JP3613920B2 - Table creation device and table creation method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a table creation apparatus and a table creation method used to create a table.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Tables have been widely used as a means of organizing complex information and communicating it to readers. Even now that documents are created by electronic devices, tables remain an important component of documents. Document creation and editing devices such as DTP and word processors have a table creation function. The table creation methods in these conventional document creation / editing apparatuses can be broadly divided into two methods: a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) method and a command embedding method.
[0003]
The WYSIWYG method is used in more DTPs and word processors than before. The feature of the WYSIWYG method is that a rule table is displayed on the screen, and a table is created by filling corresponding item contents in the item frame in the displayed rule table. Here, the ruled table is a frame composed of ruled lines, and the item frame refers to a rectangular area surrounded by adjacent vertical and horizontal ruled lines. The procedure for creating a table by the user according to this method will be described below.
[0004]
First, the outline of the ruled table is determined. Here, the outline of the ruled table refers to a ruled table in which only the relative positional relationship between the ruled lines is determined while the absolute positions of the ruled lines and the absolute interval between the ruled lines remain undecided. When determining the outline of the ruled table, check the correspondence between the heading item group and the data item group over the entire items to be entered, and how to draw a ruled line, the necessary and sufficient heading item frame and data frame ( You have to consider whether you can create a ruled table with item frames.
[0005]
Next, the user creates a rule table through the system based on the outline of the ruled table determined. There are two methods for creating a rule table: a method of repeating division, posting, deletion, etc. for a column or row of a rule table, and a method of repeating operations such as adding, deleting, and changing the length of ruled lines. .
[0006]
Finally, a heading item or data is input into each item frame of the created ruled table, and the table is completed.
[0007]
The command embedding method is used in the LaTeX tabular environment and the roff tbl, and expresses a table as text that contains a character string of item contents, a control symbol representing the boundary between items, and a command for drawing ruled lines. In this method, a table is created by inputting this text. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a table expression by LaTeX. The control symbol “&” represents the boundary between items in a row (a row of items). The LaTeX formatter interprets the control symbol “&” as a command for instructing the drawing of a vertical ruled line, and draws a vertical ruled line between the item contents on both sides of the “&”. The control symbol “\\” represents the end of the row, and the commands “\ hline” and “\ cline” indicate the drawing of a horizontal line.
[0008]
When the user creates a table according to this method, first, the outline of the ruled table is determined. Then, based on the outline of the ruled table determined, the character string, control symbol, and command of the item contents are input according to the rules. When the input is complete, start the formatter and generate the layout. By this procedure, a table is formed.
[0009]
In any of the above-described methods, the user first determines the outline of the ruled table, and then takes the procedure of actually creating the table. However, the above method has the following problems.
[0010]
First, there is a problem that the user has to perform the table formation from the beginning of the table generation by predicting the shape of the table when completed. In other words, with the conventional tabulation method, before entering the tabulation work, it was necessary to consider in advance the outline of the ruled table, that is, what shape the entire table would be, and it took time and effort. . At this time, the outline of the ruled table must provide a necessary and sufficient item frame so that all the heading items and the data items are input with the corresponding relationship correctly maintained. This work becomes extremely complicated when the number of heading items and data items increases or the correspondence between them increases.
[0011]
In the WYSIWYG method, the user must create a ruled table by operating columns, rows, and ruled lines. When the shape of the table becomes complicated, the number of necessary operations increases. In the command embedding method, since the ruled table is not displayed on the screen, the user must create the text without actually looking at the ruled table, and it is very difficult to draw the error at once. . Moreover, the text to be tabulated is difficult to read because control symbols and commands are embedded between characters, and it is difficult not only to find an erroneous input from the text, but also to cause an erroneous input. Thus, the user is often unaware of the error until the formatter is activated to generate the actual layout, and every time an error is found, the text must be corrected and the formatter must be activated again. Since the time required for the formatter to generate the layout is not necessarily short, the work is not only complicated, but also takes time. Thus, the work of creating the ruled table is complicated, and when the determined outline of the ruled table is complicated, the work of actually creating the table according to the outline of the ruled table is also complicated.
[0012]
Also, in the conventional method, one table is created at a time, so when creating another table that partially shares heading items and element data, a part of the already created table is reused. There was also a problem that it was difficult to do.
[0013]
Furthermore, in the conventional method, since one table is created at a time, it is difficult to create a large table. In the WYSIWYG method, when a large table that protrudes from one screen is created, there is a disadvantage that necessary heading items scroll out from the screen. For this reason, it is difficult to know which heading item the currently input data corresponds to, which causes an input error. In order to confirm the corresponding heading item, it is necessary to scroll the screen to check the heading item, but this time the data frame that was being input will scroll out from the screen, so to continue input You have to scroll the screen again. In this way, it takes a lot of time to input a large table. With the command embedding method, the text to be created is difficult to read, so it was difficult to keep the correspondence between the heading item and the input data correct otherwise. As the table grows larger, the amount of text becomes enormous, and it becomes extremely difficult to maintain correspondence between heading items and input data.
[0014]
On the other hand, a relational database (RDB) has a tabular data structure, so that data is often output in a tabular format. For this reason, it is conceivable to use RDB as a table creation means in addition to the document creation / editing apparatus.
