JP4351206B2 - Document creation device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a document creation apparatus, and more particularly to a document creation apparatus that creates a printed document or an electronic document.

Conventionally, a document database and an apparatus for using the document database for document reuse have been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). A conventional document creation apparatus is an apparatus that automatically creates a document laid out according to a predetermined template from a database having a large number of contents. The template determines the type of information included in the template and the arrangement for each type. Thereby, the conventional document creation apparatus automatically creates a document that repeats the same or similar appearance.
JP 2000-339306 A

  However, a document created by a conventional document creation apparatus has a layout that repeats the same or similar appearance, and there is a problem that it is not always easy for a user to use.

  For example, when creating a guidebook with a coupon, in a conventional document creation device, the coupon is described together with information such as a store where the coupon can be used. When using a coupon, the user must search for a place where the store is described from among a large number of guide information, and then search for a coupon from that location. In this way, it is troublesome to find a coupon that is confused in a lot of guide information, and such a guidebook is inconvenient for the user.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a document creation apparatus capable of creating a document that is highly convenient for a user.

  To achieve the above object, a document creation device according to the present invention is a device that creates a document from a plurality of document contents, each of the plurality of document contents including a plurality of types of information, Selection accepting means for accepting selection, and creation means for creating a new document by arranging information of the same type adjacent to each other included in the selected document content.

  Thereby, the user can select a document. For example, in the case of a guidebook for sightseeing, the user can easily create a guidebook in which only information that the user wants to carry with him / her is posted. Therefore, it is possible to easily create a document having a high utility value for each user.

  In addition, a plurality of pieces of information included in the selected document can be arranged in one place according to the type given to each piece of information. For example, in the case of a guidebook for sightseeing, the coupon portion can be collected at the end of the document as described above. As described above, since a booklet in which specific information is gathered in one place can be created, the user can easily find necessary information, and the convenience of document use is improved.

  Preferably, when creating the new document, the creation unit sets the same size for describing each piece of information of the same type.

  This makes it possible to create a document with a unified layout and facilitates searching for information contained in the document. For this reason, the convenience of document use is improved.

  More preferably, each of the plurality of document contents includes a plurality of types of information and two or more higher-level types common to the types, and the creation unit creates the new document when the new document is created. For information to which no higher type is assigned, the information is arranged adjacent to a new document, and the document creation device further assigns the higher type when creating the new document. As for the information, among the information belonging to the upper type, a block creating means for creating a block in which information included in the same document content is arranged adjacent to each other, and the block created by the block creating means are adjacent to each other. And block arrangement means for arranging.

  As described above, by arranging a plurality of types of information to be collected in the same place, the layout of the created document becomes various. Therefore, it is possible to provide a document having a layout that is easier for the user to use.

  More preferably, the block creation means arranges the information according to a template in which the type of the information included in the block and the arrangement of the information type in the block are predetermined.

  More preferably, when the template selected based on information included in the predetermined type of the document content is defined, the block creating unit creates the block according to the template.

  By applying the template in this way, the layout of the created document is diversified. Therefore, it is possible to provide a document having a layout that is easier for the user to use.

  More preferably, the block creation means applies the template selected by the user from a plurality of predetermined templates when applying the template.

  More preferably, when creating the new document, the creating unit adjusts the number and size of each piece of information included in one page of the new document according to the paper size designated by the user. .

  When the user designates the template and the paper size, it is possible to provide a document that is highly convenient for individual users.

  More preferably, the document creation device further includes document providing means for providing a new document to the user, and charge confirmation means for confirming the user's consent for a certain amount of charge, the document providing means. Provides the user with the new document after confirming that the user has accepted the billing by the billing confirmation means.

  In this way, regardless of the amount of documents selected by the user, that is, the amount of information provided, the user can obtain a document containing a large amount of information at a low price by keeping the charge for providing a new document constant. It becomes possible to do. As a result, if the number of users increases, it will also benefit the document provider. In addition, the cost of paper for printing the document is borne by the user, and the cost borne by the provider of the document is the cost related to the amount of information and the burden of the server that creates the document. In particular, when the costs of these providers are relatively low, the benefits are great for both users and document providers.

  More preferably, the document content is data containing information that guides a travel destination, and the type includes a place name indicated by the information, an address, and a coupon that displays a privilege received at the place, The creating means creates a guide book as the new document.

  By creating a guide book from information included in the document content selected by the user, the user can create a guide book in which only travel destination information suitable for his / her travel plan is collected. In addition, since the created document is composed of a part where the guide information is written and a part where the coupon is written, the coupon to be used can be easily found from the newly created document. . This makes it possible to provide a document that is convenient for the user.

  Note that the present invention can be realized not only as a document creation apparatus having such characteristic means, but also as a document creation method using the characteristic means included in the document creation apparatus as a step, It can also be realized as a program that causes a computer to function as characteristic means included in the creation device. Needless to say, such a program can be distributed via a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) or a communication network such as the Internet.

  With respect to a document selected by the user, it is possible to automatically output the documents selected for each type previously given to the information included in the document, so that a user-friendly document can be easily created.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a document creation apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
A configuration of the document creation device 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.

  First, the configuration of the document creation device 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a document providing system using a document creation apparatus 10 according to the present invention. The document providing system is a system that provides document content from the document creation device 10 to the terminals 12 and 16 via the Internet 5.

Here, the “document” includes image information other than characters such as photographs and pictures in addition to character information.
The document creation device 10 receives a file transmission request from the terminals 12 and 16, creates a document file that can be browsed and printed on the terminals 12 and 16 in response to the received request, and sends the file transmission request to the terminal that requested the file transmission. Send the document file. The document file is, for example, an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) file or a PDF (Portable Document Format) file.

  The terminals 12 and 16 request the document from the document creation apparatus 10 and receive the document transmitted from the document creation apparatus 10 in response to the request.

  The printing devices 14 and 18 are devices that print documents received at the terminals 12 and 16 respectively. An example of the printing devices 14 and 18 is a printer.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the document creation device 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The document creation apparatus 10 receives a request from the terminal 12 (16) via the Internet 5 and transmits a document in response to the request.

  The document creation apparatus 10 includes an I / F (interface) unit 22, a request determination unit 24, a charge confirmation unit 26, a content storage unit 28, a display reception unit 30, a selection reception unit 32, and a generation unit 34. Is provided.

  The I / F unit 22 is connected to the Internet 5, receives a file transmission request from the terminal 12 (16), and transmits the created document file to the terminal 12 (16) that transmitted the request.

  The request determination unit 24 determines the content of the request from the terminal 12 (16) received by the I / F unit 22, and based on the determination result, the received request is displayed in the display reception unit 26, the charge confirmation unit 26, Alternatively, it is passed to the selection receiving unit 32.

  There are three types of requests from the terminal 12 (16) received by the I / F unit 22. One is, for example, a transmission request for a document to be selected by the user. Hereinafter, this request is referred to as a “display request”. One is a “selection request” for requesting to memorize that a document provided in response to a display request has been selected. One is a request for transmitting an electronic file including the newly created document by reconstructing information included in the selected document to create a new document. Hereinafter, this request is referred to as a “creation request”.

