JPH11119879A - Information processor, and definition method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to define the document processing or data processing of a desired step (from a simple to an advanced one) by a work or an operation for writing letters, sings or graphics which a user is accustomed to use daily in a document. SOLUTION: Respective definition element data obtained from a definition element data generation part 42 are stored in the definition element data area concerned of a definition element data storage part 44 by in every document unit or page unit and are managed by a sheet data area management part 35. Then, a definition data generation part 46 refers to definition information discrimination data held in a definition information discrimination data storage part 50, refers to the definition element data stored in the definition element data storage part 44, document element data accumulated in a document element data storage part 38 and a connection rule (a structure rule) algorithm stored in a connection rule (structure rule) memory 45 and generates data (definition data) for each definition information (unit definition information and composite definition information) written in each document or page or in across different documents or pages.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus for performing document processing / management and data processing / management.

[0020]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent information processing apparatuses (computer systems) have an architecture and software that reduce the burden on the user by taking a so-called object-oriented concept, due to a remarkable improvement in the performance of hardware resources, especially semiconductor devices. It is installed, and screen input is the mainstream in document processing.

For example, a desired document can be called up on the screen by a keyboard operation or a mouse operation, and the contents of a certain document can be moved or copied to an arbitrary position of another document by a drag function.

Further, it is possible to output a graph as specified by the user from among graph formats prepared (registered) in advance in the system. For example, the system prepares a table corresponding to the data expanded in the table memory. The user points a desired data item on the screen on which the table is displayed. Next, a graph creation menu screen (not shown)
Is displayed, and a desired condition or value is selected and instructed for various graph style items (graph type, size, etc.) presented by the system on the menu screen. The system outputs or prints out a target graph to the screen according to the graph style item selected and instructed on the menu screen for the data item selected and instructed on the screen of the table.

[0050]

In the conventional system,
As described above, processing over a plurality of documents or pages can be performed only by the screen operation method, there are still many operation procedures and manual items that the user must remember, and the degree of freedom or options on the user side is also limited.

In addition to the diversification and sophistication of document editing, the form of the graph required by the user is becoming diversified. In the original sense of graphs that visualize data,
There is a variety of ways to draw and draw graphs, which can be said to be infinite, and today's graphs show that each user can express the graph in the desired arrangement, shape, size, color, pattern, etc. This is the most required function of the creation system. Furthermore, since the graph creation system is used by general end users, it is important that the operation is easy and the number of learnings (manual items) is small. In other words, the number of operation procedures must be small, and a desired graph must be efficiently created.

However, in the conventional system, a graph can be created only within the range of a predetermined graph creation menu. For this reason, the degree of freedom or options on the user side is limited. In addition, in recent systems of this type, a graph modification function has been proposed that allows modification or alteration to a graph once created (output) in order to add variety to the graph. Since there is a limit to the variation by the engineer and a lot of operations are required in a complicated procedure, the function is not so significant for general end users.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an information processing apparatus and a definition which improve object directivity and enable desired document processing or data processing by a simple entry operation. The aim is to provide a method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a document or data processing at a desired stage (from simple to advanced) by performing a task or operation of writing a character, symbol or graphic which a user is familiar with on a daily basis. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a definition method capable of defining the information.

Another object of the present invention is to provide information which enables a user to perform desired document processing or data processing over a plurality of documents or pages by performing an operation or operation of writing a character, a symbol or a figure which is familiar to a user on a daily basis. An object of the present invention is to provide a processing device and a definition method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a definition method capable of efficiently creating a desired graph by a simple entry operation with very little remembering of a user.

[0120]

In order to achieve the above object, a definition method in an information processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention is a method of defining data management or format definition information in a document. , Input through the entry information entered in the form of a symbol or a figure, and recognize the unit definition information having the meaning of the minimum unit in the definition in the entered entry information, and mutually communicate according to a predetermined combination rule. Recognizing complex definition information based on a plurality of unit definition information respectively corresponding to the plurality of entry information entered in association with each other, and recognizing the recognized unit definition information and / or the complex definition information It is characterized in that definition data for defining the definition content is generated.

The definition method in the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 is the same as the definition method in claim 1,
The unit definition information includes definition element entry information in which the form of the character, symbol or graphic is set and registered in advance as having the meaning of the minimum unit in the definition.

Further, the definition method in the information processing apparatus according to claim 3 is the same as the definition method in claim 2,
The definition element entry information includes predetermined modification information for distinguishing from the normal entry information indicating the document content of the document.

The definition method in the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 is the same as the definition method in claim 1,
The combination rule may include a condition for determining whether or not a plurality of pieces of individual entry information are linked to each other by predetermined definition element entry information.

The definition method in the information processing apparatus according to claim 5 is the same as the definition method in claim 1,
The combination rule includes a condition for determining whether or not a plurality of individual entry information items are entered in a predetermined arrangement relationship with each other.

The definition method in the information processing apparatus according to claim 6 is the same as the definition method in claim 1,
When the first unit definition information indicating a desired data item name and the second unit definition information indicating a desired area on a document are related to each other in accordance with the associative rule, the data item name is changed. It is characterized in that it recognizes that data as an attribute is written in the area or should be written.

