division position to the area dividing means b, so that the data area or the paper area can be easily divided. In addition, since the number of data areas in the lowermost layer is displayed on the display means as the number of products by the number-of-products calculating means m, the number of areas to which character data and image data of the product can be actually allocated is determined. Can be easily recognized. Further, by the allocating means n, product data such as a product name and a product code number can be allocated to each lowermost data area.

The above-mentioned "means for solving the problem"
In the section of “Operation”, the present invention has been described with reference numerals shown in FIG. 1, but it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0029]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the layout apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIGS.
3 is a view for explaining a paper layout method by the layout device.

The layout apparatus according to the present embodiment is designed such that a photograph or a description of a large number of products is printed on one page, such as a page of a catalog or a flyer, and the photograph or the description is previously stored in a computer. Is input as image data or character data to the storage device, and is used when allocating the image data or character data to the paper area indicating the paper on the display of the computer. Then, before actually allocating the image data and character data to the paper area, the layout apparatus divides the paper area into a large number by dividing lines and sets a data area for allocating each image data and character data. It is for.

As shown in FIG. 2, the layout apparatus of this embodiment includes a display 1 serving as display means for displaying layout results such as the paper area, the dividing line, and the data area. A storage device 2 serving as storage means for storing data of commodities to be posted, etc., and a keyboard 3 serving as input means for inputting characters and numerical values during layout work and instruction means for giving instructions to the layout apparatus during layout work. And a mouse 4 serving as an instructing means for instructing a position of a dividing line on the display 1 during the layout work, selecting an instruction to be given to the layout apparatus from a menu screen on the display 1, and hard-copying a layout result or the like. And a processing unit 6 for performing calculations related to the layout work. It is intended.

The display 1, storage device 2, keyboard 3, mouse 4, printer 5 and the like are used in a computer system such as a well-known workstation.

As described above, the arithmetic processing unit 6 performs arithmetic processing relating to the above-mentioned layout work. Basically, the arithmetic processing unit 6 operates on the screen of the display 1 in response to an instruction such as an input from the mouse 4 and the keyboard 3. A dividing line that can extend vertically and horizontally is displayed in the paper area, and a rectangular area surrounded by the boundary line and the dividing line on the outer periphery of the paper area is defined as a data area,
The storage device 2 has a function of storing the position of the division line and the position of the data area on the paper area in the storage device 2.

When providing a dividing line and a data area in the paper area, the arithmetic processing unit 6 divides the paper area by the dividing line to provide a plurality of first data areas. It has a function of hierarchically repeating the lower data area in the upper data area, such as providing a second data area by drawing a dividing line in the area.

The arithmetic processing unit 6 also determines the position of each division line and the position of the data area in the area one layer above these division lines and the data area, that is, in the paper area in the first data area. The second data area is represented as coordinates in a rectangular coordinate system provided in the first data area.

In the coordinate system, for example, the coordinates of the lower left vertex of the rectangular area in which the coordinate system is to be provided are (0,
0) and the coordinates of the upper right vertex are fixed to (1, 1), and when the area is enlarged, reduced, or moved, the coordinate system is also enlarged, reduced, or moved. Therefore, the dividing line inside the area and the coordinates of the data area are:
It is a relative position at which the area is enlarged, reduced, or moved as the area is enlarged, reduced, or moved.

In this embodiment, since the dividing line is drawn vertically and horizontally, that is, a line parallel to the X-axis or the Y-axis in the rectangular coordinate system, it can be enlarged, reduced, and moved together with the area. The division position of the division line represented by the coordinate system is such that the position of the division line in the coordinate system is represented by an X coordinate or a Y coordinate of a point included in the division line. The relative position of the data area in the coordinate system is represented by two opposing vertices of the vertices of the data area in the coordinate system, for example, the coordinates of the lower left vertex and the coordinates of the upper right vertex of the data area. Is to be represented.

When displaying the absolute position of the data area and the dividing line in the paper area, that is, the data area and the dividing line on the paper area, the arithmetic processing unit 6 performs the processing on the paper area. The actual positions of the data area and the dividing line are handled as follows.