  The request determination unit 24 determines whether the request from the terminal 12 (16) received by the I / F unit 22 is a display request, a selection request, or a creation request. If it is determined that the request is a display request, the request determination unit 24 delivers the received request to the display reception unit 26. When determining that the request is a selection request, the request determination unit 24 delivers the received request to the selection reception unit 32. If it is determined that the request is a creation request, the request determination unit 24 passes the received request to the selection reception unit 32 via the charge confirmation unit 26.

  The billing confirmation unit 26 confirms billing for the user before creating a new document based on the user's selection.

  The charging confirmation unit 26 receives a determination that the creation request has been received from the request determination unit 24, and confirms the charging of the user via the I / F unit 22. In addition, when the billing confirmation unit 26 receives a billing approval from the user via the I / F unit 22, the billing confirmation unit 26 hands over the billing confirmation information that indicates that the user has accepted the billing to the selection receiving unit 32.

  The content storage unit 28 stores content data 28a. The content data 28 a is a database of document content provided by the document creation device 10. The content data 28a is extracted by the display receiving unit 26 and the selection receiving unit 32 in response to a user request. The extracted content data 28a is provided to the user after a document corresponding to the user's request is created.

  The selection receiving unit 32 stores the document selected by the user. In addition, the selection receiving unit 32 extracts information included in the document selected by the user from the content storage unit 28.

  Upon receiving a user selection request from the request determination unit 24, the selection receiving unit 32 stores the selected document.

  In addition, the selection receiving unit 32 receives charging confirmation information from the charging confirmation unit 26. Upon receipt of the billing confirmation information, the selection receiving unit 32 extracts information included in the document selected by the user from the content data 28a, and delivers the extracted content data 28a to the creating unit 34.

  The creation unit 34 extracts the content data 28a related to the user's selection and creates a new document by a predetermined method. In the creation in the present embodiment, the creation unit 34 collects information on the selected document for each information type.

  The document created by the creation unit 34 is transmitted as an electronic file via the I / F unit 22 to the terminal 12 (16) that transmitted the selection request.

  The user can select a document by the document creation device 10 having these parts. In addition, a document file can be created based on information included in the selected document. The document file created in this way aggregates only the information important to the user, and can create a document having high utility value for the user. Therefore, user convenience is improved.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first example of the content data 28a stored in the content storage unit 28. As shown in FIG. The content data 28a includes a document type, a name, a photograph, a description, an access 1, an access 2, an access 3, and a coupon, and the document files provided by the document creation device 10 according to the present invention are these. Created from information belonging to.

  Hereinafter, these document types, names, photos, descriptions, access 1, access 2, access 3 and coupons are collectively referred to as “information types”. The “information type” is a type of information included in the document or a name indicating the type. The contents of information belonging to each information type will be described below.

  The content of the information belonging to “document type” is a name indicating the type to which the information stored in each row belongs. For example, “eating place” indicating the type to which the information relating to the sushi restaurant “Tabushi Sushi”, which is a restaurant, belongs is an example of “document type”. Although not shown in the figure, documents including information on meals such as restaurants and ramen shops belong to “eating places”.

  The contents of the information belonging to “name” are names of restaurants, sightseeing spots, accommodation facilities, etc. (hereinafter referred to as “restaurants”). For example, “Tabi Sushi” which is the name of a sushi restaurant is an example of “Name”.

  The content of the information belonging to “photograph” is an electronic file name including a photograph or an image related to a restaurant or the like. For example, “photo1.gif”, which is an electronic file containing photos related to tabi sushi, is an example of “photo”.

  The content of the information belonging to “explanation” is an explanation about a restaurant or the like. For example, “a popular restaurant crowded with locals”, which is an explanation about tabi sushi, is an example of “explanation”.

  The contents of the information belonging to “Access 1”, “Access 2”, and “Access 3” are information relating to access to restaurants and the like. In the present embodiment, each is information indicating an electronic file including a map indicating a place such as a restaurant, an address such as a store, and a telephone number such as a store. For example, “map1.gif” indicating an electronic file containing a map indicating the location of tabi sushi is an example of “access 1”. The address of Tabi Sushi “Hokkaido Abashiri 3jo Nishi × Chome” is an example of “Access 2”. “0152-xx-xxxx” which is the telephone number of Tabi Sushi is an example of “Access 3”.

  Here, “access” is an upper information type common to “access 1”, “access 2”, and “access 3”. Giving higher information types in this way makes it possible to collectively handle information belonging to a plurality of lower information types.

  The content of the information belonging to the “coupon” is coupon information that can receive a service such as a discount on a fee by presenting a document in which the location is described at a restaurant or the like. For example, “a coupon (tabi sushi) drink free of charge” of tabi sushi is an example of “coupon”.

  As described above, the document creation apparatus 10 according to the present invention holds each piece of information as tabular data. Thereby, the document creation apparatus 10 according to the present invention can create a page in which only information belonging to the same information type is collected from the information group selected by the user in units of lines.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, processing executed by the document creation device 10 according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by the document creation apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The I / F unit 22 receives each request from the terminal 12 (16), that is, a display request, a selection request, and a creation request. If there is no such request from the terminal 12 (16) (NO in S1), the I / F unit 22 ends the process. When there is any request from the terminal 12 (16) (YES in S 1), the I / F unit 22 delivers the request content to the request determination unit 24.

  The request determination unit 24 determines whether the request from the terminal 12 (16) received via the I / F unit 22 is a selection request (S2). If the request from the terminal 12 (16) is a selection request (YES in S2), the request determination unit 24 hands over the request to the selection reception unit 32. Upon receiving the selection request, the selection receiving unit 32 stores which document has been selected (S3).

  When the request from the terminal 12 (16) is not a selection request (NO in S2), the terminal reception unit 24 determines whether the request is a creation request (S4).

  If the request determination unit 24 determines that the request from the terminal 12 (16) is not a creation request (NO in S4), the request is a display request, and the request is delivered to the display reception unit 30.

  The display reception unit 30 extracts document content from the content storage unit 28 in response to a request from the terminal 12 (16) received via the I / F unit 22 and the request determination unit 24 (S5).

  For example, when the content data 28 a shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the content storage unit 28, the display receiving unit 30 that has received a transmission request for information related to “Tabushi Sushi” from the terminal 12 performs the same process as “Tabushi Sushi”. Extract the information stored in. Specifically, “photo1.gif”, “popular stores crowded with locals”, “map1.gif”, and the like are extracted.

  The display receiving unit 30 edits the extracted information into a file format that can be browsed on the browser of the terminal 12, and delivers it to the I / F unit 22. For example, the display reception unit 30 delivers the HTML file together with the GIF files “photo1.gif” and “map1.gif” to the I / F unit 22. The I / F unit 22 transmits the electronic file received from the display receiving unit 30 to the terminal 12 that transmitted the request (S6), and ends the process.