[0015]
The table in RDB is defined as follows. First, one unique schema is given to one RDB table. A schema is a column of columns that make up a table. Normally, each column is given a unique name (column heading) called an attribute. Even if no attributes are given, the individual columns are managed so that they can be distinguished from each other. The schema is a framework for registering a record called a tuple in the RDB, and does not have a record in itself. After the schema is defined in the database, a table is created by registering records in association with the schema. A record in the RDB is called a tuple, and is a value column having a value corresponding to each column of the table schema. A tuple is represented as a row in the table.
[0016]
The RDB database is a collection of a plurality of tables each having a unique schema. A database search is performed by creating a new table from an existing table. The generated new table also follows the RDB table format. That is, it is a collection of tuples that have a unique schema that is a column row and are represented as rows.
[0017]
In RDB, an algebra system called a relational algebra is prepared as a rule for generating a new table from an existing table. This algebraic system has five operations closed on a set of tables that obey the rules described above. Specifically, union, difference, projection, production, and selection are operations defined in relational algebra. The RDB search formula is expressed as an algebraic formula combining these operations. Since such operations are prepared, the user can create a large table easily by combining small tables by creating multiple small tables in the database and using this operation for those tables. be able to. For this reason, the user does not need to create a large table all at once, and it is also possible to save a small table and reuse it to create another table. However, in RDB, in the calculation of relational algebra including table synthesis (product, join), simple uniformity is maintained between the input and output of the operation, that is, the table schema is always simple. It is necessary to maintain the property that it is a row of simple columns.
[0018]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of the table. The table shown in FIG. 3 has two columns (referred to as columns 1, 2,... Sequentially from the left) and five rows (referred to as rows 1, 2,... Sequentially from the top). But there is also a parent row for row 1 and row 2 (referred to as row 11), which is indicated by the heading “ant” spanning rows 1 and 2. Has been. Similarly, there is a parent row (referred to as row 12) for row 3 and row 4, which row 12 is indicated by the heading “butterfly”. In addition, there are parent rows for row 11 and row 12, indicated by the heading “Arthropod” across them.
[0019]
In this way, the table shown in FIG. 3 holds child columns and rows in which columns and rows are ordered, and the child columns and rows recursively hold their own child columns and rows. As shown, columns and rows have a tree structure. The structure table shown in FIG. 3 is not special and is widely used.
[0020]
In RDB, a table is a means for virtually representing a collection of records, and the simple uniformity of the table simplifies the design and configuration of a database management system, and provides a consistent system. Provides the advantage of ease of construction. However, for example, a table having a tree structure in columns and rows as shown in FIG. 3 cannot be operated.
[0021]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and can be easily created even with a complicated table having a tree structure in columns and rows, and the created table can be reused. It is an object of the present invention to provide a good table creation device and a table creation method.
[0022]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention shows a parent-child relationship between a column and a row as a tree structure, generates a table input template according to the tree structure and displays it on a screen, and accepts input of items for the table input template, Table item input means for generating a partial table from the table input template to which is input, partial table holding means for holding a required number of partial tables generated by the table item input means, columns in a plurality of partial tables, and Table synthesis parameter holding means for holding parameters for synthesizing a partial table by defining an order relationship between the tree structures of the row, and a tree structure held in the table synthesis parameter holding means while retaining individual tree structures A table for generating a single table by synthesizing the partial tables held in the partial table holding means according to the parameter indicating the order relationship between By configuring the table creation device having means, also by realizing the table creating a similar arrangement is intended to achieve the object.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a table creation device of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a table input template generation unit, 2 is a table item input unit, 3 is a partial table holding unit, 4 is a table synthesis parameter holding unit, and 5 is a table synthesis unit. The arrows in the figure represent the data flow.
[0024]
The table input template generation unit 1 sends the number of tree structures in the column from the user via the user interface, the number of levels in the column tree structure, the number of columns that are children of the parent column in each level, the number of tree structures in the row, A table input template satisfying the specification for each set is generated by receiving a plurality of sets of combinations of the number of levels of the row tree structure and the number of rows that are children of the parent row at each level. The table item input unit 2 provides the user with a user interface for inputting items to each of the table input templates generated by the table input template generation unit 1, and further displays a partial table from the table input template in which the items are input. Generate. In the partial table holding unit 3, the user inputs table items via the table item input unit 2 and holds the required number of generated partial tables. The table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 holds parameters for synthesizing the partial table. The parameters held in this example define an order relationship between column and row tree structures in a plurality of partial tables, and the order relationship is specified by the user via the user interface. The table synthesizing unit 5 generates a single table by synthesizing the partial tables held in the partial table holding unit 3 in accordance with the order relation held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 while keeping the individual tree structures.
[0025]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. In S11, the user makes the number of tree structures in the column, the number of levels of the tree structure of the column, the number of columns that are children of the parent column in each level, and the Specify one or more sets of the number of tree structures, the number of levels in the tree structure of the rows, and the number of rows that are children of the parent row at each level. In S12, the table input template generation unit 1 receives a user's specification, generates and displays a table input template that satisfies the specification for each set. In S13, the user uses the table item input unit 2 to input headings corresponding to items and columns / rows for the displayed table input template. In S14, the table item input unit 2 receives the user input in S13 and creates a partial table. In S15, the partial table holding unit 3 holds the partial table generated by the table item input unit 2.
[0026]
On the other hand, in S16, the user designates the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 regarding the order relation between the column and row tree structures in the plurality of partial tables via the user interface. The designation to be made here is performed in the form of “a column consisting of headings corresponding to the root of the tree structure for each column and row”. The designation made in S16 is held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 in S17.
