JP4462508B2 - Information processing apparatus and definition information generation method - Google Patents

Description

[0010]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information processing method and apparatus for document processing / management and data processing / management.
[0020]
[Prior art]
In an information processing apparatus (computer system), when an application system is constructed, it is necessary to define and register data and attributes that can be used in the application. In addition, when an individual database or file is provided in the system, it is necessary to register the attributes of the file (file name, field name, record length, etc.).
[0030]
Conventionally, the “data definition” and “data definition” as described above use a dedicated program, and the system operator fills out the required items in the specification or definition document in the specified column of the setting screen presented by this dedicated program. This is done by inputting from the screen.
[0040]
In the application, for example, a book table is created as follows. In other words, if any table ruled line and character string are entered on the screen by keyboard operation or mouse operation, each screen input data is regarded as definition information of the book table, and the format of the book table is set based on the definition information Is done.
[0050]
When a table ruled line is entered on the screen by a mouse operation or the like and a desired field (area) is specified, a sub-screen listing various attributes or definition items related to the field appears. In some cases, when one desired item is selected, one format for the field is defined (set) by the selected definition item.
[0060]
In order to define a command in an application, a special command word determined by a predetermined language (for example, Visual Basic) is set and inputted from a keyboard or a button on the screen.
[0080]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
There are still many items that must be remembered by the user in the definition of commands that direct the system to some processing or operation on a document that is freely created by the user without restrictions by the device, and the type of definition content is also significantly limited. .
[0120]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and definition information generation method that can define a variety of commands by a simple entry operation with very little memory for a user on a document that is freely created by the user. There is.
[0130]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a method according to claim 1 of the present invention is a method of generating command definition information that instructs a system to perform a certain operation or process in an information processing system. ,
Document data storage means for storing document data in which code string information and position information are registered for each symbol or each character string on the document in the system;
In an information processing system comprising dictionary storage means for storing dictionary data registered by associating code string information with semantic information on the command definition for a specific symbol or term,
The command definition information for the system is a specific symbol or term registered in the above dictionary data, and is added to the other entry information described on the document to add the other entry information to the system. By repeating the collation between the corresponding code string information registered in the dictionary data and the code string information of each symbol or each character string constituting the document data, the first entry information that designates conversion to Detecting from the document;
The detected first entry information and the second entry information which is a symbol or character string having a specific arrangement relationship on the document, the position information of the first entry information, and each of the document data Identifying by repeating matching between symbols or position information of each string;
For the second entry information identified on the document, by repeating collation between the code string information and the code string information of each symbol or each term registered in the dictionary data, Identifying semantic information on the command definition registered corresponding to the second entry information, and generating command information for instructing the system to perform the corresponding processing;
It is characterized by having.
[0140]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the third entry information, which is a symbol specifically defined as designating the operand of the command definition on the document, is represented by the corresponding code string. Detecting from the document by repeating collation between the information and the code string information of each symbol or each character string constituting the document data;
The detected third entry information and the fourth entry information which is a symbol or character string in a specific arrangement relationship on the document, the position information of the third entry information, and each symbol constituting the document data or Identifying by repeating matching between the position information of each character string;
And an operand of the corresponding command definition information is generated based on the identified fourth entry information.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the inventions according to the first and second aspects, the document data held in the document data storage means is a modification that includes color information for each character or character string on the document. With information,
The entry information having predetermined modification information is detected from the document by repeating the matching between the modification information and the modification information provided for each symbol or character string in the document data, and then the detected information is detected. The first entry information is detected from a document from symbols or character strings having modification information.
[0150]
An information processing apparatus according to claim 4 is an information processing apparatus that generates command definition information that instructs a device to perform a certain operation or data processing.
Document data storage means for storing document data in which code string information and position information are registered for each symbol or each character string on the document in the system;
An information processing apparatus comprising dictionary storage means for storing dictionary data registered by associating code string information with semantic information on the command definition for a specific symbol or term,
The command definition information for the system is a specific symbol or term registered in the above dictionary data, and is added to the other entry information described on the document to add the other entry information to the system. By repeating the collation between the corresponding code string information registered in the dictionary data and the code string information of each symbol or each character string constituting the document data, the first entry information that designates conversion to Means for detecting from the document;
The detected first entry information and the second entry information which is a symbol or character string in a specific arrangement relationship on the document, the position information of the first entry information, and each symbol constituting the document data Or a means for identifying by repeating matching between the position information of each character string,
For the second entry information identified on the document, by repeating collation between the code string information and the code string information of each symbol or each term registered in the dictionary data, Means for identifying command definition semantic information registered corresponding to the second entry information, and generating command information for instructing the system to perform the corresponding processing;
It is characterized by having.
[0160]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0170]
FIG. 1 shows a hardware system configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this system, the color image scanner 10, the keyboard 12, the mouse 14 and the digitizer 15 are suitable as input devices, the internal memory 16 and the external memory 18 as storage devices, and the display device 20 and the printing device 22 as appropriate output devices. It is connected to the CPU 24 via an interface circuit (not shown). The CPU 24 is also connected to a telephone line or a communication line 27 via the communication device 26.
[0180]
The color image scanner 10 reads characters, symbols, and figures in a document written on a sheet as color image information. The internal memory 16 and the external memory 18 store various electronic dictionaries, character fonts, files, and the like in addition to various programs that define processing or control operations of the CPU 24. The communication device 26 has a facsimile communication function.
[0190]
FIG. 2 shows a list of operation modes related to creation of a book table in the system of the present embodiment. Main modes such as “Main”, “Definition”, “Environment setting” are set, and these main modes branch to sub-modes such as “Retrieve”…, “Definition interpretation”, “Definition distinction setting”, etc. is doing.
[0200]
FIG. 3 shows a “main mode list menu” displayed on the display screen 20 a of the display device 20. In this menu screen, main mode selection buttons such as “main”, “definition”, “environment setting”, and the like are displayed in the lower right part of the screen.
[0210]
When the “environment setting” button is clicked in the “main mode list menu”, the environment setting mode is selected. When switched to the environment setting mode, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen 20a, and sub-mode selection buttons such as “definition distinction setting” and “definition information setting” are displayed in the lower right portion of the screen. When the “definition information setting” button is clicked here, the definition information setting mode is entered, and a “definition element / entry information comparison table” as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 is displayed on the screen.
[0220]
5 to 8, in this embodiment, "common", "data management", "data definition", "file definition", "command / procedure definition", "format definition", "editing proofreading definition", etc. A plurality of definition systems are prepared, and a plurality of definition elements are set in each definition system. Among these definition systems, each definition element of the "data management", "data definition", "file definition" or "command / procedure definition" system is used to set the format for data management, Each definition element of the “Edit / Proof Definition” system is used to set the format of the document. Each definition element of “common” is shared by each format of “data management”, “data definition”, “file definition”, “command / procedure definition”, “format definition”, and “edit proofreading definition”.
[0230]
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, each definition element is associated with one or more types of predetermined characters (character strings), symbols, or figures. Some definition elements, for example, “round up” corresponding to the definition element “rounding” of the “data management” system, express the target definition content only by the entry information, for example, “common” system In other cases, other entry information is designated, such as “<>” corresponding to “item name”, and the definition content is entrusted to the designated entry information. In addition, the character, symbol, etc. of the normal entry information entered in the area specified by this entry information, such as “◯” corresponding to the “common” definition element “definition element designation”, is used as the definition element. Some indicate that it should be converted, or refer to a term dictionary to indicate that it should be interpreted into a specific definition.
