JP4187802B2 - Document creation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document creation device used for a word processor, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a word processor or the like is generally used when creating a document. However, although the input of sentences such as kana-kanji conversion has been improved, the user still has to think about the contents of the sentence itself such as the composition of the sentence.
To deal with such problems, recently, a method using a document template has been considered when creating a relatively standard document such as a business letter. In this method, prepare a document with a name and other parts punched in advance, and let the user select a template directly, or let the user select a template in a question format or menu format. You can also input directly or replenish in question format or menu format.
[0003]
However, with this method, the text itself is only recorded in a pre-registered template, and variations in the content of the created document are scarce. In addition, it is impossible to prepare a template in advance for contents that change from moment to moment, such as current affairs information, and this method cannot be used.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, in the conventional document creation method using the document template, the document pattern tends to be monotonous, and in order to improve the quality of the sentence, the user needs to re-write after creating the template. There was a problem.
In addition, when it is impossible to prepare a document template in advance, such as a speech manuscript, which describes the current situation and reinforces the argument, the user separately retrieves information from related files, networks, etc. Must be inserted into the document.
[0005]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such problems. By inserting a search key into a document template and incorporating information that changes from time to time into the document using the search key. An object of the present invention is to provide a document creation method and a document creation apparatus capable of improving the quality of a generated document and shortening the creation time.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The document creation apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a document template including a search key having a constraint on a sentence as a search result, a selection unit that selects a template from the document template stored in the storage unit, and the selection Information search means for searching for information existing within a predetermined range using a search key included in the template selected by the means, conversion means for converting a sentence of the search result into a sentence that satisfies the constraint conditions, And a search result replacing unit that replaces the search key with the converted search result sentence .
[0008]
According to the document creation method or document creation apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, since the search key part included in the template is replaced by the search result, information that changes from time to time or appropriate information from the outside can be obtained. It can be incorporated into documents.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the main part of the first embodiment of the present invention, which comprises a template storage unit 1, a template selection unit 2, a search result replacement unit 3, and an information search unit 4. Note that these may be configured using a part of hardware of an information processing apparatus such as a word processor or a personal computer.
[0010]
The template storage unit 1 is a place where several document templates are stored in advance. The template selection unit 2 selects a template stored in the template storage unit 1 in accordance with a user instruction. The selection method may be a conventionally known method such as a selection method using keywords or a selection method using a hierarchical menu. The search result replacement unit 3 examines the contents of the document template selected by the template selection unit 2, and if there is a search instruction line, that is, a search key line, sends the search conditions described there to the information search unit 4, Replace the search instruction line with the search result sent from the information search unit.
[0011]
Based on the search conditions sent from the search result replacement unit 3, the information search unit 4 is present on the file information in a personal computer or the like in which the document creation device is built or on the network to which the document creation device is connected. Search the information you want. To perform this search, an external database may be searched, or a server on the WWW (World Wide Web) may be searched.
FIG. 2 is an example of a document template stored in the template storage unit 1. This example is an example of a format, and the same information may be stored in other formats, and information may be added as appropriate. In FIG. 2, numbers are given to the heads of the lines for the sake of convenience in order to make the heads of the lines easier to understand. In this example, the line beginning with “@REF” is the search instruction line, that is, the search key line, and the subsequent character string enclosed in “()” of “FIND ()” is the search command. Thus, the search result replacement unit 3 replaces the search result of the information search unit 4. In addition, when the head of the line is other than “@REF”, that is, when the lines are numbered 1, 2, and 4, the lines need not be replaced.
