JPH0467231B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a catalog design system, and in particular allows the layout created in the editorial design process to be freely created.

[Conventional technology]

Figure 7 is a diagram explaining various printing principles. 1 is letterpress printing in which ink is attached to the convex parts of plate A and printed on paper B, and 2 is a diagram for printing on paper B by applying chemical treatment to flat plate A. 3 is lithographic printing, in which ink is applied to the recesses of plate a, and a thin knife-shaped spatula called a doctor is used to scrape off the excess ink, and 4 is intaglio printing, in which holes are made in plate a. This is stencil printing, in which ink is imprinted from the paper and printed on the paper B below. Next, a conventional printing process will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional printing process, and 1 is a planning and production stage in which the purpose and content of printing are examined. Planning and production stage 1 is planning 1
It consists of a, editing/layout (print estimate) 1b, block production 1c, and block proofing 1d. 2 is the printing stage, original plate creation 2a, printing plate creation 2b, color proofing 2
c, printing 2d. 3 is the finishing stage,
Folding 3a, collation 3b, cutting 3c, binding/binding 3d
It consists of 4 is the delivery stage.

Next, the operation will be explained.

The project 1a is a presentation for the printed matter, and it determines the image to be included in the printed material, the intention to purchase it, etc., and the reaction and results from the printed material are determined by this plan 1a. Following this, the editing/layout (print estimate) 1b is based on the size of the paper to be printed, etc., and the character pitch according to the size of the characters to be printed on one page.
Decide on the line pitch, number of lines, Gothic font, etc.
Layout is done, and the quality of paper to be printed, number of copies, etc. are determined. Next, block production 1c is performed in which a photograph, cut, lettering, or phototypesetting is pasted onto the full-size paper to be printed. Next, a proofreading process 1d is performed to discover and correct errors on the block created by the block production process 1c.

Next, the process moves to printing stage 2, where an original plate is created 2a in which the original plate is first photographed with a camera and developed on film. In the case of color (multicolor printing), color separation is performed to create films for Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), K (black), etc.
Next, in order to take a printing plate according to each printing method from the original plate, printing plate creation 2b is performed in which the original film is exposed to light and printed on each plate material. When this printing plate creation 2b is completed, color proofing 2c is performed (color printing only). Printing 2d is performed in which ink on the original plate is transferred to paper according to the specified paper, such as A full size, B full size, A half size, 1/2 size, etc. Duplicate, letterpress, offset, and gravure will be discussed later.

Next, move on to finishing stage 3, after printing is completed (printing complete),
Perform fold 3a. Fold 3a includes two folds, four folds, and eight folds. After folding 3a, Thomson processing (die cutting) and sewing work may be performed.
Subsequently, by folding 3a, for example, the paper printed on both sides is folded into eight, and the total number of pages becomes 16 pages. However, the printed pages are not consecutive pages due to folding. Therefore, collation 3b is performed to arrange the printed sheets (hereinafter referred to as a stand) in page order. Next, cutting 3c is performed in which the paper is aligned and the periphery is trimmed to a specified size (decorative cutting). Note that cutting the entire original to fit the printing machine before printing is called blank cutting. After the cutting work, binding and bookbinding 3d is performed to attach a cover. In addition,
Binding methods include overlock binding (cover binding), which is used for books, etc.
There are flat binding for general magazines, saddle stitching for weekly magazines, and perfect binding for telephone directories.

Next, the process moves to delivery stage 4, in which the printed material is delivered to the delivery deadline and delivery location. When the above four large cycles are completed, one printing process is completed.

Next, the printing process for catalog design etc. will be explained.

Catalogs are printed materials that consist of product photos and explanatory text (including model numbers, etc., and functional data), and have the characteristic that new products announced every year are featured as so-called highlights, so they are The assigned manuscripts are effectively used.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional catalog design process. Note that (1) to (11) represent each step.