[0027]
The table synthesis unit 5 generates a table according to the following procedure. First, in S18, the column and row structure of the table generated according to the order relation between the column and row tree structure held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 is determined. At this time, the column (row) headings are arranged so that the headings at the same tree structure level are arranged in a horizontal row (vertical row). When the column and row structures are determined, in S19, the table item at each intersection of the column and row is set as the table item of the same column and row intersection in the partial table. In this way, even a complicated table in which columns and rows have a tree-like order relationship can be created.
[0028]
The above operation will be described based on a specific example. When creating the target table, the user creates a partial table for each part having regularity in the table, and synthesizes them later. In general, when data at each intersection in an N-dimensional matrix is tabulated, if one level of the tree structure is made to correspond to one dimension, a column (row) that is a child of a certain level column (row) The number has regularity that is equal to the number of elements in the dimension corresponding to the level of its children. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of the table. For example, the table shown in FIG. 5 shows an example of a truth table of (w ∧ x) ∨ (¬ y ∧ z), and tabulates data on a four-dimensional matrix of w, x, y, z. It is. Two columns are associated with each column and row, but the number of elements in the dimension corresponding to the child level of the column indicated by the heading “w = T” and the column indicated by “w = F” is two. Therefore, both hold two child columns equally. Similarly, both the row indicated by the heading “y = T” and the row indicated by “y = F” have two elements in the dimension corresponding to the level of their children, and both hold two child rows equally. doing. For example, the table to be created is created as a partial table for each part having regularity as shown in FIG.
[0029]
6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a user interface provided by the table input template generation unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. In order to generate a table input template of the partial table having the regularity as described above, the table input template generation unit 1 displays, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and prompts the user to input each item. . In the example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the number of tree structures in the column, the number of levels in the tree structure of the column, the number of columns that are children of the parent column in each level, the number of tree structures in the row, the row tree structure The user can enter the number of levels and the number of rows that are children of the parent row at each level.
[0030]
In the example shown in FIG. 6, since the number of tree structures in the column is 2, it indicates that there are two headings for the highest column. Further, since the number of levels in the tree structure of the column is 2, it indicates that the column heading has two levels. Further, in the column of the number of child columns, since the number of child columns of level 1 is 2, it indicates that each of the highest column has two columns. For these child columns, the number of levels in the tree structure is 2, so there is no child column (grandchild column). Similarly, since the number of tree structures in a row is 2 and the number of levels in the tree structure is 1, the row heading specifies that two rows are arranged in one column.
[0031]
In the example shown in FIG. 7, since the number of levels of the tree structure is 1 for both the column and row, the heading is only one row and one column, and the number of row tree structures is 2. This means that a partial table having two headings is specified.
[0032]
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a tree structure specified by the table input template generation unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. (A) and (C) show column tree structures, and (B) and (D) show row tree structures, respectively. Each node indicated by a white circle is a headline.
[0033]
8A and 8B show the tree structure designated in FIG. 6 as a tree diagram. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, the column has two tree structures because the number of tree structures is two. Further, since the number of levels of the tree structure is 2, each node is present below the node corresponding to the root, and has two levels. Furthermore, since the number of columns that are children of the first level is 2, there are two nodes below the node corresponding to the root of each tree structure. As for the row, as shown in FIG. 8B, since the number of tree structures is 2, there are two tree structures, but since the number of tree structure levels is 1, Nothing is connected. FIGS. 8C and 8D show tree diagrams of the tree structure specified in FIG. 7. The column has only one node as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 (D), only two nodes corresponding to the root of the tree structure are juxtaposed.
[0034]
In S11, the user thus makes the number of tree structures in the column, the number of levels in the tree structure of the column, the number of columns that are children of the parent column in each level, the number of tree structures in the row, the row through the user interface in this way. The number of levels of the tree structure and the number of rows that are children of the parent row at each level are input and specified to the table input template generation unit.
[0035]
The table input template generation unit 1 receives a user's designation as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, and generates and displays a table input template in S12. FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are explanatory diagrams of examples of table input templates generated by the table input template generation unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. Corresponding to the user input instruction as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the table input template generation unit 1 generates a table input template as shown in FIGS.
[0036]
As described above, in FIG. 6, the user has specified that the number of levels of the tree structure of the column is 2, the number of tree structures is 2, and the number of columns of the second level is 2. In addition, it is specified that the number of levels of the tree structure of the row is 1 and the number of tree structures is 2. According to these specifications, as shown in FIG. 9, the table input template generation unit 1 has two column headings, two upper headings, and two lower headings for each upper heading. A table input template having two row headings is generated.
[0037]
Similarly, in FIG. 7, the user has specified that the number of levels in the tree structure is 1, the number of tree structures is 1, the number of levels in the row tree structure is 1, and the number of tree structures is 2. As shown in FIG. 10, the table input template generation unit 1 generates a table input template having one column heading and two row headings.
[0038]
The table input templates shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 are respectively displayed. In S13, the user uses the table item input unit 2 to input headings corresponding to items and columns / rows. 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a partial table in which items and headings are input in the table item input unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows an example in which items and headings are input based on the table input template shown in FIG. FIG. 12 shows an example in which items and headings are input based on the table input template shown in FIG.