That is, the absolute positions of the data area and the dividing line in the paper area are determined by the coordinates indicating the relative positions of the data area and the dividing line, and the data areas hierarchically provided above the data area and the dividing line. And a coordinate indicating the relative position of each.

For example, a chain of coordinates indicating an absolute position is as follows.
The coordinates indicating the relative position of the dividing line provided in the second data area are (a), the coordinates indicating the relative position of the second data area are (b), and the coordinates including the second data area are indicated by (b). 1
When the coordinates indicating the relative position of the data area are represented by (c), the absolute position of the dividing line in the paper area is represented by (c).
(B) (a).

The chain of coordinates indicates that the relative position of the first data area is indicated by a coordinate system indicating the relative position of the first data area, that is, the coordinate system provided in the paper area, so that the dividing line is formed. By limiting the position within the first coordinate system and indicating the relative position of the second data region by the coordinate system provided in the first data region, the dividing line is positioned inside the first data region. The position within the second data area is further limited, and the relative position of the division line is indicated by a coordinate system provided in the second data area, thereby specifying the position of the division line in the paper area. ing.

Further, the arithmetic processing unit 6 moves a dividing line provided in the paper area, inserts a new dividing line, and exchanges positions of two data areas arranged at different positions. And a correction function for erasing the data area, moving the position of the data area, and reducing or expanding the data area.

When the dividing line is drawn in the area, the arithmetic processing unit 6 not only indicates the position of the dividing line with the mouse 4 or the like, but also divides the dividing pattern for each division number stored in the storage device in advance. , A search is performed by inputting the number of divisions from the keyboard 3 and a function of providing a division line so as to divide an area corresponding to the division pattern. Also,
The arithmetic processing means 6 receives the number of vertical and horizontal divisions of the area to be divided, calculates the position of a dividing line by which the area to be divided can be equally divided by the number of divisions, and divides the area equally. have.

The number of division patterns for one division number does not need to be one, and one division pattern may be selected from a plurality of division patterns corresponding to the division number.

The arithmetic processing unit 6 treats the lowermost data area in which no dividing line is provided in the area as an area for actually allocating product data, and during the layout operation, the lowermost data area. Is displayed on the display 1 screen as the number of commodities, and the number of commodities is stored in the storage device as the number of commodities posted in the paper area.

The arithmetic processing unit stores data such as a product name and a code number of a product to be posted on the paper, which is stored in advance in the storage device, in each data area of the lowermost layer according to an instruction from the mouse 4 or the keyboard 3. It is designed to be assigned. The data such as the product name assigned to the lowermost data area is displayed in the data area on the screen of the display 1 and stored in the storage device as the data of the lowermost data area. Has become.

Next, a method of laying out a paper area by the layout apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, a rectangular frame 10a indicating the paper area 10 is displayed on the screen of the display. The paper area 10 is displayed on the screen in a size of an actual catalog or a size obtained by uniformly reducing the size of the catalog vertically and horizontally.

First, the first division of the paper surface area 10 is performed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when dividing the paper area 10, a division menu 12 is displayed on the screen, and the basic division is selected by the mouse 4. At this time, in the present embodiment, the basic division for dividing the paper area 10 includes a uniform mode for equally dividing the paper area 10 as shown in FIG. 3, and dividing lines 13 and 14 as shown in FIG. There is an instruction mode in which the position of is indicated by a mouse.

When the paper area 10 is divided in the uniform mode, the number of vertical and horizontal divisions is input to the input field 16 from the keyboard. For example, the number of horizontal divisions is 3, and the number of vertical divisions is 2.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the paper area 10 is equally divided into six first data areas 1 by vertical and horizontal dividing lines 13 and 14.
... In this case, the arithmetic processing unit calculates a position at which the paper area 10 is equally divided based on the number of divisions, and draws the dividing lines 13 and 14 at the position.