  If the request from the terminal 12 (16) is a creation request (YES in S4), the request determination unit 24 hands over the request to the billing confirmation unit 26. The billing confirmation unit 26 delivers an electronic file including screen information for confirming billing to the user to the I / F unit 22. The I / F unit 22 transmits the electronic file to the terminal 12 (16) (S7).

  The charging confirmation unit 26 receives the approval information indicating that the user has accepted the charging and the rejection information indicating that the user has rejected the charging via the I / F unit 22, and the received information is either It is determined whether there is (S8).

If the charging confirmation unit 26 determines that the information is rejection information (NO in S8), the process ends.
The billing confirmation unit 26, which has been determined as the acceptance information (YES in S8), instructs the selection receiving unit 32 to proceed with processing in order to create an electronic file in which the information included in the user's selected document is reconstructed.

  Upon receiving an instruction from the charging confirmation unit 26 to proceed with the process, the selection receiving unit 32 extracts information contained in the selected document stored in the content storage unit 28 (S9) and delivers it to the creation unit 34. .

  Upon receipt of the document selected by the user, the creating unit 34 creates an electronic file including a document having a predetermined layout (S10). Details of the creation process (S10) executed by the creation unit 34 will be described later. The electronic file created in the creation process (S10) is, for example, a PDF file.

  The I / F unit 22 receives the electronic file created by the creating unit 34 from the creating unit 34, and transmits it to the terminal 12 (16) that requested the electronic file (S11).

  Through the processing in the document creation apparatus 10 according to the present invention, the user browses the electronic file consisting only of the content included in the selected document on the screen of the terminal 12 (16), and also the printer 14 (18). Can be used for printing.

Details of processing in the creation unit 34 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the process in the creation process (S10) shown in FIG.

  The creation unit 34 repeats the process for each information type to be output (S21). The repeated processing includes processing for pasting information included in the information type to be processed (S23) for each document selected by the user (S22) and pasting processing for all the selected documents. This is a process of modifying the page after the completion (S24).

  Furthermore, an example of a screen displayed on the terminal 12 (16) and an example of a booklet created by the document creation apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  6 to 9 are display examples on the browser of the terminal 12 (16) that has received the electronic file transmitted from the I / F unit 22 in response to the display request.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first display example on the browser of the terminal that has received the HTML file provided from the document creation apparatus according to the present invention. This figure is an example in the case where the terminal 12 (16) has transmitted a display request for information related to “Tabushi Sushi”. The browser of the terminal 12 (16) has the name 61 at the upper left, the description 62 below it, the photo 63 below it, the map 64 which is access 1 at the upper right of the photo, and the coupon 67 at the right. A selection check column 68 is displayed above, an address 65 is displayed below the map 64 and the coupon 67, a telephone number 66 is further displayed below, and a creation button 69 is further displayed on the lower right thereof.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a second display example on the browser of the terminal that has received the HTML file provided from the document creation apparatus according to the present invention. This figure is an example in the case where the terminal 12 (16) transmits a display request for information related to “Bar Cou”. The configuration of the screen is the same as in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third display example on the browser of the terminal that has received the HTML file provided from the document creation apparatus according to the present invention. This figure is an example in the case where the terminal 12 (16) has transmitted a display request for information relating to “Hokkaido Tower”. The configuration of the screen is the same as in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a fourth display example on the browser of the terminal that has received the HTML file provided from the document creation apparatus according to the present invention. This figure is an example when the terminal 12 (16) transmits a display request for information related to “Tabi Ryokan”. The configuration of the screen is the same as in FIG.

  Here, functions provided in the upper right selection check fields 68, 78, 88, 98 and the creation buttons 69, 79, 89, 99, which are common to the screen examples shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, will be described.

  First, the selection check fields 68, 78, 88, 98 will be described. The user can select a document displayed on the browser by checking the selection check fields 68, 78, 88, 98 on the browser. In the present embodiment, when the user checks the selection check fields 68, 78, 88, 98, a selection request indicating that the document has been selected is transmitted to the document creation apparatus 10. Upon receipt of the selection request, the selection receiving unit 32 stores that the document has been selected (YES in S2 and S3 in FIG. 4).

  For example, “Re” is displayed in the selection check fields 68, 88, and 98 of FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, and the documents included in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9 are checked. . The selection check column 78 in FIG. 7 is blank and is not checked. Therefore, the information selected by the user is the information included in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, and the selection receiving unit 32 has selected “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”. Is remembered.

  Next, the creation buttons 69, 79, 89, 99 will be described. When the user presses the creation buttons 69, 79, 89, 99, a creation request is transmitted from the terminal 12 (16) to the I / F unit 22 of the document creation apparatus 10. Upon receipt of the creation request via the I / F unit 22, the creation unit 34 creates an electronic file containing a document composed of information included in the selected document (S10 in FIG. 4).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of a charging confirmation screen displayed on the screen of the terminal 12 (16) when the document creation apparatus 10 according to the present invention provides a document file for a fee. is there.

  On the screen of the terminal 12 (16), the contents of the selected document, that the fee is uniformly 100 yen, and the settlement method are described. When accepting the charge confirmation, the “Yes” button 101 is pressed, and when not accepting, the “No” 102 button is pressed. The terminal 12 (16) transmits acceptance information to the document creation apparatus 10 when the “Yes” button 101 is pressed, and transmits rejection information to the document creation apparatus 10 when the “No” button 102 is pressed.

  Upon receipt of either the acceptance information or the refusal information, the charging confirmation unit 26 determines which of the received information is, and executes processing according to the information. That is, the billing confirmation unit 26 terminates the process in the case of refusal information (NO in S8), and outputs an instruction to proceed with the creation of a document including selection information to the selection receiving unit 32 in the case of acceptance information (YES in S8). ).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a first example of a booklet on which a document provided by the document creation apparatus according to the present invention is printed. The printed booklet consists of four pages, the first page shown in FIG. 11A is the table of contents, the second and third pages shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C are the access information, and FIG. The fourth page shown in () includes coupon information.

  The table of contents on the first page shown in FIG. 11A is created from information belonging to the “name” information type in the example of FIG. Each information is pasted in the order of “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The access information on the second to third pages shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C is created from information belonging to the “access” information type in the example of FIG. ”And“ Access 3 ”are pasted in order. Further, each access information is added and pasted in the order of access information related to “Tabi Sushi”, access information related to “Hokkaido Tower”, and access information related to “Tabi Ryokan”. Note that the creation unit 34 changes the page if it does not fit within a predetermined page size when added below. Therefore, the access information is spread over two pages.

  The coupon information on the fourth page shown in FIG. 11D is created from information whose information type belongs to “coupon” in the example of FIG. Each piece of information is pasted in the order of “Tabi Sushi” coupon, “Hokkaido Tower” coupon, and “Tabi Ryokan” coupon.