[0240]
In addition, the data item name (category) and data name (numeric value, text) that are paired with each other, such as the relationship between "category" and "numeric value", "text", and "aggregated numeric value" in the "data definition" system , Aggregated numerical value) are registered as individual definition elements, the relationship of this pair is displayed so as to be understood in the target table.
[0250]
The association between the definition element and the entry information as described above may be prepared from the beginning by the system, or the user may be able to set and register at any time by screen input. In any case, for example, in the data format as shown in FIG. 9, definition element identification data having a variable data length corresponding to the comparison tables of FIGS. 5 to 8 is set for each definition element. Each definition element identification data is held in a definition element identification data storage section 48 (FIG. 25) of a definition information recognition section described later.
[0260]
In the data format of “definition element identification data” in FIG. 9, the code of the definition system (format definition) to which the definition element (for example, “right-handed”) belongs is set in the data field of “definition system code”. , The code of the definition element (right) is set in the data field of “definition element type”, and each data field of “configuration character string / symbol string” corresponds to the definition element (right). A character string or a symbol (“right”, “right-justified”, “right-justified”) code is set with predetermined delimiter identification data in between, and the end field is given predetermined end identification data indicating the end of this data. It is done.
[0270]
The field of “definition element code of pair relationship” has a pair relationship as described above in “data definition” system, such as “category” and (“number”, “text”, “total number”). When there is another definition element code, the other definition element code is set. Therefore, in the case of “definition element identification data” of “category”, definition element codes of “numerical value”, “text” and “total numerical value” are set in this field. Further, in the case of “definition element identification data” of “numerical value”, “text”, or “total numerical value”, “definition element identification data” of “classification” is set in this field.
[0280]
As described above, in this embodiment, definition elements for performing various definitions on a document are associated with characters, symbols, or figures that can be used as normal entry information representing normal document contents. However, as will be described later, when used as a definition element, special modification information (for example, color information) is attached to the entry information so as to distinguish it from normal entry information representing the document contents. In other words, the user can use the entry information that he / she is familiar with as normal entry information to represent the document contents as it is, but also add a special modification information to the definition to show the definition contents. It can be used as information.
[0290]
When the “definition distinction setting” sub-mode selection button is selected on the “environment setting mode screen” in FIG. 4, a “definition information distinction instruction screen” as shown in FIG. 10 appears on the display screen 20a.
[0300]
In FIG. 10, definition systems such as “data management”, “format definition”, and “editing proof definition” are listed in the [definition system] column. The user only has to input the modification information or identification information of [color], [line modification], [line thickness], and [handwriting / printing] used for the entry information of each definition system at each position.
[0310]
In the example of FIG. 10, “data management”, “data definition”, “file definition”, and “command / procedure definition” are respectively (blue), and “format definition” and “editing proofreading definition” are each (red). Is entered in the [Color] field. Since each definition element of “common” is shared by all definition systems as described above, there is no need to set decoration information unique to “common”.
[0320]
In response to the input operation of the definition information distinction instruction, definition information distinction data for each definition system is set in the data format as shown in FIG. 11, for example. This definition information distinction data is held in the definition information distinction data storage unit 50 (FIG. 25) of the definition information recognition unit described later.
[0330]
FIG. 10 shows a “main” mode screen, which is one of the main modes. In this "Main" mode screen, sub-mode selection buttons such as "Eject", "Store", "Next", and "Execute" are displayed at the bottom right of the screen. It is designed to switch to the selected sub mode. The “main” mode screen appears by default on the display screen 20a immediately after the power is turned on, and when the “mode” button that is always displayed in the lower left corner of the screen is clicked, the “main mode list menu” described above is displayed. Switch to the screen.
[0340]
Next, each function of “data definition” and “file definition” set and registered in the system as a premise of an application, for example, a book table creation function in this system will be described.
[0350]
In order to set “data definition” in this example, a data definition document as shown in FIG. 13 is prepared. This data definition is a list of application data item names and their attribute data names that can be used to build an application system. For example, specifications created by system engineers may be used as they are. Alternatively, it may be newly created by the document creation function of this system for setting “data definition”.
[0360]
In this example, it is assumed that the data definition document is, for example, a document in which the document content is described with a black writing instrument, ink, toner, etc. on a sheet of white ground color.
[0370]
In this data definition document, each table corresponds to a plurality of basic data items registered in advance in the system for "data definition" in a table consisting of a plurality of ruled lines drawn at predetermined intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions. The desired data name on the application to be executed is described in a list format.
[0380]
In other words, in the item entry column provided in the top row of the table, one (one item) for each cell (entry box), the basic data items “data item name”, “category” registered in the system, Character strings representing “corresponding master name” and “synonyms” are entered.
[0390]
In the first row of the data name entry field provided below the item entry field, the character string “classification” is used as the data name of “data item name”, and the character string “ “Text” is the data name of “Corresponding Master Name” as a character string “Product Classification Star”, and the data name of “Synonym” is one character string “Product Classification” in each cell (entry box) (one data name). ) Are filled in one by one.
[0400]
This line (record) is described in this system by setting “classification” as one of the “data items” on the application and treating this “classification” as “text” data. Is registered in the “product classification master” file, and “product classification” is regarded as a synonym for “classification”.
[0410]
Even in the second and lower lines of the data name entry column, for each of “product number”, “sales”, “unit price”,... Selected as the data item name on the application, “classification”, “corresponding master name”, Each attribute data name of “synonym” is entered.
[0420]
As described above, this data definition document (FIG. 13) is a document composed of normal entry information (characters, symbols or figures normally used to represent the document content), and the description content is handled by a handler (for example, a system engineer). ) Is understandable at a glance. However, if the document contents are input as they are to the system, they are merely recognized as document information, and do not substantially make sense as a definition document.
[0430]
Therefore, in this system, the definition content as recognized by the operator is recognized in the system by entering the definition support information for supporting the desired definition in the document content consisting of normal entry information and inputting it into the system. I try to let them.
[0440]
For the data definition document of this example (FIG. 13), for example, as shown in FIG. 14, “common” and “data definition” type definition support information may be entered in (blue).
[0450]
In FIG. 14, in the data item name entry column, the (black) data item name character strings “data item name”, “classification”, “corresponding master name”, and “synonym” are indicated by “blue” “definition element designation”. Enclosed in the definition element entry information “◯”, and in (blue) “entry” definition element entry information “<>”. As a result, these character strings “data item name”, “category”, “corresponding master name”, “synonym” are converted into definition element entry information, and each is defined as a data item name. .
[0460]
Also, in the data name entry column, the top and bottom rows in each vertical field (cell column) corresponding to each data item name “data item name”, “category”, “corresponding master name”, “synonym” Enter the definition information “[]” of “Range specification” in the cell of “”. Thus, it is defined that each vertical field (cell column) is a data entry column in which data of each corresponding data item name is entered or should be entered.
[0470]
The data definition document (FIG. 14) additionally filled with the definition support information as described above is input from the color image scanner 10 to the present system.
[0480]
FIG. 15 shows the configuration of the document input and document element data generation unit in the system of this embodiment. The document image input unit 30 includes an input device such as a color image scanner 10, a keyboard 12, and a mouse 14, a CPU 24 that executes an input routine, and an internal memory 16 or an external memory 18 that once captures an input color image. Is done. The document image storage unit 32, the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36, and the document element data storage unit 38 use storage areas of the internal memory 16 or the external memory 18. The character / graphic element recognition unit 34 includes a CPU 24 that executes a character / graphic recognition processing program. The document image output unit 40 is mainly configured by a CPU 24 that executes a display control program, and a display device 20 that performs display output of a document image under the control of the CPU 24 or a communication device 26 that performs transmission output of a document image. The
[0490]
In the document image storage unit 32 and the document element data storage unit 38, an image data area 32 (i) for storing image data for each input document or page PAi and a document element data area 38 for storing document element data. (i) is set for each. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, memory management for each image data area 32 (i) and each document element data area 38 (i) is performed for each input document or page PAi. Is performed using the sheet data area management data CD (i) set in (1).