When the paper area 10 is divided in the instruction mode, the positions of the dividing lines 13 and 14 are designated by a mouse to determine the positions of the dividing lines 13 and 14, and the dividing lines are placed at these positions. 13 and 14 are subtracted. For example, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the mouse 4 indicates a position (a position indicated by an arrow A) where a vertical dividing line 13 near the upper side of the frame 10a indicating the paper area 10 is to be drawn. Thereby, the vertical dividing line 13 can be drawn. In addition, the position of the horizontal dividing line 14 near the right side of the frame 10a is indicated by the mouse 4 (position indicated by the arrow B), so that the horizontal dividing line 14 can be drawn.

The dividing line 1 drawn on the paper surface area 10
3 and 14 can move in the direction orthogonal to the dividing lines 13 and 14, and the positions of the dividing lines 13 and 14 may be adjusted after performing equal division.

In this embodiment, the range of the first data area 11 can be set inside the frame 10a and the dividing lines 13 and 14 of the paper area 10 surrounding the data area 11 by an arbitrary length. And between the adjacent first data areas 11 and between the frame 10a and the data area 11,
A space 10b can be provided.

The first data areas 11 formed in this manner can be further divided and used as areas for allocating relatively large image data and character data.

When the first data areas 11 are further divided, first, as shown in FIG. 5, a small division should be selected from the division menu 12 and divided from the plurality of first data areas 11. The first data area 11a is selected. For example, the first data area 11a to be divided is selected by pointing the position indicated by the arrow C with the mouse 4.

At this time, in the subdivision which divides the inside of the data areas 11 and 17, similarly to the basic division, the uniform mode in which the first data area 11 is equally divided and the division line 1
There is an instruction mode in which the positions of 3 and 14 are indicated by the mouse 4. When dividing the first data area 11a in the uniform mode, the number of vertical and horizontal divisions is input to the input field 16 from the keyboard 3. For example, if the number of horizontal divisions is 2 and the number of vertical divisions is 2, the first data area 11a is equally divided by the vertical and horizontal dividing lines 13a and 14a as shown in FIG. Four second data areas 1
7 ...

Further, when the first data area 11 is divided in the instruction mode, the position at which the dividing lines 13a and 14a are to be drawn is indicated by the mouse 4 in the same manner as in the case of the basic division. The first data area 11 can be divided by subtracting 13a and 14a.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the position of the vertical dividing line 13a near the upper side of the first data area 11a (the position indicated by the arrow D) is designated by the mouse 4 to indicate the vertical position. Can be drawn. As in the case of the basic division, the horizontal division line 14 can be drawn by pointing the mouse 4 at the position where the horizontal division line 14a near the right side of the first data area is to be drawn (FIG. 7). Only the vertical dividing line 13a is shown in FIG.

The dividing lines 13a and 14a drawn in the first data area 11a can move in the direction orthogonal to the dividing lines 13a and 14a, like the dividing lines 13 and 14. . As described above, the arithmetic processing unit 6
The inside of the first data area 11 can be divided into the second data area 17 and, although not shown, the inside of the second data area 17 can be divided into the third data area.

That is, in the layout apparatus of the present embodiment, the data area 11 of
17 can be provided. When the page of a general catalog is divided hierarchically, first, the page is divided into product groups according to the types of products to be published on the page and manufacturers, and the product groups are arranged in the first data areas 11. , The first data area 11 in which each product group is arranged is divided into the second data areas 17..., And each product in the product group is arranged in the second data area 17. In some cases, further classification may be provided between the merchandise group and each merchandise. Therefore, if the paper area 10 can be divided into about three layers, there is no particular problem in actual use.

Here, how the division line and the data area are handled in the arithmetic processing unit will be described. First, FIG.
A frame 20 shown in FIG. 2 indicates the boundary of the outer periphery of the paper area or the outer periphery of each data area. Inside the frame 20, an orthogonal coordinate system in which the coordinates of the lower left vertex 21 are (0, 0) and the coordinates of the upper right vertex 22 are (1, 1) irrespective of the size of the frame 20. Is provided. The coordinates of the vertices 21 and 22 are determined by the size of the frame 20,
Even if the ratio between the vertical and horizontal lengths of the frame 20 and the position of the frame 20 itself are changed, they are not changed. Therefore, the rectangular coordinate system can be reduced, enlarged, and moved in accordance with the reduction, enlargement, and movement of the frame 20.