  Specific processing executed when an electronic file including the contents shown in FIG. 11 is created will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  This is an example of printing an electronic file composed of information included in a document selected by the user. The document selected by the user in the present embodiment is “Tabi Sushi” shown in FIG. 6 and “Hokkaido Tower” shown in FIG. And “Tabi Ryokan” shown in FIG.

  Since the user has selected these, the creation unit 34 displays all the information in the rows of “Eat Restaurant, Tabi Sushi”, “Experience / Sightseeing, North Sea Tower” and “Accommodation, Tabi Ryokan” in FIG. Is received from the selection receiving unit 32. The creation unit 34 performs document creation processing according to a predetermined method using these pieces of information.

  Note that the creation unit 34 also receives the gif file referred to by the information type “photo” and “access 1” from the selection receiving unit 32, and these images are embedded in the created document file.

  In the present embodiment, information types that are targeted when creating a document selected by the user are “name”, “access”, and “coupon”. It is assumed that the creation unit 34 is determined to perform processing in this order. “Access” is a higher-level information type including “Access 1”, “Access 2”, and “Access 3”.

  The creation unit 34 first performs processing on “name” (S21). The selected documents are “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the processing of the selected document is determined to be performed in the order selected by the user, and the user selects in this order.

  Therefore, the creating unit 34 sequentially pastes “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”, which are information belonging to “Name” (S23). The numbers before the names shown in FIG. 11 are numbers that are automatically assigned in order. When these three pasting processes are completed, a page break process is performed (S24).

  Next, the creation unit 34 performs processing for “access” (S21). Here, as in the case of “name”, the creation unit 34 performs processing in the order of “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”. About the information of “Tabushi Sushi” (S22), map image included in “map1.gif” which is information belonging to access 1, information “Hojo Abashiri 3jo west × chome” which is information belonging to access 2, access 3 The information “0152-xx-xxxx” that belongs to the information is successively pasted down and pasted (S23). For the information of “Hokkaido Tower” (S22), similarly, “Access 1”, “Access 2”, and “Access 3” are pasted in order (S23). For “Tabi Ryokan” (S22), similarly, “Access 1”, “Access 2”, and “Access 3” pasting processes are performed (S23). When the process is completed for all selected documents (S22), the creation unit 34 performs a page break process (S24).

The creation unit 34 continues to process the “coupon” (S21). The creation unit 34
Similar to the processing in “Name”, information belonging to “Coupon” of “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower” and “Tabi Ryokan” is sequentially pasted (S22) and pasted (S23). When the process is completed for all selected documents (S22), the creation unit 34 performs a page break process (S24).

  The guidebook created in this way is a guidebook having necessary and sufficient information contents because only information necessary for the user is aggregated. Since such a guidebook can be made smaller than a commercially available guidebook, it is easy to carry around on a trip. Further, by updating the information in the content storage unit 28, the user can always easily create the latest guidebook. In addition, since the coupons are gathered on the last page, there is no need to turn the page to find when using the coupons in the store, the convenience of the guidebook is improved, and the use of coupons is expected to be promoted it can.

(Second Embodiment)
A configuration of the document creation device 11 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Unlike the first embodiment, the present embodiment uses a template for creating a document. The template defines information belonging to a plurality of document types as a block, and determines the information type included in the block and the position of the information type in the block. For this reason, the layout of the document created in the present embodiment is more varied than in the first embodiment. Providing documents with various layouts increases the convenience for the user.

  FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the document creation apparatus 11 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that the document creation device 11 includes a template storage unit 36 and the content of the template storage unit 36 is referred to when the creation unit 35 creates a document.

  The document creation apparatus 11 includes an I / F unit 22, a request determination unit 24, a charge confirmation unit 26, a content storage unit 28, a display reception unit 30, a selection reception unit 32, a creation unit 35, and a template storage. Part 36. Parts having the same functions as those of the document creation apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals. Since the different parts are the template storage unit 36 and the creation unit 35, these will be described.

  The template storage unit 36 stores a template 36a to be applied when creating a new document from the selected document, and stores templates for document types having a hierarchical structure. In the present embodiment, the content stored in the template storage unit 36 is an “access” template 36a, which is a template used for the layout of the document type “access”.

  The creating unit 35 lays out the content data 28a received from the selection receiving unit 32 in a predetermined format, and creates a document file.

  The layout format according to the present embodiment is a format in which information of selected documents is arranged for each information type in the case of an information type for which no template is stored in the template storage unit 36, as in the first embodiment. Is a way to simply add information below. In the case of an information type in which a template is stored in the template storage unit 36, unlike the first embodiment, the layout of information belonging to the information type follows the template.

  The document file created by the creating unit 35 is transmitted via the I / F unit 22 to the terminal 12 (16) that transmitted the selection request.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing details of a first example of template data 36 a stored in the template storage unit 36. The template storage unit 36 in this figure is an example in which only templates used for the layout of information belonging to the information type “access” are stored.

  In the example of this figure, for information belonging to each document type under “access” included in one selected document, information belonging to “access 1” is on the left, information belonging to “access 2” is on the upper right, The information belonging to “Access 3” is pasted on the lower right.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart of processing executed by the document creation device 11 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The difference from FIG. 4 is that the creation unit 35 performs a process of reading the template 36a from the template storage unit 36 (S40), and executes a document creation process using the read template (S41).

  If there is no transmission request from the terminal 12 (16) (NO in S31), the I / F unit 22 terminates the process. If there is a transmission request from the terminal 12 (16) (YES in S31), the I / F unit 22 Delivered to the request determination unit 24.

  The request determination unit 24 determines whether or not the request from the terminal 12 (16) is a selection request (S32). When the request from the terminal 12 (16) is a selection request (YES in S32), the request determination unit 24 delivers the request to the selection reception unit 32. Upon receipt of the selection request, the selection receiving unit 32 stores which document has been selected (S33).

  If the request from the terminal 12 (16) is not a selection request (NO in S32), the terminal reception unit 24 determines whether or not it is a creation request (S34).

  If the request determination unit 24 determines that the request from the terminal 12 (16) is not a creation request (NO in S 34), the request determination unit 24 passes the request to the display reception unit 30. The display reception unit 30 extracts information from the content storage unit 28 in response to a request from the terminal 12 (16) (S35).

  The display receiving unit 30 creates an electronic file in which the extracted information can be viewed on the browser of the terminal 12, and the I / F unit 22 that has received the file transmits the electronic file to the terminal 12 that transmitted the request. (S34), and the process ends.

  If the request from the terminal 12 (16) is a creation request (YES in S34), the request determination unit 24 hands over the request to the charging confirmation unit 26. The billing confirmation unit 26 creates an electronic file including a screen for confirming billing to the user. The I / F unit 22 transmits the electronic file to the terminal 12 (16).

  The billing confirmation unit 26 receives information regarding whether the user has accepted or rejected the billing via the I / F unit 22, and determines which of them is received (S38).