The manuscript request begins with a printed presentation (1), followed by the creation of a mini-rough version (described later) (2). Next, perform a layout presentation to create a layout manuscript (3) and create a rough draft (described later).
(Four). In parallel with steps (1) to (4), drawings, explanatory notes, and
Create or prepare a photo (color photo if it is a color manuscript) and create a layout manuscript (5). Next, a block mount is made based on the layout manuscript, and a block copy is also created (6). Next, this block is photographed with a camera to create an original block (7). In the case of a color original, four original film plates (the number of sheets corresponds to the number of colors of ink to be printed) are created. Here, the original plate is color proofed (8), and then printing, binding, and delivery are carried out.
(9), (10), (11). Note that steps (1) to (5) are called a design process in a broad sense, and steps (6) to (11) are called a printing process in a broad sense.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the mini-rough in the design process, and 11 is the mini-rough, which is composed of a page number 11a, a product name 11b, and a product number 11c. 12 indicates the column direction on the manuscript;
13 indicates the dividing direction on the document. Generally, a plate with undivided columns is called a square plate, and a plate with divided columns is called a single piece.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the roughness, and 21
is a conventional photo of a similar product (the perspective view is shown with diagonal lines), such as a photo of a chair, positioned and pasted, and the phototypeset product number 21 is attached.
a and a drawing (not shown) are positioned and pasted. 22 is a new product column, which is blank, and the product number 11c of the new product, etc. is written therein.

Figure 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the layout manuscript in which the outer frame of the new product is roughly drawn as shown in Figure 11, 31 is an illustration in which the outline of the new product is drawn, and 31a is an illustration in which the outline of the new product is drawn. line diagram, 3
1b is product data in which the product number etc. are phototypeset.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

As mentioned above, when creating mini-roughs and rough drafts for catalogs in the conventional design process, changes are made extremely frequently to the mini-roughs and rough drafts that have been created, so creating a catalog with a large number of pages requires a huge amount of labor. There were problems such as the need to consume time.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it manages composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information as one unit, and also automatically stores product image data in a database. By reading out and visually displaying,
A rough layout for a new product is created by using the same product image data that has already been printed and is managed based on the mini-rough with character type, square plate, and product number in the allocated area displayed in the layout and the product number input in the mini-rough. To provide a catalog design system that allows efficient catalog editing of products, etc. while visually capturing products in a state close to the product image.

[Means for solving problems]

The catalog design system according to this invention includes:
an image reading means for reading a series of product image data printed on a catalog; a product image data storage means for sequentially storing the series of product image data read by the image reading means according to product number; and a layout of the catalog. an input means for inputting composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information to determine the image, and integrally stores the composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information input from this input means. A mini-rough layout of a catalog in which a number of double-page spreads are arranged in columns is displayed as a display means according to a layout information storage means and the composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information stored in the layout information storage means. a first display control means for displaying a series of product image data retrieved from a product image data storage means based on a product number on a mini-rough layout displayed on the display means by the first display control means; a second display control means for displaying the rough layout assigned to each product number input area of the display means while changing the size to a desired size; and an input means after the display control of the first or second display control means is completed; and image output means for scaling and outputting the displayed mini-rough layout or rough layout to a desired size based on an output command sent from the apparatus.

[Effect]

