JPH076162A - Tabulating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a tabulating device capable of almost automatically generating a table even if the table has a complicated shape. CONSTITUTION:A logical structure storing means 1 stores correspondence relation between header information having logical structure such as an attribute used at the time of retrieving a data base e. g., and retrieved data and table data. A table format storing means 2 stores one or plural pairs of parameter groups for determining a table format. These parameter groups can be edited by a table format editing means 3. A tabulating means 4 receives information such as correspondence relation between the header information and the table data stored in the means 1, refers to parameters stored in the means 2, acesses a parameter specifying means 5 when necessary to input a value, generates a column header column, a line header column and a data item column based on these information to generated a table.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a table generating device for generating a table from heading information and table data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, DTP (Desk Top Pu)
Document processing devices such as blushing) and word processors are becoming popular. Tables are an important component of documents, especially technical documents, and can be handled by almost all document processing devices.

2 and 3 are explanatory views of general tables. Many tables that appear in a document consist of a heading column and a data column. Items that appear in the heading column are called heading items. Many tables appearing in a document express the correspondence between combinations of heading items and data. A combination of heading items is called a heading item string. The table data described in the data column where a specific row intersects with a specific column corresponds to a heading item string that is a combination of heading item strings appearing in the row and heading item strings appearing in the column. Multiple headings may appear in a single row and single column. For example, in the rows and columns indicated by broken lines in FIG. 2, the heading item string (B, F, b, i) that combines the row heading items B and F and the column heading items b and i, and the table data “12” are displayed. Correspond.

Such a table is used for searching the corresponding data from the heading item string and for generally grasping the tendency of the data corresponding to the heading item string, and the form of the table. Must be fit for purpose. Therefore, even if the tables express the same contents, that is, the correspondence between the same heading item string and table data, if the assumed search method is different, it is expressed in the form of another table suitable for each. Is desirable.

For example, the table shown in FIG. 3 is suitable for examining how data changes when the heading item A is fixed. This is because the data retrieved from the heading item A are collected in a single line. On the other hand, this table
It is not convenient to check the transition of data when the heading item B is fixed. This is because the data retrieved from the heading item B appears everywhere. If heading item B
If it is expected to search for data with a fixed value, it is desirable that the table form is such that the heading item B becomes a heading for one row or column. Further, the suitable form of the table also changes depending on the size and shape of the space for displaying the table. For example, in the case of a table in which item contents are displayed horizontally, if the width of the display space is small, each item frame becomes vertically long and line folds occur frequently, resulting in a table that is very difficult to read. In such a case, it is necessary to change the form of the table such that the row headings and the column headings are appropriately exchanged to reduce the number of the column headings so that the table can be easily read. Further, the form of the table depends on the preference of the tabulator. Therefore, for example, when a table created by another person is to be used in his / her own text, a user's request to change the form of the table to his / her preference naturally arises. Thus, one table, namely
By displaying the correspondence between one heading item sequence and table data in different table forms, it is possible to create a high-quality document that is easy to read and reflects the preference of the document creator.

In the conventional DTP or word processor, the table is created by the creator according to the following procedure. The shape of the frame (ruled table) formed by the ruled lines and the relative position of each item are determined. The position of the ruled line is determined in consideration of the number of characters in each item content. The ruled line is actually created according to the shape of the ruled table and the position of the ruled line. Enter the item contents in each item frame. With this tabulation method, it is easy to change the thickness of the ruled line, the type, the font of the characters of the items, etc. after creating the table once, but you want to change the shape of the ruled table and the relative positions of the items. Thinking about it, you have to recreate the table from the first step.

In addition to this, for example, the LaTeX tabu
In a command embedding method such as a lar environment or tbl of roff, a table is created by describing a text in which a character string of item contents and a command for drawing a ruled line are mixed. The length of the absolute position of the ruled line and the allocation result of the item contents are automatically calculated by the format, but the shape of the ruled table and the relative position of the items must be determined first. This is similar to the case of DTP or word processor.

For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-37757 discloses a technique for automatically generating a somewhat complicated table in which headline items are hierarchically expressed. However, also in this case, it is necessary to set the hierarchical relationship between the heading item and the table data at the time of giving information. Therefore, FIG.
Even if an attempt is made to change the format of the table, such as when creating a table in which the heading item B is one heading item from the table in which the heading item B is distributed, as in the example of FIG. Since it has been specified, it cannot be easily changed.

As described above, in the conventional technique, when the shape of the ruled table of the table or the form of the table relating to the relative positions of items is to be changed, the table writer must rewrite the table from the beginning. It was troublesome. In addition, in order to improve the efficiency of document creation, even if an already created table is reused in different documents or shared among multiple users, the conventional technique severely restricts changing the form of the table. Therefore, it is difficult to change the conditions in the document, that is, the context, display space, etc., and the form of the table according to the user's preference, and it is not possible to reuse the created table or share it with multiple users. There was a problem that it was difficult.

On the other hand, databases such as relational databases are widely used as devices for searching data using item strings as search keys. Since the search results using these databases give a correspondence relationship between item strings and data, in many cases, they can be expressed in a table. In the conventional technique, it is possible to automatically convert the search result of the database into a table in a simple character shape and display it. However, in order to express in a table with a more readable and complicated shape, it was necessary to create a program each time depending on the data structure of the search result and the shape of the table. When creating such a program for automatic generation each time, it is necessary for the creator to be skilled in the program, and even if he is skilled, time-consuming work is required. It is also possible for the creator to create using a tabulation function such as a conventional word processor, but the search results from the database tend to be enormous,
The huge amount of search results had to be entered manually, which was still a very laborious task.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a table generation device capable of automatically creating a table having a complicated shape.

[0012]

According to the present invention, in a table generation device, a logical structure holding means for holding heading information about a table heading and table data representing the contents of the table in correspondence with each other, and determining a form of the table. And a table generation means for generating a table based on the parameter group held in the table format holding means and the heading information and table data held in the logical structure holding means. It is characterized by having.