A horizontal dividing line Y drawn inside the frame 20
The relative position of 1 is indicated by the coordinates in the Y-axis direction. For example, in the case of the division line Y1, it is indicated by a value of (0.5). Also, vertical dividing lines X1, X drawn inside the frame 20
The relative position of 2 is indicated by the coordinates in the X-axis direction, and is indicated by a value of (0.3) for the dividing line X1, and is indicated by a value of (0.45) for the dividing line X2. This value is obtained by reducing the coordinate system as the frame 20 is reduced, enlarged, or moved.
Since the frame 20 is enlarged and moved, the frame 20 is a relative one that does not change as the frame 20 is reduced, enlarged, or moved. Therefore, the dividing line X
1, X2, Y1 keeps the area ratio of the two regions separated by the dividing lines X1, X2, Y1 constant irrespective of the reduction, enlargement, or movement of the frame 20.

Then, the frame 20 and the dividing lines X1, X
2, the data area V divided into rectangles by Y1 is
It is indicated by two opposing coordinates of the vertices of the data area V. The coordinates at this time are the coordinates in the coordinate system. For example, the data area V1 shown in FIG.
The data area V2 is indicated by the coordinates (0.0.5) of the vertices 25 and 26.
3,0.5) (0.45,1).

Since the dividing line Y1 is a dividing line that equally divides the frame vertically, the relative position of the dividing line Y1 is
If the number of divisions is equal to 2, the coordinates can be omitted when the division line Y1 is handled. 8, the dividing lines X1, X2, Y1, the frame 20, and the data area V
.. Are not provided, but when a space of an arbitrary distance is provided as shown in FIG. 3 or the like, the coordinates of the data area V are moved to the inside of the data area V by an arbitrary distance. I just need.

As shown in FIG. 9, serial numbers in the X axis direction and Y
An axial serial number is assigned. For example, a serial number (2, 1) is assigned to the first data area 11a in FIG. In addition, the second data area 17 in the first data area
Are similarly numbered as shown in FIG. At this time, the serial number of the first data area 11a is always added before the serial number of the second data area 17. That is, the lower data area is located in the upper layer, and the serial numbers of all the data areas including the lower data area are chained.

For example, the second data area 17a shown in FIG.
Are sequentially numbered (2, 1) and (2, 3).
Further, in a paper area having a number of hierarchies, the n-th data area of the n-th layer is the n-th data area arranged in order from the upper layer side.
It will be represented as a chain of serial numbers.

In the arithmetic processing unit 6, the coordinates of the relative positions of the data areas indicated by the serial numbers are treated integrally with the serial numbers of the respective data areas. That is, each serial number in the serial number chain is handled in a state where coordinates indicating the relative position of each data area corresponding to each serial number are attached as data. That is, the coordinates of the data area corresponding to each serial number of the serial number chain are treated as the coordinate chain together with the serial number chain. Then, as described above, the chain of coordinates is the absolute position in the paper area of the data area indicated by the chain of serial numbers. Further, the absolute position indicated by the chain of coordinates is converted by the arithmetic unit 6 into coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area, so that it can be treated as coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area, It can output to the display 1 and other output means.

When a change such as reduction, enlargement, or movement is made to the data area, and the coordinates indicating the relative position of the data area are changed, the data area which is treated integrally with the coordinates is changed. In the indicated serial number, the value of the coordinates attached to the serial number is changed. Further, in the lower data area provided below the changed data area, the value of the coordinates attached to the serial number of the changed data area in the chain of serial numbers indicating the lower data area is changed. It has become so. Therefore, the chain of coordinates indicating the absolute position of the data area below the changed data area is automatically changed.

Next, the adjustment or correction operation after the division of the paper area 10 is completed will be described. The data area divided by the dividing line can be deleted on the screen and from the storage device. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 (one data area 17 is deleted from FIG. 6), the user selects “delete area” from the correction menu 30 and
Data area to be deleted (position indicated by arrow E)
, The second data area 17 can be deleted. In this case, the deleted second data area 17 becomes the blank area 31. If there is a data area further below the deleted data area, the lower data area is also deleted.

