JPH0785138A - Document generation aid device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce mistake in a document generating job by reading data such as graphic stored as video data in a frame memory and edits the data together with text data as an edit object. CONSTITUTION:A copy processing module 900 gives an input command of a display picture stored in a frame memory 4 to a hardware driver 17 and allows a display picture buffer area 300 to acquire video data. The obtained video data are stored in an area for object data 500 as an object and also registered in an object management table 400. Furthermore, the video data are fed to a picture-vector conversion processing module 1000, in which the video data are converted into vector data to generate the object data 500, which are registered in the management table 400. An edit module 700 executes the processing such as generation, copying, erasure and revision of an object by point-out of a pointing device 12 and also manages the management table 400.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a document creation support system for supporting the creation of a document composed of graphic data classified into vector data and image data, and text data, and more particularly to a CAD system such as a CAD system. The present invention relates to a document creation support system that edits graphic data created by a graphic processing system and creates a document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional word processing software, drawing software, C
Software for handling graphic data such as an AD system can be used independently of each other on the same computer or on a remote machine connected to a network.

When performing design work or OA work using these conventional softwares, graphic data created by one specific software may not be used by another software. For example, in design work, a CAD system is used to create a design drawing for performance or function analysis, while a design document is often created using the design drawing and word processing software. At this time, in the conventional software, first, the necessary parts are cut out from the design drawing created and printed by the CAD system, and the created document is created by word processing software or the like and attached to the printed document to create one document, or the CAD system is used. Re-enter the figure data of the input drawing into the word processor with drawing software and edit it into a document. However, these methods are inefficient operations such as repeated cutting and pasting work and editing work of the same graphic data.

Therefore, regarding the method of reading the CAD data from the CAD system and classifying and editing the graphic data and the data related to the dimension, (Proceedings of the 2nd Design Engineering / System Division Lecture Meeting of the Japan Opportunity Society (1992)) )
Discussed at pages 465-470.

On the other hand, as a method of copying the graphics drawn by the program A to the drawing area of the other program B and using it, first, an area common to both programs is provided on the main memory and the data format of the area is set. Each user has a function to access this common area, and the user uses the function of program A to write the data of the graphic to be copied to the common area, and then the function of program B is used. Then, there is a method of reading the graphic data of the program A stored in the common area and drawing it in the drawing area of the program B.

According to this method, graphic data can be shared between different programs.

[0007]

However, the method described in the above-mentioned collection of papers has a disadvantage that a dedicated reading program must be created for each format of the CAD system.

In addition, in the method of using the copying function of graphic data, it is necessary to implement a procedure for sharing a common area in both programs and a function for accessing the common area in a common data format. . Therefore, it is impossible to copy graphic data with a program that does not have this function. In that case, you can develop a program that converts the format of each data file that both programs have and exchange data using this, but it takes time to develop the format conversion program, and the program provider Since it is assumed that the format of is published,
It is impossible if it is not published.

Therefore, there is no choice but to take a method of printing each drawing on paper by both programs for copying data, cutting it and pasting it, resulting in poor work efficiency and waste of paper. is there.

An object of the present invention is to provide a document creation support device capable of editing and creating graphic data of a CAD system or the like as a document without performing mutual conversion of data formats or changing the function of the system on the user side. That is.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a data input for reading data such as a graphic created by another graphic processing system and stored as video data in a frame memory for display. A means, an editing means for editing the read data as an editing target, and an output means for outputting the edited data as a document are provided.

[0012]

In general, graphic data created by a graphic processing system such as a CAD system is converted into bit map format video data and stored in a frame memory when displayed on a display.

According to the present invention, data such as a figure stored as video data in the frame memory is read, and this data is edited together with the text data. Then, the edited data is output as a document.

Therefore, it is possible to edit and create a document without converting the data formats to each other or changing the function of the system on the user side.

Further, a figure is recognized from the data to be edited,
By converting into vector data, it can be edited as vector data.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a basic device configuration necessary for implementing the present invention. A central processing unit CPU 1, a main storage device 2 for storing data and programs, and a bitmap control. Unit 3, frame memory 4, drawing control unit 5, display 6, external storage device control unit 7, external storage device 8, keyboard input control unit 9, keyboard 10, PD input control unit 11, pointing device (PD) 12, printing device Control unit 13, printer (or plotter) 14
And the CPU 1 and each unit are connected to the data bus 15
A and the instruction bus 15B are connected.

In this structure, the program for supporting the creation of the document and the program for creating the figure of the copy source are stored in the main storage device 2.

The CPU 1 sequentially reads out the instructions from the main storage device 2 and executes the processing according to the read instructions. Upon receiving the drawing command from the CPU 1, the bitmap control unit 3 reads the graphic data stored in the main storage device 2, develops the graphic data into bitmap format video data, and synthesizes it with the video data in the frame memory 4. It is stored again in the frame memory 4.