[0013]

According to the present invention, the table is generated using the heading information and the table data held by the logical structure holding means. Therefore, even if the table has a complicated format, the table format can be easily automatically generated. can do. Further, since the table is generated based on the parameter group held in the table format holding means, the shape and size of the table can be arbitrarily set by changing the parameter group. Therefore, it is possible to create a table according to the conditions in the document and the user's preference. Further, if the data having the logical structure of the table such as table heading information and table data is held in the logical structure holding means, various tables can be generated only by modifying the parameter group of the table format holding means. Yes, the table can be reused and shared by multiple users.

As the heading information and table data held by the logical structure holding means, it is possible to use data having a logical structure such as attributes and searched data used at the time of searching the database, and it is possible to automatically use the search result of the database. It can also be expressed as

[0015]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a table generating apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a logical structure holding means, 2
Is a table format holding means, 3 is a table format editing means, 4 is a table generating means, and 5 is a parameter designating means.

The logical structure holding means 1 holds information about a table in which heading information about a table heading and table data representing the contents of the table are associated with each other. The information regarding the held table may be information input by a tabulator or processed based on the input information. It is also possible to extract it from the existing table using some means. Further, it may be a database search result. The information about these tables may be directly held on a storage medium attached to the logical structure holding means 1, or the table information itself may be held in an external storage medium in the form of a file or the like and logically stored. The structure holding unit 1 may hold a pointer to the file and read the content of the file via the pointer.

The table format holding means 2 holds one or a plurality of parameter groups for determining the table form. Each retained tabular format consists of one or more parameters. Each parameter can have a value already set or a value left undetermined. When a value is not set for the parameter, a predetermined value may be used, or the parameter specifying means 5 may be used to specify the corresponding value. The parameter group may be directly held on a storage medium attached to the table format holding means 2, or the parameter group itself may be held in an external storage medium in the form of a file or the like, and the table format holding means may be held. The method 2 may be a method of holding a pointer to the file and reading the content of the file via the pointer.

The tabular format editing means 3 is means for editing the tabular format by changing the parameters of the tabular format held in the tabular format holding means. The user can edit the existing table format via the table format editing means 3 and change it to a table format suitable for his / her preference or purpose of use. Of course, a new tabular format can be created and registered. At this time, a part of the parameters may not be defined, and the parameter specifying means 5 may be instructed when the table is generated. The table format editing means 3 is not necessary when it is not necessary to edit the table format.

The table generating means 4 receives the information about the table such as the heading information held in the logical structure holding means 1 and the correspondence of the table data, and refers to the necessary parameters held in the table format holding means 2. And generate a table. The table generating means 4 selects one of the plurality of table formats held in the table format holding means 2 and refers to it. By switching the table format in the table format holding means 2 to be referred to,
The form of the generated table can be changed. The tabular format in the tabular format holding means 2 may be selected by the tabulator himself or may be automatically read from a file or the like. If there is no selection instruction, a predetermined format may be selected.

If there is a parameter for which no value is designated, the parameter designation means 5 is called to obtain the value corresponding to the parameter for which no value has been designated, by referring to the table format holding means 2. One parameter may be referenced multiple times. Also, if the value of the parameter is not set and the parameter is referenced multiple times,
A different value may be designated by the parameter designating means each time. Of course, the value once input can be used as it is. Furthermore, it is possible to automatically use a predetermined value or a value calculated from other parameters as the specified value for the unspecified parameter. By re-setting various designations of the undecided parameters in the table format, it is possible to change the format of the table in various ways within the outline determined by the already set parameters. Further, it is possible to perform data conversion as needed and use it as input to another document editing apparatus.

By specifying all the parameters in the table format when necessary, one form of the table is determined.
Based on this determined table format, the table generation means 4 allocates information about the table held in the logical structure holding means 1 to the table and generates the table. The generated table is composed of ruled lines and item contents. The ruled lines do not always form a square grid. Both the item frames of the heading items and the table data, that is, the adjacent rectangular regions surrounded by the vertical and horizontal directions are allowed to span a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows.
The generated table can be displayed on a paper surface or a screen by the display means, or can be stored as a file on the storage medium.

The parameter designating unit 5 is a unit for designating a value corresponding to an unset parameter in the parameter group stored in the table format storing unit 2. The specified value can be directly written in the table format holding means 2, but it can also be configured to be held by the table generating means 4 or the parameter specifying means 5. In the case where the table is generated by the table generation unit 4 or the parameter designation unit 5, even if a table is generated for a certain table, unset parameters are saved as unset. It remains intact and allows one tabular form to be applied to yet another. That is, the tabular format held in the tabular format holding means 2 can be used as a template. The parameter designating unit 5 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and a display, and a tabulator can input a value according to an instruction displayed on the display. Alternatively, the parameter value may be automatically read from a file or the like. If it is known in advance that the tabular format held in the tabular format holding means 2 does not include unset parameters, the parameter designating means 5 is unnecessary.

An embodiment of the table generating device of the present invention will be described more specifically below. The logical structure holding means 1 holds the correspondence between the heading information and the table data. For example, the search result of the relational database can be held. Figure 4
It is explanatory drawing of an example of the content of the logical structure holding means 1 which stored the search result of a relational database. The search results of the relational database are in the form of a table as shown in FIG. 4, and the headings “rope”, “eye”, “test number”, “reaction”, “number”, and “percent” are called attributes. . Also,
The row of data that appears below the row of attributes represents the search results, and is a set of data in one line, such as <Mammal dog.
10> is called Tupple. The relational database is a database that collects and manages tuples as data, and each tuple is searched by using an array of attributes as a search key. In addition, for example, “mammal” and “birds” are retrieved from the attribute “class”, “dog”,
“Cat”, “crow”, and “dove” are called data retrieved from the attribute “eye”. The same applies to "positive" and other numerical values.