The definition method in the information processing device according to claim 7 is the same as the definition method in claim 1,
First unit definition information indicating a desired range in which normal entry information representing arbitrary document contents is included in the document, and second unit definition indicating that the normal entry information in the range is a copy source Information, third unit definition information indicating a desired insertion position or a free area on the document, and fourth unit definition information indicating that the insertion position or the free area is a copy destination is the combination rule. When they are related to each other, it is recognized that the normal entry information within the range should be copied to the insertion position or the empty area.

In the definition method of the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, the first and second unit definition information are written in a first document or a page. The third and fourth unit definition information is the second
And the definition content of the copy definition data is executed between the first document or page and the second document or page.

A graph defining method in an information processing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention provides a method for defining a general format information of a graph in a text, symbol or graphic in a document. Input through the entry information entered in the form of, while recognizing the unit definition information having the meaning of the minimum unit in the definition in the entered entry information, are associated with each other according to a predetermined combination rule Recognizing complex definition information based on a plurality of unit definition information respectively corresponding to the entered plurality of entry information, and defining the recognized unit definition information and / or definition contents of the complex definition information. It is characterized by generating definition data.

[0210] Further, the information processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect is characterized in that entry information input means for inputting entry information consisting of characters, symbols or figures entered in a document on paper or an electronic document, A first definition information recognizing unit for recognizing unit definition information having a meaning of a minimum unit in definition in the entry information input by the information input unit, and a unit recognized by the first definition information recognizing unit Second definition information recognition for recognizing complex definition information based on a plurality of unit definition information items respectively corresponding to a plurality of entry information items entered in association with each other in accordance with a predetermined combination rule in definition information Means and definition data generating means for generating definition data for defining the defined contents of the recognized unit definition information and / or the complex definition information.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the information processing apparatus extracts, from among the definition data generated by the definition data generating means, one instructing a predetermined process. And a definition execution processing means for sequentially executing the definition contents defined by the extracted definition data according to a predetermined order.

[0230] Further, the recording medium according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium comprising: an entry information input unit for inputting entry information consisting of characters, symbols, or figures written on a paper document or an electronic document; A first definition information recognizing means for recognizing unit definition information having a meaning of a minimum unit in definition in the entry information input by the entry information inputting means, and a unit which is recognized by the first definition information recognizing means. Second definition for recognizing complex definition information based on a plurality of unit definition information respectively corresponding to a plurality of entry information entered in association with each other in accordance with a predetermined combination rule in unit definition information Functioning as information recognition means and definition data generation means for generating definition data for defining the definition contents of the recognized unit definition information and / or the complex definition information; To record the order of the program.

[0240]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a hardware system configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this system, the color image scanner 10, the keyboard 12, the mouse 14, and the digitizer 15 are suitable as input devices, the internal memory 16 and the external memory 18 are suitable as storage devices, and the display device 20 and the printing device 22 are suitable as output devices. It is connected to the CPU 24 via an interface circuit (not shown). Also, C
The PU 24 is also connected to a telephone line or a communication line 27 via a communication device 26.

The color image scanner 10 reads characters, symbols and figures in a document written on paper as color image information. The internal memory 16 and the external memory 18 store various electronic dictionaries, character fonts, and the like, in addition to various programs that define processing or control operations of the CPU 24. The communication device 26 has a facsimile communication function.

FIG. 2 shows a list of operation modes related to creation of a book in the system of this embodiment. "Main",
Main modes such as "definition" and "environment setting" are set, and these main modes are branched into sub-modes such as "retrieval"... "Interpretation of definition".

FIG. 3 shows the “main mode list menu” displayed on the display screen 20 a of the display device 20.
In this menu screen, "Main"
A main mode selection button for "definition" and "environment setting" is displayed.

When the “environment setting” button is clicked in the “main mode list menu”, the environment setting mode is selected. When the mode is switched to the environment setting mode, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display screen 20a, and submode selection buttons such as "definition setting" and "definition information setting" are displayed at the lower right of the screen. here,
When the “definition information setting” button is clicked, a definition information setting mode is entered, and a “definition element / entry information comparison table” as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is displayed on the screen.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in this embodiment,
A plurality of definition systems such as “common”, “data management”, “format definition”, and “editing proofreading definition” are prepared, and a plurality of definition elements are set in each definition system. Of these definition systems, each definition element of "data management" is used to set a format for data management such as a book table, and each definition element of "format definition" and "editing and proofreading definition" Used to set formatting format. The definition elements of "common" are "data management", "format definition",
Shared with each format of "Edit proofing definition".

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each definition element includes one or more types of predetermined characters (character strings),
Symbols or figures are associated. Some of the definition elements, such as "round-up" corresponding to the definition element "rounding" of the "data management" system, express the purpose of definition only by the entry information. In some cases, other entry information is designated and the definition is left to the designated entry information, such as “<>” corresponding to the “item”. In addition, characters, character strings, symbols, etc. written in the area specified by the entry information, such as “〇” corresponding to the “common” type definition element “definition element specification”, are usually included in the entry information. In some cases, the definition information is converted into entry information, or such characters, character strings, symbols, and the like are referred to an application term dictionary and are instructed to be recognized as specific definition contents.