The video data stored in the frame memory 4 is displayed on the screen of the display 6 by the drawing control unit 5.

Further, the bitmap control unit 3 is C
When receiving a read command of the frame memory 4 from the PU 1, the data in the read area is read and stored in the main storage device 2.

The external storage device control unit 7 includes a CPU 1
When a file input command is received from, the file in the external storage device 8 is opened and data is input from the file. The input data is stored in the main storage device 2.

On the other hand, the keyboard input control unit 9 is
The key input from the keyboard 10 is monitored, and when the key input is made, the input is reported to the CPU 1 and the input data is temporarily stored.

The PD input control unit 11 monitors the operation of the pointing device 12, detects the current coordinates of the PD 12,
At the same time as reporting a button press or the like to the CPU 1, the data is temporarily stored.

The pointing device 12 is means for selecting a command, designating a position on the display, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a memory map of the main programs stored in the main storage device 2. The operating system (OS) 16 and instructions to the hardware such as the bitmap control unit 3 and the keyboard input control unit 11 are given. Driver 17 for sending messages and a window management system 1 for controlling operation of multi-window display
8 and the document creation program 19 described below
And other application programs 20-1 to 20-N. The copy source program is the application programs 20-1 and 20-2.
It is one of 0-N.

Next, the operation and processing of the document creation program 19 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the window 100 of the document creation program. The window 100 of this embodiment comprises a work instruction input window 101, a work command 102, a work area 103, and a pointing object 104. Composed.

The pointing object 104 moves in association with the pointing device 12. The user is
By operating the pointing object 104 and instructing the work command 102 displayed in the work instruction input window 101, it is possible to cause the program to execute the process corresponding to the work command 102.

Further, the user can operate the pointing object 104 to indicate an arbitrary position on the screen of the display 6.

In the work area 103, the work command 10
2. Figures, texts and images created / edited using the pointing object 104 and the keyboard 10 are displayed.

Here, the figure can be drawn by connecting the positions designated by the pointing object 104 with lines in the designated order. The text can be created by displaying the character string input from the keyboard 10 at the position designated by the pointing object 104. Further, the arbitrary image data stored in the external storage device 8 or the display image of the area designated on the display screen by using the pointing object 104 is replaced with the arbitrary image in the work area 103 designated by the pointing object 104. Can be displayed in position.

FIGS. 4A to 4E show screen transitions in the operation of copying an arbitrary figure of another program displayed on the display 6 to the edit area of the document creation program 19.

First, 100A is the window of the document creation program 19, and 100B is the figure 20 to be copied.
Let 1B be the window of another program displaying this program, and let this other program be program B.

First, the user moves the pointing object 104 and gives a copy instruction to the document creation program 19. Next, the pointing object 104 is displayed on the figure 20 displayed in the window 100B.
1B is moved up and the area 202 surrounding the figure 201B is designated (FIGS. 4B to 4C).

Next, the pointing object 104
Is moved to the window 100A, and a place to be copied is designated.

As a result, the same graphic 20 as the graphic 201B is obtained.
1A is displayed at the designated position, and copying is completed.

A process for realizing the above operation will be described below.

The document creation program 19 is shown in FIG.
, A main control module 600, an editing module 700, a drawing module 800, a copy processing module 900, an image-vector conversion module 1000,
The print processing module 1100, the file input / output module 1200, the display image buffer area 300, the object management table 400, and the object data 500 are included.

The relationship between the above modules and data will be described with reference to FIG.

The data input from the keyboard 10 and the pointing device 12 is distributed to each program by the window management system 18.

The main control module 600 receives this, edit module 700, copy processing module 9
00, print module 1100, and file input / output module 1200.

The copy processing module 900 sends an input instruction of the display image stored in the frame memory 4 to the hardware driver 17 and causes the display image buffer area 300 to acquire the video data. The obtained video data is the object data 50 as an object.
It is stored in the area of 0 and registered in the object management table 400 at the same time.

Further, according to a user's instruction, the video data is sent to the image-vector conversion processing module 1000, the video data is converted into vector data to generate the object data 500, and the object data 500 is generated.
Register with 00.

The editing module 700 manages the object management table 400 at the same time as processes such as object generation, duplication, deletion, and modification are performed according to an instruction from the pointing device 12.

The print module 1100 prints an object as a drawing. File input / output module 12
00 stores and calls the object management table 400 and the object data 500 in the external storage device 8.

FIGS. 7 to 8 show the data structure used in the document creation program 19. In the display image buffer 300, the pixel value (pixel value) included in an arbitrary rectangular area on the screen of the display 6 is displayed. ) Are arranged and stored in order.