In the following description, each tupple is regarded as information about a table, with one heading information corresponding to the table data. In FIG. 4, the item belonging to the rightmost attribute of the tuple is the corresponding table data, and the column consisting of the remaining items of the tuple and the attributes of the table data is the heading item string, and this heading item string is the heading information.
For example, in the Tupple <Mammal dog 10>, “10” is table data, “mammal”, “dog” and “test number” which is an attribute of table data are heading item strings, and the correspondence between heading information and table data is as follows. (Mammalian dog test number) → Give 10. This heading item string is information that can serve as a heading for the generated table. Actually, which attribute is used to retrieve the data to be used as the data item of the table can be determined by an instruction from the tabulator or the like.

As the headline information, in addition to the information on the correspondence between the headline item row and the table data as described above, a group can be formed by elements in one or a plurality of headline item rows. Moreover, an attribute can be given to each group. For example, it is possible to configure a group having "mammals" and "birds" as elements, and as the attributes of the group,
You can give it the name "rope". As an example of other attributes, permutation of elements in a group can be given. In addition, the relationships that hold between groups and the elements within the groups can be described. Relationships that can be described include relationships between groups, groups and elements, and elements. For example, between two groups, a relationship in which one is included in the other or a relationship in which one is dependent on the other can be described. In addition, a relationship that is mutually orthogonal can be defined as a relationship between a plurality of groups. Orthogonal means that when one element is arbitrarily taken from each group of the group group, there is one heading item string including all of the elements in the correspondence between the heading item string and the table data. Say the case. For example, in the case of FIG. 4, the above-mentioned group “rope”, “dog”,
Group "eyes" with "cat", "crow", and "dove" as elements
Are orthogonal to each other.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the table format stored in the table format storage means 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the parameter group held in the table format holding means 2 is basically given by a sequence of labels and parameters. The parameters are
Describe the parameter name on the left side of "=" and the expression given to the parameter on the right side. For example, when the parameter is “parameter 1” and the expression is “expression 1”, it is expressed as “parameter 1 = expression 1”. The label is described by sandwiching the label name with "%". For example, "% label 1%",
It is expressed as "% label 2%". Labels exist to handle several related parameters together.
For example, in FIG. 5,% label 1% is the name given to parameter 1 = equation 1 parameter 2 = equation 2 ..., These are collectively called the% label 1% part.

20 to 22 are explanatory diagrams of an example of the generated table, and FIGS. 23 and 24 are explanatory diagrams of an example of the parameter group held in the table format holding means. For example, in FIG.
In the case of the standard table format as shown in FIG. 23, the items as shown in FIG. 23 can be set as the label and the parameter, and the table format holding means 2 holds such a parameter group. It should be noted that parameters for which no equation is entered are designated by the parameter designating means 5, for example.

Various table formats can be realized by changing the expressions of these parameters or changing the parameters to be used. For example, by changing the expressions of some parameters, changing some of the parameters to be used, and setting a parameter group as shown in FIG. 24, the parent heading is set to the right of the subheading as shown in FIG. You can generate a table with protruding indent types. Similarly, it is possible to generate a cut-in head type table in which parent headings as shown in FIG. 22 are allocated over the entire width of one line. The table format holding means 2 can hold a plurality of such parameter groups in various table formats according to each table format.

As a method of exchanging the table format, a plurality of table formats are held in the table format holding means 2 and selected by the selecting means, or a table attached to the database search file by the table format holding means 2 is selected. When the format file is read, there is also a method of exchanging a tabular file attached to the search file. Further, in the case of a system having the tabular format editing means 3, the tabular format editing means 3
There is also a method of rewriting the specification of the tabular parameters held in the tabular holding means by using.

The table generating means 4 receives the information about the table, such as the correspondence between the heading item string and the table data as described above, from the logical structure holding means 1 and is held in the table format holding means 2. A table is generated by referring to the parameters as described above. The generation of the table by the table generating means 4 is partially advanced in the order of the column heading column, the row heading column, and the data item column. It is also possible to form the row heading column first.

As a procedure for generating each column, first, the value of the formula is obtained for each parameter of a part of the table format required to generate each part. The required parameters can be identified by the label. When the value of the expression is obtained, if the expression itself is not described, or if there is a part that is not described in the formula, the value that should be entered into the part that is not described by the parameter designating means 5. Is entered. You can refer to the tabular format,
When the parameter value is designated through the parameter designating means 5, the value corresponding to the parameter is held in the variable having the same name as the parameter in the table generating means 4. After obtaining values for each of the required parameters, the display of the table portion is generated according to the obtained values.

The row heading and the column heading are specified by the user by using the table format editing means 3 or the parameter specifying means 5 by allocating the attributes used at the time of searching the database, respectively. This is specified by the parameters "row heading" and "column heading" in the table format. If no value is specified for this parameter, the parameter setting means 5 is used to prompt the user to set the value.

The row heading items and the column heading items to be generated are not always arranged in one column. In order not to make the explanation unnecessarily complicated, it is assumed that there are no more than three layers in the vertical direction, but in the actual table, a heading of more layers may be used. Among heading items having a hierarchy, those belonging to a higher hierarchy are called parent heading items, and those belonging to a lower hierarchy are called child heading items. A heading item that is individually assigned is called an isolated heading item. The table generating means 4 automatically determines whether the heading item is an isolated heading item, a parent heading item, or a child heading item. The parent heading item and the child heading items subordinate to it must be assigned collectively. The width and height of the item frame necessary for allocating each heading item are determined with reference to the tabular parameter group stored in the tabular storage unit 2.