  If the charge confirmation unit 26 determines that the request has been rejected (NO in S38), the process ends. The charging confirmation unit 26 that has determined that the request has been accepted (YES in S38) instructs the selection receiving unit 32 to proceed with the process in order to create a new document that includes the document information related to the user's selection. Upon receipt of the instruction to proceed with the process, the selection receiving unit 32 extracts information on the selected document stored therein from the content storage unit 28 (S39) and delivers it to the creation unit 35.

  The creation unit 35 reads the template data 36a from the template storage unit 36 (S40). In the present embodiment, a template related to “access” is read. Further, the creating unit 35 creates a new document as an electronic file by a predetermined method using the template (S40). The electronic file created here is, for example, a PDF file. The creation unit 35 delivers the created electronic file to the I / F unit 22.

  The I / F unit 22 transmits the electronic file received from the creation unit 34 to the terminal 12 (16) that has requested the electronic file (S41). Details of the processing (S41) in the creating unit 35 will be described later.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing details of processing in the creation processing (S41) shown in FIG. All processing shown in FIG. 15 is handled by the creation unit 35.

  The creation unit 35 repeatedly performs processing for all target information types for each information type determined as an output target (S51).

  In the above repetitive processing, the creating unit 35 first determines whether a template is prepared for the information type being processed (S52). When there is no template (NO in S52), the creation unit 35 performs processing (S54) for pasting information included in the information type to be processed in order for all the documents selected by the user (S52). Run repeatedly. When the process is completed for all selected documents, the creating unit 35 executes a page break process (S58).

  When there is a template (YES in S52), the creation unit 35 pastes information included in the information type to be processed according to the template for all the documents selected by the user (S55) (S56). And the process (S57) of arranging the pasted templates in order downward is repeated. When the process is completed for all selected documents, the creating unit 35 executes a page break process (S58).

  When the process is completed for all the information types that are the output targets, the creation unit 35 ends the process.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second example of a booklet on which a document provided by the document creation device 11 according to the present invention is printed. The printed booklet consists of three pages, the first page shown in FIG. 16A is the table of contents, the second page shown in FIG. 16B is the access information, and the third page shown in FIG. 16C. The eye contains coupon information.

  FIG. 11 and FIG. 16 differ in the positional relationship between the map, address, and telephone number. This is because the access information of the booklet shown in FIG. 16 is created using a template unlike FIG.

  The table of contents on the first page shown in FIG. 16A is created from information whose information type belongs to “name” in the example of FIG. Each information is pasted in the order of “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The access information on the second page shown in FIG. 16B is created from information whose information type belongs to “access” in the example of FIG. “Access 1”, “Access 2”, and “Access 3” are pasted according to the “Access” template 36 a stored in the template storage unit 36. Further, the access information pasted on the template is pasted in the order of access information on “Tabi Sushi”, access information on “Hokkaido Tower”, and access information on “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The coupon information on the third page shown in FIG. 16C is created from information belonging to the “coupon” information type in the example of FIG. Each piece of information is pasted in the order of “Tabi Sushi” coupon, “Hokkaido Tower” coupon, and “Tabi Ryokan” coupon.

  A specific process executed by the creation unit 35 when creating an electronic file including the contents shown in FIG. 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The document selected by the user is the same as in FIG. Then, the creation unit 35 selects all the information in the “eating place, tabi sushi” row, “experience / tourism, north sea tower” row and “accommodation, tabi inn” row in FIG. It is also the same as FIG. 11 that receives and performs the creation process according to a predetermined method using these pieces of information.

  The creation unit 35 first performs processing on “name” (S51). The selected documents are “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”. Also in this embodiment, as in the case of FIG. 11, it is assumed that the processing of the selected document is determined to be performed in the order selected by the user, and the user selects in this order. .

  The creating unit 35 determines whether a template is prepared for “name” (S52). In the present embodiment, there is no template for “name” (NO in S52). For this reason, the information belonging to the “name”, “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan” are added in the order of being added below and pasted together (S53) and repeated (S54). The numbers before the names shown in FIG. 16 are numbers that are automatically assigned in order. When the process of repeatedly pasting (S53) is completed, a page break process is performed (S58).

  Next, the creation unit 35 performs processing for “access” (S51). The creation unit 35 determines whether a template is prepared for “access” (S52). In the present embodiment, there is a template for “access” (YES in S52). Therefore, the creation unit 35 creates a document in accordance with the “access” template 36 a that is a template stored in the template storage unit 36.

  Here, as in the case of “name”, the creating unit 35 performs processing in the order of “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan” (S55).

  The creation unit 35 creates information about “Tabushi Sushi” (S55), a map image included in “map1.gif” which is information belonging to access 1, and “Abashiri, Hokkaido 3 west x chome” which is information belonging to access 2. "0152-xx-xxxx", which is information belonging to the access 3, is pasted according to the template (S56). The creating unit 35 positions a template related to the access information of “Tabi Sushi” pasted with each information at the top of the page (S57).

  The creation unit 35 also pastes information belonging to “access 1”, “access 2”, and “access 3” according to the template for the information of “Hokkaido tower” (S55). The creation unit 35 positions the template relating to the access of “Hokkaido Tower” to which each information is pasted below the template relating to the access information of “Tabi Sushi” (S57).

  The creation unit 35 also pastes information belonging to “Access 1”, “Access 2”, and “Access 3” according to the template for the information of “Tabi Ryokan” (S56). The creation unit 35 positions the template relating to the access of “Tabi Ryokan” to which each information is pasted below the template relating to the access information of “Hokkaido Tower” (S57).

  In the present embodiment, the creation unit 35 does not span pages because the information regarding access to “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan” fits in a predetermined page size unlike the case of FIG. To create.

  The creation unit 35 continues to process the “coupon” (S51). The creating unit 35 determines whether a template is prepared for the “coupon” (S52). In the present embodiment, there is no template for “coupon” (NO in S52). Therefore, the process of adding and arranging the coupon information regarding “Tabi Sushi”, the coupon information regarding “Hokkaido Tower”, and the coupon information regarding “Tabi Ryokan” in order is repeated (S53) and repeated (S54). . When the process is completed for all selected documents (S53), the creation unit 35 performs a page break process (S58).

  By laying out using a template in this way, the guide book can be made compact and convenience is improved. In addition, it is possible to provide a guidebook that is easier for the user to see and use.

  The document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

  For example, a variation can be considered in the layout when creating a document from information included in the selected document.

  As a modification of the first layout, the template data stored in the template storage unit 38 may include not only a template for the information type but also a template for the document type.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the template data 38a and 38b stored in the template storage unit 38. As illustrated in FIG. The template storage unit 38 shown in the figure stores an “access” template 38 a as a template for the information type and a “guide” template 38 b as a template for the document type.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing details of a second example of the template data 38a and 38b stored in the template storage unit 38. As shown in FIG. The “access” template 38a shown in FIG. 18A is the same as the “access” template 36a shown in FIG. Therefore, the description of the “access” template 38a is omitted.

