JPH07160690A - Routine document processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To define document elements based on the reading data of the unused routine form by permitting a reader to select the layout at the time of displaying and printing the routine document. CONSTITUTION:When the image data of ruled lines and of the printed character are inputted by an image scanner 1, a part 2 identifying the automatic area automatically identifies the area. The data obtained by the area identification processing is an area data 3. In a document element definition part 4, the edition is performed when the data has an error, resulting in obtaining a document element data 5. When the document element and the area are decided, a layout setting part 6 performs layout setting. When the layout is decided, it is preserved as layout data 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fixed form document processing apparatus, and more specifically, it registers a form of a document including ruled lines, which is generally called a form, displays the form, and inputs characters into the document to display the document. The present invention relates to a standard document processing device for creating a document. For example, a general document can be applied to a document having unprinted (invisible) ruled lines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a document processor such as a word processor has a function called "fixed form printing" in order to efficiently create a form (document having a "fixed form") including ruled lines. (“Japanese Word Processor RIPORT 5200 Series Instruction Manual <Functions>”, printed June 1988).

In this example, "form format" (defining the size and orientation of paper, the size of characters, etc.) and "standard form data" are defined, and the corresponding individual document data ("form Document ”) is prepared separately. When a standard form printing instruction is issued, the system associates the form document data with the standard form data and outputs the form document data based on the form format. If you have unused standard form paper, you can overprint on it to create the desired document.

When the standard form data is created, a human gives each form item a physical position on the paper (eg, how many millimeters below the upper end is printed). . Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the position of the item on the paper and specify it so as not to make a mistake, which is very troublesome. Since there is unused standard form paper, it is possible to use it more effectively and reduce the burden on humans.

Regarding this, for example, "Automatic acquisition of format structure knowledge for structure recognition of form document" (IEICE Transactions D-II, March 1993) and references referred to therein. As described above, there are several known techniques for extracting the structure of a document including ruled lines.

It is technically easy to use the technique for recognizing the position of the ruled line from the unused standard form paper containing the ruled line in the standard form printing mentioned above. That is, the area is automatically identified based on the result of the ruled line recognition. However, since there is no error, the area can be defined for the time being by providing a correcting means. After that, by inputting characters or the like in each area, a document conforming to the existing fixed form is apparently completed, and the image can be output on paper as needed.

[0007]

However, the information originally contained in a document is not merely for "seeing" by a human being after it has been printed. In particular, in fixed form documents, people with various roles are often referred to in the process of distribution. For example, in so-called “drafting documents”, the budget manager must confirm the budget-related part. Depending on each item, the usage of the item will differ depending on the item, such as the budget manager needing to see the stamped column regarding the final decision.

Further, when the application program tries to use the information in the document, it is necessary to properly define what the data in each area has, but data intended only for printing. With the way of holding, it becomes impossible. That is, there are the following problems (1) and (2). (1) In a paper document, since the layout is not changed once it is printed, the fixed layout, which is considered to be commonplace, is different depending on the person who reads it. There is a property that points cannot be dealt with. With electronic documents, this is possible. (2) The meaning of the data in each area needs to be properly defined in order to be used by a computer, but these are not taken into consideration in conventional display and print systems.

There are various kinds of so-called form design software. These support so-called form design, which is how to arrange the items necessary for the form on paper (and on the screen). Basically, the layout decided there is fixed (it is limited to one), and there is no function for fixing the document element by acquiring the information of the existing unused form. So, combining each technology element,
In addition, it is required to enable a free layout.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has a function of allowing a reader to select a layout when displaying / printing a standard document, and based on data read from an unused standard form sheet. Another object of the present invention is to provide a standard document processing device having a function of defining a document element.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: (1) In a standard document processing apparatus for designing a screen of a form document, based on an image image of an existing unused form sheet. It has a document element defining means for extracting the document elements of the form and a layout setting means for arranging the document elements extracted by the document element defining means as a unit, and further (2) is extracted by the layout setting means. When arranging the document elements as a unit, a plurality of layouts can be set for the same form, or (3) the document element of the form document in the standard document processing device for displaying the digitized form document. Or (4) in the standard document processing device for displaying an electronic form document, the display position of the document element of the form document is provided. And (5) in (4), the changing means can selectively change the display position of the document element of the form document according to the purpose. , (6)
In a standard document processing device for creating an electronic form document, a standard document processing device for selecting a layout of document elements of a form displayed at the time of creation, or (7) a standard document processing device for processing a form document And having a layout setting means for making the layout at the time of creating the form document and the layout at the time of browsing independent, or (8)
In a standard document processing device for processing a form document, the screen design of the form is performed by the screen design according to claim 1 or 2, the document is created according to claim 6 when the form is created, and the bill is created when the form is displayed. It is characterized in that the display described in 3 or 5 is performed.