The parameter designating means 5, when the table generating means 4 obtains the value of the formula of the table format parameter held in the table format storing means 2, if the formula itself is not described or if the formula itself is not described. If there is a part that is not described, prompt the user to enter the value of that parameter. For example, in the parameter group, "reference point = (,
10) ”is designated. In this case, the coordinate value is shown in the parentheses, but the value before the comma is not described. Therefore, for example, the reference point = (_, 10) is displayed on the display of the parameter designating means 5 to prompt the input. . Here, “_” is a cursor. In this state, if the user inputs "5" from the keyboard of the parameter designating means 5, the value of the reference point becomes (5, 10). The input value is sent to the table generating means 4.

6 to 11 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the table generating means 4 in the embodiment of the table generating apparatus of the present invention. Hereinafter, the flowchart will be described step by step. FIG. 6 shows the main routine. S1. The% preamble% part in the selected table format information held in the table format holding means 2 is referred to, and it is determined whether or not there is an unset parameter in it. If there is an unset parameter, the process proceeds to S2, and if not, the process proceeds to S3. S2. Since it is determined that there is an unset parameter, the parameter specifying means 5 is called, the value for the unset parameter is acquired, and the value is set in the variable having the same name as the parameter in the table generating means 4. S3. Draw a ruled line in the column heading field and assign a column heading item. This process is performed by executing the procedure P100. Procedure P100 is shown in FIG. S4. Draw a ruled line in the row heading field and assign a row heading item. This processing is the same as the processing of the column heading, and is simply an algorithm in which the columns and the rows are exchanged. Detailed flow chart is omitted. S5. Assign the data item to the proper location. That is, the position and size of the item frame in which the data should be described are calculated with reference to the information on the correspondence between the heading item sequence and the data held in the logical structure holding means 1, and the ruled line is placed around the item frame. To assign the data item contents. In the case of a non-regular table, the data item frame may span multiple rows and multiple columns. When the allocation of this data item is completed, the table generation is completed.

FIG. 7 shows a procedure P1 for allocating a column heading column.
00 is a flowchart. The element of the variable "column heading" in the table generation means 4 is either the control symbol $ followed by the attribute name or the attribute name itself. When the element is the control symbol $ and the attribute name following it, the data searched from the attribute in the search result held by the logical structure holding means 1 becomes the column heading item. When the element is the attribute name itself, the attribute itself becomes the column heading item. At this time, the data searched from the attribute in the search result held by the logical structure holding means 1 becomes the data item of the table.

In the flowchart of FIG. 7, S102
In the loop from S to S105, in the variable "column heading",
Expand each element starting with $ into the data retrieved from the attribute following $. As a result, all column heading items are registered in the variable "column heading". For example, if (test number, $ reaction, number, percentage) is specified in the variable "column heading" under the search result shown in FIG. 4, the result of the processing from S102 to S105 is the variable "column". The content of "Heading" is rewritten as (test number, positive, number, percentage). If ($ rope, $ eye) is specified in the variable “column heading”, the content is rewritten as (mammal, bird, dog, cat, crow, pigeon). S101. Get the first element of the variable "column header".
If a value is set in the parameter "column heading" in the tabular information, the content is first copied to the variable "column heading". If a value is not set for the parameter "column heading" in the tabular information, a value is set for the variable "column heading" in S2 of FIG. S102. Determines if element starts with "$".
If it starts with "$", the process proceeds to S103, and if it does not start with "$", the process proceeds to S104. S103. By referring to the search result held by the logical structure holding means 1, all the data searched from the attribute following "$" is collected, and the referenced element is searched and replaced with the collected data set. S104. It is determined whether or not the next element exists in the variable "column heading". However, when the element is replaced with the item set in S103, the next element refers to the next element that skips all the replaced items. S if the next element exists
If not, go to S110. S105. The next element is acquired, and the process returns to S102 to process the next element.

The processes of S110 and S111 are processes for setting the initial value of the variable "reference point". The variable "reference point" holds the coordinates of the upper left corner point of the currently allocated heading item frame, and its initial value is the coordinates of the upper left corner point of the first allocated column heading item frame. The variable “reference point” is updated each time the allocation of one heading item is completed, by referring to the% -reference point change% part in the table format. S110. Setting of% column heading reference point in table format%
Determine if there are any unset parameters in the set. When there is an unset parameter, the process proceeds to S111, and when there is no unset parameter, the process proceeds to S120. S111. The parameter specifying means 5 is called to set a value in a variable having the same name as an unset parameter held in the table generating means. In the processing of S120 to S124, the heading items that have not yet been allocated are sequentially taken out from the variable "column heading", and the taken out column heading items are allocated. S120. Retrieve the first element of the variable "column heading". S121. Determines if the element is already allocated. If it is already assigned, proceed to S123,
If it has not been assigned yet, the process proceeds to S122. S122. Assign column heading items. This processing is performed by executing procedure P200.
The column heading items are allocated by finding out the heading items that can be assigned in a batch if they exist, dividing the heading item group that is assigned in a batch into parent heading and child heading, and setting the size of the item frame for allocating elements. The position is calculated, a ruled line is drawn around the item frame, and the item contents of the element are allocated within the item frame. S123. It is determined whether or not the next element exists in the variable "column heading". If the next element exists, S12
4. If there is no next element, go to step 4 to end the column heading field allocation process and return to the main routine. S124. Get the next element. Then, the process returns to S121, and the process for the next element is continued.

FIG. 8 shows a procedure P for allocating column heading items.
It is a flowchart of 200. First, regarding the element specified in S122, that is, the column heading item, the item content of the element is a parent heading item to be assigned to the first line, or the item content of the element is a child heading item to be assigned to the second line. , Or the item content of the element is first
Determines if it is an isolated column heading item that should be allocated across the line and the second line. If the element is not an isolated column heading item, the column heading items that are assigned together with the element are distributed to the variables "parent heading" and "child heading". At this time, at least one column heading item is held in the variables “parent heading” and “child heading”. When an element is an isolated column heading item, the "parent heading" is an aggregate consisting of only that element, and the "child heading" is an empty set. Next, it is determined whether or not the element is an isolated column heading item depending on whether or not the "child heading" is an empty set, and an appropriate allocation procedure is called.