The association between the definition element and the entry information as described above may be prepared by the system from the beginning, or may be set and registered by the user at any time by screen input. In any case, for example, in the data format shown in FIG. 7, the definition element identification data having a variable data length corresponding to the comparison table in FIGS. 5 and 6 is set for each definition element. Each definition element identification data is held in a definition information identification data storage unit 48 (FIG. 28) of a definition information recognition unit described later.

In FIG. 7, the definition element (eg, “rightward alignment”) is included in the data field of “definition system”.
The code of the definition system (format definition) to which the
The code of the definition element (right-justified) is set in the data field of “definition element type”, and the character corresponding to the definition element (right-justification) is set in each data field of “constituent character string / symbol string”. (String) or symbol ("right",
A code of "right-justified" or "right-justified") is set with predetermined delimiter identification data interposed therebetween, and predetermined end identification data indicating the end of this data is added to the last field.

As described above, in this embodiment, the definition elements for performing various definitions on a document are associated with characters, symbols, or graphics that can also be used as normal entry information representing normal document contents. ing. However, as will be described later, when used as a defining element, special modification information (for example, color information) is added to the entry information so as to be distinguished from normal entry information representing the contents of a document. In other words, the user can not only use the commonly used entry information as normal entry information to represent the contents of the document, but also add special modifier information to the definition information to indicate the definition contents. It can be used as information.

When a sub-mode selection button of “definition distinction setting” is selected on the “environment setting mode screen” of FIG. 4, a “definition information distinction instruction screen” as shown in FIG. 8 appears on the display screen 20a.

In FIG. 8, in the column of [definition system], definition systems such as "data management", "format definition", and "editing proofreading definition" are listed. The user only needs to input modification information or identification information of [color], [line modification], [line thickness], [handwriting / printing] used for the entry information of each definition system at each position. In the case of the example of FIG. 8, (data management) is (blue),
In the “Format definition” and “Edit proof definition”, (red) is entered in the “Color” field. As described above, the definition elements of “common” are shared by the formats of “data management”, “format definition”, and “editing proofreading definition”. Therefore, it is not necessary to set “common” specific modification information. Absent.

In response to the input operation of the definition information distinction instruction, in the system, the definition information distinction data for each definition system is set in a data format as shown in FIG. 9, for example. This definition information distinction data is stored in a definition information distinction data storage unit 50 (FIG. 28) of a definition information recognition unit described later.
Is held.

FIG. 10 shows a screen of a "main" mode which is one of the main modes. In this "Main" mode screen, "Eject", "Store", "Next",
A sub mode selection button such as "execute" is displayed, and when each sub mode selection button is clicked, the mode is switched to the sub mode displayed by each button. The “Main” mode screen appears by default on the display screen 20a immediately after the power is turned on. When the “Mode” button constantly displayed in the lower left corner of the screen is clicked, the “Main mode list menu” is displayed. Switch to the screen.

Next, the function of copying arbitrary document contents between a plurality of documents or pages in this system will be described.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show the contents of three documents PA1, PA2 and PA3 as examples.

[0410] The first document PA1 is a purchase request form,
Only typical items related to purchase requests are described. The second document PA2 describes a "purchase plan" for a certain item. The third document PA3 describes specifications relating to a specific "storage box". Each document PA1, P
It is assumed that the document contents on A2 and PA3 are both written in black.

The user copies or transcribes a part of the contents of the second and third documents PA2 and PA3 on the purchase request form of the first document PA1, and separates the document contents as shown in FIG. Suppose that you want to create a typical purchase request form PA1 '. In order to achieve this purpose in this system, the required definition information may be manually added to each of the documents PA1, PA2, PA3 in the manner described below.

Before writing the definition information on the form PA1, which is a purchase request form, as shown in FIG. 15, the sentence "I would like to obtain it by May 10th, thank you" is written in black. Add it. This additional text is written in the document contents of the target purchase request form PA1 '
2 and PA3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the definition support information of the required “format definition” or “edit configuration definition” system is written in red on the document PA1.

Here, the definition support information is entry information having a definition distinction modification (for example, red), and is mainly composed of definition element entry information. Each definition information is composed of only one or a plurality of definition support information, or is composed of the definition support information and the related normal entry information.

First, the definition of “left margin” and “right margin” having a desired length so as to sandwich the area in which the main sentence “In regards to the subject of the title,... Enter the element entry information "]" and "[" in (red). This defines that "this main sentence is a continuous character string extending over a plurality of lines, and the arrangement position or range of this continuous character string is the position / range indicated by this margin"] ["".

Further, the definition element entry information “要素” of “fixed instruction” is written in (red) on the left side of the first character “head” of the main sentence, and the fixed instruction symbol “△” is combined with (red). Connect with "neck" with line "-". This defines that "the position of the first character" head "of the main sentence should be set to the actual position (actually measured value) on the document PA1".