[0500]
In this system, when a predetermined process is defined between different documents or pages, these plural documents (pages) are treated as belonging to one group (hereinafter referred to as “sheet group”). Various methods can be used to inform the system from the user that a plurality of documents or pages are grouped as a sheet group. For example, when a user inputs a plurality of documents or pages continuously from the image scanner 10 after performing a predetermined button operation, the system may determine that these documents or pages are a sheet group. .
[0510]
When a reading operation by the image scanner 10 is performed on the data definition document (FIG. 14) of this example, a color image signal representing the document contents (all entry contents) is taken into the image storage unit of the input unit 30. The color image signal for each document captured by the input unit 30 is decomposed into (black), (blue), and (red) color image signals in the form of signals, and (black) in the document image storage unit 32. The image signal, the (blue) image signal, and the (red) image signal are accumulated in the black image storage unit 32a, the blue image storage unit 32b, and the red image storage unit 32c, respectively.
[0520]
Next, the character / graphic element recognition unit 34 recognizes individual characters and graphic elements in the document for each color (black, blue, red) with respect to the pixel data for each document stored in the document image storage unit 32. To do. Here, the graphic element is a group of simple patterned figures whose shapes can be easily recognized as lines, rectangles, and circles.
[0530]
For image recognition in this embodiment, for example, “image management data” set in advance in a data format as shown in FIG. 18 is referred to. In this “image management data”, as shown in FIG. 19, assuming that the input image is composed of a large number of pixels PX arranged in a matrix, data representing the number, dimensions, pitch, etc. of the pixels PX is set. ing.
[0540]
Character / graphic recognition in the character / graphic element recognition unit 34 is basically performed by recognizing line elements constituting individual characters and graphic elements. For the identification of line elements, various conventionally known methods may be used. For example, first, a set of dots having a specific color is found, and then an adjacent region or a surrounding area is searched to determine a direction in which the set of dots extends. This process is repeated, and the trace drawn by the set of dots is traced until it disappears (ends). If there is a location where the direction of the trajectory changes abruptly during the tracking, the location is identified as a bending point or cusp.
[0550]
The line element extracted in this way can be identified as one of the line element patterns set in advance by its shape and size. In the present embodiment, the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36 stores in advance the type of line elements constituting each character and figure and the significant positional relationship between the constituent line elements in a predetermined electronic dictionary system ( Registered). The character / graphic element recognition unit 34 combines the adjacent line elements extracted as described above with each other, and repeats the process of collating this with the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36, whereby individual characters, symbols, Recognize shapes.
[0560]
For example, a ruled line constituting a table such as a list is recognized as follows. That is, a line element extracted as a straight line in the recognition of a line element as described above is an order of magnitude longer than other line elements, and the straight line direction is relative to a horizontal line (X axis) or a vertical line (Y axis). If the inclination falls within a certain angle, the straight line is regarded as a horizontal ruled line or a vertical ruled line, and the position information is corrected so as to be parallel to the horizontal line or the vertical line. Also, when the distance between the end points of two extracted ruled lines or the distance between the end point of one ruled line and the other ruled line is within a certain value, the end points of both ruled lines overlap each other, It is considered that the end point of the ruled line is overlapped with the other ruled line, and the respective position information is corrected so that both ruled lines overlap in this way.
[0570]
The character / graphic element recognition unit 34 performs character / graphic recognition processing as described above on each color (black, blue, red) image of a document inputted as an image, so that, for example, a character / graphic element recognition unit 34 Document element data is generated in a data format as shown in FIGS.
[0580]
FIG. 20 shows a data format example of document element data (character data) corresponding to one character. As shown in the figure, the character code, typeface, color, line thickness, line modification (solid line, dotted line, chain line, etc.), handwriting / printing (distinguishing whether it is handwritten or printed), entry position and size Data representing character length (character size) is sequentially set in a predetermined data field, and end identification data indicating the end of the document element data is added at the end.
[0590]
FIG. 21 shows a data format example of document element data (character string data) corresponding to one character string. As shown in the figure, "first character position" and "end line position" indicating the arrangement position of the character string, "line pitch" and "character pitch" indicating the format of the character string are set, and the character string Are set in the order of arrangement.
[0600]
22, FIG. 23, and FIG. 24 are data format examples of document element data (graphic element data) corresponding to one graphic element or symbol, respectively. As shown in FIG. 22, the data of the start position and the end position is incorporated for the line segment. As shown in FIG. 23, data on the center position (X and Y directions) and the diameter size (X and Y directions) are incorporated for the ellipse. As shown in FIG. 24, for rectangles, “<”, and the like, data indicating the positions of bending points or cusps (points where the direction of the line segment changes sharply) is incorporated in addition to the start and end positions.
[0610]
As described above, all entry information in each document inputted as an image is decomposed into individual characters, symbols, and figures and converted into document element data by the character / graphic element recognition unit 34. These document element data are stored in the document element data storage unit 38 for each document. Note that the image information corresponding to the entry information that has been subjected to the character / graphic recognition process and converted into the document element data may be deleted from the document image storage unit 32.
[0620]
The document image output unit 40 not only outputs a document image based on the image signal held in the document image storage unit 32 but also outputs it from the document element data stored in the document element data storage unit 38. The document image is output after being converted into an image signal via the graphic pattern dictionary 36.
[0630]
FIG. 25 shows the configuration of the definition information recognition and format setting unit in the system of this embodiment. The definition element data generation unit 42 and the definition data generation unit 46 are configured by the CPU 24 that executes definition element data and definition data generation processing. The combination rule memory 45, the definition information identification data storage unit 48, the definition information distinction data storage unit 50, the application term dictionary 52, the definition data storage unit 54, and the sheet group definition data storage unit 56 may be the internal memory 16 or the external It is expanded on a predetermined storage area of the memory 18.
[0640]
In the document element data storage unit 44 and the definition data storage unit 54, a document element data area 44 (i) for storing document element data for each input document or page PAi and a definition data area 54 for storing definition data. (i) is set for each.
[0650]
As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the memory management for each document element data area 44 (i) and each definition data area 54 (i) is performed for each input document or page PAi. Is performed using the sheet data area management data CD (i) set in (1).
[0660]
In this definition information recognition and format setting unit, first, the definition element generation unit 42 defines definition element identification data (FIG. 9) and definition held in the definition element identification data storage unit 48 and the definition information distinction data storage unit 50, respectively. Each definition element entered in each document or page based on the document element identification data (FIGS. 20 to 24) stored in the document element identification data storage unit 38 with reference to the information distinction data (FIG. 11) Data for each entry information (definition element data) is generated.
[0670]
FIG. 26 shows a data format example of the definition element data. A “definition code” and “definition element code” for identifying the definition element entry information are set, and a pointer for referring to the document element data corresponding to the characters, graphics, and symbols constituting the definition element entry information Is set. For example, in the case of “[” of “range specification”, a pointer for specifying the address of the document element data corresponding to the entry information “[” is set.
[0680]
In order to generate the definition element data, document element data having specific modification information, for example, (red) color information is searched. As a result of this search, for example, when the entry information of “[” is extracted, the other entry information “]” paired with it is determined, and the definition element entry information “[]” of “range specification” is determined. . As a result, the “definition code” and “definition element code” are determined, and the pointers that respectively specify the addresses of the document element data (graphic element data) of “[” and “]” that constitute the definition element entry information are also determined. .