In FIG. 8, by the processing from S201 to S205, a set of column heading items is assigned to the two variables "parent heading" and "child heading". This set of column heading items may be an empty set. S201. Two temporary variables "heading group 1" and "heading group 2" are initialized to an empty set. S202. The element specified in S122 is put in the variable "heading group 1". S203. It is judged whether the column heading item connected to an element of the variable "heading group 1" always belongs to the variable "heading group 2". Here, that two column heading items are linked means that there is a heading item sequence that includes both heading items at the same time, and the correspondence from this heading item sequence to data is held in the logical structure holding means 1. It is defined when there is a correspondence between the heading item string and the data. To be more precise, it means a case where there is a tuple satisfying any of the following conditions in the search result of the relational database held in the logical structure holding means 1, for example. That is, both column heading items appear as tupple items, or one column heading item appears as a tupple item, and the other column heading item is one of the attributes when searching for tupple. . A column heading item connected to an element of the variable "heading group 1" belongs to the variable "heading group 2" and all related parent heading and child heading are sorted, or an element of the variable "heading group 1" If there is no column heading item tied with, the process proceeds to S205. If there is a column heading item connected to a certain element of the variable “heading group 1” and the item does not belong to the variable “heading group 2”, the process proceeds to S204. S204. All the column heading items connected to a certain element of the variable "heading group 1" are collected, and this is made a variable "heading group 2" again. Next, all the column heading items connected to a certain element of the variable "heading group 2" are collected and set again as the variable "heading group 1". Then, the process returns to S203 and the determination is performed again. S205. If the variable "heading group 2" is not an empty set, the variable "heading group 1" or the variable "heading group 2" that has the smaller number of elements is assigned to the variable "parent heading", and the other is set to the variable "child "Heading". When the variable "heading group 2" is an empty set, the variable "heading group 1" is assigned to the variable "parent heading" and the variable "child heading" is set to an empty set. S206. It is determined whether the variable "child heading" is an empty set. If the variable "child heading" is an empty set, the element in the variable "parent heading" is an isolated column heading item, and the process advances to the isolated column heading item allocation process P500. If the variable “child heading” is not an empty set, there is a parent heading item and a child heading item.
Proceed to.

FIG. 9 shows the parent heading item allocation process P3.
00 is a flowchart. All the column heading items held in the variable "parent heading" and the variable "child heading" are assigned. The column heading items belonging to the "parent heading" are allocated to the first line of the column heading item frame, and the column heading items belonging to the "child heading" are allocated to the second line of the column heading item frame.

From the variable "parent heading", set the parent heading item to 1
Take them out one by one and allocate them in order. Assign each parent heading item in the following procedure. First, the size of the parent heading item frame is determined by referring to the size% portion of the% column heading parent in the table format. At this time, for example, if "parent width = sum of child widths" is designated as a parameter, the parent width is determined after all child headings under the parent heading item frame are allocated. Next, a child heading item under the parent heading item is selected from the variable "child heading" and assigned. The ruled line of the parent heading item frame is displayed by using the determined size of the parent heading item frame and the reference point, and the contents of the parent heading item are assigned to the frame. Finally, the reference point is updated to the coordinates of the upper left corner of the next parent heading item frame, and the allocation process for one parent heading item ends. S301. Fetch the first parent element of the variable "parent heading". The coordinates of the upper left corner point of the item box of the parent element are given by the variable "reference point". Therefore, if the size of the item frame is determined, the coordinates of the points at the four corners of the frame are determined, and the frame boundary can be written. The coordinates of the upper left corner point of the item frame of the first parent element are given by the parameter "reference point" in the tabular format. S302. Size of the% column heading parent in the table format% Determine whether there is an unset parameter in the part. If there are unset parameters, the process proceeds to S303. If there is no unset parameter, the process proceeds to S304. S303. The parameter specifying means 5 is called to set a value in a variable having the same name as an unset parameter held in the table generating means. S304. See Parent Width and Parent Height,
If possible, determine the size of the item box of the parent element. here,
The size of the item box of the parent element is the size of the item box that describes the contents of the parent element that is the column heading item. The values of "parent width" and "parent height" are used if they are specified as parameters in the table format, and if not set, S303
Use the value of the variable with the same name set in. If the "parent width" and "parent height" are designated as "sum of child widths" in the table format holding means 2, S310 is executed after the subordinate child allocation is completed. Calculated by S305. % Column heading in tabular form Change of reference point from parent to child% Determine if there are unset parameters in the section. If there are unset parameters, the process proceeds to S306. If there is no unset parameter, the process proceeds to S307. S306. The parameter specifying means is called to set a value in a variable having the same name as an unset parameter held in the table generating means. S307. Evaluate% change of reference point from% column heading parent to child in tabular form and update value of variable "reference point". The value of the variable “reference point” is the coordinates of the upper left corner point of the column heading item frame to be allocated next, for example, the child column heading item frame. If the absolute value of the reference point is designated in S306, that value becomes the value of the updated variable "reference point". S308. Allocate to all the child elements in the variable "child column heading" connected to the parent element. This allocation process is performed by process P400. S309. It is determined whether "parent width" or "parent height" is designated as "sum of child widths (heights)". If so, the process proceeds to S310. If not specified, it has already been specified in S304, so S31
Go to 1. S310. Calculate "parent width" or "parent height". S311. Assign the item contents of the parent element and draw a ruled line.
Up to S310, the size and position of the item frame to which the parent element, that is, the item content of the column heading item, should be assigned is determined. Assign item contents to the decided item frame,
Draw a ruled line around the item frame. S312. Change of reference point from% column heading to parent in table format% Determine if there are unset parameters in the section. If there are unset parameters, the process proceeds to S313. If there is no unset parameter, the process proceeds to S314. S313. The parameter specifying means 5 is called to set a value in a variable having the same name as an unset parameter held in the table generating means. S314. Change the reference point from% column heading to parent in the table format. Evaluate the% part and update the variable "reference point". The value of the variable "reference point" is the coordinates of the upper left corner point of the parent column heading item frame or the isolated column heading item frame to be assigned next. If the absolute value of the variable "reference point" is designated in S313, that value becomes the updated value of the variable "reference point". By the processing up to this step, the processing regarding one parent row heading item is completed. S315. Whether the next parent element exists in the variable "parent heading" is determined. If the next parent element does not exist, the process returns to S122. If the next parent element exists, the process proceeds to S316. S316. The next parent element is taken out, and the process returns to S302 to generate the next parent heading item.