  A “guide” template 38b shown in FIG. 18B is a template applied to a document type. For example, when the user selects “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”, the “Guide” template is applied to the information included in each row. When the user selects “Tabi Sushi”, the “Guide” template 38b has “Tabi Sushi” as the “Name” on top, and “Popular shop with local people” in the middle, This is a template for pasting the image included in “photo1.gif”, which is “Photo”.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a third example of a booklet on which a document provided by the document creation apparatus according to the present invention is printed. The printed booklet is composed of four pages, the first and second pages shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B are guide information, the third page shown in FIG. 19C is access information, and FIG. The fourth page shown in d) includes coupon information. Unlike FIG. 11 and FIG. 16, FIG. 19 includes guide information.

  The guide information on the first and second pages shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B are “name”, “description”, and “photograph” according to the “guide” template 38b stored in the template storage unit 38. It consists of information belonging to each information type. The content of each information is information included in the content data 28a. This figure is an example when the content data 28a has the contents shown in FIG. Furthermore, the information pasted on the template is positioned in the order of each piece of information on “Tabi Sushi”, each piece of information on “Hokkaido Tower”, and each piece of information on “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The page is revised according to a predetermined page size. An example of this is the information related to “Hokkaido Tower”. The page has been revised because it has reached a predetermined page size in the middle of information related to “Hokkaido Tower”.

  The access information on the third page shown in FIG. 19C is the same as the example of FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the information type is created from information belonging to “access”. “Access 1”, “Access 2”, and “Access 3” are pasted according to the “Access” template 38 a stored in the template storage unit 38. Further, the access information pasted on the template is pasted in the order of access information on “Tabi Sushi”, access information on “Hokkaido Tower”, and access information on “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The coupon information on the fourth page shown in FIG. 19D is created from information whose information type belongs to “coupon” in the example of FIG. Each piece of information is pasted in the order of “Tabi Sushi” coupon, “Hokkaido Tower” coupon, and “Tabi Ryokan” coupon.

  A specific process executed by the creating unit 35 when creating an electronic file including the contents shown in FIG. 19 will be described. The content data 28a stored in the content storage unit 28 and the document selected by the user are the same as those in the first and second embodiments. That is, the content data 28a stored in the content storage unit 28 has the contents shown in FIG. 3, and the documents selected by the user are “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The processing executed when the creation unit 35 creates the access part of the third page and the coupon part of the fourth page of the print example shown in FIG. 19 is the creation process of the access part and coupon part of the print example shown in FIG. Is the same. The creation unit 35 executes processing according to the creation processing shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed description here is omitted.

  The printing example shown in FIG. 19 includes guide portions on the first and second pages. A process executed by the creation unit 35 in the guide part creation process, which is a process for creating this part, will be described.

  The creation unit 35 first determines whether a template for the document type is stored in the template storage unit 38. If it is determined that the template for the document type is not stored in the template storage unit 38, the creation unit 35 executes processing from loop C (S51) in FIG.

  If it is determined that the template for the document type is stored in the template storage unit 38, the creation unit 35 pastes the information on the template for the document type and the position of the pasted template for each document selected by the user. Execute the process. Upon completion of the above-described information pasting process and template positioning process for all documents selected by the user, the creating unit 35 executes the page break process, and then executes loop C (S51) in FIG. The following processing is executed.

Specific processing for creating the first and second pages of the printing example shown in FIG. 19 is as follows.
Since the “guide” template 38b, which is a template for the document type, is stored in the template storage unit 38, the generation unit 35 determines that the template for the document type is stored in the template storage unit 38. To do.

  The creation unit 35 sequentially pastes the information included in each document into the template for each of “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”, which are the documents selected by the user. Execute the process of positioning them side by side.

  For example, for “Tabushi”, the creation unit 35 follows “Guide” template 38b with “Name” as “Tabi Sushi” and “Description” as “Popular shop crowded with locals” in the middle. , Paste the image included in “photo1.gif”, which is “Photo”, below. The pasted template is positioned at the top of the first page.

  The creation unit 35 also pastes information on the template for “Hokkaido Tower” by the same process. The template pasted with the information of “Hokkaido Tower” is positioned below the template pasted with the information of “Tabi Sushi”. Here, if the template of the information related to “Hokkaido Tower” is arranged below, it will exceed the predetermined page size. Therefore, the creation unit 35 displays the information related to “North Sea Tower” on the first page according to the predetermined page size. And the second page.

  The creation unit 35 also pastes information on the template for “Tabi Ryokan” by the same process. The template pasted with “Tabi Ryokan” information is positioned below the template pasted with “Hokkaido Tower” information. In this way, for all the documents selected by the user, the processing of pasting information on the template and positioning the template is completed.

  The creation unit 35 executes a page break process. Subsequently, the creation unit 35 creates a document for the “access” information on the third page and the “coupon” information on the fourth page by executing the processing from loop C (S51) in FIG.

  By laying out using the template 38b for the document type in this way, the document creation apparatus according to the present invention can provide the user with guidebooks with various layouts, and the guide is easy for the user to use. A book can be provided.

  As a modification of the second layout, the template data stored in the template storage unit 38 may include not only a template for the information type but also a plurality of templates for the document type.

  By preparing a plurality of templates for the document type, the diversity of the layout of the document created by the document creation device according to the present invention increases. In particular, when the content data 28b includes information specific to the document type, it is useful to prepare a plurality of templates for the document type. A case where information specific to the document type is included will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the content data 28b stored in the content storage unit 28. The difference from the first example of the content data 28a shown in FIG. 3 is that information specific to the document type is included.

  The information specific to the document type is “menu” in the third column and “facility / equipment” in the fourth column of the content data 28b shown in FIG. “-” In the figure indicates that there is no information.

  Information belonging to “menu” is included only in “eating place” and “drinking place”, and is not included in “experience / tourism” and “accommodation”. The “menu” is information unique to “eating place” and “drinking place”.

  Information belonging to “facility / equipment” is included only in “experience / sightseeing” and “accommodation”, and is not included in “eating place” and “drinking place”. The “facility / equipment” is information specific to “experience / sightseeing” and “accommodation”.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a third example of template data 40a, 40b, and 40c stored in the template storage unit 40. The template storage unit 40 shown in the figure stores an “access” template 40a as a template for the information type, and a “food / drink” template 40c and a “experience / tourism, lodging” template 40b as templates for the document type.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating third specific examples 40a, 40b, and 40c of the template data 40a, 40b, and 40c stored in the template storage unit 40. The “access” template 40a shown in FIG. 22A is the same as the “access” templates 36a and 38a shown in FIGS. Therefore, the description of the “access” template 40a is omitted.

  The “food and drink” template 40c shown in FIG. 22C and the “experience / tourism, lodging” template 40b shown in FIG. 22B are templates applied to document types. The “food and drink” template 40c is used for the layout of a document whose “document type” is “eat” or “drink”. The “experience / tourism, lodging” template 40b is used for the layout of a document whose “document type” is “experience / tourism” or “accommodation”.