[0690]
Each definition element data obtained from the definition element data generation unit 42 as described above is stored in the corresponding definition element data area of the definition element data storage unit 44 for each document or page, and is managed by the sheet data area management unit 35. Is done.
[0700]
Next, the definition data generation unit 46 refers to the definition information distinction data (FIG. 11) held in the definition information distinction data storage unit 50, and defines the definition element data ( 26), the document element data (FIGS. 20 to 24) accumulated in the document element data storage unit 38, and the combination rule (construction rule) algorithm stored in the combination rule (construction rule) memory 45. Definition data is generated for each definition information written on each document or page or across different documents or pages.
[0710]
Regarding the above data definition document (FIG. 14), as will be described below, “item definition data” (FIG. 27), “item definition data chain” (FIG. 28), ““ cell data ”(FIG. 29). “In-field cell data chain” (FIG. 30), “In-record cell data chain” (FIG. 31) and “Data definition data” (FIG. 32) are created.
[0720]
First, “cell data” (FIG. 29) is created as follows. Each cell (data entry frame) is identified by searching the line segment or ruled line of the table through the document element data, and the connection to the next cell in the same field and record, together with the data indicating the position of the cell. Set the pointer to give Further, whether or not a character string is entered in the cell is checked through the document element data, and if it is entered, a pointer for referring to the corresponding document element data is set.
[0730]
In addition, a cell string partitioned by (blue) range specification “[]” is detected, and a character string enclosed by “items” “<>” in (blue) is the extension direction of the cell string (field). Or is connected to the cell column by a (blue) “join line” “−”, the character string is determined to be a data item name corresponding to the field according to the join rule. Then, “item definition data” (FIG. 27) is created. In addition, an “in-field cell data chain” (FIG. 30) is created.
[0740]
In addition, when a plurality of field cell columns are adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the cell column direction, these adjacent cell columns are determined to be “in-record cell columns” according to a combining rule, The “cell data chain in record” (FIG. 31) is created. In addition, an “item definition data chain” (FIG. 28) is created.
[0750]
As described above, in the present system, the definition data generation unit 46 refers to the combination rule algorithm registered in the combination rule memory 45, and thereby a plurality of unit definition information respectively given by a plurality of definition element entry information. To recognize one compound definition information, and further combine multiple unit definition information and compound definition information or compound definition information to recognize more complex or advanced definition information. Accordingly, necessary definition data for defining each definition content is created.
[0760]
When the “item definition data chain” (FIG. 28) is created as described above, the procedure shown in FIG. 32 is entered, and a group of data item names in each “item definition data” constituting the chain is identified ( Step S1).
[0770]
In this example, the data item name string “data item name”, “category”, “corresponding master name”, and “synonym” are enclosed in “blue” “definition element specification” “◯”. By querying the definition element identification data storage unit 48, it is found that the data item name is registered in the “data definition” system. When this determination result is obtained (step S2), the "data definition data creation process" (step S3) is entered.
[0780]
In the “data definition data creation process”, a cell string (record in each row in this example) orthogonal to the field is taken out one by one based on the “cell data chain in record”, and the data name character string in each cell is Judgment whether or not it is registered in the system, and what is registered (in this example, the data name "text", "numeric value", "aggregated numeric value" of "category" is registered as the definition element code) Sets a fixed data length code and corresponds to the character string of unregistered data (in this example, "data item name", "corresponding master name", and "synonym" data names correspond) By setting a character code string of variable data length to be generated, “data definition data” (FIG. 33) for each row (record) is created.
[0790]
Therefore, the number of “data definition data” (FIG. 33) equal to the number of rows entered in the list is created from the data definition document (FIG. 14) of this example. These “data definition data” groups constitute a “data name dictionary” for referring to data names set and registered for each data item name usable in the application.
[0800]
As mentioned above, with this system, you can easily perform “data definition”, which is the basic setting for building an application, by performing operations or operations to write characters, symbols, or figures that you are used to on a daily basis. . Therefore, not only the burden on the system operator such as a system engineer is reduced, but also the user (end user) of the application software can participate in “data definition”.
[0810]
Next, “file definition” will be described. In general, “file definition” is performed each time an individual file on an application is registered or stored in the system. In this system, for example, when “monthly sales file” is registered (stored) in the system, “file definition” is performed using a file definition document as shown in FIG. It is assumed that this file definition document is also a document in which document information (contents) is written in black on white paper.
[0820]
In this file definition document (FIG. 34), the above data definition document (FIG. 14) is displayed in a list form in a table composed of 3 rows by 5 columns of matrix cells (entry boxes). The name of each data item on the application that is set and registered using, the corresponding row name (access name) registered in advance in the system in the middle row, and the data related to the data item name in the lower row Each field length (byte) to be assigned to the name is described.
[0830]
That is, the data item names “Monthly”, “Classification”, “Part Number”, “Unit Price”, and “Number of Sales” on the application are field names “MON”, “BUN”, “HIN”, “ TAN "and" SUU "correspond, and the data value field lengths are" 5 (bytes) "," 20 (bytes) "," 20 (bytes) "," 5 (bytes) "," 5 (bytes) " Is described. It is assumed that this file definition document is also a document in which document information (contents) is written in black on white paper.
[0840]
This file definition document (FIG. 34) is also a human-oriented definition document consisting of normal entry information like the above data definition document (FIG. 13). It is only recognized and essentially does not make sense as a definition.
[0850]
In order to make this human-oriented definition book a definition book that can be recognized by this system, as shown in FIG. 35, “common” and “file definition” type definition support information may be entered in (blue).
[0860]
In FIG. 35, necessary definition information is entered to define the list of file definition documents as “item definition”.
[0870]
That is, the field of each row expanded in the horizontal direction in the table is designated by definition element entry information “[]” of “range specification” in (blue). This table does not include data item names indicating the attributes of the fields in each row. Therefore, (blue) data item name character strings “data item name”, “field name”, and “field length” are entered as definition support information in the blank space outside the table in the extension direction of each field.
[0880]
Then, each data item name character string “data item name”, “field name”, and “field length” added in (blue) is the definition element entry information “◯” in “definition element designation” in (blue). Enclose and enclose the definition item entry information “<>” for “item” in (blue) from both the left and right sides, and connect to each corresponding field via definition element entry information “-” for “join line” in (blue) .
[0890]
In addition, in order to register the title “Monthly Sales File” as the file name, this title string “Monthly Sales File” is enclosed in (blue) “range specification” “[]” and next to it in (blue) Enter the data item name “file name”, and enclose this data item name string “file name” in (blue) with “definition element specification” “〇”, and enter the definition element for “item” in (blue) Enclose with information “<>”.
[0900]
The file definition document (FIG. 35) additionally including the definition support information as described above is also input to the system from the color / image scanner 10 in the same manner as the data definition document (FIG. 13).
[0910]
Then, in this system, the same processing unit (FIGS. 19 and 28) as described above is used for the file definition document containing this definition information (FIG. 35) (1) “Recognition of document elements (characters / graphics etc.)”, 2) “Correction of document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)”, (3) “Extraction / identification of definition element entry information (generation of definition element data)” and (4) “Interpretation of definition contents (generation of definition data)” Are performed sequentially.
[0920]
As a result, the definition data includes “item definition data” (FIG. 27), “item definition data chain” (FIG. 36), “cell data” (FIG. 29), “in-field” “Cell data chain” (FIG. 30), “In-record cell data chain” (FIG. 31) and “File definition data” (FIG. 32) are created. In the case of this list, field cell columns are expanded in the horizontal direction, and record cell columns are expanded in the vertical direction. Also, single “item definition data” (FIG. 27) having “file name” as the data item name is created from the definition information related to the title “monthly sales file”.