In this invention, a series of product image data read by the image reading means is sequentially stored in the product image data storage means, and composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information input from the input means are integrated. Based on the stored composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information, the display control means stores the product number and character position information in the layout area of the display means. , a mini-rough layout including square plate position information is displayed, and the mini-rough layout displayed on the display means is outputted according to a desired scaling factor by the image output means in response to an output command from the input means.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 41 denotes an image reading means for binarizing and reading a series of product image data printed in a catalog, using an optical reader (not shown). 42
is product image data storage means, and image reading means 4
The binarized image read by 1 is stored according to the product number. 43 is an input means consisting of, for example, a keyboard and a tablet, and the product number,
Enter composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information. Reference numeral 44 denotes a display means, for example, a high-resolution bit map display. 4
Reference numeral 5 denotes a layout information storage means for storing composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information inputted from the input means 43. A system controller 46 controls each of the means 41 to 45, and includes a first display control means 46a and a second display control means 46b of the present invention. The first display control means 46a displays composition information stored in the layout information storage means 45 on the display means 44;
A mini-rough in which the product number, character type, and square block are integrated is displayed in a desired area arranged in columns according to the product number, character position information, and square block position information. The second display control means 46b interprets the composition information and product number stored in the layout information storage means 45, and displays a desired series of product image data stored in the product image data storage means 42. 4
4, scale the image to the desired size and display it. Reference numeral 47 denotes an image output means that scales and outputs the layout image displayed on the display means 44 by the first display control means 46a or the second display control means 46b to a desired size according to an output command from the input means 43. do. Note that the image output means 47 is not limited to one that outputs a hard copy, and may also be a display of a portable handheld computer or the like.

Next, the mini-rough and rough output operations will be explained.

In order to output a mini-rough image, input means 4
When the composition information and product number of a series of products to be printed on one page from 3 are input, the composition information and product number are stored in the layout information storage means 45, and the composition information and product number are input for each page. When finished, the first display control means displays the display means 4.
Layout (columns) of screen 4 according to composition information
Then, a one-to-one corresponding product number is displayed in a predetermined area laid out. This display is called a mini-rough display. Here, when a command is issued from the input means 43 to output the mini-rough displayed on the display means 44, the first display control means 46a of the system controller 46 transfers the image data displayed on the display means 44 to the image output means 47. Output to. As a result, a mini-rough image is output from the image output means 47, such as a laser printer. If it is necessary to determine and correct the outputted mini-rough image, input the page number to be corrected from the input means 43, display the outputted mini-rough image again on the display means 44, and input the composition information, Correct by re-entering the product number or moving data. With this modification, the composition information and product number are also updated and stored in the layout information storage means 45.

When outputting a rough image, composition information, product number, etc. are stored in advance in the layout information storage means 45 when outputting a mini rough image.
When a search command for product image data is issued from the input means 43, the second display control means 46b retrieves the composition information stored in the layout information storage means 45,
The product number is interpreted and the product image data (consisting of the product photo, product number, drawing, etc. read from the printed catalog by the image reading means 41) is stored as the product number by the product image data storage means 42 for each page. is searched as a keyword and displayed as a rough image in a predetermined area of the display means 44 according to the composition information and product number. Here, the input means 43
When a command is issued to output the rough image displayed on the display means 44, the second display control means 46b of the system controller 46 outputs the image data displayed on the display means 44 to the image output means 47.
As a result, a rough image is output from the image output means 47, such as a laser printer. If it is necessary to determine and correct the output rough image, input the page number to be corrected from the input means 43, display the output rough image again on the display means 44,
The composition information and product number are inputted again through the input means 43, or the data is moved or scaled to be corrected, that is, the product image data is moved or scaled. With this modification, the composition information and product number are also updated and stored in the layout information storage means 45. At this time, since the product image data regarding the new product is not registered in the product image data storage means 42, the product image is not only not displayed on the display means 44, but also the new product image is not displayed on the rough image output from the image output means 47. Product image data of the product is not output, that is, it is output as blank. however,
Product numbers can be displayed or printed. A line indicating the outline of the new product is drawn in the blank area of the rough image obtained in this way, and a layout document is created.