For example, if the rectangle has a size of 16 × 32 pixels, the pixel value column stores pixel values of 16 × 32 = 512 pixels.

Object management table 40 shown in FIG.
0 is all the figures drawn by the user in the work area 103,
For objects such as texts and images, a type 401, arrangement coordinates 402, and a storage location 403 in the main storage device 2 for storing object data described below are stored.

The object data 500 shown in FIG.
Graphic object 500A and text object 5
00B and image object 500C.

In the graphic object 500A, the coordinates of the points forming the graphic are coordinated from the first point coordinate 501-1 to the nth point coordinate 5.
01-N are included in order. Text object 500
B includes the character string 511. Image object 500C
Is the image width 521, the image height 522, and the pixel value column 5
23 and.

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of the main control module 600.

First, when the document creation program 19 is activated, the window 100 is displayed (step 601). Next, the instruction of the work command 102 is acquired (step 602), and when the work command 102 ends (step 610), the window is closed and the program ends. If the work command is a copy (step 62)
0), request the copy module 900 for processing. In the case of editing (step 620), the editing processing module 700 is requested to perform processing. In the case of printing (step 630), the print processing module 1100 is requested to perform processing. In the case of file input / output (step 650), the input / output processing module 1200 is requested to perform processing.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the editing module 700. When an edit command is acquired and the edit command is object generation (step 701), and when the object to be generated is text (step 7)
02), the object data 500 is generated by using the text input from the keyboard 10 as a character string, and the object data 500 is registered in the management table 400 with the position designated by the pointing device 12 as the arrangement coordinate (step 703).

If the object to be generated is not a text (step 702), the positions designated by the pointing device 12 are sequentially recorded as a sequence of constituent points and registered as object data 500 in the object management table 400 (step 704).

If the edit command is to delete the object (step 705), the object data 500 of the object designated by the pointing device 12 is discarded and deleted from the object management table 400 (step 706). In case of change (step 707),
The changed portion of the object data 500 of the object designated by the pointing device 12 is corrected (step 708).

In the case of duplication (step 709), new object data 500 is generated, the contents of the object data 500 of the object designated by the pointing device 12 are copied, and registered in the object management table 400 (step 710). Note that the drawing processes 711 to 713 are performed except for the case of erasing.

A copy processing module 900 will be described with reference to FIG.
The flow of is explained.

First, the operation of the pointing device 12 is monitored (step 901) and the instruction of the copy area is waited for.
If an arbitrary position on the display screen is designated by the pointing device 12 (step 90)
2) If it is the first instruction (step 904), the designated coordinate is set as the first point (step 903).

If it is the second instruction, the instructed coordinate is set as the second point (step 905). A rectangular area having the two points diagonally instructed as described above is set as the copy area (step 906), the pixel value of the copy area is acquired from the frame memory 4, and is read into the pixel value column table (step 90).
7). When it is desired to copy this as an image into a document (step 908), an image object table is created and registered in the object list (step 911).

When it is desired to copy as a graphic or text, the image-vector conversion processing module 1000, which will be described later, is requested to perform processing to obtain the object data 500 of the graphic object. The obtained object data is registered in the object management table 400 (step 910). Since the graphic and text displayed on the display 6 are stored in the frame memory 4 as an image, any of the application programs 20-1 to 20-N shown in FIG. It is possible to copy without depending on the format.

Next, a method for recognizing a specific figure will be described with reference to the flowchart of the image-vector conversion processing 1000 shown in FIG.

First, the pixels are traced until the direction in which the pixels having the same pixel value are not "0" continues to change (step 1001). The coordinates of the point where the continuous pixel values change direction are registered in the graphic object data 500 (step 1002). It is checked whether or not there are any untracked pixels (1003). If there are any untracked pixels, the processing from step 1001 to step 1002 is repeated.
When the tracking of all pixels is completed, the graphic object data 500 is registered in the object management table 400.

Next, a method for recognizing a circular figure from the display image data obtained in step 907 of FIG.
Explain as follows. In addition, here, as a specific figure, "circle"
An example will be described.

First, the data structure of the graphic object 500A is redefined as shown in FIG. 17 so that the type of the recognized graphic can be understood. Here, the graphic object 50
0A is replaced by a polygonal object 1300A and a circle object 1300B.

The polygon object 1300A includes an item 1301 indicating the type of figure and the coordinates 1302-of the figure constituent points.
1 to 1302-N.

The circle object 1300B is composed of an item 1311 indicating the type of figure, a center coordinate 1312 of the circle, and a radius 1313 of the circle.

First, a method of recognizing a circular figure from display image data and converting it into vector data using the result will be described with reference to FIG.