  For example, when the user selects “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan”, the “Food & Drink” template 40c is applied to the information included in the row of “Tabi Sushi” and “Experience / Sightseeing” The “accommodation” template 40b is applied to information included in the rows of “Hokkaido Tower” and “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The “food” template 40c shown in FIG. 22C, for example, when applied to “Tabushi Sushi”, “Tabi Sushi” as “Name” is topped with “Local” being “Description”. In the middle of “Popular Shop”, paste the image included in “photo1.gif”, which is “Photograph”, in the lower left, and “Menu”, “Scallops 2,800 yen, Sashimi set meal 1,680 yen” in the lower right It is a template.

  The “experience / sightseeing and lodging” template 40b shown in FIG. 22B, for example, when applied to “Hokkaido Tower”, “Hokkaido Tower” that is “Name” is displayed on the upper left, and “Drift Ice” that is “Description”. "I can see the field" in the middle of the left, "Facilities and equipment" "Submarine floor where you can observe the clione." In the lower left, "Photos" in the photo "photo3.gif" on the right It is a template to be pasted on.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a fourth example of a booklet on which a document provided by the document creation devices 10 and 11 according to the present invention is printed. The printed booklet is composed of four pages, the first and second pages shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B are guide information, the third page shown in FIG. 23C is access information, and FIG. The fourth page shown in d) includes coupon information.

  The guide information on the first and second pages shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B is “name” according to the “food and drink” template 40c and the “experience / sightseeing, lodging” template 40b stored in the template storage unit 38. "," "Description", "Photo", "Menu", and "Facility / Equipment". The content of each information is information included in the content data 28b stored in the content storage unit 28. This figure is an example when the content data 28b has the contents shown in FIG. Furthermore, the information pasted on the template is positioned in the order of each piece of information on “Tabi Sushi”, each piece of information on “Hokkaido Tower”, and each piece of information on “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The page is revised according to a predetermined page size. An example of this is the information related to “Hokkaido Tower”. The page has been revised because it has reached a predetermined page size in the middle of information related to “Hokkaido Tower”.

  The access information on the third page shown in FIG. 23C is the same as the examples in FIGS. In the example of FIG. 20, the information type is created from information belonging to “access”. “Access 1”, “Access 2”, and “Access 3” are pasted according to the “Access” template 40a stored in the template storage unit 38. Furthermore, each access information pasted on the template is arranged in the order of access information related to “Tabi Sushi”, access information related to “Hokkaido Tower”, and access information related to “Tabi Ryokan”.

  The coupon information on the fourth page shown in FIG. 23D is created from information belonging to the “coupon” information type in the example of FIG. Each piece of information is pasted in the order of “Tabi Sushi” coupon, “Hokkaido Tower” coupon, and “Tabi Ryokan” coupon.

  Furthermore, as a modification of the layout, the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 according to the present invention may allow a user to select a template that the user wants to use for a new document layout from templates prepared in advance. Further, a template may be created by the user by providing a template creation tool. Furthermore, the user may be able to set the positional relationship of the information group such as collecting coupons at the top of the booklet.

  Thereby, the flexibility of the layout of the document included in the electronic file created by the document creation devices 10 and 11 is increased. Therefore, it is possible to create a booklet that is easier for the user to use.

  It should be noted that the size when pasting each information on a new document may be the original document or may be the same size. That is, if the size of each information belonging to the same information type is different in the original document or the original file referred to by the original document, the new document can be described in a different size as in the original document. You can create a document. Similarly, when the sizes of each information are different, a new document may be created by enlarging or reducing each information so that the information has the same size.

  Further, for example, when creating a new document, the user may be able to select the paper size to be printed by the user who has received the document. At this time, the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 according to the present invention enlarge / reduce the size of each information to obtain a layout suitable for printing. In addition, the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 according to the present invention increase or decrease the number of information included in each page to obtain a layout suitable for printing.

  In addition to specifying the paper size, the user may be able to specify the size of each information and the number of information included in one page.

  When the paper size selected by the user is small, reducing the size of each piece of information reduces the amount of documents created. However, if each information is reduced too much, there arises a problem that the contents of characters and images cannot be discriminated. Therefore, in order to prevent the characters and images from being indistinguishable because the user has selected a small sheet, it is necessary for the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 according to the present invention to adjust the number of information described in one page. .

  On the other hand, when the paper size selected by the user is large, if the size of each information is enlarged, the document becomes easy to see. However, a user who has specified a large paper size may expect an increase in the amount of information contained in one page without changing the size of each piece of information.

  In this way, by enabling the user to specify the paper size of the document, it is possible to provide a document that is more convenient for the user. Further, by adjusting the size of each information or the number of information included in one page together with the specification of the paper size, the flexibility of the layout of the document provided by the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 according to the present invention is increased and used. It is possible to provide a more convenient document for a person.

  Further, for example, a modified example can be considered for a part that stores the selected screen. In the embodiment, the selection receiving unit 32 stores the information.

  The information on the screen selected by the user may be stored in the terminal, so that the document creation apparatus 10 according to the present invention may receive the selection information of the user collectively.

Further, the screens to be selected may be combined into one.
FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen provided from the document creation devices 10 and 11 according to the present invention. This figure is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen displayed on the browser of the terminal 12 (16) when the user selects from a list of documents to be selected. The selection screen includes, for example, a list of titles of documents to be selected, check fields 111, 112, 113, 114 for inputting whether or not to select each document to the left of the title, and a send button 115. Is done.

  When the user selects a certain document, the user checks the check boxes 111, 112, 113, and 114 on the left. In this figure, “Tabi Sushi”, “Hokkaido Tower”, and “Tabi Ryokan” are checked, and the user selects these three documents. When the user checks all the documents to be selected, the user presses the send button 115.

  When the transmission button 115 is pressed, the terminal 12 (16) transmits the title of the selected document to the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11.

  As shown in FIG. 24, when the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 collectively receive information on the screen selected by the user, the selection receiving unit 32 selects the information on the screen selected by the user from the content storage unit 28. The selection reception unit 32 stores the content data 28a until the content data 28a is extracted. Furthermore, if the selection is accepted and the billing is confirmed at the same time, it is sufficient that the information regarding the screen selected by the user is held when the selection receiving unit 32 extracts the information from the content storage unit 28.

  Furthermore, for example, a modification can be considered for the timing of confirming the charge with the user. The timing for confirming charging with the user may be after the creation processing of the creation units 34 and 35 is completed as long as the document created from the information selected by the user is transmitted.

  Further, for example, a modification can be considered for the charging method. Unlike the first embodiment, the charging method may be a pay-as-you-go system.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a second example of a billing confirmation screen displayed on the terminal screen when the document creation devices 10 and 11 according to the present invention provide documents for a fee.

  This figure is an example of a display screen when the charge is proportional to the number of selected documents. On the screen of the terminal 12 (16), the contents of the selected document, the total amount of the fee, the fee for selecting one document, and the settlement method are described. When accepting the charge confirmation, the “Yes” button 121 is pressed, and when not accepting, the “No” 122 button is pressed. When the “Yes” button 121 is pressed, the terminal 12 (16) transmits the acceptance information to the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11. When the “No” button 122 is pressed, the terminal 12 (16) sends the rejection information to the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11. Send.