[0039]
The table item input unit 2 creates the partial tables shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 in S14 when the user inputs items. The created partial table is held in the partial table holding unit 3 in S15.
[0040]
In step S16, the user designates the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 regarding the order relationship between the column and row tree structures in the partial table. One of the reasons for grouping columns and rows in a tree structure and arranging columns and rows in the same tree structure close to each other in the layout is that they have a common property. Sometimes it is easy to see the table by arranging things with properties. For example, in the example of the table shown in FIG. 3, the row indicated by the heading “ant” and the row indicated by “butterfly” are adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. The data indicated by these rows is “Arthropod”. This is because they have the common nature of Also, the order of child columns (rows) in one parent column (row) often has some meaning. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a third example of the table. For example, in FIG. 13, the left four columns are arranged in order of year. These orders need to be arranged in this order or the reverse order. In addition, the order between the tree structures in one table may be meaningful. For example, in the table shown in FIG. 13, the column indicated by the heading “Year” and the column indicated by the heading “Total” have independent tree structures, but the order they form is significant. In the first embodiment, the order between the tree structures is given as a table synthesis parameter, and the order in each tree structure is stored as it is.
[0041]
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by the table synthesis parameter holding unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. As described above, the table composition parameter is specified with respect to the order relationship between the column and row tree structures in the plurality of partial tables. In the example shown in FIG. 14, it is specified that the headings “Ant”, “Butterfly”, and “Snail” are arranged in this order for the column, and “# of legs” and “# of wings” for the row. "" Specifies that each heading is arranged in this order. The heading used for designation at this time is the heading of the node corresponding to the root of each tree structure. In addition, the order relationship between the tree structures given as the table synthesis parameter is the same order as the order relationship between the tree structures included in the same partial table, so that the order of the tree structures in the partial table is maintained. Tables can be synthesized as described below. The order relationship between the column structure and the row tree structure specified in this way is held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 in S17.
[0042]
In step S18, the table synthesis unit 5 first determines the column and row structure of the table according to the order relationship between the column and row tree structures held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4. FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of the synthesis table generated by the table synthesis unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. From the table synthesis parameter held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4, it is specified that the tree structure is arranged in the order of “Ant”, “Butterfly”, “Snail” for the column. Furthermore, from the tree structure of the column headings held in the partial table holding unit 3, the “Level” heading “Female” is obtained for each of the level 1 headings “Ant” and “Butterfly” of each tree structure. , “Male” is lined up. From these, the column structure is determined as shown in FIG. The row is the same, but since only the heading 1 exists, “# of legs” and “# of wings” specified by the table synthesis parameter are arranged vertically in this order. In this way, the structure of the synthesis table as shown in FIG. 15 is determined as a whole.
[0043]
Next, in S19, the table item at each intersection of the column and row is set as the table item at the intersection of the same column and row in the partial table. For example, the table item of the intersection of the column corresponding to the heading “Ant” and “Female” and the row corresponding to the heading “# of legs” is “6” from the partial table of FIG. 11 having the same intersection. Determined to be. The same applies to other table items. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a synthesis table generated by the table synthesis unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. In this way, by determining each table item in the structure of the synthesis table as shown in FIG. 15, the table as shown in FIG. 16 is synthesized as a result.
[0044]
As described above, according to the first embodiment, the user has a standardized structure and is small, that is, the structure and contents are easy to grasp. Thus, a table having a complicated column and row structure can be obtained. In particular, in the table template generation unit 1 as described above, the number of tree structures in the column from the user, the number of levels in the column tree structure, the number of columns that are children of the parent column in each level, the number of tree structures in the row, Easily create a standardized table input template by receiving the specification of the number of levels in the row tree structure and the number of rows that are children of the parent row at each level, and generating a table input template that satisfies this specification it can. Further, by giving the order relationship between the column and row tree structures in the plurality of partial tables as a table synthesis parameter, the table synthesis unit 5 can synthesize the tables while keeping the individual tree structures. By treating a tree structure consisting of multiple columns (rows) as a single entity in this way, it is easier to synthesize than to handle individual columns (rows) separately, making it easier to see the synthesized table. It becomes possible.
[0045]
Next, a second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a fourth example of the table. In the table shown in FIG. 17, the depth of the sub-tree structure underneath is the same level column (row) of one tree structure as in the rows indicated by “Arthropod” and “Gastropod”. May be different. In the first embodiment described above, the depth of the tree structure is at the specified level. Moreover, even if a separate table is created separately, the highest level cannot be shared. In order to eliminate such problems, in the second embodiment, the partial tree structure or tree structure of the first partial table is joined as a subordinate structure of a specific node of the tree structure of the second partial table. Thus, it is possible to partially change the depth of the hierarchy of the tree structure and synthesize a table as shown in FIG.
[0046]
FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. The reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. 1, and only differences from the first embodiment will be described. The parameter held by the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 associates a partial tree structure or tree structure of a certain first partial table with a specific node of a tree structure of a second partial table different from the first partial table. Is. It is assumed that the user specifies which subtree structure is joined to which node. The table synthesis unit 5 joins the partial tree structure or tree structure of the first partial table associated with the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 as a substructure of a specific node of the tree structure of the second partial table. To synthesize two sub-tables.