As mentioned above, modifications and changes to mini-rough and rough images, that is, replacement of product image data, are frequently performed at the layout stage, but mini-rough and rough images can now be easily created and revised, dramatically reducing labor in the design process. This allows you to quickly respond to layout changes.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a catalog design system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and 51 is a host computer (HP), which corresponds to the system controller 46 shown in FIG. Control means 46a, second display control means 4
It also serves as 6b. 52 is image scanner,
An image of a document placed on a document table (not shown) is read as a two-set image, and a product number is added as a keyword to a magnetic disk 53a having a large capacity memory area, and the images are sequentially stored. 53b is an image storage device using, for example, a floppy disk (FD) 53c as a storage medium, and stores rough images or mini-rough images on a small scale. 54 is a high resolution bit map display, pointing device (hereinafter referred to as PD) 55a or keyboard 55b
Mini rough images and rough images are displayed based on input information from input means 55 such as the above. Reference numeral 56 corresponds to the image output means 47 shown in FIG.
6a, handheld computer (HC) 56b
It consists of The printer 56a outputs a hard copy of the mini-rough and rough images, and the HC 56b uses the image storage device 53b to output the mini-rough and rough images stored in the FD 53c at a desired location, for example, at a client's location. . In addition,
The HC56b can correct mini-rough and rough images. Furthermore, it can communicate with the HP 51 via an appropriately provided interface.

Next, mini-rough creation using the catalog design system of FIG. 2 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 a to 3 e and FIG. 4.

FIGS. 3a to 3e are diagrams for explaining the mini-rough creation operation, and a is a page selection screen displayed on the bitmap display 54. FIGS. b is a column creation screen displayed on the bit map display 54;
Reference character c is a product number input screen displayed on the bit map display 54, d is a square plate creation screen displayed on the bit map display 54, and e is a character pattern creation screen displayed on the bit map display 54.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the mini-rough creation procedure of the present invention. Note that (1) to (8) indicate each step.

When the system startup is completed, the HP 51 displays an initial screen on the bit map display 54 (1). Next, the HP 51 is activated according to a mini-rough creation program from an external memory (not shown), and first displays the page selection screen shown in FIG. 3A on the bitmap display 54. On the page selection screen in Figure 3a, for example, there are 8 double-page spreads.
The one on the page is displayed first. At this time, the retype area RT is also displayed at the same time. and,
When the sheet name and page number are input from the keyboard 55b in response to the HP 51 menu, the page number is displayed at the top of each page (2). Note that the page numbers will be updated sequentially by inputting the first page number. When this page selection operation is completed, the HP
51 external memory (not shown) according to the mini-rough creation program, the column creation screen shown in FIG. ) and displayed on the bit map display 54. Input the number of stages and divisions from the left page in response to the HP51 menu. The column creation screen shown in Figure 3b is the number of columns (left) "1", the number of divisions (left) "1", the number of columns (right) "2", the number of divisions (right, up) "2", the number of divisions ( light, down)
This is the case when "4" is entered on the keyboard 55b.
(3). In addition, if you input the number of stages or number of divisions incorrectly,
The screen of the bitmap display 54 is initialized and the columns are reconfigured. When this column creation operation is completed, first, the third
The c product number input screen shown in Figure c, that is, the data for two double-page spreads arranged in columns is enlarged (a predetermined enlargement magnification is set), and
A screen on which the block number BN of each block is written is displayed on the bitmap display 54. Next, the product number (predetermined number of digits) is accepted from the keyboard 55b and displayed in the retype area RT in the order of block numbers BN. When the final number of the block number BN, for example "7", has been input, the retype area Close the input to RT and display the product number in the area specified by the block number (4). In addition, if you enter the product number incorrectly,
Operate the cursor to match the block number BN to be corrected and re-enter. Furthermore, moving the block number BN once displayed can also be performed by operating the cursor. When the product number input operation is completed, the HP51 external memory (not shown)
According to the mini-rough creation program, Figure 3 d
Display the square plate creation screen shown in . Then P.D.
When the two vertices of the square block, ie, the upper left coordinate and the lower right coordinate of the square block, are input from the keyboard 55a or the keyboard 55b, the square block is displayed as a frame on the bit map display 54 (5). If you make a mistake in inputting the coordinate data of the square plate, correct it by entering the upper left and lower right coordinates of the square plate again. When the display of the square version is finished, according to the mini-rough creation program from the HP51's external memory (not shown),
The character pattern creation screen shown in FIG. 3e is displayed. The character type displays the two end points where the explanatory text is placed in a Z-shape, and is displayed on the PD55a or keyboard 55b.
When the two end points of the Z-shape, ie, the upper left and lower right coordinates of the Z-shape, are input from , the Z-shape is displayed on the bit map display 54 (6). In addition, if you make a mistake in inputting the character type (Z type) coordinate data,
Re-enter the top left and bottom right coordinates of the Z shape. Next, when a mini-rough output command is issued from the keyboard 55b, a hard copy of the mini-rough image is obtained from the printer 56a (7). Next, the composition information of the mini-rough image, that is, the column information, the square version information,
The character type information and product number are stored in the work area of the HP51, and the mini-rough creation flow is completed.