Next, the reduction, enlargement, and movement of the data area will be described. For example, when performing reduction, as shown in FIG. 12, select the area correction from the correction menu 30, specify the first data area 11 to be corrected (the position indicated by the arrow F) with the mouse 4, and then, One vertex of the first data area 11 is designated by the mouse 4 and the mouse 4 is moved inside the first data area 11 in the designated state.

The vertex moves in response to the movement of the mouse 4, and the coordinates indicating the relative position are changed. In addition,
At this time, if there is a lower data area inside the first data area 11, the coordinates indicating the relative position of the first data area 11 are changed and the coordinates of the coordinates of each lower data area are changed. The coordinate portion of the first data area 11 in the chain is changed. Then, by converting the chain of the changed coordinates into the coordinates of the coordinate system of the paper area, the reduced data areas are displayed again on the screen.

The coordinates indicating the relative position of each lower-layer data area inside the changed first data area 11 are not affected without affecting each data area outside the changed first data area 11. Since there is no need to convert the coordinates required for redisplay, the arithmetic processing unit performs the conversion. Therefore, in the operation of the layout device, the designer who performs the layout does not need to perform any operation other than the instruction by the mouse 4.

The reduced first data area 11
Occupies almost the entire area surrounded by the dividing lines 13 and 14, and there is no blank area in the adjacent area. Therefore, when performing enlargement or movement, it is necessary to move the dividing line or exchange the data area, which will be described later. Required. However, the second data areas 17, 17 adjacent to the blank area 31 created by the area deletion
, It is possible to enlarge or move toward the blank area 31. Also, in expanding and moving the data area, similarly to the case of reducing the data area, the designer does not need to perform any operation other than the instruction such as the movement of the coordinates by the mouse 4.

Next, a product name and a code number are assigned to the divided and corrected paper area 10. In a catalog, a product name, a product code number, a product price, a description, and the like (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as specifications) are generally arranged along with a product photo. There are cases where only numbers are assigned and specifications are collectively described on a part of the paper.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, there is a case where a specification area consisting of only character data is allocated before the product name is allocated. First, allocation menu 3
By selecting a spec from 2 and pointing the second data area (position indicated by arrow G) 17 for assigning only the spec with a mouse, the designated second data area 17 is used as the spec area. Can be.

Next, as shown in FIG.
2 is displayed, a list 33 of products to be posted on the paper stored in advance in the storage device is displayed, and the product name, code number, and (position indicated by arrow H) displayed in the list are displayed with the mouse 4. Then, the mouse 4 indicates the first and second data areas 11 and 17 in which the selected product is to be arranged. In the designated first and second data areas 11 and 17, a product name and a code number are displayed on the screen. The product name and the code number are stored in the storage device as data of the first and second data areas 11 and 17.

Next, the display of the number of products will be described. Every time an operation of providing a division line, an operation of inserting a division line, an operation of deleting a data area, or the like is performed, the arithmetic processing device 6 generates a data area of a lowermost layer in which no division line is provided. The number is counted, and the value is always displayed as the number of commodities (points) at the upper left of the paper area 10 as shown in FIG. 3 and the like.

Next, a case where new dividing lines 13 and 14 are inserted in the paper area 10 where the division and the assignment of the product name have been completed will be described. For example, when a new vertical dividing line 13 is to be inserted into the right side of the paper surface area 10 shown in FIG. 14, first, the basic division change is selected from the change menu 34 as shown in FIG. Next, the position at which a new dividing line 13 is to be inserted is indicated by the mouse 4.

Then, the user instructs the left or right of the division line 13 to form the first data areas 11 newly formed by inserting the division line 13 with the mouse 4. In FIG. 15, the right side of the dividing line 13 is specified, and new first data areas 11 are formed in the area on the right side of the dividing line 13. Also, the inserted dividing line 13
Is reduced in the X-axis direction.

At this time, the first data area 11
And only the coordinates indicating the relative positions of the first data areas 11... Arranged on the left side of the inserted dividing line 13 and the vertical dividing lines are changed, and the changed first data The coordinates indicating the relative positions of the second data area 17 in the lower layer of the area 11 and the dividing lines 13a and 14a are held as they are.