[0047]
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. In S21, the user sends the number of tree structures in the column, the number of levels in the tree structure of the column, the number of columns that are children of the parent column in each level, to the table input template generation unit 1 via the user interface. Specify one or more sets of the number of tree structures, the number of levels in the tree structure of the rows, and the number of rows that are children of the parent row at each level. In S22, the table input template generation unit 1 receives a user's specification, generates and displays a table input template that satisfies the specification for each set. In S23, the user uses the table item input unit 2 to input headings corresponding to items and columns / rows for the displayed table input template. In S24, the table item input unit 2 receives the user input in S23 and creates a partial table. In S25, the partial table holding unit 3 holds the partial table generated by the table item input unit 2.
[0048]
On the other hand, in S26, the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 displays the partial table held in the partial table holding unit 3. In S27, the user designates “which sub-tree structure” is joined to “which node” on the displayed partial table. In S28, the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 holds the designation made in S27.
[0049]
The table synthesis unit 5 generates a table according to the following procedure. First, in S29, joining is performed in accordance with the designation relating to joining held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4, and the structure of the generated table columns and rows is determined. At this time, the column (row) headings are arranged so that the headings at the same level (on the tree structure) are in a horizontal row (vertical row). When the column and row structures are determined, in S30, the table item at each intersection of the column and row is set as the table item of the same column and row intersection in the partial table. In this way, the partial tree structure or tree structure of the first partial table is joined as a substructure of a specific node of the second partial table tree structure, and the depth of the tree structure is partially changed. Tables can be synthesized.
[0050]
The above operation will be described based on a specific example. FIGS. 20 and 21 are diagrams illustrating an example of a user interface provided by the table input template generation unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is also designated by the table input template generation unit. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a tree structure. In S21, the user inputs to the table input template generation unit 1 as shown in FIGS. The user interface shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 described above, and only the input data is different. In FIG. 20, it is specified that three headings are arranged as columns and two headings are arranged as rows. Further, in FIG. 21, it is specified that two level 1 headings are arranged as column headings, and two headings are arranged as subheadings of the respective headings. The row heading specifies that two headings are arranged.
[0051]
FIG. 22 shows a tree structure of headings based on these designations. FIG. 22A shows the tree structure of the column header of the table specified in FIG. 20, and FIG. 22B shows the tree structure of the row header. FIG. 22C shows the tree structure of the column heading of the table specified in FIG. 21, and FIG. 22D shows the tree structure of the row heading.
[0052]
The table input template generation unit 1 receives a user's designation as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, for example, and generates and displays a table input template in S22. FIG. 23 and FIG. 24 are explanatory diagrams of an example of the table input template generated by the table input template generation unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. In response to user input instructions as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the table input template generation unit 1 generates and displays table input templates as shown in FIGS.
[0053]
In S23, the user uses the table item input unit 2 to input headings corresponding to items and columns / rows. FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 are explanatory diagrams of examples of partial tables in which items and headings are input by the table item input unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. FIG. 25 shows an example in which items and headings are input based on the table input template shown in FIG. FIG. 26 shows an example in which items and headings are input based on the table input template shown in FIG. Here, in the partial table shown in FIG. 25, no entry is made in the columns of the column headings “Ant” and “Butterfly”. The partial table shown in FIG. 26 is intended to be inserted into this part.
[0054]
The table item input unit 2 creates partial tables shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 in S24 when the user inputs items. The created partial table is held in the partial table holding unit 3 in S25.
[0055]
The table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 displays the partial tables shown in FIGS. 25 and 26 held in the partial table holding unit 3 in S26. In S27, the user designates “which sub-tree structure” is joined to “which node” on the displayed partial table. Here, the subtree structure composed of each of the two columns that are child columns of the sub-table heading “Ant” shown in FIG. 26 is joined to the node of the sub-table heading “Ant” shown in FIG. It is specified that the subtree structure composed of each of the two columns which are child columns of the sub-table heading “Butterfly” shown in FIG. 26 is joined to the node of the sub-table heading “Butterfly” shown in FIG. .
[0056]
FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the specification of the tree structure joint specified by the table synthesis parameter holding unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. FIG. 27A shows the tree structure of the column of the partial table shown in FIG. 25, and FIG. 27B shows the tree structure of the column of the partial table shown in FIG. By specifying the joint as described above, the partial tree structure surrounded by the broken line in FIG. 27B is joined to the tree structure shown in FIG. 27A, and as shown in FIG. It is instructed to form a tree structure. The designation relating to such joining is held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 in S28.
[0057]
First, in S29, the table synthesizing unit 5 performs the joining in accordance with the designation regarding the joining held in the table synthesizing parameter holding unit 4, and determines the structure of the generated table columns and rows as shown in FIG. To do.
[0058]
Next, in S30, the table item at each intersection of the column and row is set as the table item of the intersection of the same column and row in the partial table. For example, the table item of the intersection of the column corresponding to the headings “Ant” and “Female” and the row corresponding to the heading “# of legs” is “6” from the partial table of FIG. 26 having the same intersection. Determined to be. The same applies to other table items. In this way, in the structure of the synthesis table as shown in FIG. 15 described above, by determining the table items, the table as shown in FIG. 16 is synthesized as a result.
[0059]
As described above, according to the second embodiment, the table synthesis parameters held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 are the partial tree structure or tree structure of the first partial table and the tree of the second partial table. The table synthesizing unit 5 holds the correspondence with the specific node of the structure, and the table synthesizing parameter holding unit 4 converts the subtree structure or tree structure of the first subtable associated with the second subtable tree. By joining as a subordinate structure of a specific node of the structure, it is possible to easily create even a table having a partially different tree structure depth.