[0012]
Next, the flow of processing in this apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step A1, the user is instructed which document template is to be used among the document templates stored in the template storage unit 1, and the instructed template is selected. As this selection method, as described above, a conventionally known method such as a selection method using a keyword or a selection method using a hierarchical menu may be used. Next, in step A2, 1 is substituted into a variable i indicating the number of lines to be processed on the document template selected in step A1. In step 3, the search result replacing unit 3 checks whether or not the head of the i-th line of the selected document template is “@REF”. If not, since it is not necessary to replace the sentence on that line, the process jumps to step A7. If “@REF”, in step 4, the character string enclosed by “()” of “FIND ()” in the portion excluding the leading “@REF” from the line is searched for by the information search unit 4. Is substituted into a variable Q representing a question sentence.
[0013]
Further, in step A5, the question assigned to the variable Q is sent to the information search unit 4 to perform a search process. In step A6, the search result replacement unit 3 receives this i-th row from the information search unit 4. Replace with search results. In step A7, it is determined whether or not the i-th line is the last line of the document template. If it is not the last line, 1 is added to the variable i in step A8, and the process returns to step A3.
[0014]
Next, the document creation method as described above will be specifically described using an example. For example, assume that a document template as shown in FIG. 2 is selected in step A1. First, 1 is assigned to the variable i in step A2, and it is checked in step A3 whether or not the top of the first line is “@REF”. Otherwise, the process jumps to step A7 and the first line is not the last line. In step A8, 1 is added to the variable i to obtain 2. Then, returning to step 3, since the head of the second line is not “@REF”, the process jumps to step A7 again, the value of variable i is set to 3 in step A8, and the process returns to step A3.
[0015]
In step A3, since the head of the third line is “@REF”, the process proceeds to step A4, where the character string enclosed by “()” in “FIND ()”, that is, “FIND (” and “)”. The sandwiched “KEYWORD =“ PC sales situation ”and LENGTH <= 3lines” is substituted into the variable Q. In step A5, the information search unit 4 interprets the question Q as, for example, “Search for information related to the sales status of the personal computer and search for items with three or less lines”. As a result, it is assumed that the number of domestic shipments in 1995 is 5.5 million units, and 7 million units are expected in 1996. In step A6, the result is sent to the search result replacing unit 3, and the third line is replaced with the search result. In step A8, the variable i becomes 4 and the process returns to step A3. The above steps are repeated, and finally a sentence as shown in FIG. 4 is generated.
[0016]
As described above, according to the above embodiment, the template selection unit 2 allows the user to select a candidate from the templates stored in the template storage unit 1, selects the template designated by the user, The search result replacement unit 3 determines whether or not the search key is one line at a time. If so, the information search unit 4 searches according to the search key and replaces the result with the search key. It is possible to incorporate information that changes every moment and appropriate information from the outside into the document, and it is possible to improve the quality of the generated document and shorten the creation time.
[0017]
In the above embodiment, there is one search result (for example, when the first search result for the search key question Q is obtained, this is used as the search result). However, when a plurality of search results are obtained, this search result is obtained. The user can be made to select one or a plurality of results. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the main part of the second embodiment of the present invention that enables this. 5 is obtained by adding a search result selection unit 5 to that shown in FIG. The template storage unit 1 and the template selection unit 2 may be the same as those in FIG. 1, but the information search unit 4 may obtain a plurality of search results. When a plurality of search results are obtained, the search result replacement unit 3 sends the received search results to the search result selection unit 5. The search result selection unit 5 presents a plurality of search results that are sent as replacement candidates to the user, and selects one or several of them. The search result replacement unit 3 replaces the search instruction line with the selected search result.
[0018]
The processing flow in this case is shown in FIG. 6 is obtained by adding Step B1 and Step B2 between Step A5 and Step A6 of FIG. 3. In Step B1, the search result replacing unit 3 performs the search result obtained in Step A5. It is determined whether or not there is a plurality. If there is only one search result, the process jumps to step A6, and if there are a plurality of search results, the process proceeds to step B2 to present the search result to the user and select one or several of them. Then, the process proceeds to the step of replacing the search instruction line with the selected search result by the selected search result in step A7.