[0930]
If “item definition data chain” (FIG. 36) corresponding to the data item names “data item name”, “field name”, and “field length” of the list is created in this “file definition” as well, FIG. Then, a group of data item names in each “item definition data” constituting the chain is identified (step S1).
[0940]
In this example, since the data item name character strings “data item name”, “field name”, and “field length” are surrounded by “blue” “definition element designation” “◯”, definition element identification data storage By referring to the section 48, it is found that the data item name is registered in the “file definition” system. When this determination result is obtained (step S4), the "file definition data creation process" (step S5) is entered.
[0950]
In "File definition data creation process", each cell column orthogonal to the field (in this example, each vertical record) is extracted based on "In-record cell data chain", and the data name character string in each cell Is registered in this system.
[0960]
In this example, “Monthly”, “Classification”, “Part No.”, etc., which are the data names of “Data Item Name” on the aliquot, are variable data in “Data Name Dictionary”, that is, “Data Definition Data” (FIG. 33). It is registered in the form of a long character code string. In addition, “MON”, “BUN”, “HIN”,..., Which are data names of “field names”, are set and registered as fixed data length codes as field names (access names) in the system. The data names “5”, “20”, “20”,... Of “Field length” can be converted into numerical data having a fixed data length.
[0970]
As described above, each character code string or fixed data or code corresponding to the data name character string of “data item name”, “field name”, and “field length” is identified one record at a time, and all records in the list are recorded. Set the record in “File definition data”.
[0980]
Also, based on the item definition data for the title “Monthly Sales File”, set “File Name” as a character code string and access this “Monthly Sales File” stored in any storage area in the system. A file name (access name) is also set (FIG. 37). Here, “file name (access name)” is file identification data in the system corresponding to the “file name” input by the user, and is automatically assigned by the system.
[0990]
FIG. 38 shows a configuration example of the file management unit in this system. In the file storage area provided in the internal memory 16 or the external memory 18, the files A, B, C. Are stored in arbitrary storage locations, and index data (file management data) for searching for each file is stored in predetermined storage locations. A file manager (file management program) accesses each file by referring to the index data. From the outside, the file manager may be accessed with the “file name (access name)”.
[1000]
As described above, in this system, a “file definition” required for registering a file can be easily performed by an operation or operation for entering characters, symbols, or figures that are familiar to everyday use in a document. Therefore, not only the burden on the system operator is reduced, but also the end user can participate in the “file definition”.
[1010]
Next, a function for creating a book table in the system of this embodiment will be described. In this system, a desired book table can be easily created especially by an end user.
[1020]
FIG. 39 shows, as an example, a book cover sheet in which the basic items of “Monthly Sales Ledger” are entered in advance by handwriting. All of the characters, symbols, and figures entered on the book table sheet are normal entry information indicating the document contents of the book table, and are written in the same color, for example, black.
[1030]
In this booklet sheet, the data item name “product name”, “number of sales”, “unit price”, “sales” is displayed in each cell (entry field) in the item name entry field provided in the top row of the list. ) Each item name is filled in. Two data entry fields (fields) for each data item name are assigned to “product name”, and one is assigned to the other item names “number of sales”, “unit price”, and “sales”. In the “product name” field, data names of “classification” and “product number” (for example, “TV”, “J1020”) are entered, and the other fields are blank.
[1040]
Above the table, a book table name “Monthly Sales Ledger” is written in the center, and “Kanda Branch” and “1995” are written as annotations in the right corner. Below the table, two annotations “(Note) Output from monthly sales file” and “Sales = unit price × number of sales” are written on the left and right.
[1050]
The user may enter the definition support information with a color writing instrument as shown in FIG. 40 with reference to the “definition element / entry information comparison table” of FIGS. .
[1060]
Also in this case, a specific color is assigned as the modification information to the definition element entry information and the additional entry information of each definition system. In this example, definition support information for the “common” and “command / procedure” definition systems is entered in (blue).
[1070]
In the book table of FIG. 40, the definition information entry information “[]” of “range specification” is entered in (blue) in the uppermost cell and the lowermost cell of the vertical cell row, and these cell rows (data entry fields) ) As a field.
[1080]
Enter the definition support information “<Classification>” and “<Part No.>” in blue in the space above the left end of the list, and replace these item name character strings with “Blue” “joining line” “-”. Are connected to two fields corresponding to the “product name”. The (black) data item name character string “product name” remains as it is, and no (blue) definition support information is attached. As a result, the left and right two columns of fields located under “Product Name” are not added to the original (black) data item name “Product Name”, but the data item names “Classification” and “Product Number” added in (blue). It is defined to correspond to each.
[1090]
In each column to the right of the “Product Name” column, each data item name character string “Black” “Number of sales”, “Unit price”, “Sales” “blue” on both sides of the “Item” definition element The entry information “<>” is entered, and “<number of sales>”, “<unit price>”, “<sales>”. As a result, “number of sales”, “unit price”, and “sales” are defined as data item names.
[1100]
Also, adjacent to these data item names “<number of sales>”, “<unit price>”, and “<sales>”, as indicated above by (range) “[]” in (blue) The field is defined. As a result, even though the (blue) connecting line “-” is omitted between them, definition information for “item definition” that associates each data item name with each field is entered. Become.
[1110]
Regarding the annotations outside the table, the (black) annotation “Kanda Branch” in the upper right part is enclosed in the definition information “{}” of “out of range designation” in (blue). This explicitly defines that the annotation information is excluded from the definition information.
[1120]
On the lower side, the composite definition support information “□-<monthly>” is entered in (blue) to the right of the normal entry information “1995” in (black). This definition information includes the definition information for “field (data entry field)”, the definition information for “item” definition “<>”, the data item name string “by month”, and the definition of “join line”. It consists of element entry information “-”. As a result, the area (field) designated by “□” is defined as a data entry column for the data item <monthly>.
[1130]
At the bottom of the book table, in the comment “sales = unit price × number of sales” written in the normal entry information in (black), each data item name string “sales”, “unit price”, “number of sales” (Blue) “Item” definition element entry information “<>”. Thus, it is defined that the calculation formula (ordinary entry information) of this annotation is a calculation formula for data management.
[1140]
In another comment "(Note) Output from monthly sales file", the file name "Monthly sales file" is enclosed in the definition information "[]" of "Range specification" in (blue) and the predicate part “From” and “Output” are respectively enclosed in definition element entry information “◯” of “definition element designation” in (blue).
[1150]
Then, the file name character string “Monthly sales file” indicated by “range specification“ [] ”in (blue) and the data item name“ <file name> ”entered in (blue) in the vicinity are displayed in“ blue ” They are connected via a "-" connecting line. As a result, “item definition” is performed for the file name “monthly sales file”, and “from” and “output” of the normal entry information are defined as “command / procedure definition” system definition elements “source” and “output”, respectively. This means that the definition element entry information indicating the data has been converted, and as a result, “monthly sales file” (output source operand) defines that data should be output to this book (command).
[1160]
The book table document (FIG. 40) to which the definition support information has been additionally entered as described above is input from the color image scanner 10 to the present system.
[1170]
Then, in this system, the same processing unit (FIGS. 19 and 28) as described above is used for the file definition document containing this definition information (FIG. 35) (1) “Recognition of document elements (characters / graphics etc.)”, 2) “Correction of document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)”, (3) “Extraction / identification of definition element entry information (generation of definition element data)” and (4) “Interpretation of definition contents (generation of definition data)” Are performed sequentially.