In the main sentence, the last sentence of the first sentence, "Please ask for the purchase procedure. By the time, please write the definition element entry information "V" for "character string insertion position" in red between the beginning of the character string and the character insertion position symbol "V". In the vicinity of the opening, definition element entry information “→” of “copy destination” and an identification code “A” are entered in (red). As a result, "the character string defined as the copy source with the same identification code" A "in any other document should be inserted and copied between the first sentence and the second sentence in this main sentence. ].

In the blank area below the area indicated by the margin “] [”, the definition element entry information ““ ”,“ ”” of “range specification” is specified so as to indicate an area extending from the left end to the center. Is written in (red), and definition element entry information “→” of “copy destination” is written in (red) adjacent to the upper part of this area. As a result, "the document content in the rectangular area defined as the copy source by the same kind of range specification""" in another arbitrary document is copied to the rectangular free area designated by this range specification """". What to do ".

Also, between the entry information “” that defines the position of the upper left end of the rectangular range designation symbol “” ”and the definition element entry information“ interval indication line ”between the left end of the document PA1. ← → ”is written in the horizontal direction (red), and the definition element entry information“ △ ”of the“ fixed instruction ”is written in (red) in the vicinity of the interval indication line symbol“ ← → ”. Thus, the position of the left end of the rectangular area (“”) of the copy destination should be set to a position spaced apart from the left end position (reference position) of the document PA1 by an actual distance (actual size) in the horizontal direction. That is to say that.

Also, the definition element entry information “-” of the “interval indication auxiliary line” is entered in the horizontal direction (red) at a position at the same height from the entry information “” and a little to the right. On the other hand, above the interval indication auxiliary line "-", the definition element entry information "-" of the "interval indication auxiliary line" is written in red at the end of the main sentence "please" as underlined. In addition, a pair of opposed distance indication auxiliary lines “−”,
Defining element entry information of "interval indication line" between "-"
"" Is written in the vertical direction (red), and a desired distance value, for example, "25" is written in (red) next to the space indicating line "← →".

[0520] Thus, the position of the upper end of the rectangular area ("") of this copy destination should be set to a position vertically spaced from the end position (reference position) of the main sentence by a distance of 25 mm. That is to say that.

In the blank space on the right side of the empty area (“”) as the copy destination, the definition element entry information “]”, “[” of “left margin” and “right margin” having appropriate lengths At the appropriate distance from each other (red). Then, the definition element entry information “→” and the identification code “B” of “copy destination” are written in red near the upper end of the area indicated by the pair of margin lines “] [”. As a result, the document content in the area defined as the copy source with the identification code B in any of the other documents should be copied to the space area indicated by the pair of margin lines "] [" ].

Next, the purchase plan document PA2 contains:
The definition support information of the “format definition” system or the “editing proofreading definition” system as shown in FIG. 17 is written in red. That is, the definition element entry information of “left margin” and “right margin” having a desired length so as to sandwich the area in which the main sentence “Along with the relocation of the new building ... ]] And “[” in (red). This allows
This means that "this main sentence is a continuous character string extending over a plurality of lines, and the arrangement position or range of this continuous character string is the position / range indicated by these pair of margin lines"] ["".

[0550] In this main sentence, the phrase or character string to be used as the quoted part this time is as follows: "The following items have to be procured due to the relocation of our new building.""(","]" Is written in (red). As a result, "The character string indicated by this range specification" [] "needs to be relocated to the new building in this department." Is distinguished from the others within the range of the margin line "] [" It is a specified character string. "

Then, adjacent to the character string designated by the range specification “[]”, the definition element entry information “→” of “copy source” and the identification code “A” are entered in red, respectively.
This means that "the character string designated by this range designation" [] "should be copied (inserted) at the copy (insertion) destination position where the same identification code A is attached in another document (PA1)". It will be specified.

[0570] Next, the object to be purchased, "storage box"
The definition support information as shown in FIG. That is, the definition element entry information "", "" of "Specify range" is written in (red) so as to include the title "Tools storage box specification" of this specification and the drawing of this storage box. The definition element entry information “→” of “copy source” is written in (red) adjacent to the upper part of the area designated by the range designation ““ ”. This means that "the document content in the rectangular area designated by this range specification""" should be copied to the area defined as the copy source by the same type range specification """" in another document (PA1). ].

In addition, in response to the remarks regarding the specifications such as the size and weight of the storage box described below the document PA3, the definition element entry information “]” for “left margin” and “right margin” is provided on both the left and right sides. , “[” In (red), and near the upper end of the area indicated by the pair of margin lines “] [”, the definition element entry information “→” of the “copy source” and the identification code B are respectively ( (Red).
Then, in the margin line "] [", the "red range" definition element (red) surrounds the phrase or character string (full text in this example) that should be the quoted part this time. The entry information “[]” is entered, and the definition element entry information “→” of “copy source” and the identification code “B” are entered (red) in the vicinity of the quoted character string. As a result, "the character string specified by this range specification" [] "
That the document should be copied to a copy destination position with the same identification code "B" on another document (PA1) ".

Next, various functions for creating a target purchase request form PA1 'in the system of the present embodiment from the three documents PA1, PA2, PA3 in which the definition information has been entered as described above will be described.