[0060]
In the above-described example, the sub-tree structure formed by each of the two columns which are child columns of the sub-table headings “Ant” and “Butterfly” shown in FIG. 26 is changed to the sub-table headings “Ant”, “ Although the example of joining to the node of “Butterfly” has been shown, for example, the entire tree structure having the headings “Ant” and “Butterfly” as the root may be joined to another node. Further, the nodes to be joined are not limited to nodes corresponding to the root of the tree structure, but may be lower-level nodes.
[0061]
Next, a third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention will be described. In the first and second embodiments described above, an easy-to-read table can be obtained by synthesizing tables while maintaining the order of columns (rows) in the tree structure in the partial table and the order between the tree structures. it can. However, it may be difficult to see if you keep the order. FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a fifth example of the table. FIG. 28 is a table similar to FIG. 13, and the year of the column heading is different. Here, considering that FIG. 13 and FIG. 28 are synthesized, if the order of the year in FIG. 13 and the order of the year in FIG. 28 are kept as they are, the table becomes difficult to see. When such a plurality of partial tables to be synthesized hold columns (rows) having a common property, it is desirable to collectively order those common items. In the third embodiment, desired tables can be synthesized by sorting by headings.
[0062]
The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 except for the following points. The table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 allows the user to specify, from the first level, the level to be used as a sort key as a table synthesis parameter via the user interface, and holds this information. Further, the table synthesis unit 5 joins the column and row tree structures by sorting by heading at each level up to that level according to the table synthesis parameters related to the sort key held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4. Create a composite table.
[0063]
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. In S31, the user sends the number of tree structures in the column, the number of levels in the tree structure of the column, the number of columns that are children of the parent column in each level, to the table input template generation unit 1 via the user interface. Specify one or more sets of the number of tree structures, the number of levels in the tree structure of the rows, and the number of rows that are children of the parent row at each level. In S32, the table input template generation unit 1 receives a user's specification, generates and displays a table input template that satisfies the specification for each set. In S33, the user uses the table item input unit 2 to input headings corresponding to items and columns / rows for the displayed table input template. In S34, the table item input unit 2 receives the user input in S33 and creates a partial table. In S35, the partial table holding unit 3 holds the partial table generated by the table item input unit 2.
[0064]
On the other hand, in S36, the user designates from which level 1 to which level to use as a sort key to the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 via the user interface. In S37, the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 holds the designation made in S36.
[0065]
The table synthesis unit 5 generates a table according to the following procedure. First, in S38, the column or row is sorted using the heading of the highest level among the levels not yet used for sorting the column and row as the sort key. As a sorting method, first, columns and rows are grouped as one group with a common parent of a heading that is a sort key, and sorted within the group. For example, sorting is performed in alphabetical order of headings in the case of Western text, and the column having the previous heading in alphabetical order is further left, and higher if it is row. In the case of a Japanese sentence, for example, the code order may be used. Level 1 headings have no parent, but they are sorted as if the entire column level 1 heading and the entire row level 1 heading have a common parent.
[0066]
If there are columns or rows with the same heading at the level used as a key, their (partial) tree structure is merged into a single (partial) tree structure. The new (partial) tree structure is parented to the parent of the original (partial) tree structure, the heading of the (partial) tree structure root is the heading of the root of the original (partial) tree structure, and the (partial) tree structure The root child of is the sum of the root children of the original (partial) tree structure. Such sorting is performed for levels within a specified range.
[0067]
In S39, it is determined whether or not the level held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 has been used as a sort key (S39). If all levels have been used as sort keys, the process proceeds to S40. If there are levels that are not used as sort keys, the process returns to S38, and processing for those levels is performed.
[0068]
When the sorting process is completed for all the levels specified in this way and the column and row structures are determined, in S40, the table item at each intersection of the column and row is changed to the intersection of the same column and row in the partial table. It is a table item. In this way, it is possible to create a composite table that is sorted by headings at each level up to the designated level.
[0069]
The above operation will be described based on a specific example. 30 to 32 are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of user interfaces provided by the table input template generation unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. In S31, the user inputs to the table input template generation unit 1 as shown in FIG. 30 to FIG. The user interfaces shown in FIGS. 30 to 32 are the same as those shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 described above, and only the input data is different. In FIG. 30, two headings are arranged as columns, and the row headings include one level 1 heading, one level 2 heading that is a child of level 1, and level 3 heading that is a child of level 2. It is specified that two headings are arranged. Also, in FIG. 32, it is specified that only two columns are arranged as a column, and that one heading of level 1 and one heading of level 2 that is a child of level 1 are arranged as row headings. ing. The designation in FIG. 32 is the same as the designation in FIG.
[0070]
The table input template generation unit 1 receives a user's designation as shown in FIGS. 30 to 32, for example, and generates and displays a table input template in S32. FIGS. 33 to 35 are explanatory diagrams of examples of table input templates generated by the table input template generation unit in the third embodiment of the table creation apparatus of the present invention. Corresponding to user input instructions as shown in FIGS. 30 to 32, the table input template generation unit 1 generates and displays table input templates as shown in FIGS.