Next, the rough creation procedure will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5a to 5e and FIG. 6. Note that during rough creation, the positions and dimensions of product image data, the positions of characters, and the positions and dimensions of square plates are specified. In particular, the size of letters is predetermined, so
When creating a rough sketch, specify its series or number of points.

Figures 5a to 5e are diagrams explaining the rough creation operation,
a is a page selection screen displayed on the bit map display 54, b is a database call screen displayed on the bit map display 54, c is a single item calibration screen displayed on the bit map display 54, and d is displayed on the bit map display 54. The square proofing screen to be displayed is a character type proofing screen displayed on the bitmap display 54.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the rough creation procedure of the present invention. Note that (1) to (16) indicate each step. Further, it is assumed that the product image data is stored in advance on the magnetic disk 53.
First, when a rough creation command is input from the keyboard 55b (1), the HP51's external memory (not shown)
First, a character pattern creation screen shown in FIG. 3e, that is, a mini-rough screen is displayed on the bitmap display 54 according to the rough creation program.
(2). Next, when the sheet name and page number are input from the keyboard 55b in response to the menu of the HP 51, the page selection screen shown in FIG. (3). Note that if the page number of the first page is input, subsequent page numbers will be automatically assigned according to instructions from the HP 51. When this page selection operation is completed, select the magnetic disk 53a from the keyboard 55b.
Enter the search command for the product image data registered in (4). In response to this command, the HP 51 interprets the composition information and product number stored in the work area, starts searching for desired product image data using the product number as a keyword (5), and creates a binary image in the corresponding block. The database call screen shown in FIG. 5B is displayed on the bitmap display 54 after being scaled to a desired size (6). At this time, since product image data regarding the new product is not registered, the product number, columns, and character type are displayed. Next, while referring to the outputted mini-rough image, the product photo data is allocated and displayed on the database call screen shown in FIG. 5b (7). When the operation on the database call screen shown in FIG. 5b is completed, the keyboard 55
Enter the command to enlarge the block to be corrected from b and display the single item calibration screen shown in Figure 5 c.
(8). At this time, the magnification rate is input from the keyboard 55b or variable magnification setting means (not shown). Upon receiving this input, the HP 51 scales and displays only the photo data of the product image data to the same size as the size to be printed in the catalog (9). Next, the product image data is moved to a desired position (10). When this operation is completed, the process moves on to proofreading the square plate for the new product. On the square plate proofing screen shown in FIG. is erased from the bitmap display 54 (11). Next, enter the upper left coordinates of the square plate with precise dimensional accuracy on the keyboard 55.
Input the numerical values from b, and also enter the height and width of the square block (11) to create a precise square block. When this operation is completed, the process moves on to character type proofing for the new product, and the character type proofing screen shown in FIG. 5e is displayed (13). At that time, the display area is adjusted by a screen adjustment means (not shown) to display the character type correction screen shown in FIG. 5e. Next, on the character type proofing screen shown in FIG. (14). Then,
Input the upper left coordinate of the character type numerically, and also enter the position of the product description and the size of the character Q (seventh series or
12 points, etc.), the number of characters W, and the number of lines L using the keyboard 55b (15). When this numerical input is completed, the character type is displayed in a line pattern (16). Here, when a rough output command is issued from the keyboard 55b, a hard copy of the rough image is obtained from the printer 56a. Note that when a command to transfer this rough image to the FD 53c of the image storage device 53b is input from the keyboard 55b,
A binary image of the rough image is stored in the FD 53c.
This FD 53c is outputted by a handheld computer 56b at a customer's location, a final review is made with the customer, and if any corrections are needed, the rough image is corrected on the spot and then stored again in the FD 53c.