  The pay-as-you-go billing method may be another method such as a stepwise increase according to the number of selected documents. Such a method is effective when the burden on the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 according to the present invention increases significantly as the number of selected documents increases.

  Further, for example, among the processes executed by the creation units 10 and 11, a modification can be considered for the processing order of the selected document when the loop process is executed for the selected document.

  In the first and second embodiments, the processing order is the order selected by the user. In contrast to this, the processing order of the selected document may follow the user's specification. In this case, the document creation apparatuses 10 and 11 according to the present invention have a function of accepting a user's designation regarding the processing order.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to a document creation apparatus, and in particular, a document creation apparatus that automatically creates a new document according to an information type for a group of documents selected by a user for a document published on the Internet or the like Applicable to etc.

It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the document provision system using the document preparation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the document preparation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the content data memorize | stored in the content memory | storage part. It is a flowchart of the process which the document preparation apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process in creation process S10 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of a display on the browser of the terminal which received the HTML file provided from the document preparation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of a display on the browser of the terminal which received the HTML file provided from the document preparation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of a display on the browser of the terminal which received the HTML file provided from the document preparation apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of a display on the browser of the terminal which received the HTML file provided from the document preparation apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a first example of a screen for charging confirmation displayed on a terminal screen when the document creation apparatus according to the present invention provides a document file for a fee. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the booklet which printed the document which the document preparation apparatus concerning this invention provides. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the document preparation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the 1st example of the template data memorize | stored in the template memory | storage part. It is a flowchart of the process which the document preparation apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process in creation process S41 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the booklet which printed the document which the document preparation apparatus concerning this invention provides. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the template data memorize | stored in the template memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the detail of the 2nd example of the template data memorize | stored in the template memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the booklet which printed the document which the document preparation apparatus concerning this invention provides. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the content data memorize | stored in the content memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the 3rd example of the template data memorize | stored in the template memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the 3rd specific example of the template data memorize | stored in the template memory | storage part. It is a figure which shows the 4th example of the booklet which printed the document which the document preparation apparatus concerning this invention provides. It is a figure which shows the example of the selection screen provided from the document preparation apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of a screen for charging confirmation displayed on the terminal screen when the document creation apparatus according to the present invention provides a document for a fee.

Explanation of symbols

5 Internet 10, 11 Document creation device 12, 16 Terminal 14, 18 Printer 22 I / F unit 24 Request determination unit 26 Charge request unit 28 Charge confirmation reception unit 30 Content storage unit 32 Selection reception unit 34, 35 Creation unit 36, 38 40 Template storage

Claims (10)

An apparatus for creating a document data from a plurality of document content data, each of the plurality of document content data, and information of a plurality of types, two information more types common among the information of the plurality of types Including information indicating a higher type, which is a higher type assigned to
Storage means for storing the plurality of document content data;
Accepts the selection of the document content data stored in the storage means, a selection receiving means you storing document content data said selected
The document content data stored by the selection accepting unit is read, and the information of the type to which the higher type is not assigned is adjacent to the information of the same type included in the selected document content data. Creation means for creating new document data by arranging and outputting the created document data to another device ;
The document content data stored by the selection receiving unit is read, and the information of the type to which the higher type is assigned is included in the information of the type to which the higher type is assigned, which is included in the same document content data. A block creation means for creating blocks arranged adjacent to each other;
Block arrangement means for creating new document data by arranging each of the blocks created by the block creation means adjacent to each other and outputting the created document data to the other device. Document creation device. The document creation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when creating the new document data , the creation unit sets the same size to describe each piece of information of the same type. The said block creation means arrange | positions each said information according to the template which predetermined | prescribed the arrangement | positioning in the said block of the classification | category of the said information and the classification | category of the said information in the block. The document creation device described. The block creating means creates the block according to the template when the template selected based on a predetermined type of the information included in the document content data is defined. 3. The document creation device according to 3. 5. The document creation device according to claim 3, wherein, when the template is applied, the block creation unit applies the template selected by a user from a plurality of predetermined templates. 6. . Said creation means, when creating a new document data, in accordance with the paper size specified by the user, to adjust the number and size of each of the information included in the one page of the new document data The document creation device according to claim 1, wherein the document creation device is a feature of the document creation device. The document creation device further includes document providing means for providing new document data to the user,
Charge confirmation means for confirming the user's consent for a certain amount of charge,
The document providing unit provides the new document data to the user after confirming that the user has accepted the billing by the billing confirmation unit. The document creation device according to any one of the above. The document content data is data containing information for guiding a travel destination,
The type includes a coupon that displays the name of the place indicated by the information, the address, and the benefits received at the place,
The document creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the creating unit creates a guide book as the new document data . A document creation method used in a document creating apparatus for creating a document data from a plurality of document content data, each of the plurality of document content data, and information of a plurality of types, common among the information of the plurality of types Including information indicating a higher level that is a higher level given to two or more types of information.
The document creation device includes a selection receiving unit, a creation unit, a block creation unit, a block arrangement unit, and a storage unit in which the plurality of document content data are stored .
The document creation method includes:
The selection accepting unit accepts the selection of the document content data stored in the storage means, and selection accepting step you storing document content data said selected
The creation means reads the document content data stored by the selection accepting means , and information on a type to which the higher-level type is not assigned is included in the information of the same type included in the selected document content data . Creating new document data by arranging them adjacent to each other, and creating the created document data to another device ;
The block creation means reads the document content data stored by the selection accepting means, and the information of the type to which the higher type is assigned is assigned with the higher type included in the same document content data. A block creating step for creating a block in which each of the types of information adjacent to each other is arranged;
A block placement step in which the block placement means creates new document data by placing each of the blocks created in the block creation step adjacent to each other, and outputs the created document data to the other device; A document creating method characterized by comprising: A document creation program used by a plurality of document content data in a document creating apparatus for creating a document data, each of the plurality of document content data, and information of a plurality of types, common among the information of the plurality of types Including information indicating a higher level that is a higher level given to two or more types of information.
The document creation device includes a selection receiving unit, a creation unit, a block creation unit, a block arrangement unit, and a storage unit in which the plurality of document content data are stored .
The document creation program includes:
The selection accepting unit accepts the selection of the document content data stored in the storage means, and selection accepting step you storing document content data said selected
The creation means reads the document content data stored by the selection accepting means, and the information of the type to which the higher type is not assigned is the information of the same type included in the selected document content data . Creating new document data by arranging them adjacent to each other, and creating the created document data to another device ;
The block creation means reads the document content data stored by the selection accepting means, and the information of the type to which the higher type is assigned is assigned the higher type included in the same document content data. A block creating step for creating a block in which each of the types of information adjacent to each other is arranged;
A block placement step in which the block placement means creates new document data by placing each of the blocks created in the block creation step adjacent to each other, and outputs the created document data to the other device; A document creation program characterized by causing a computer to execute.

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