From the display image data stored in the display image buffer area, a set of pixels having the same continuous pixel value is obtained (step 1401). Next, the total number of pixels (histogram) is obtained for each horizontal pixel column of this set. Similarly, a histogram is obtained in the vertical direction (step 1402).

The obtained histogram is compared with the histogram for a circle (step 1403). If they are similar (step 1404), the type of figure is set to "circle",
The center coordinates and radius of the circle are obtained from the outline rectangle of the set of pixels, a circle object 1300B is generated, and this is registered as a graphic object (step 1405).

If the histogram is not similar to the case of a circle, the image data is converted into vector data,
From this, a polygonal object 1300A is generated and registered as a graphic object (step 1406).

Next, a method of converting display image data into vector data and recognizing a circular figure from the vector data will be described with reference to FIG.

From the display image data stored in the display image buffer area 300, a set of pixels having the same continuous pixel value is obtained (step 1501), and this is converted into vector data (step 1502).

Next, the distribution of the coordinates of the start point and the end point of the obtained vector data is examined (step 1503). When the distributions are substantially on the same circumference (step 1504), the type of figure is set to "circle", the center coordinates and radius of the circle are obtained based on the outline rectangle obtained from each coordinate value, and the circle object 1300B is generated. This is registered as a graphic object (step 1505).

If the distributions are not on the same circumference (step 1504), a polygonal object 1300A having the coordinate points of the vector data as constituent points is generated and registered as a graphic object (step 1506).

Figures other than circles can be similarly recognized.

Next, the flow of the print processing module 1100 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the print range is inquired and obtained from the user (step 1101). The object existing in the print range is searched from the object management table 400 (step 1102). The drawing data of the searched object is generated and sent to the printing device 14 (step 11).
03).

Next, the flow of the file input / output module 1200 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the user is inquired whether the input or output is from a file (step 1201). The command is checked (step 1202). If it is input, the file name to be input is inquired to the user and acquired (step 1203). The object data 500 and the object management table 400 are read into the main storage device 2 from the designated file (step 1204). Object management table 40
The object registered in 0 is displayed on the screen (step 1205). When the command is output, the object data 500 of all the objects registered in the object management table 400 are stored in the external storage device 8 (1206).

Next, the drawing module 80 will be described with reference to FIG.
The flow of 0 will be described.

First, the figure-constituting point string, the character string, or the pixel value string of the object data 500 is drawn at the arrangement coordinates stored in the object management table 400 (step 801). This completes the process.

[0083]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, by linking with another graphic processing system such as CAD, the document creation time can be shortened, and work mistakes at the time of document creation can be prevented. It can be reduced.

Further, since the data held by another drawing software is not directly accessed but the frame buffer for storing the video data to be displayed on the display is accessed, the document is created without changing the existing software. be able to.

Further, when the figure is recognized by using the video data displayed on the display, compared to the case of recognizing the figure read by the conventional image scanner, the accuracy is improved without special preprocessing. High recognition can be done.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a basic device configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a main storage device.

FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram of a document creation program.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation example and a screen transition of a copy function in a document creation program.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a document creation program.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a mutual relationship between modules that form a document creation program.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an area for storing a display image in the document creation program.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an area for storing object management information in the document creation program.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an area for storing graphic information of an object in the document creation program.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of main processing of a document creation program.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the editing process of the document creation program.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart of copy processing of a document creation program.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a process of converting an image of a document creation program into vector data.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the print processing of the document creation program.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of input / output processing of an external file of the document creation program.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the drawing process of the document creation program.

FIG. 17 is a data structure diagram of a graphic object.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a first example of circle recognition processing.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a second example of circle recognition processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... CPU (central processing unit), 2 ... Main memory device (main memory), 3 ... Bitmap control unit, 4 ... Frame memory, 5 ... Drawing control unit, 6 ... Display, 7 ... External storage device control unit, 8 ... External storage device, 9 ... Keyboard input control unit, 10 ... Keyboard, 11 ... Pointing device input control unit,
12 ... Pointing device, 13 ... Printing device control unit, 14 ... Printer, 400 ... Object management table, 500 ... Object data, 600 ... Main control module, 700 ... Editing module, 800 ... Drawing module, 900 ... Copy processing module, 1000
... image-vector conversion processing module, 1100 ... printing processing module, 1200 ... file input / output module.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location 9194-5L G06F 15/40 370 B

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A data input means for reading data such as a graphic created by another graphic processing system and stored as video data in a frame memory for display, and an editing means for editing the read data as an editing target. A document creation support device, comprising: output means for outputting edited data as a document. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: a graphic recognition means for recognizing a specific graphic from the data read by the input means, and a conversion means for converting the recognized graphic into vector data. Document creation support device. 3. A conversion means for converting the data read by the input means into vector data, and a graphic recognition means for recognizing a specific graphic from the converted vector data. 1. The document creation support device described in 1.