FIG. 19 shows the configuration of the document input and document element data generation unit in the system of this embodiment. The document image input unit 30 includes an input device such as a color image scanner 10, a keyboard 12 and a mouse 14, a CPU 24 for executing an input routine, and an internal memory 16 or an external memory 1 for temporarily receiving an input color image.
And 8. Document image storage unit 32, character /
Graphic pattern dictionary 36 and document element data storage 38
Uses the storage area of the internal memory 16 or the external memory 18. The character / graphic element recognition unit 34 is configured by the CPU 24 executing a character / graphic recognition processing program. The document image output unit 40 mainly includes a CPU 24 that executes a display control program, and a display device 20 that outputs a document image under the control of the CPU 24 or a communication device 26 that transmits and outputs a document image. You.

In the document image storage unit 32 and the document element data storage unit 38, each input document or each page P
Image data area 32 for storing image data for each Ai
(i) and a document element data area 38 (i) for storing document element data are respectively set. FIG. 20 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the memory management for each image data area 32 (i) and each document element data area 38 (i) is as follows.
This is performed using the sheet data area management data CD (i) set in the sheet data area management unit 35 for each input document or each page PAi.

In order to create the purchase request form PA1 '(FIG. 14) intended by the user, this system uses the form PA1 (FIG. 16) and the form P
The document information of A2 (FIG. 17) and document PA3 (FIG. 18) are read by the color image scanner 10 for each document.

In this case, the plurality of documents PA1, PA
2 and PA3 are in a relationship in which predetermined processing (copy processing in this example) is performed between them, and are treated as belonging to one related group (hereinafter, referred to as "sheet group") in the present system. Various methods are possible for the user to inform the system of grouping a plurality of documents or pages as a sheet group. For example, when the user performs a predetermined button operation and subsequently inputs a plurality of documents or pages from the image scanner 10, the system may determine that these documents or pages are a sheet group. .

As another method, as shown in FIG. 119,
It is also possible to set a sheet groove on the display screen 20a. In FIG. 119, when it is desired to group documents (not shown) displayed on the screen, a “group” button may be selected and indicated. If a plurality of documents can be displayed on one screen, it is only necessary to click each corresponding document and then select and instruct the "group" button. "Source" for the document of the copy source (data source)
Button, and in the case of a document at the copy destination (data output destination), the user selects and instructs a "first" button. In the system,
In response to the instruction of the "execute" button, the sheet group is identified in the same manner as described above, and the sheet data area management data is set.

Alternatively, in the case where a plurality of documents can be displayed on the display screen 20a and a function of converting the documents into icons is provided (known technology), grouping is performed at an appropriate place on the screen as shown in FIG. A sheet group can also be set by setting and displaying an area, iconifying a document to be stored in one sheet groove, and dragging the icon into the group area.

[0640] When the reading operation of each document PA1, PA2, PA3 is performed by the image scanner 10, a color image signal representing the content of each document (all entries) is taken into the image storage unit of the input unit 30. The color image signal for each document taken into the input unit 30 is decomposed into each color image signal of (black), (blue), and (red) in the form of a signal. An image signal, a (blue) image signal, and a (red) image signal are stored in the black image storage unit 32a, the blue image storage unit 32b, and the red image storage unit 32c, respectively.

[0650] Next, the character / graphic element recognizing section 34 determines, for each color (black, blue, red), individual characters and graphic elements in the document with respect to the pixel data for each document stored in the document image storage section 32. Recognize elements. Here, the graphic element is a group of simple figures, such as a line segment, a rectangle, and a circle, whose shapes can be easily image-recognized.

At the time of image recognition in this embodiment, for example, “image management data” preset in a data format as shown in FIG. 22 is referred to. In this “image management data”, as shown in FIG. 23, assuming that the input image is composed of a large number of pixels PX arranged in a matrix, data representing the number, size, pitch, etc. of the pixels PX are set. ing.

The character / graphic element recognition unit 34
Recognition of figures is basically performed by recognizing individual characters and line elements constituting graphic elements. Various known methods may be used for identifying the line element. For example, first, a set of dots having a specific color is found, and then an adjacent area or surrounding is searched to determine the direction in which the set of dots extends. By repeating this process, the trajectory drawn by the set of dots is traced until it disappears (ends). If there is a location where the direction of the trajectory changes rapidly during the tracking, the location is identified as a bending point or a cusp.

[0680] The line element thus extracted can be identified as one of the line element patterns set in advance by its shape and size. In the present embodiment, the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36 stores in advance a type of a line element constituting each character and a graphic and a significant positional relationship between the constituent line elements in a predetermined electronic dictionary system ( Settings have been registered). The character / graphic element recognizing unit 34 repeats the process of combining the line elements extracted as described above between adjacent ones and collating this with the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36,
Recognize individual characters, symbols, and figures.

[0690] Recognition processing is performed on ruled lines forming a table such as a list as follows. That is, a line element extracted as a straight line in recognition of a line element as described above is orders of magnitude longer than other line elements, and the direction of the straight line is in relation to a horizontal line (X axis) or a vertical line (Y axis). If the angle falls within a certain angle, the straight line is regarded as a horizontal ruled line or a vertical ruled line, and the position information is corrected so as to be parallel to the horizontal line or the vertical line. If the distance between the end points of the two extracted ruled lines or the distance between the end point of one ruled line and the other ruled line is within a certain value, the end points of the two ruled lines overlap each other or It is considered that the end point of the ruled line is overlapped on the other ruled line, and the respective position information is corrected so that the two ruled lines overlap so.