Then, the changed first data area 11
Are changed, and the dividing lines 13 inside the changed first data areas 11 are changed.
The coordinates indicating the relative position of the changed first data area 11 in the chain of coordinates indicating the absolute positions of a, 14a and the second data area 17 are changed. Then, the chain of the changed coordinates is converted by the arithmetic processing unit into the paper area 10.
The coordinates are converted into the coordinates of the coordinate system of FIG. 15 and redisplayed on the screen as shown in FIG. Therefore, the designer does not need to perform any operation other than the operation of the mouse 4.

Also, in the first data area 11, the dividing line 1
In the case of inserting the 3a and 14a, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, the small division change of the change menu 34 is selected by the mouse 4, and then the first data area 11 (the arrow (The position indicated by I) is indicated by the mouse 4.

Then, the dividing line 13 is added to the paper area 10 described above.
As in the case of inserting the dividing line 13a, the position at which the dividing line 13a is to be inserted is indicated by the mouse 4, and the left or right side of the dividing line 13a is used to determine whether to newly form the second data areas 17, 17. To instruct. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, while inserting the dividing line 13a,
a Insert a new second data area on the left side, and
a first data area 1 with a dividing line 13a inserted on the right side
1 is reduced and arranged.

At this time, since the change is made inside the first data area 11, there is no change outside the first data area 11, and the change is made in accordance with the dividing line 13a into which the arithmetic processing unit 6 is inserted. , And the coordinates of the vertical division line 13a are rewritten, and the screen is redisplayed. Also, basically, since the new second data areas 17 and 17 are inserted and the first data area 11 is reduced as described above, the lower layer of the reduced first data area is For the data areas 17 and 17 and the vertical dividing line 13a, the same operation as in the case of reducing the data area described above is performed. Therefore, the designer does not need to perform any operation other than the operation of the mouse 4.

Next, the case where the dividing line is moved will be described. As shown in FIG. 18, the movement of the dividing line is such that the two areas M and N divided by the moving dividing line 35 are only reduced and enlarged at the same time, except that the coordinates of the dividing line 35 are changed. The reduction and enlargement of the data area can be performed in the same manner. Therefore, as the operation of moving the dividing line 35, the moving destination of the dividing line 35 to be moved
Only need to be indicated by With this operation, the screen is redisplayed as shown in FIG.

Next, exchange of data areas in the same hierarchy will be described. For example, in the paper area shown in FIG. 19, the second data area 17b and the second data area 17b
c, the second data area 17
This can be performed by exchanging the coordinates indicating the relative position between b and 17c.

The third data areas 18b and 18c in the second data areas 17b and 17c are defined as one coordinate of a chain of coordinates indicating their absolute positions, and the relative positions of the second data areas 17b and 17c are When the coordinates of the second data areas 17b and 17c are exchanged,
Since the coordinates in the coordinate chain are also exchanged, the absolute positions of the third data areas 18b and 18c are automatically exchanged.

Thereafter, the arithmetic processing unit redisplays the screen in the same manner as described above, thereby completing the exchange of the second data areas 17b and 17c. As an actual operation of exchanging the data area, it is only necessary to select the basic division change from the change menu and to indicate the data area to be exchanged with the mouse 4.

As described above, according to the layout apparatus of this embodiment, since the paper area is hierarchically divided into data areas by the dividing lines, the change is performed only in one data arrangement area. In this case, it is not necessary to change another data area outside the one data area for the purpose of balancing the whole, and the data area can be easily changed.

In the paper area or the data area, the coordinates (0, 0) of one vertex of these rectangular areas are set.
An orthogonal coordinate system is provided in which the other vertex opposite to this vertex is (1, 1), and the relative position of the lower dividing line in the paper area or the data area and the data area is represented by the coordinates. Therefore, when reducing or enlarging the paper area or the upper data area, without changing the lower division line and the coordinates of the data area, the expansion and reduction corresponding to the expansion and reduction of the upper data area are performed. Will do.

Therefore, the ratio of division by the dividing line in the paper area or the upper data area does not change due to reduction or enlargement. Therefore, in order to balance the area of each data area in the paper with the change of the data area, most of the data areas in the paper area are not changed, and the layout work of the paper is made easier. Things.