[0071]
In S33, the user uses the table item input unit 2 to input headings corresponding to items and columns / rows. 36 to 38 are explanatory diagrams illustrating examples of partial tables in which items and headings are input in the table item input unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. FIG. 36 shows an example in which items and headings are input based on the table input template shown in FIG. FIG. 37 shows an example in which items and headings are input based on the table input template shown in FIG. Further, FIG. 38 shows an example in which items and headings are input based on the table input template shown in FIG. Here, the partial table shown in FIG. 36 and the partial table shown in FIG. 37 have the same structure, but the row level 2 heading is different. The same headings exist for level 1 and level 3, but the order of level 3 headings “male” and “female” are different.
[0072]
The table item input unit 2 creates the partial tables shown in FIGS. 36 to 38 in S34 when the user inputs items. The created partial table is held in the partial table holding unit 3 in S35.
[0073]
On the other hand, in S36, the user designates to the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 to what level from the first level to use as a sort key via the user interface. FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by the table synthesis parameter holding unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. By designating the number of levels to be used as the sort key in the rectangle, it is specified to use the level 1 to the designated level as the sort key. In this example, it is instructed to use levels 1 to 3 as sort keys. This designation is held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 in S37.
[0074]
The table synthesizing unit 5 determines the structure of the columns and rows of the table as follows. First, in S38, sorting is performed using the top level among the levels not yet used for sorting of columns and rows, that is, the heading of level 1 as a key. The level 1 headings are sorted as if the entire column level 1 heading and the entire row level 1 heading have common parents. In this example, for the row, the level 1 heading of each sub-table row, that is, the sub-table row heading “Arthropod” shown in FIG. 36, and the sub-table row heading “Arthropod” shown in FIG. 38, the heading “Gastropod” in the partial table shown in FIG. 38 forms a group, and sorting is performed therein. In alphabetical order, “Arthropod” precedes “Gastropod”, so the “Arthropod” row will be higher than the “Gastropod” row.
[0075]
In this case, since two “Arthropods” have the same heading, the row tree structure of the partial table shown in FIG. 36 and the row tree structure of the partial table shown in FIG. 37 are merged into one new tree. . FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a merge operation when sorting is performed by the table composition unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. FIG. 40A shows the row tree structure of the partial table shown in FIG. 36, and FIG. 40B shows the row tree structure of the partial table shown in FIG. In this example, since the headings corresponding to the nodes of level 1 are the same, these are combined into one to form a tree structure as shown in FIG.
[0076]
FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a synthesis table sorted by level 1 by the table synthesis unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. As described above, by sorting the row at level 1 and merging the same headings, a composite table structure as shown in FIG. 41 is obtained. The level 1 sort is similarly performed for the column.
[0077]
In S39, it is determined whether or not the level (level 3) held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 has been used as a sort key. At this time, since the level 2 and level 3 of the low level are not used yet, the process returns to S38. In S38, sorting is performed for the row using the level 2 heading as a key. FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of the synthesis table sorted by the table synthesis unit up to level 2 in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. Row level 2 headings are grouped into two groups: “butterfly” and “ant” with the heading “Arthropod” as the parent, and “snail” with the heading “Gastropod” as the parent. As a result of alphabetical sorting of the first group, “ant” rows are up and “butterfly” is down. As a result, the structure of the synthesis table as shown in FIG. 42 is obtained.
[0078]
In S39 again, it is determined whether or not the level (level 3) held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 has been used as a sort key. At this time, since level 3 of low is not used yet, the process returns to S38. In S38, sorting is performed for the row using the level 3 heading as a key. FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a synthesis table sorted by the table synthesis unit up to level 3 in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. Row level 3 headings are grouped into two groups: “female” and “male” parented by “ant” and “male” and “female” parented by “butterfly”. Each group is sorted in alphabetical order, and is in the order of “female” and “male”. As a result, the structure of the synthesis table as shown in FIG. 43 is obtained.
[0079]
In S39 again, it is determined whether or not the level (level 3) held in the table synthesis parameter holding unit 4 has been used as a sort key. This time, it is used as a sort key up to level 3, and since there is no unused key, the process proceeds to S40.
[0080]
Next, in S40, the table item at each intersection of the column and row is set as the table item at the intersection of the same column and row in the partial table. For example, the table item of the intersection of the row corresponding to the heading “Arthropod”, “ant”, “female” and the column corresponding to the heading “# of legs” is from the partial table shown in FIG. , “6”. The same applies to other table items. FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a synthesis table generated by the table synthesis unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention. In this way, in the structure of the synthesis table as shown in FIG. 43, by determining the table items at the intersections of the columns and rows, the table as shown in FIG. 44 is synthesized as a result.
[0081]
In this way, according to the third embodiment, the table synthesis unit 5 can perform desired table synthesis by joining the column and row tree structures of the partial table by sorting by the headings. It becomes.
[0082]
In the above example, the user specified “the lower end of the range of levels used as the sort key” directly by the number of levels. However, it is possible to specify “up to the lowest level”, or specify the upper and lower ends. May be. In the example, the user specifies “the range of levels used as the sort key”, but the user may specify whether or not to use it as the sort key for each level. Further, although the order used as the sort key is from the upper level in the above example, this order may be specified by the user. For the same heading, the (partial) tree structure below it is merged in the above example, but a method of not merging may be used. In the above example, the sorting is performed in alphabetical order of the headings. However, the sorting may be in the order of the length of the character string or the order of the year, month, and day, and the user may be able to specify from these. May be changed. Also, the specification as described above may be specified separately for the column and row.