Next, registration of product image data will be explained with reference to FIG.

The operator sets the published catalog on the image scanner 52, reads the image optically, displays the product image data converted into a digital signal on the bit map display 54, and inputs the registration code (product number) using the keyboard 55b. When input, the HP 51 issues a command to transfer the product image data, and the data is stored in a predetermined area of the magnetic disk 53a. This operation is performed for new products in catalogs that are published every time, and the catalogs are updated sequentially. To read product image data, as described above, the product number is searched for as a readout code, the data is scaled to a desired size, and transferred to a rough screen.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which product image data is registered on the magnetic disk 53a, but the recording medium is not limited to a magnetic disk, and any medium may be used as long as it can read and write a large amount of data. Furthermore, the storage medium that stores product image data is not limited to the FD53c.
Magnetic tape may also be used. Furthermore, although the case has been described in which commands to the bitmap display 54 are given using the PD 55a, a stylus pen or other means may also be used.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention sequentially stores a series of product image data read by the image reading means in the product image data storage means, and also stores the composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate input from the input means. The position information is stored as one in the layout information storage means, and the first display control means lays out the area on the display means based on the stored composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information. displays a mini-rough layout including a product number, character position information, and square plate position information, and further controls a second display based on the product number on the mini-rough layout displayed on the display means by the first display control means. The means displays the rough layout assigned to each product number input area of the display means while scaling the series of product image data retrieved from the product image data storage means to a desired size, and outputs the output command sent from the input means. Since the image output means is configured to output the mini-rough layout or rough layout displayed on the display means based on the desired magnification ratio, the assignment to the product image data that is not changed on the catalog that has already been printed is possible. It is possible to perform layout that visually captures the product image with good reproducibility, and it is also possible to significantly reduce data input processing for searching for desired product image data stored in the product image data storage means.

In addition, since a large number of pages can be displayed on the page selection screen, it is possible to visually check the flow of a large number of products printed in a catalog while efficiently creating a rough or mini-rough. play.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a catalog design system showing an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 3a
~e are diagrams explaining the mini rough creation operation, Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the mini rough creation procedure, Figures 5 a to e are diagrams explaining the rough creation operation, and Figure 6 is a flow chart showing the rough creation procedure. Figure 7 is a diagram explaining various printing principles, Figure 8 is a block diagram explaining the conventional printing process, Figure 9 is a flowchart explaining the conventional design catalog process,
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a mini-rough in the design process, FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a rough draft in the design process, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a layout manuscript. In the figure, 41 is an image reading means, 42 is a product image data storage means, 43 is an input means, 44 is a display means, 45 is a layout information storage means, 46 is a system controller, 46a is a first display control means, and 46b is a 2nd display control means, 47 is an image output means, 51 is a host computer, 52 is an image scanner, 53a is a magnetic disk, 53b is an image storage device, 53c is an FD, 54 is a bitmap display, 55a is a PD, 55b 56a is a keyboard, 56a is a printer, and 56b is a handheld computer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 Image reading means for reading a series of product image data printed on a catalog; product image data storage means for sequentially storing the series of product image data read by the image reading means according to product number; An input means for inputting composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information to determine the layout, and the composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information input from this input means are stored as one. and display means for displaying a mini-rough layout of a catalog in which a large number of spread pages are arranged in columns according to the composition information, product number, character position information, and square plate position information stored in the layout information storage means. and a series of product image data retrieved from the product image data storage means based on the product number on the mini rough layout displayed on the display means by the first display control means. a second display control means for displaying the rough layout assigned to each product number input area of the display means while scaling it to a desired size; A catalog design system comprising image output means for scaling and outputting the mini-rough layout or rough layout displayed on the display means to a desired size based on an output command sent from the means.