[0012]

The document element definition section extracts document elements of a form based on the image image of an existing unused form sheet, and the layout setting section arranges the document elements extracted by the document element definition section as a unit. To do. Further, in that case, it is possible to set a plurality of layouts for the same form.

[0013]

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of a standard document processing apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an image scanner, 2 is an automatic area identification section, 3 is area data, 4 is a document element definition section. Reference numeral 5 is document element data, 6 is a layout setting section, 7 is layout data, 8 is a layout selecting section, and 9 is a layout selecting section.
Is a display device, 10 is an input unit, 11 is a document browsing unit, 12 is a document creation unit, and 13 is document data.

When image data of ruled lines and printed characters is input from the image scanner 1, the automatic area identification section 2 automatically identifies the area of the image data. The data obtained by this area identification processing is area data 3. The document element definition unit 4 edits when the data contains an error, and the document element data 5
Is obtained. When the document element and its area are determined, the layout setting unit 6 sets the layout. When the layout is decided, it is saved as layout data 7.

When the document creator activates the layout document creator 12 with the input unit 10, the layout selector 8 is activated. This allows the document creator to select the document type and layout he wants to create. Further, when the document browsing person activates the document browsing section 11 from the input section 10, the document data 13 is read out and the document can be selected.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram at the time of document type registration (shaded portion) of the standard document processing apparatus according to the present invention, and the reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation processing in FIG. 2, and hereinafter, processing for registering information about a document element and a default layout will be described. First, capture the image of ruled lines and printed characters from the image scanner 1 (step
1) Based on the data, the automatic area identification unit 2 automatically performs area identification (step 2). The data (region data 3) obtained by the region identification processing is basically (1) the position of the region surrounded by the ruled line (2) the size of the region (when considering a rectangular region, the size of the region (It can be represented by the position information on the upper left and the position information on the lower right of the area.) (3) Image data of preprinted characters, and (4) Thickness of ruled line (thickness 0 if not visible) Is.

However, this data may include an error because the identification process is a heuristic process. Also, even in the part not surrounded by ruled lines,
Sometimes it's needed in a document, so you might want to treat it as an area surrounded by invisible rules. Therefore, editing is performed to correct the identification result, manually specify the area by a human, and to deal with the case where the adjacent area that is treated as another area by the automatic recognition is one area semantically. The document element definition unit 4 is activated (step 3).

Regarding the sample document as shown in FIG.
When this process is performed, the document element (example) as shown in FIG. 9 is extracted and confirmed. The shaded area is the input area.
In addition, the operation related to the confirmation and the way of holding the data can be realized by a general technique used in a graphic editor or the like. Next, based on it, (1) document type (2) its constituent document elements (3) document element area for each document element (4) input area corresponding to each document element (multiple inputs Information that there is a number if there is, and not if there is not)

Further, (5) image data information that has been printed (set) in advance in the area (unnecessary if it does not exist) (6) information on the thickness of ruled lines (thickness 0 if not visible) , And is stored in the format shown in FIG.
This data is called "document element data" 5. of course,
It is easy to add more attributes such as the direction of character arrangement and the like, but for the sake of simplicity of explanation, it is avoided to show these attributes one by one.

As a result, the elements of the document and the area thereof are temporarily determined. Based on this, the layout setting unit 6 can set the layout (step 4). This is done when the layout setting unit 6 to be activated interacts with the operator when the process in the document element defining unit 4 is completed. It should be noted that the layout setting unit 6 can be configured to be activated by an operator by interrupt processing, which is a general technique, even when a document is created or a document is browsed, which will be described later.

Basically, the layout is determined by the position of the document element included in the document on the display screen. In other words, the layout is determined by deciding which element is located at which position, starting from the upper left of the displayed document. This data is stored as "layout data" 7 together with the document element data. The dialog procedure and interface for specification around this are also realized by conventional software technology.

Usually, the default layout for display is often the same as the one printed on the original paper, but if this is acceptable, the standard layout is used.
The top layout in FIG. 11 corresponds to this. What is shown here is a model of an example of how to hold data. Of course, the layout for display can be completely different from that for printing. Also, in order to save the layout for each user and each purpose, it is possible to set a layout for each individual and for each purpose, which is also included in the layout data (not shown in the schematic diagram, but specifically, It has information such as the user identification function and who can use each layout.) For example, when it is desired to obtain the screen layout as shown in FIG. 12, the one corresponding to another layout in FIG. 11 is set. As described above, it is possible to register the information about the document element and the default layout based on the scanner data.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the standard document processing apparatus according to the present invention when a document is created (shaded portion), and the reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation processing in FIG. 4, and hereinafter, processing for creating a document will be described while looking at the default layout. The document creator activates the document creating unit 12 from the input unit 10. The document creation unit 12 activates the layout selection unit 8 and extracts the already saved document type and the corresponding standard layout (if there is another layout other than the standard) from the “layout data” 7, Allow the document creator to select by any method (step 5). At this time, the layout candidates that can be selected in advance based on the user information are narrowed down. Specifically, various methods can be realized, such as showing the default layout, selecting it if it is good, selecting another layout if another layout is good, or giving priority to the layout previously used by the document creator. .