[1180]
As a result, as the definition data, “item definition data” (FIG. 27), “item definition data chain” (FIG. 41), “cell data” (FIG. 29), “cell in field” “Data chain” (FIG. 30) and “In-record cell data chain” (FIG. 31) are created. In the case of this list, field cell columns are expanded in the vertical direction, and record cell columns are expanded in the horizontal direction.
[1190]
Also, single “item definition data” (FIG. 27) having “monthly” as the data item name is created from the definition information “□-<monthly>” entered in the right corner of the table.
[1200]
Further, “calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 42) is created from the definition information related to the annotation “sales amount = unit price × number of sales” described in the right side of the blank below the table.
[1210]
“Book table management data” (Figure) for managing various types of book table related definition data (“item definition data”, “item definition data chain”, “calculation formula definition data”, etc.) 45).
[1220]
In addition, “data output command definition data” (FIG. 46) is created for the definition information related to the annotation “(Note) Output from monthly sales file” described in the left part of the blank below the table.
[1230]
Also in this case, if the “item definition data chain” (FIG. 41) corresponding to the data item names “classification”, “part number”, “number of sales”, “unit price”, “sales” of the list is created, The procedure shown in FIG. 32 is entered, and a group of data item names in each “item definition data” constituting the chain is identified (step S1).
[1240]
In this example, the data item name character strings “classification”, “product number”, “number of sales”, “unit price”, and “sales” are registered in the “data name dictionary” or “data definition data” (FIG. 33). Therefore, it is found that this list is a definition document (book table) on the application. When this determination result is obtained (step S6), the “book table definition data creation process” (step S7) is entered.
[1250]
In the “book table definition data creation process”, the definition data related to this list, that is, “item definition data”, “item definition data chain”, “cell data”, “cell data field in field”, “cell in record” Generated from not only the “data chain” but also the definition information connected to the table with the bond line “-”, or the specified definition information entered in the same document or page even if there is no bond line “-” The definition data is also recognized as the configuration information relating to the same book table, and these definition data are collectively organized as “book table definition data” in “book table management data” (FIG. 45). In other words, the “book table management data” is management data that collects a group of “book table definition data” that make up one logical book table.
[1260]
In this example, it is determined that the single “item definition data” generated from the definition information “□-<monthly>” on the list is also book table related definition data (configuration information). "(Fig. 45).
[1270]
In addition, for the note “<Sales> = <Unit Price> × <Number of Sales>” below the table, a plurality of character strings <Sales] enclosed in “Items” “<>” in (1) (blue) >, <Unit price>, <number of sales> between characters or symbols (“=”, “×”), and (2) these sandwiched characters (character strings) or symbols Since two conditions of being registered in the definition element identification data storage unit 48 or the application term dictionary memory 52 are satisfied, these characters (character strings) or symbols are set according to the registered contents (in this example, the operation symbol “= "And" x "meaning).
[1280]
From this recognition result, “calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 42) that defines the calculation formula “<sales> = <unit price> × <number of sales>” of this annotation is created. Since this “calculation formula definition data” is also “book table definition data” related to this book table, it is pointed out in “book table management data” (FIG. 45).
[1290]
FIG. 43 shows examples of terms included in the applied term dictionary 52. Characters, character strings, and symbols that can be used as terms are registered for each sub-definition system such as “unit”, “calculation formula”, and “total”.
[1300]
FIG. 44 shows a data format example of the term data included in the applied term dictionary 52. A code of each sub-definition system (“unit”, “calculation formula”, “total”, etc.) is set in the data field of “processing system type” in the header. Subsequent to this header, a character code string constituting each character, character string, and symbol belonging to the sub-definition system is sequentially set in a data format of “character code string” in a list format. “Delimiter identification data” corresponds to the comma (,) that separates the terms in FIG.
[1310]
For the definition information related to another note “(Note) Output from monthly sales file” below the table, the character string “From” and “Output” enclosed in “Define element specification” “◯” are “Command / Procedure” Since it is registered as definition elements that mean “source” and “data output” in the “definition” system, it is determined that the command definition information indicates “data output” from a certain data output source, and “data” The process of creating the “output command definition data” (FIG. 46) is started.
[1320]
In this “data output command definition data” creation process, an output source operand and an output destination operand are determined. In this example, according to the combination rule registered in the combination rule (configuration rule) memory 45, “<file name>-[monthly sales file]” constituting the item definition is defined in the “command / procedure definition” system. The element entry information “From” is regarded as the output source operand indicated.
[1330]
Further, since there is no definition information that explicitly indicates this for the output destination operand, the definition data created from other definition information on the same document or page is referred to as the device default. Then, in this example, since “book table definition data” or “book table management data” (FIG. 45) as described above is created, fields or records (data of the book table indicated by these definition data) (Entry column) is determined as the output destination operand.
[1340]
The output source operand and output destination operand identified as described above are pointed to by “data output command definition data” (FIG. 46). Although omitted in this example, if multiple commands are defined within a certain document range (for example, the same document or sheet group), execution between multiple corresponding "command definition data" The order (sequence) is determined, and other “command definition data” to be executed before and after each “command definition data” is pointed out.
[1350]
As described above, when all definition data has been generated for the book table with definition information input to the system (FIG. 40), the processing performed by the system so far, particularly recognition processing (character / graphic recognition) , Correction of position / size, etc., definition of definition) is displayed and output, and the user side confirms.
[1360]
In this display output, the document contents of each document recognized by the system are sequentially displayed on the display screen 20a in a toggle manner, for example. In order to display this document image, the document image output unit 40 queries the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36 for the document element data for each document stored in the document element data storage unit 38 and determines the pattern of each document element. Each pattern is identified, and each pattern is converted into image data in a bitmap format by a development program to generate a video signal.
[1370]
In this way, when the document contents of the book according to the recognition processing result of the system are displayed on the display screen 20a, the user corrects each document from the screen using the keyboard 12, the mouse 14, or the digitizer 15. Or enter new information.
[1380]
For the entry information input from the keyboard 12, the character / graphic element input unit 37 (FIG. 19) can generate document element data without performing character / graphic recognition processing. For entry information input from the mouse 14 or the digitizer 15, each entry information is input by the character / graphic element input unit 37, and the character / graphic element recognition unit 34 sequentially (for each input entry information) performs character / graphic recognition processing. To generate document element data.
[1390]
Even when definition information is input using the input devices 12, 14, and 15 of these screen input methods, the modification information for each definition system is set and input in the “definition information distinction” mode (FIG. 8) of “environment setting”.
[1400]
When the screen input method is used, it is possible to give an instruction for coloring the entry information not only before the entry information but also after the entry. In other words, the color menu can be used by selecting a desired “color” button in the “color menu” prior to entering a character string or ruled line operation, or using standard colors. Among them, a method of instructing (specifying) a desired portion on the screen and subsequently selecting and instructing a desired “color” button can be adopted.
[1410]
Also, if entry information is entered from the screen under a predetermined definition submode, the system will add the definition distinction modification specified in the submode to the entered entry information and display it on the screen. It is also possible to display. In this case, the definition information is recognized from the entry information with the definition distinction modification.
[1420]
When entry information is input on the screen in this way, each time entry information is input, the character / graphic element input unit 37 (FIG. 15) corresponds to each entry information based on the input data. Data will be generated or modified.
[1430]
The entry information (character string, symbol, figure) input from the screen is expressed in the form of document element data (FIGS. 20 to 24) in the system, as in the case of image input from paper.
[1440]
In an actual usage level, it is convenient to use such a screen input method together with the image input method described above. The information entered in the form of an image from the form and the information entered by the command on the screen are managed in the form of the same document element data in the system, so the original entry information (normal entry information) of the book table or its Regardless of the definition entry information added above, any entry information can be input from either image input or screen input.