The character / graphic element recognizing section 34 performs the above-described character / graphic recognition processing on each color (black, blue, red) image of the input document to obtain each character, each graphic element, and each symbol. For example, document element data is generated in a data format as shown in FIGS.

FIG. 24 shows an example of the data format of document element data (character data) corresponding to one character.
As shown in the figure, the code, typeface, color, line thickness, line modification (solid line, dotted line, chain line, etc.) of the character, handwriting / printing (discrimination as a handwritten character or a printed character), entry position and size Of the document element data is added to the end of the document element data.

FIGS. 25, 26 and 27 show examples of the data format of document element data (graphic element data) corresponding to one graphic element or symbol, respectively. As shown in FIG. 25, the data of the start position and the end position is incorporated into the line segment. As shown in FIG. 26, the center position (X, Y directions) and the diameter size (X,
(Y direction) data is incorporated. As shown in FIG. 27, for a rectangle or "<", data indicating the position of a bending point or a cusp (a point where the direction of a line segment changes sharply) is incorporated in addition to the start and end positions.

As described above, all the entry information in each document input as an image is decomposed into individual characters, symbols, and figures, and is converted into document element data by the character / graphic element recognition unit 34. These document element data are stored in the document element data storage unit 38 for each document. In addition, characters
The image information corresponding to the entry information converted into the document element data by the graphic recognition processing may be deleted from the document image storage unit 32.

[0740] The document image output unit 40 is provided with the document image storage unit 3
In addition to outputting a document image based on the image signal stored in the document data storage unit 2, the document element data stored in the document element data storage unit 38 is converted into an image signal via the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36. Then, a document image can be output.

FIG. 28 shows the configuration of the definition information recognition and format setting unit in the system of this embodiment. Definition element data generation unit 42 and definition data generation unit 46
Is configured by the CPU 24 that executes a definition element data and definition data generation process. The associative rule (constitutive rule) memory 45, the definition information identification data storage unit 48, the definition information distinction data storage unit 50, the applied term dictionary 52, the definition data storage unit 54, and the sheet group definition data storage unit 56 are the internal memory 16 or the external memory. 18 are expanded on predetermined storage areas.

[0760] In the document element data storage section 44 and the definition data storage section 54, a document element data area 44 (i) for storing document element data for each input document or page PAi and a definition for storing definition data. Data areas 54 (i) are set. FIG. 20 and FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, memory management for each document element data area 44 (i) and each definition data area 54 (i) is as follows.
This is performed using the sheet data area management data CD (i) set in the sheet data area management unit 35 for each input document or each page PAi.

In the definition information recognition and format setting section, first, the definition element generation section 42 executes the definition element identification data storage section 48 and the definition information discrimination data storage section 5.
The document element data (FIGS. 24 to 27) stored in the document element data storage unit 38 with reference to the definition element identification data (FIG. 7) and the definition information discrimination data (FIG. 9) held respectively in FIG. The definition element data is generated for each piece of definition information written on each document or page based on the definition information.

[0780] Fig. 29 shows an example of the data format of the definition element data. A "definition code" and a "definition element code" for identifying the definition element entry information are set, and a pointer for referring to document element data corresponding to characters, graphics, and symbols constituting the definition element entry information Is set. For example, "Specify range"
In the case of "[", a pointer for specifying the address of the document element data corresponding to the entry information "[" is set.

To generate the definition element data, a search is made for document element data having specific modification information, for example, (red) color information. As a result of this search, for example, when the entry information of “[” is extracted, the other entry information “]” that is paired with the entry information is determined to determine the definition element entry information “[]” of “range designation”. . As a result, the "definition code" and the "definition element code" are determined, and the pointers that specify the addresses of the document element data (graphic element data) of "[" and "]" that constitute the definition element entry information are also determined. .

[0800] As described above, the definition element data generation unit 4
2 is stored in the corresponding definition element data area of the definition element data storage unit 44 for each document or page, and is managed by the sheet data area management unit 35.

Next, the definition data generation unit 46 refers to the definition information discrimination data (FIG. 9) held in the definition information discrimination data storage unit 50, and stores the definition stored in the definition element data storage unit 44. The element data (FIG. 29) and the document element data stored in the document element data storage unit 38 (FIG. 2)
4 to FIG. 27) and each definition information (or a combination rule (constitutive rule)) stored in the combination rule (constitutive rule) memory 45 with reference to each document or page or over different documents or pages. It generates data (definition data) for each unit definition information and composite definition information.

[0820] When the purchase request form PA1 'as described above is created, "margin definition data" and "interval definition data" are generated as definition data of the "format definition" system as described below, and " “Character string copy definition data” and “area copy definition data” are generated as definition data of the “edit proof definition” system. In the case of this example, “character string copy definition data” and “area copy definition data” are definition data that defines a predetermined process between a plurality of documents or pages, that is, sheet group definition data.