FIG. 10 shows the child column heading item allocation process P.
4 is a flowchart of 400. S401. It is determined whether or not there is an unset parameter in the size% part of the% column header in the table format. If there are unset parameters, the process proceeds to S402. If there is no unset parameter, the process proceeds to S403. S402. The parameter specifying means 5 is called to set a value in a variable having the same name as an unset parameter held in the table generating means. S403. The size of the item frame of the child element is determined by referring to the "child width" and the "child height". Here, the size of the item frame of the child element is the size of the item frame in which the content of the child element that is the column heading item is described. "Child width",
If the child height is specified as a parameter in the table format, that value is used, and if not specified, the value of the variable of the same name specified in S402 is used. S404. Allocate the item contents of the child element and draw a ruled line.
By S403, the size and position of the item frame to which the child element, that is, the item content of the column heading item, should be assigned is determined. Assign item contents to the decided item frame,
A ruled line is drawn around the item frame. S405. Change of reference point from% column header to child in tabular form% Determine whether there is an unset parameter in the% section. If there are unset parameters, the process proceeds to S406. If there is no unset parameter, the process proceeds to S407. S406. The parameter specifying means 5 is called to set a value in a variable having the same name as an unset parameter held in the table generating means. S407. Change the reference point from% column heading child to child in tabular form. Evaluate the% part and update the value of the variable "reference point". The value of the variable “reference point” is the coordinates of the upper left corner point of the child row heading item frame to be assigned next. If the absolute value of the variable "reference point" is designated in S406, that value becomes the updated value of the variable "reference point". After updating the variable "reference point",
It returns to S308.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the isolated headline item allocation process P500. In the following description of the allocation of isolated heading items, the isolated heading item may be referred to as a “parent” element for convenience of notation. S501. It is determined whether or not there is an unset parameter in the size% portion of the% isolated column heading in the table format. If there are unset parameters, the process proceeds to S502. If there is no unset parameter, the process proceeds to S503. S502. The parameter specifying means 5 is called to set a value in a variable having the same name as an unset parameter held in the table generating means. S503. Determine the size of the item frame by referring to "parent width" and "parent height". For the width and height of the isolated heading item, if “parent width” and “parent height” are specified as parameters in the table format, the values are used, and if not specified, the same name specified in S502 is used. The value of the variable is used. S504. Allocate the item contents of the isolated element and draw a ruled line. By S503, the size and position of the item frame to which the element content of the isolated element, that is, the item content of the isolated column heading item is to be assigned is determined. The item contents are assigned to the decided item frame, and a ruled line is drawn around the item frame. S505. % Column heading in table format Change of reference point from parent to parent% Determine whether there is an unset parameter in the section. If there are unset parameters, the process proceeds to S506. If there is no unset parameter, the process proceeds to S507. S506. The parameter specifying means 5 is called to set a value in a variable having the same name as an unset parameter held in the table generating means. S507. % Column heading in tabular form Change of reference point from parent to parent Evaluate the% part and update the value of the variable "reference point". The value of the variable "reference point" is the coordinates of the upper left corner point of the parent column heading item frame or the isolated column heading item frame to be assigned next. If the absolute value of the variable "reference point" is designated in S506, that value becomes the updated variable "reference point". After updating the variable “reference point”, the process returns to S122.

The operation of the embodiment of the table generating apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 20 according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 11 based on a concrete example. 12 to 20 are explanatory views of the process of tabulation in a specific example. Here, as a specific example, a procedure for expressing the search result of the relational database shown in FIG. 4 in a standard table as shown in FIG. 20 will be described. From the parameter group indicating the tabular format held in the tabular format holding means 2, FIG.
It is assumed that the standard tabular format as shown in 3 is selected. As shown in FIG. 12, the coordinate system to which the table is assigned is an orthogonal coordinate system whose origin is at the upper left.

First, in S1 of FIG. 6,% in the table format
The value of the variable having the same name as the referenced parameter is determined by referring to the preamble% part. Then, it is determined whether or not some parameters are not set. In the table format information shown in FIG. 23, since no expression is described for the row heading, the column heading, the height of the column heading column, the height of the row heading parent, and the width of the column heading parent, in S2, The user specifies a value by the parameter specifying means 5. For example, column headings,
The row headings specify the attributes used in the search by sorting them. In FIG. 20, “test number”, “number”, and “percent” are used as the column heading item names. These are attributes when searching the database. On the other hand, the other heading item "Mammal",
"Birds", "dogs", "cats", "crows", "dove", "positives"
Is data retrieved from the attributes “rope”, “eye”, and “reaction”. As described above, when the search result of the relational database is displayed in the form of a table, the data searched from the attribute may be the headline item or the attribute itself may be the headline item. When the data retrieved from the attribute becomes the heading item, "$" is added before the attribute name to distinguish the attribute itself from the heading item. For example, since the data retrieved from "class" is "mammal" and "birds", by specifying "$ class", the two items "mammal" and "birds" become heading items. . In this example, (test number, $ reaction, number, percentage) is specified as the parameter "column heading", and ($ class, $ th eye) is specified as the parameter "row heading". The parameter designating means 5 is also used for other parameters.
Specified by. Here, column heading = (test number $ reaction number percent) row heading = ($ line $ eye) column heading column height = 10 row heading column width = 10 row heading parent height = 5 column heading parent width Assume that = 5 is input.