The document creator selects the document type he wants to create and the layout he wants to use. For example, in FIG.
When the default layout of 1 is selected, an input screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the screen (step 6). Then, characters or the like can be input in the input area. When the necessary items have been input, the document data 13 is saved and the process ends. Information such as a document creation date, other bibliographic information, and a document name is further added as the document data. It is also possible to configure so that a new layout can be defined by appropriately activating the layout setting unit during the document creation process.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the standard document processing apparatus according to the present invention when a document is browsed (shaded portion), and the reference numerals in the figure are the same as those in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation processing in FIG. 6, and the processing when the person who receives the document data in this environment browses will be described below. The document browsing person activates the document browsing section 11 from the input section 10.
The document browsing unit 11 reads out the document data (there are a plurality of zero or more documents) 13 and displays it in a form that allows the browser to select the document based on the bibliographical information and the like (step 8,
9). In order to display the document selected by the viewer in the layout desired by the viewer, layout selection processing is performed next. In this case, the document browsing unit 11 activates the layout selection unit 8 to present and select a plurality of layouts available to the user. This can be performed similarly to the case of the document creation processing.

For example, if one wants to see only the "subject", "date and time", and "place" when viewing a document of the document type "conference notice", select another layout 1 in FIG.
Only the data of that portion is extracted from the document data and displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. In addition, when the document viewer wants to know only the distribution destination of the conference notification, FIG.
If another layout 2 is selected, the screen is displayed as shown in FIG. The layout setting unit may be appropriately activated during the document browsing process to define a new layout.

[0027]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects. (1) Effects corresponding to claims 1 and 2: When an existing form exists, the form can be designed using the existing form, which is efficient. In addition, since the layout design can be performed for each document element, a layout different from the original layout can be easily designed. Furthermore, the layout created based on the existing form is usually fixed, but by enabling multiple layouts, it is possible to use it according to the purpose. (2) Effects corresponding to claims 3 to 5: Since only necessary items can be browsed according to the purpose, the display screen can be effectively used, and the waste of seeing unnecessary items for the purpose can be eliminated. You can arrange the items in the form in the required order, which makes browsing more efficient. By combining the above two, it is even more efficient. (3) Effect corresponding to claim 6: The creator can select a layout that is easy to use. (4) Effect corresponding to claim 7: The ease of making and the ease of viewing according to the purpose do not necessarily match, but by making them independent, optimal work can be performed for each situation. (5) Effect corresponding to claim 8: An efficient and easy-to-use system including all the above effects can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of a standard document processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram when registering a document type according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for registering a document type in the standard document processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram when creating a document according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart when a document is created by the standard document processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram at the time of browsing a document according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart when a document is browsed by the standard document processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an unfilled sample document image in the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing document elements of a sample document according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing document type data in the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing layout information corresponding to a document type according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of a screen display layout of a sample document according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen display layout example (No. 2) of a sample document according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a document creation screen display according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image scanner, 2 ... Automatic area identification part, 3 ... Area data, 4 ... Document element definition part, 5 ... Document element data, 6
... Layout setting section, 7 ... Layout data, 8 ... Layout selecting section, 9 ... Display device, 10 ... Input section, 11 ... Document browsing section, 12 ... Document creating section, 13 ... Document data.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A document element defining means for extracting a document element of a form based on an image image of an existing unused form sheet in a standard document processing device for designing a screen of a form document,
A fixed form document processing apparatus, comprising: layout setting means for arranging the document elements extracted by the document element defining means as a unit. 2. The fixed form document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of layouts can be set for the same form when the document elements extracted by the layout setting unit are arranged as a unit. 3. A standard document processing apparatus for displaying an electronic form document, comprising a display unit for selectively displaying document elements of the form document. 4. A fixed form document processing apparatus for displaying a digitized form document, comprising a changing means capable of changing the display position of the document element of the form document according to the purpose. 5. The fixed form document processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the changing unit can selectively change the display position of the document element of the form document according to the purpose. 6. A standard document processing apparatus for creating an electronic form document, comprising a selecting unit capable of selecting a layout of document elements of a form displayed at the time of creation. 7. A fixed form document processing apparatus for processing a form document, comprising a layout setting means for making the layout at the time of creating the form document and the layout at the time of browsing independent. 8. The form document screen design in a standard document processing device for processing a form document, according to claim 1 or 2.
A fixed form document processing apparatus, characterized in that the described screen is designed, the document according to claim 6 is created when a form is created, and the display according to claim 3 or 5 is performed when the form is displayed.