Also, as will be described later, when “character string copy definition data” or “area copy definition data” is generated, the “character string data” is converted by the definition data generator 46 for each document or page. In addition to being generated as additional document element data, “character string insertion position indicating data”, “character string range indicating data”, and “area indicating data” are generated as definition data of operand information indicating a copy target.

First, the “margin definition data” is (red)
Margin definition element entry information “]” entered in
From "[", it is created in a data format as shown in FIG. 30, for example, based on the position information. Here, the "position in the margin width direction" indicates each entry position of the left margin line "]" and the right margin line "[" in the width direction or the horizontal direction on the document. The “margin vertical range” indicates the vertical length and position of both margin lines “]” and “[”.

As described above, the margin definition element entry information "] [" alone gives unit definition information having the meaning (margin) of the minimum unit in definition. Then, “margin definition data” is generated based on the unit definition information.

[0860] "Character string data" is created as follows. In the present embodiment, “character string data” is generated in units of continuous character strings. Here, a continuous character string is a set of characters that are semantically connected, and refers to a character string whose position is determined in association with each other according to a fixed arrangement rule when a character string is input or edited and edited. As such an arrangement rule, for example, when a "margin" is defined for the continuous character string that is arranged in a line from left to right at a constant character interval in each line, a character that strikes a right margin line Is located at the beginning of the next line, that is, at a position adjacent to the left margin line, for example, "10
When a numeric string such as "0" hits the right margin in the middle (for example, at the end of "0"), rules such as arranging the entire numeric string from the beginning of the next line can be set. is there.

[0870] Specifically, when the gap between characters in one line is much smaller than the character pitch, the character string may be determined to be a continuous character string. If the character string is within the margin, a continuous character string over a plurality of lines is identified according to the following criteria. That is, in the character string of each line, the characters at both ends are within a predetermined threshold value on the left and right margin lines "]" and "[" (for example, as shown in FIG. 31, the space or the gap between the margin line and the end character). G is smaller than the character width W), the distance between each line (pitch)
32, that is, whether the variation between the pitches is much smaller than the pitch P, as shown in FIG. Judge as a column.

For the new character string data generated as described above, the average of the line spacing (line pitch) and the character spacing (character pitch) is obtained, and the quantization value or system The line spacing and character spacing are aligned with the line pitch and character pitch of the value (value prepared by the system). In the case of extending over a plurality of lines, the vertical direction (Y
The position of the last line in the direction) is registered. In FIG.
An example of a data format of character string data is shown.

The character data for each character (FIG. 25) serving as original data when generating character string data is defined by other definition data (eg, “interval definition data”, “character string insertion position instruction data”). Since it is referred to in the generation process of
Until these definition data are generated, they are stored in a memory in association with the corresponding character string data. At this time, for convenience of processing, the storage position of each character data is managed so that the arrangement order or position of each corresponding character in the corresponding character string data can be known.

FIGS. 34 and 35 show a data format example and function (definition contents) of “character string insertion position designating data”, respectively.

The processing for generating “character string insertion position instruction data” is performed as follows. First, the definition element data corresponding to the definition element entry information “V” of “character string insertion position” is extracted from the definition element data stored in the definition element data storage unit 44. The document element data corresponding to the definition element entry information “V” is searched from the pointer of the definition element data of the extracted “character string insertion position”,
The entry position of the definition element entry information “V” is identified, and the corresponding character string data is identified. Next, the position of the definition element entry information "V" and the position of each character are collated through the respective document element data to determine the "character string insertion position" on the character string data.

[0920] As described above, the definition element entry information "V" of "character string insertion position" is unit definition information having the meaning of the minimum unit (character string insertion position) on its own. "Character string insertion position indication data" based on
Is generated.

FIGS. 36 and 37 show examples of the data format and function (contents of definition) of “character string range instruction data”, respectively.

[0939] The process of generating "character string range instruction data" is performed as follows. First, the definition element data corresponding to the definition element entry information “[”, “]” of “range designation” is extracted from the definition element data stored in the definition element data storage unit 44. The document element data respectively corresponding to the pair of definition element entry information “[”, “]” is searched from the extracted pointer of the definition element data of “range specification”, and the pair of definition element entry information “[ The entry position of ","] is identified, and the corresponding character string data is identified. Next, the position of the pair of definition element entry information "[", "]" and the position of each character are collated through the respective document element data, thereby obtaining the "range" of the character string specified in the character string data. "
(Start data position, end data position)

FIGS. 38 and 39 show an example of the data format and the function (definition contents) of “area instruction data”.

[0960] The processing for generating the "area designation data" is performed as follows. First, the definition element data storage unit 44
"Specify range" from definition element data stored in
Extract definition element data respectively corresponding to the definition element entry information “”, “”.
The document element data respectively corresponding to the pair of definition element entry information “”, “” ”is searched from the pointer of the definition element data of“ 1 ”, and the entry position of the pair of definition element entry information“ ”,“ ”” (X1, y1), (x2,
y2). Then, the pair of symbols ““ ”,
If """are opposed to each other on the inner side, it is determined to be" area designation data ".