Next, in S3, column heading items are assigned to the column heading column. S101 to S10 of FIG.
In FIG. 5, among the elements starting with $ appearing in the “column heading”, the element starting with $ is replaced with the sequence of items belonging to the attribute following $. At this time, the arrangement of the items to be replaced is limited to those appearing in the search result held in the logical structure holding unit 1. For example, the item appearing in the search result and belonging to the attribute “class” is “mammal”,
Since there are two "birds", "$ rope" is "mammal birds"
Is replaced by. In the above column headings, "$ reaction" is replaced with "positive". The replaced result is column heading = (test count + positive count percentage).

In S111 of FIG. 7, the set% portion of the% column heading reference point in the table format is referred to. In the table format shown in FIG. 23, (row heading column width, 0) is described. Therefore, the value of “row heading column width” is referred to, and the value holding unit of the table generating means has a reference value. Point = (10,0) is held. This state is shown in FIG. S12 in FIG.
At 0, the first element "test number" of the column heading is fetched. In S121, it is determined that the column heading item "test number" is not yet assigned, and the procedure P200 for assigning the "test number" is executed in S122.

In S201 of FIG. 8, the heading group 1 and the heading group 2 are initialized, and in S202, the "test number" is put in the heading group 1. S20
In 3, the column heading item tied to "the number of tests" is searched, but there is no column heading item tied, so S2
Go to 05. In S205, the items included in the heading group 2 remain the empty set, and thus the "test number" of the heading group 1 is set as the "parent heading". The "child heading" is an empty set. In S206, since the child heading is an empty set, the procedure P500 for allocating the isolated column heading is executed.

In S501 to S503 of FIG.
The size% portion of the% isolated column heading in the table format shown in FIG. 23 is referred to. Since the width of the isolated column heading, that is, the expression of the width of the parent is not described here, the parameter specifying means 5 is used to input the width of the parent = 10. In addition, the height of the isolated headline is described as the height of the parent = the height of the column heading column in the table format. Therefore, the height of the set column heading column is used to calculate the height of the isolated column heading. = 10 is specified.

In S504 of FIG. 11, the position (10,0) of the reference point is at the upper left, and the width of the parent and the height of the parent are
That is, a rectangular frame having a width of 10 and a height of 10 that is obtained from the width of the isolated column heading and the height of the isolated column heading is created, and the "test number" is inserted into the rectangular frame.

In S505 to S507 of FIG.
Tabular% column heading Change reference point from parent to parent%
Change the reference point by referring to the section. From the parameters shown in FIG. 23, reference point + (parent width, 0) = (10,0) + (1
Since 0,0) = (20,0), the new reference point becomes (20,0). FIG. 14 shows a state when the column heading “test number” is created and the reference point is changed.

Returning to FIG. 7, in S124, the element "positive" next to the "column heading" is extracted, and in S122, the "positive" allocation process P200 is executed. Figure 8
In step S202, “positive” is added to the heading group 1. In S203, the headings tied with “positive” include “number” and “percentage”.
At 04, the two are placed in heading group 2.
In S205, the heading group 2 is not an empty set, the number of items in the heading group 1 is 1, and the heading group 2 is
Since the number of items is 2, the heading group 1 puts it in the parent heading. The heading group 2 is included in the child heading. In S206, since the child heading is not an empty set,
The parent heading / child heading allocation process P300 is executed.

In S301 of FIG. 9, the element "positive" is extracted from the parent heading. In step S302, the table height% parent column size% shown in FIG. 23 is referenced to obtain a value of parent height = column head parent height = 5. Since the width of the parent is "sum of child widths", the display of the parent is temporarily suspended and the display of the child is started. This is because the width of the item frame of the parent heading item "positive" is
This is because if the width of the “percent” item frame is not decided, it cannot be decided.

In S305 to S307 of FIG. 9, first, reference points for allocating child headings are calculated. Referring to the% column heading in the table format shown in FIG. 23, changing the reference point from parent to child, the reference point is set to reference point + (0, parent height) = (20,0) +
Change to (0,5) = (20,5). This state is shown in FIG.

Next, in S308 of FIG. 9, child allocation is performed. In S401 of FIG. 10, the size% portion of the tabular% column index shown in FIG. 23 is referred to. Since the width of the child is not specified here, the width of the child = 10 is input using the parameter specifying means 5 in S402. Further, the height of the child is described in the table format, and the height of the child = height of the column height column−height of the parent = 10−5 = 5 is calculated. In S403, the size of the item frame of the child heading is determined from the width and height of the child. In S404, a rectangle having a width of 10 and a height of 5 is created with the reference point (20, 5) as the upper left apex, and the "number" is inserted therein. As a result, the child heading “number” is generated. In S405 to S407, the reference point is changed to the reference point + (child width, 0) = (20,5) + by referring to the change% of the reference point from the% column heading child in the table format shown in FIG. (1
Change to 0,0) = (30,5). This state is shown in FIG.