Since the absolute positions of the data area and the dividing line in the paper area are expressed as a chain of the coordinates of the upper data areas as described above, the coordinates are changed to the coordinates indicating the relative positions of the upper data areas. In such a case, the coordinates corresponding to the changed upper-layer data area in the chain of coordinates are changed, and the absolute position is automatically changed, thereby facilitating layout work on paper. be able to.

Further, by converting the chain of coordinates into the coordinates of the coordinate system of the paper area, the redisplay can be easily performed. From the above, in the layout work, the modification or change of the division of the paper area can be easily performed only by performing the operation of changing the coordinates of only the data area to be substantially changed.

Further, since the division and modification of the paper area can be easily performed, trial and error of the division of the paper area can be performed in a single time, and a part of the division of the paper area is changed. A plurality of samples can be manufactured in a single time, and a paper layout can be performed based on these samples, so that the layout operation can be further facilitated.

The data arrangement area of the lowermost layer among the data arrangement areas divided into the paper area is defined as the number of commodities.
Since the information is always displayed, the number of products that can be placed on the paper can always be confirmed, and the product that should be placed on the paper is not missed.

[0095]

As described above in detail, since the paper area is hierarchically divided by the dividing lines provided by the area dividing means, the lower data area and the change of the dividing line can be changed in the upper data area. , And the lower data area and the dividing line can be easily changed.

The relative positions of the dividing line and the data area are set in the upper data area or the paper area including the dividing line and the data area by the dividing line calculating means and the area calculating means. Or, according to the reduction, enlargement, and movement of the paper area,
Since it is expressed as the coordinates of the moving coordinate system, the data area in the upper layer can be reduced, enlarged,
Even if it moves, the interval between the lower dividing lines and the size of the data area in that area will be reduced, enlarged and moved correspondingly, and the upper data area and the dividing line can be easily changed. be able to.

Further, the absolute position of the data area and the dividing line in the paper area by the hierarchical computing means is provided on the coordinates indicating the relative positions of the data area and the dividing line, and on the upper layer of the data area and the dividing line. It is represented as a chain with respective coordinates indicating the relative position of each data area.

Therefore, the coordinates of the relative position of the upper data area have been changed by the dividing line moving means, the dividing line inserting means, the area exchanging means, and the correcting means. As for the absolute position, only the coordinates of the upper-layer data area in the chained coordinates that have been changed are changed. That is, the absolute position of the lower data area can be changed only by changing the coordinates indicating the relative position of the upper data area.

The lower data area and the lower dividing line can be easily displayed on the display means at any time by converting the chain of coordinates indicating the absolute position into the coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area. Can be redisplayed. From the above, since there is no need to perform any change work except for the data area and the dividing line to be changed, the work of changing the paper area can be made extremely easy.

Also, the number of data areas in the lowermost layer is displayed on the display means as the number of products by the number-of-products calculating means, so that the number of areas to which character data and image data of the product can be actually assigned is set. Can be easily recognized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a layout device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining an outline of a layout apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 15 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 16 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

FIG. 19 is a view for explaining a layout operation by the layout device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 display (display means a) 2 storage device (storage means d) 6 arithmetic processing device (region division means b, division instruction means c,
Dividing line calculating means e, area calculating means f, hierarchical calculating means g,
Dividing line moving means h, dividing line inserting means i, area exchanging means j, correcting means k, merchandise number calculating means m, allocating means n)