[1450]
As described above, the user confirms the document content or the definition content of each document at the stage of the output display for confirmation after inputting the document in which the document content is described in advance by the image scanner 10. However, it is possible to add arbitrary entry information, particularly definition support information, from the keyboard 12, mouse 14 or digitizer 15, and it is also possible to input desired definition information with commands from the screen.
[1460]
Further, the user can change or cancel the definition information by executing a desired editing / proofreading function on the screen for the entry information forming the definition information once the definition information is input. .
[1470]
In order to enable setting input of definition information by a command in the screen input method as described above, the system includes a command input unit 60 and a command recognition / execution processing unit 62 as shown in FIG. The command input unit 60 receives commands input from the keyboard 12, mouse 14, or digitizer 15. The command recognition / execution processing unit 62 performs input command analysis and picking processing as described above, and generates, changes, or deletes necessary definition data. The command input unit 60 and the command recognition / execution processing unit 62 include a command input program and a document creation program held in the internal memory 16 and a CPU 24 that executes these programs.
[1480]
Of course, such a screen input method can be performed by the above-described “data definition” and “file definition”.
[1490]
Next, in the system of this embodiment, various functions of data output processing for transferring data from a data file to an electronic book table and outputting the data will be described.
[1500]
In this example, when the “execution button” is selected and instructed in the main mode, the definition execution processing unit 74 (FIG. 49) executes the definition contents of the command system definition data for requesting the system to perform some processing. At this time, the definition execution processing unit 74 searches the definition data storage unit 54 and the sheet group definition data storage unit 56 to extract command-based definition data based on the “definition data type”, and the definition execution order rule memory 59. The execution order of the definition data is determined in accordance with the “definition execution order rule procedure (program) or data” stored in FIG. FIG. 48 shows a data format example of “definition execution order rule data”.
[1510]
In this example, first, the definition content of “data output command definition data” is executed. In this case, this command content (data output) is identified from “definition data type”, and the output source operand (monthly sales file) is pointed to by “output source operand” from “file name” of “item definition data” The file destination is identified through “file definition data”, and the output destination operand (monthly sales ledger) is identified through “book table management data” or “book table definition data” pointed to by “output destination operand”.
[1520]
FIG. 45 shows the configuration of a data output unit that performs book table-related data output processing in this system. The data item conversion unit 72, the definition execution processing unit 74, and the record / document element data conversion unit 78 are each configured by the CPU 24 that executes a predetermined conversion or processing program. The input record storage unit 70, file definition data storage unit 80, book table definition data storage unit 82, output record storage unit 76, and data / character code conversion table 84 are configured by the internal memory 16 or the external memory 18.
[1530]
When the data output processing is started, first, a file record is stored in the input record storage unit 70 from the output source file (monthly sales file) one record at a time or in a predetermined block unit via the “file manager” (FIG. 38). The
[1540]
FIG. 50 shows a record management table of the sales file sent from the output source file and a format example of the file record. The file record input to the record input unit 70 has data items “BUN”, “HIN”, “TAN”,... Defined on the output source file side.
[1550]
The data item conversion unit 72 refers to the “file definition data” (FIG. 37) held in the file definition data storage unit 80, and each data item “BUN”, “HIN”, “TAN” of the input file record. ,... Are converted into data items “classification”, “product number”, “unit price”,... In each corresponding system (FIG. 50).
[1560]
The definition execution processing unit 74 first extracts only the file records for a specific month, for example, October, from the file records from the data item conversion unit 72. This can be determined from the “month” data field of the file record.
[1570]
Next, from the file records for October, only those that match the data name (product) of “classification” and “product number” entered in the output destination (monthly sales ledger) are extracted (FIG. 51).
[1580]
In order to perform this extraction, the character string of each data name corresponding to “classification” and “part number” from the document element data (character string data) pointed to by “item definition data” of “table definition data” (“ TV ”,“ J1020 ”,...), And the identified character string data is converted into data (code) on the record with reference to the data / character code conversion table. Then, the data names other than the tabulation items (“sales number”, “sales amount”) are compared between each record of the book table and each input file record, and it is determined whether or not they all match. In this case, if there is a blank entry in one of the comparison items (in this example, “unit price” on the book table side), it is excluded from the judgment condition.
[1590]
The “book table definition” is executed on the file record extracted in this way according to “book table definition data” (calculation formula definition data, etc.) stored in the book table definition data storage unit 82.
[1600]
In the case of the book table of FIG. 9, the calculation formula “<sales> = <unit price> × <number of sales>” is calculated for each file record in accordance with “calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 42), and the calculation result data Is set in the data item “Sales”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 50, required output data is prepared for each file record. Each file record that has been subjected to the book table definition execution process by the definition execution processing unit 74 is stored in the output record storage unit 76.
[1610]
The record / document element data conversion unit 78 takes out each file record from the output record storage unit 76 and refers to the data / character code conversion table 84 to convert the data of each data item in this record into document element data. . As a result, for example, data representing the size of the numerical value “396” in the file record is character string data for displaying and outputting a predetermined character string “396” at a predetermined position in a predetermined book table. Is converted to
[1620]
Here, the entry destination of the converted document element data can be identified from each item definition data of “book table definition data”. At that time, if the layout format is defined, according to the layout format, if the layout format is not defined as shown in this example, the device size, character pitch, and layout position (for example, numbers are right-justified Determine centering). It should be noted that the color of the entry character may be the same color (black) as other normal entry information. In addition, a pointer to the document element data (character string data) is set in the cell data (FIG. 29) corresponding to each data entry column.
[1630]
The document element data generated by the record / document element data conversion unit 78 is stored together with the document element data originally written in the book table in the document element data storage unit 38 (more specifically, the corresponding document element data area 38 ( i) stored in).
[1640]
Accordingly, the document image output unit 40 reads out all the document element data corresponding to the normal entry information in (black) from the document element data area 38 (i), and reads the read document element data into the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36. 52, the pattern of each document element is identified, and each pattern is converted into bitmap format image data by a development program, whereby a target book output document as shown in FIG. 52 is displayed on, for example, the display screen 20a. Can be displayed. Further, it can be printed out by the printing device 22 or can be faxed by the communication device 24.
[1650]
As described above, even in the book table definition, the user adds the predetermined definition support information composed of characters, symbols, and figures that are familiar to everyday life to the desired book table paper, and follows the predetermined combination rule (construction rule). Since it can be defined as desired, there is very little to remember and simple tasks or operations are required.
[1660]
In particular, in this system, by using the common “item definition” function, all of the “data definition”, “file definition”, and “book table definition” are performed with the same (common) memories in a common operation. be able to. As a result, arbitrary parties from the system operator to the end user can easily participate in “data definition”, “file definition”, and “book table definition”.
[1670]
The data output process described above was a process of outputting data from a file to a book table. Conversely, the process of inputting data from a book table to a file and the process of transferring data between different book tables are the same as described above. Can be done.
[1680]
The “data output command definition” in the above-described book table is merely an example, and various commands can be defined by using definition element entry information of “common” and “command / procedure definition” systems.
[1690]
Although the main functions of the system according to this embodiment have been described above, various modifications are possible. For example, FIG. 53 shows an example in which definition information is input by a command from the screen. As shown in FIG. 53, the document content of the input book table document is displayed on the display screen 20a, and a predetermined command is input from the keyboard 12 or the mouse 14 while confirming the input document content. Definition information can be entered.