Returning to S308 in FIG. 9, since there is still a child heading "percentage", the child heading allocation process P400 is executed again. In S401 of FIG.
The size% portion of the table-format% column header shown in FIG. 23 is referred to. Since the width of the child is not specified here, S4
In 02, the child width = 10 is input using the parameter designating means 5. Further, the height of the child is described in the table format, and the height of the child = height of the column height column−height of the parent = 10−5 = 5 is calculated. In S403, the size of the item frame of the child heading is determined from the width and height of the child. In step S404, a rectangle having a width of 10 and a height of 5 is created with the reference point (30, 5) as the upper left apex, and "percent" is included therein.
Insert. As a result, the child heading "percent" is generated. In S405 to S407,
Referring to the% change of reference point from% column heading child to sibling in the table form shown in FIG. 23, the reference point is set to reference point + (child width, 0) = (30,5) + (1
Change to 0,0) = (40,5). This state is shown in FIG.

Returning to step S308 in FIG. 9, since the child headings have all been generated, the process proceeds to the next step. In S309 and S310, the width of the parent is calculated. That is, the parameter "parent width" in the size% portion of the% column heading parent in the table format shown in FIG. 23 is designated as "sum of child widths", and the calculation is suspended in S304. Is. The parent width is parent width = child width sum = 10 + 10 = 20. The height of the parent is 5, which is calculated in S304. Therefore, in S311, a rectangle having a width of 20 and a height of 5 is generated with (20,0) as the upper left apex, and "positive" is inserted therein. This state is shown in FIG. In this way, the heading items "positive", "number", and "percent" are assigned all at once.

In S312 and S314, the reference point is changed to the reference point + (0, -height of parent) = with reference to the change of the reference point from the% column header to the parent in the table form shown in FIG. (40,5) +
(0, -5) = (40, 0) is calculated and the reference point is updated.

Since all the column heading items have been allocated, the process returns to S122 in FIG. 7 and then to S3 in FIG.
Then, the process proceeds to the generation of the row heading in S4. Hereinafter, the same processing as the column heading is performed to generate the row heading. The line heading item to be generated is specified in S2 as line heading = ($ line $ th line), the data retrieved from the attribute “line” becomes the line parent heading, and the attribute “line” is added to each line parent heading. The data retrieved from "eyes" will be assigned as row subheadings. That is, "$ rope" and "$ eyes" are expanded to become a row heading = (mammalian bird dog dog cat kara pigeon), and a child heading "dog" to the right of the parent heading "mammal",
Generate a block of headings in which "cats" are arranged vertically.
A block of headings in which "crow" and "dove" are vertically arranged to the right of the parent heading "birds" is generated. FIG. 19 shows a state in which the row heading column is generated.

After the column heading column and the row heading column are generated,
In S5, the position and size of the item frame in which the table data is to be written are calculated with reference to the correspondence between the heading item string held in the logical structure holding means 1 and the table data, and the position and size are calculated around the item frame. Create a rectangle and create the data item contents in it. In the non-regular table, the data item frame is
It may span multiple rows and multiple columns, but this is also allowed. In this way, the table as shown in FIG. 20 is generated.

In the above-mentioned specific example, the parameters not yet set in the table format are designated by the user by the parameter designating means 5, but the list of values of the unset parameters and the table format itself are held in the logical structure holding means 1. By creating it as a file attached to the file in which the information on the correspondence between the heading information and the table data is stored, it is possible to automatically generate the table display without the need for human intervention. Further, by specifying a number of such sets of files, it is possible to continuously create a large number of tables.

[0063]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, based on the heading information and table data held by the logical structure holding means, and the parameter group held by the table format holding means, The table can be automatically generated. Further, since the form of the table can be easily changed by selecting a parameter group or designating parameters, it is possible to create a form of the table suitable for the preference of the tabulator, the purpose of use and the like. At this time, it is not necessary to recreate the table from the beginning as in the conventional case.

Further, the heading information and table data to be held by the logical structure holding means are stored and saved as a file,
It is possible to obtain a tabular display in an optimal tabular form at any time by taking out the tabular form when necessary and selecting the tabular form held by the tabular form holding means. As a result, the range of table reuse can be expanded and the efficiency of document creation can be improved. By sharing these data among multiple users, the table can be shared. Each user can display in an optimum table form by selecting a table format in consideration of personal preference and purpose of use.

Further, by using the search result of the database as the data held in the logical structure holding means, it becomes possible to almost automatically generate the table display expressed in the optimum table form in each document. , It is possible to do an automatic table using a database.

As described above, by simply selecting the table format, it is possible to automatically obtain a table display in an optimum table form suitable for the purpose of use. Therefore, it is possible to automate the routine work, that is, the office work. Also in automation, there is an effect that automatic processing of a document including a table can be performed while maintaining higher document quality.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a table generation device of the present invention.

[Fig. 2]

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a general table.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of contents of a logical structure holding unit that stores a search result of a relational database.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a table format stored in a table format storage unit.

[Fig. 6]

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the table generating means in the embodiment of the table generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 12

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 20

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a generated table.

FIG. 23,

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a parameter group held in the table format holding means.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 logical structure holding means, 2 table format holding means, 3 table format editing means, 4 table generating means, 5 parameter specifying means.

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 20, 1994

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] Brief description of the drawing

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a table generation device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a general table.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a general table.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an example of contents of a logical structure holding unit that stores a search result of a relational database.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a table format stored in a table format storage unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the table generating means in the embodiment of the table generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the table generating means in the embodiment of the table generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the table generating means in the embodiment of the table generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the table generating means in the embodiment of the table generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the table generating means in the embodiment of the table generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the table generating means in the embodiment of the table generating device of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a tabulation process in a specific example.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a generated table.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a generated table.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a generated table.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a parameter group held in a table format holding unit.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a parameter group held in the table format holding means.

[Description of Reference Signs] 1 logical structure holding means, 2 table format holding means, 3 table format editing means, 4 table generating means, 5 parameter designating means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A logical structure holding means for holding heading information about a heading of a table and table data representing the contents of the table in association with each other, a table format holding means for holding a parameter group for determining the form of the table, and A table generation device comprising table generation means for generating a table based on the parameter group held in the table format holding means, the heading information held in the logical structure holding means, and the table data.