[0019]
Specifically, when the document template shown in FIG. 2 is selected, the process up to step A5 is the same as in the first embodiment described above. However, as a result of the search in step A5, “the number of domestic shipments in 1995 is 550”. Suppose that two search results are obtained: “Thousand units are expected to reach 7 million units in 1996.” and “Shinjuku store sold 25 units a day.” In step B2, the result of determination as plural in step B1 is obtained, and this result is displayed in the search result selection unit 5 as shown in FIG. 7, for example, to allow the user to select a candidate. For example, if the search result “95 of…” is selected, the search result replacement unit 3 replaces the search instruction row with the selected search result in step A6. Thereafter, processing is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. In this case, a sentence as shown in FIG. 4 is finally generated.
[0020]
In this way, by obtaining multiple search results in the information search unit and letting the user select from these results, more appropriate information can be documented from information that changes from time to time and information from outside. Can be incorporated into the document, and the quality of the document can be further improved.
[0021]
In each of the above embodiments, sentences other than the search key of the document template are fixed. However, when the user selects a template with the template selection unit 2, a method of asking a question is used together. The part other than the search key may be changed. For example, a document template as shown in FIG. 8 can be used. In this template, “[Product classification]” and “[Product name]” are variables, ask the question “What is the product classification?” And ask the user to enter the product classification. By selecting from the list and then asking the product name in the same manner, it is possible to satisfy a wide range of usage purposes with a single document template. In this case, the search key can be changed according to these variables. For example, in FIG. 6, the search key includes a variable “[product category]”, and the portion other than the search key (the sentence on the second line) changes depending on the selection of “[product category]”. At the same time, the search key is also changed.
[0022]
In each of the above embodiments, “search contents” and “result length” are used as search keys. In addition, “information generation date and time restriction” and “information source” are used as search keys. "Restriction", "Style", "Language", etc. can be used as appropriate.
[0023]
Further, in each of the above embodiments, the text obtained as a result of the search is used as it is without being deformed (in the second embodiment, the selected text itself is deformed even if it is selected from a plurality of results. The search key is replaced with the search key, but the document template is instructed to change the text to the specified text style, modify the text, modify the text of the search result, such as a summary, to a specified length. It is also possible to record such a modification before actually replacing the search result to be replaced in step A6 of the first or second embodiment.
[0024]
A third embodiment of the present invention when changing the style will be described. FIG. 9 shows details of the processing flow in step A6 of FIG. 3 or FIG. 6 in this case. In this case, in the first or second embodiment, the search result replacing unit 3 is provided with a style conversion unit, and the same style as the entire template is designated in the document template. For example, in the case of a template as shown in FIG. 2, if an instruction to make a “Is, Masa” style text is recorded, the search result replacement unit 3 will perform a search before replacing the search result to be replaced. Then, an instruction to make a “is, masu” style text is read from the template (step 91), and the text of the search result to be replaced is analyzed to check the style (step 92). As a result, if the style of the text is “I am,” it is determined that the style is the same as the instructed style (step 93), the replacement is performed as is (jumps to step 95), but the search result to be replaced is In the case of “The number of domestic shipments in fiscal 1995 is 5.5 million units, and 7 million units are expected in fiscal 1996.” (Step 93), it is converted to “Dai, Masashi” tone by the style conversion means (Step 94). “The number of domestic shipments in 1995 was 5.5 million units, and that in 1996 was 7 million units. Then, replacement is performed (step 95). Therefore, it is possible to maintain a uniform style even after replacement. If there is no word representing the style in the sentence of the search result and the style cannot be specified in step 92, there is no need to convert the style, so in this case, it is replaced as it is with the designated style (step) 93 to step 95).