[0083]
The configurations shown in the first to third embodiments can be combined. For example, the second embodiment and the third embodiment can be combined so that a tree structure can be joined and sorting can be performed in the joined structure. In addition, the first embodiment and the third embodiment can be combined to maintain the tree structure or the order of the partial tree structure in a certain part and to sort in a certain part. Of course, the first embodiment and the second embodiment may be combined, or the first to third embodiments may be combined.
[0084]
In the example described above, a series of processes from creation of a partial table to creation of a composite table has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a previously created partial table or composite table can be held in the partial table holding unit 3, and another table can be synthesized using these. In that case, the table created previously can be easily reused by designating the partial table to be used, setting the table synthesis parameter, and synthesizing.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the table columns and rows are made into a tree structure, a table input template is generated based on the tree structure, and items are input to generate a partial table. Since a partial table is synthesized based on a tree structure according to parameters, a table creation device with good operability can be provided, which can easily create even a complex table and reuse the created table. There is an effect that can be.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a table expression in LaTeX.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a first example of a table.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of a second example of the table.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by a table input template generation unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by a table input template generation unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a tree structure specified by a table input template generation unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a table input template generated by a table input template generation unit according to the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a table input template generated by a table input template generation unit according to the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a partial table in which items and headings are input by a table item input unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a partial table in which items and headings are input by a table item input unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a third example of the table.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by the table synthesis parameter holding unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a structure of a synthesis table generated by a table synthesis unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a synthesis table generated by the table synthesis unit in the first embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a fourth example of the table.
FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by a table input template generation unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by a table input template generation unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a tree structure designated by a table input template generation unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a table input template generated by a table input template generation unit according to the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a table input template generated by a table input template generation unit according to the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a partial table in which items and headings are input by a table item input unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a partial table in which items and headings are input by a table item input unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of designation of tree structure joins specified by a table synthesis parameter holding unit in the second embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram of a fifth example of the table.
FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing an example of operation in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by a table input template generation unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by a table input template generation unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by a table input template generation unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table input template generated by a table input template generation unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table input template generated by a table input template generation unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a table input template generated by a table input template generation unit according to the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 36 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a partial table in which items and headings are input by a table item input unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a partial table in which items and headings are input by a table item input unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a partial table in which items and headings are input by a table item input unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 39 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a user interface provided by the table synthesis parameter holding unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 40 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a merging operation when sorting is performed by the table composition unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a synthesis table sorted by level 1 by the table synthesis unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a synthesis table sorted by the table synthesis unit up to level 2 in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention.
FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a synthesis table sorted by the table synthesis unit up to level 3 in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a synthesis table generated by the table synthesis unit in the third embodiment of the table creation device of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Table input template production | generation part, 2 ... Table item input part, 3 ... Partial table holding part, 4 ... Table composition parameter holding part, 5 ... Table composition part.

Claims (6)

In a table creation device for creating a table, a table input template generation unit that indicates a tree structure indicating a parent-child relationship between columns and rows, generates a table input template according to the tree structure, and displays the table input template on the screen, and the table input template generation unit The table item input means for receiving the input of the item for the table input template generated by the above and generating the partial table from the table input template in which the item is input, and the required number of the partial tables generated by the table item input means A partial table holding means for holding only a table, a table synthesis parameter holding means for holding parameters for synthesizing a partial table by defining an order relationship between column and row tree structures in a plurality of partial tables, and an individual tree structure. In accordance with the parameters indicating the order relationship between the tree structures held in the table synthesis parameter holding means while being stored Table creation apparatus characterized by having a table synthesizing means for generating a single table by combining the partial table held in the partial table storage means. The table input template generation means generates the number of tree structures in the column from the user, the number of levels in the tree structure of the column, the number of columns that are children of the parent column in each level, the number of tree structures in the row, The table input template having a tree structure that satisfies the specification is generated by receiving the specification of the number of levels of the tree structure and the number of rows that are children of the parent row in each level. Table creation device. The order relation between the tree structures included in the same partial table is the same as the order relation between the tree structures indicated by the parameters held in the table synthesis parameter holding means. The table creation device described. The parameter held in the table synthesis parameter holding means associates the partial tree structure or tree structure of the first partial table with a specific node of the tree structure of the second partial table, and the table synthesis Means for joining the partial tree structure or tree structure of the first partial table associated by the table synthesis parameter holding means as a sub-structure of a specific node of the tree structure of the second partial table, The table creation device according to claim 1 or 2. The table item input means can associate headings with columns and rows, and the table composition means joins the tree structure of the columns and rows of the partial table by sorting by the headings. The table creation device according to claim 1 or 2. In the table creation method for creating a table, a tree structure indicating a parent-child relationship between columns and rows is designated, and a table input template is generated by the table input template generation means according to the tree structure and displayed on the screen. The table input template generation means accepts input of items for the table input template and generates a partial table from the table input template in which items are input, and the required number of generated partial tables includes a partial table holding means. The table synthesis parameter holding means holds the parameters for synthesizing the partial table by defining the order relation between the column and row tree structures in the plurality of partial tables, and storing the table while keeping the individual tree structures. According to the parameters indicating the order relationship between the tree structures held in the synthesis parameter holding means, the partial table holding means holds Table creation method characterized by been a partial table table synthesizing means for generating a single table were synthesized.

Images