[1700]
In FIG. 53, for example, when the “sales number” of the normal entry information is designated and clicked in the “definition” mode, the designated location 90 is specified (for example, highlighted) and simultaneously displayed in the display screen 20a. A sub-screen 94 listing various definition items such as “1. field”, “2. data item”, “3. unit name” appears. Here, when “2. Data item” is selected and instructed, the normal entry information “Number of sales” is converted to “Number of sales” of the data item. Similarly, when an area 92 under the “sales number” column is pointed and clicked, and “1. field” is designated for this area 92, the area 92 is defined as a field for entering the “sales number” data. Is done.
[1710]
In FIG. 53, for convenience of explanation, a state in which the data item location 90 and the field area 92 are selected and instructed at the same time is shown. .
[1720]
In the system, in response to the user operation as described above, the command recognition / execution processing unit 62 analyzes the input command, and the position (click position) on the screen targeted by the command and the document element data The matching with the “position” information of the document element data held in the storage unit 38 is repeated to identify the corresponding document element data (picking process). Then, necessary definition data is generated from the identified document element data and the instruction content of the input command.
[1730]
The present invention uses a program or software for realizing the functions of the present invention described above. Such software can be installed in the system of the present invention via an arbitrary medium, for example, by a storage medium or online. Therefore, an act of transferring a storage medium storing software for implementing the present invention as a business, an act of installing the software in a system online, and the like are one embodiment of the present invention.
[1740]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, one type of simple symbol is added to the original entry contents of a document or a simple symbol familiar to the user on a document freely created by a user by adding one type of simple symbol. By adding and adding simple symbols, it is possible to define commands that instruct the system to perform various processes.
[1750]
Furthermore, by adding a small number of types of symbols, it is possible to define more various commands with operands.
[1760]
In addition, by giving modification information such as a specific color to the above-mentioned command conversion designation symbol, various commands can be defined in a form that further increases user visibility and user flexibility.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration on hardware of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a list of main modes in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a “main mode list menu screen” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an “environment setting mode screen” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition element identification data” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a “definition information distinction instruction screen” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition information distinction data” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a “main mode screen” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a definition document used in “data definition” in the system of the embodiment.
14 is a diagram showing an example in which definition support information is additionally entered in the data definition document of FIG. 13;
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document input and document element data generation unit in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sheet data management function in the system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “sheet data area management data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “image management data” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an input image that is a target of “image management data” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “character data” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “character string data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to a line segment in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to an ellipse in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to a rectangle or the like in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a definition information recognition and format setting unit and a definition execution processing unit in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition element data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “item definition data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 28 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of an “item definition data chain” created by “data definition” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “cell data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a structure of “in-field cell data chain” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a structure of “cell data chain in record” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 32 shows an overall procedure for branching to each definition data creation process of “data definition data”, “file definition data”, and “book definition data” based on “item definition data chain” in the system of the embodiment. It is a flowchart.
FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of “data definition data” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating an example of a definition document used in “file definition” in the system of the embodiment.
35 is a diagram showing an example in which definition support information is additionally entered in the file definition document in FIG. 35. FIG.
FIG. 36 is a diagram schematically illustrating the structure of an “item definition data chain” created by “file definition” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “file definition data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a file management unit in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating an example of a book table sheet used in “book table creation” in the system of the embodiment.
40 is a diagram showing an example in which definition support information is additionally entered in the book table of FIG. 39. FIG.
FIG. 41 is a diagram schematically illustrating a structure of an “item definition data chain” created by “create book table” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 42 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “calculation formula definition data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating examples of terms included in an applied term dictionary in the system of the embodiment.
44 is a diagram showing a data format example of “dictionary term data” in the system of the embodiment. FIG.
45 is a diagram showing a data format example of “book table management data” in the system of the embodiment; FIG.
FIG. 46 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “data output command definition data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 47 is a block diagram showing a configuration for processing document entry information and definition information by a screen input method in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 48 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition execution order rule data” in the system of the embodiment;
FIG. 49 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a data output unit that performs book table-related data output processing in the system according to the embodiment;
FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating format conversion of a file record in the system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating file record extraction processing in the system of the example;
FIG. 52 is a diagram illustrating an example of a book table output document in the system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition information is input from the screen using a command in the system according to the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Color image scanner
12 Keyboard
14 mouse
15 Digitizer
16 Internal memory
18 External memory
20 Display device
24 CPU (microprocessor)
27 Communication device
34 Character / graphic element recognition part
35 Sheet Data Area Management Department
37 Character / graphic element input section
38 Document element data storage
40 Document image display output section
42 Definition element data generator
46 Definition data generator
48 Definition Element Identification Data Storage Unit
50 Definition information distinction data storage unit
52 Application Term Dictionary
54 Definition data storage
56 Sheet groove definition data storage
60 Command input part
62 Command recognition execution processing unit
73 Definition Execution Processing Unit

Claims (4)

In an information processing system, a method for generating command definition information that instructs a system to perform a certain operation or process,
Document data storage means for storing document data in which code string information and position information are registered for each symbol or each character string on the document in the system;
Oite information processing system comprising a dictionary storage means for storing the dictionary data registered in correspondence with the code string information and semantic information on the command definition for a particular symbol or term and is registered in the dictionary data Specific symbols or terms that are added to other entry information described in the document, so that the other entry information added to the document is converted into command definition information for the system. Detecting one entry information from the document by repeatedly collating the corresponding code string information registered in the dictionary data and the code string information of each symbol or each character string constituting the document data; The second entry information which is a symbol or character string having a specific arrangement relationship on the document with the detected first entry information, Identifying by repeating the position information of the first entry information, the matching between the position information of each symbol or each string constituting the document data,
For the second entry information identified on the document, by repeating collation between the code string information and the code string information of each symbol or each term registered in the dictionary data, Identifying semantic information on the command definition registered corresponding to the second entry information, and generating command information for instructing the system to perform the corresponding processing;
A method in an information processing system comprising: The third entry information, which is a symbol specifically designated as an operand of the command definition on the document, includes the corresponding code string information and the code string information of each symbol or each character string constituting the document data. Detecting from the document by repeating the matching between,
The detected third entry information and the fourth entry information which is a symbol or character string in a specific arrangement relationship on the document, the position information of the third entry information, and each symbol constituting the document data or Identifying by repeating matching between the position information of each character string;
The method according to claim 1, further comprising: generating an operand of corresponding command definition information based on the identified fourth entry information. The document data held in the document data storage means includes decoration information including color information for each symbol or each character string on the document,
Entry information having predetermined modification information is detected after it is detected from the document by repeatedly comparing the modification information with the modification information provided for each symbol or each character string in the document data. the method as claimed from a symbol or string with the modified information to claim 1 or 2 for detecting the first entry information from the document. An information processing device that generates command definition information that instructs a device to perform certain operations or data processing,
Document data storage means for storing document data in which code string information and position information are registered for each symbol or each character string on the document in the system;
Dictionary storage means for storing dictionary data registered in association with code string information and semantic information on the command definition for a specific symbol or term ;
The command definition information for the system is a specific symbol or term registered in the above dictionary data, and is added to the other entry information described on the document to add the other entry information to the system. By repeating the collation between the corresponding code string information registered in the dictionary data and the code string information of each symbol or each character string constituting the document data, the first entry information that designates conversion to Means for detecting from the document;
The detected first entry information and the second entry information which is a symbol or character string in a specific arrangement relationship on the document, the position information of the first entry information, and each symbol constituting the document data Or a means for identifying by repeating matching between the position information of each character string,
For the second entry information identified on the document, by repeating collation between the code string information and the code string information of each symbol or each term registered in the dictionary data, Means for identifying command definition semantic information registered corresponding to the second entry information, and generating command information for instructing the system to perform the corresponding processing;
An information processing apparatus.

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