[0025]
Next, a description will be given of a fourth embodiment of the present invention in the case of processing a sentence, for example, in a case where processing is performed so as to clearly indicate a citation source of a search result. FIG. 10 shows details of the processing flow in steps A5 and A6 of FIG. 3 or FIG. 6 in this case. In this case, in the first or second embodiment, an instruction to display the citation source is recorded in the template. In step A5, the search result replacing unit 3 reads an instruction to display the citation source from the template (step 101), and sends a request for information regarding the citation source of the search result to the information search unit 4 together with the question assigned to the variable Q. (Step 102), the information search unit 4 performs a search (step 103), and the information replacement unit 3 receives information about the citation source of the result together with the search result (step 104). In step A6, the search result replacing unit 3 converts the information about the citation source of the search result into an insertion sentence, for example, “March” before actually replacing the search result to be replaced. According to the XX newspaper dated 10th, it is created as “” (step 105), and this sentence is combined with the search result sentence (step 106). According to the above, the number of domestic shipments in 1995 is 5.5 million units, and 7 million units are expected in 1996. Inserting a citation source in this way increases the reliability of the created document.
[0026]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention in the case of summarizing search results will be described. FIG. 11 shows details of the process flow in step A6 of FIG. 3 or FIG. 6 in this case. In this case, in the first or second embodiment, a summary means is provided in the search result replacing unit 3, and a summary instruction is recorded in the document template. Then, in step 6, the search result replacement unit 3 reads that the summary is instructed from the template before actually replacing the search result to be replaced (step 111), and the search result to be replaced by the summarizing means. Are summarized to an appropriate length using the summarizing means (step 112). As this summarizing means, a well-known means can be used. For example, a means as disclosed in JP-A-7-44566 may be used. Then, after summarizing, the search key is replaced (step 113). When summarizing the search results in this way, it is only necessary to use “search contents” as a search key as in the first or second embodiment, and it is not necessary to use “result length”. Accordingly, since the range of search results obtained is wider than when the length of the search results is limited, a more appropriate search result can be selected.
[0027]
In each of the above embodiments, each part of FIG. 1 or FIG. 5 has been described as being configured by hardware. However, the part that performs these processes may be configured by software. A program for performing these processes may be stored in a storage medium, read by the computer, and executed by the computer.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to incorporate information that changes from time to time and appropriate information from the outside into the document, improving the quality of the generated document, and the user's document creation time. Can be greatly shortened.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a document template stored in a template storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows an example of a document created in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example in a search result selection unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing another example of a document template stored in the template storage unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of main parts in the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of main parts in the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of main parts in the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Template memory | storage part 2 ... Template selection part 3 ... Search result replacement part 4 ... Information search part 5 ... Search result selection part

Claims (8)

Storage means for storing a document template including a search key having a constraint on a sentence as a search result;
Selecting means for selecting a template from the document templates stored in the storage means;
Information search means for searching for information existing within a predetermined range using a search key included in the template selected by the selection means;
A conversion means for converting a sentence as a search result into a sentence that satisfies the constraint condition;
Search result replacing means for replacing the search key with the converted search result sentence;
A document creating apparatus comprising: The converting means converts when the style of the sentence of the search result does not satisfy the constraint condition,
The document creation apparatus according to claim 1 . A portion of the content of the selected template is selectable;
The information search means includes means for changing a search key included in the selected template according to the selected content.
The document creation apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The information search means includes
Search result selection means for selecting one or a plurality of search results when there are a plurality of search results;
Document creation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 which comprises a. The constraint condition includes specification of a style of a sentence as a search result,
The search result replacing means converts the sentence of the search result into a sentence style specified by the constraint condition;
Document creation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The constraint condition includes a sentence length condition of a search result,
The search result replacing means includes means for summarizing the sentence of the search result so as to satisfy a condition of a length specified by the constraint condition.
Document creation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The constraint includes specifying the language of the search result sentence,
The search result replacing means comprises means for converting the sentence of the search result into a language specified by the constraint condition.
Document creation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The search result replacing means includes:
Means for generating an insertion sentence indicating information on a citation source of the search result;
And means for combining the generated insertion sentence and the search result,
Comprising a document creation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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