Claims (11)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for manufacturing a paper sheet such as a catalog or a flyer, comprising the steps of: setting a data area for arranging image data and character data of each product or the like to be posted on the paper sheet on the paper sheet; A layout device that divides a paper area to be divided into a plurality of the data areas by dividing lines extending vertically and horizontally in the paper area, a display unit that displays the paper area, the data area, and the dividing line; The area is divided into a plurality of first data areas by a dividing line, the first data area is divided into a plurality of second data areas by a dividing line, and the inside of the second data area is further divided. Area dividing means for sequentially dividing the paper area and the data area into a plurality of data areas one layer lower by a dividing line, such as dividing the data area into a plurality of third data areas by a line When the area dividing unit divides the paper area or the data area into a plurality of areas, division instructing means for instructing a dividing position by the dividing line, and storing means for storing a position of the dividing line provided by the area dividing means. A layout device comprising: 2. The layout apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a dividing position of a dividing line provided in the paper area or each data area is provided in the paper area or each data area, respectively, and A division line calculation for calculating as coordinates of a coordinate system for reducing, enlarging, and moving in accordance with reduction, enlargement, and movement of a paper area or each data area, and storing the coordinates in the storage unit as relative positions of the division lines. A layout device comprising means. 3. The layout apparatus according to claim 2, wherein two opposing vertices of the data area divided into rectangles by the division line are positioned one layer above the data area or one layer above the data area. And a region calculating means for calculating the coordinates of the paper area in the coordinate system and storing the coordinates in the storage means as a relative position of the data area. 4. The layout apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the absolute positions of the data area and the dividing line provided in the paper area in a hierarchical manner in the paper area and the relative positions of the data area and the dividing line are determined. And the coordinates of the coordinates indicating the relative position of the data area of each upper layer provided in a layer above the data area and the dividing line. A layout apparatus comprising a hierarchy calculating means for storing the absolute position of a dividing line in the paper area in the storage means. 5. The layout apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the dividing line is moved in a direction orthogonal to the dividing line, and the uppermost layer of the data area which is reduced and enlarged in accordance with the movement of the dividing line. The coordinates indicating the relative position of the data area are changed in accordance with the moved dividing line, the moved dividing line and the coordinates indicating the relative position of the uppermost data area are stored in the storage means, and Converting a chain of coordinates indicating an absolute position of the lower layer dividing line and the lower data area provided in the upper data area in the paper area to coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area. A dividing line moving means for redisplaying the dividing line and the data area in the paper area on the display means. 6. The layout apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a new dividing line is inserted into the paper area or the data area, and one of the two areas divided by the dividing line. A new data area is provided, and the uppermost data area in the paper area is reduced and arranged in the other area, and the relative positions of these dividing lines, the new data area, and the uppermost data area are indicated. The respective coordinates are changed, these coordinates are stored in the storage means, and the absolute positions of the lower dividing line and the lower data area provided in the uppermost data area in the paper area are respectively set. Is converted into coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area, thereby displaying the dividing lines and the data area in the paper area again on the display means. And a dividing line inserting means. 7. The layout apparatus according to claim 4, wherein respective coordinates indicating relative positions of different data areas provided in the same hierarchy are exchanged with each other and provided in each of the different data areas. By converting a chain of coordinates indicating the absolute position of each of the lower layer dividing line and the lower data area in the paper area into coordinates of a coordinate system provided in the paper area,
A layout apparatus comprising an area exchanging means for redisplaying a dividing line and a data area in the paper area on the display means. 8. The layout device according to claim 4, wherein the data area displayed on the display means is erased, and the data area is moved by moving coordinates indicating a relative position of the data area. Correction such as movement, reduction, enlargement, etc. is performed, and the moved coordinates are stored in the storage means, and the absolute position of each of the lower division line and the lower data area provided in the corrected data area. And a correction unit that redisplays the dividing line and the data area in the paper area on the display unit by converting a chain of coordinates indicating the coordinates into coordinates in the coordinate system provided in the paper area. A layout device, characterized in that: 9. A layout apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the number of divisions of the paper area or data area is input to the area dividing means. A layout apparatus comprising: a division pattern instructing unit that instructs the region dividing unit to indicate a position of a dividing line to be provided in a paper area or a data area. 10. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
10. In the layout apparatus according to 8 or 9, the number of products in the lowermost layer having no dividing line therein is calculated as the number of products, and the number of products is stored in the storage means and displayed on the display means. A layout device comprising means. 11. The method of claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
11. The layout device according to 8, 9, or 10, wherein the storage unit stores data of commodities to be published on the paper in advance, and assigns data of each commodities to the data area of the lowermost layer. A layout device comprising: an allocating means for displaying the data of (b) on the display means and storing the data in the storage means as data of the data area of the lowermost layer.