As described above, the definition element entry information “[]” and ““ ”” of “range specification” are unit definition information each having the meaning of the minimum unit in the definition, and
“Character string range designation data” and “region designation data” are generated from these unit definition information.

[0980] The "character string data" generated by the definition data generating section 46 as described above is stored in the document element data storage section 38 for each document, and the "margin definition data",
The “character string insertion position instruction data”, “character string range instruction data”, and “area instruction data” are stored in the definition data storage unit 54 for each document.

Next, in the definition data generating unit 46,
“Character string copy definition data” and “area copy definition data”, which are sheet group definition data, are generated based on “character string insertion position instruction data”, “character string range instruction data”, “area instruction data”, and the like. You.

FIGS. 40 and 41 show data format examples and functions (definition contents) of “character string copy definition data”.

[1010] In order to generate "character string copy definition data", "copy destination" and "copy source" are first identified for each document, and then a combination of "copy destination" and "copy source" is identified. . This combination is possible between different documents or pages. The identification of "copy destination" or "copy source" can be determined by analogy from the combination of "character string insertion position indicating data" and "character string range indicating data" according to the associative rule. By including the definition element entry information “→” that specifies “copy destination” and “copy source” in the combining condition, more reliable identification can be performed. Further, when there are a plurality of "copy destinations" and "copy sources", the related identification codes (see FIG. 16 and FIG. 1) with definition distinction modification ("red" in this example)
In the example of FIG. 7, “A”) is also included in the combining condition, whereby the “copy destination” and “copy source” of each pair can be identified.

As described above, in the present system, the definition data generating unit 46 refers to the associative rule algorithm registered in the associative rule memory 45, and thereby a plurality of definition element entry information given by a plurality of definition element entry information. Recognizing one complex definition information by combining the unit definition information, and further recognizing more complex or advanced definition information by combining a plurality of unit definition information and the complex definition information or the complex definition information. The necessary definition data that defines each definition content is created according to the recognition result.

In this embodiment, the margin line "]
If the area indicated by [] is blank (blank), this blank area is also regarded as a “copy destination”.

FIGS. 42 and 43 show data format examples and functions (definition contents) of “area copy definition data”.
Is shown.

[1050] To generate "area copy definition data",
First, a "copy destination" and a "copy source" are determined based on "margin definition data" and "area designation data". In this case, the definition element entry information “→” directly indicating “copy destination” and “copy source” and the related identification code (“B” in the examples of FIGS. 16 and 18) with the definition distinction modification are also included. By using the combination condition, the combination of each corresponding “copy destination” and “copy source” is determined. Thus, "copy destination information" and "copy source information" are obtained.

[1060] As described above, the "area copy definition data" is also
It is constituted by combining a plurality of unit definition information in accordance with the associative rule, and can be established between different pages or pages.

As shown in FIGS. 41 and 43, in this system, the processing should be performed within a certain range (in this example, within a sheet group) in the form of “character string copy definition data” and “area copy definition data”. Electronically or dataally define string copying and area copying. By executing these copy definition data, a copy desired by the user is performed. At this time, since such a copy changes the positional relationship between the respective parts at the copy destination, the positional relationship is referred to as “fixed instruction definition data” or “interval definition data”.
It is necessary to define in advance with

FIG. 44 shows a data format example of “fixed instruction definition data”. The process of generating the “fixed instruction definition data” is performed as follows. First, the definition element data corresponding to the definition element entry information “$” of the “fixed instruction” (red) is extracted from the definition element data stored in the definition element data storage unit 44. The position of the definition element entry information “$” is identified from the pointer of the extracted definition element data of the “fixed instruction”. Next, the document element (normal entry information or definition element entry information) which is located near this definition element entry information “△” or connected via the “joining line” definition element entry information “−” ) Is determined, and a pointer for referring to the document data corresponding to the determined document element is set as a “pointer to the designated document element data”. Note that such indexing of document information is performed by sequentially referring to or collating "position" data in the corresponding document element data.

[1090] The "document element data to be instructed"
Is character string data, whether the first character or the last character is fixed is identified from the position of the character directly specified by the definition element entry information “△”. Set the distinguishing information.

[1100] The definition element entry information "-" of the "connection line" has a function of a connection rule that links a plurality of individual entry information with each other and thus associates a plurality of unit definition information with each other. .

FIG. 45 shows a data format example of “interval definition data”. The process of generating “interval definition data” is performed as follows. First, the definition element data corresponding to the definition element entry information “← →” of the “interval indication line” (red) is extracted from the definition element data stored in the definition element data storage unit 44. The document element data pointed by the pointer of the definition element data of the extracted “interval indication line” is searched, and the definition element entry information “←
The position and direction of “→” are identified. Next, the extension direction of the document element (normal entry information or definition element entry information) adjacent to both ends of the definition element entry information “← →” or the spacing indication auxiliary line “−” Are determined, document elements on both sides of the determined “← →” are set as “instruction targets”, and pointers for referring to corresponding document element data are set.

[1120] Also, each target category (discrimination between paper edge, definition element, and normal document element) is set. If the "instruction target" is a character string, either the start portion or the end portion is designated. Is identified, and the discrimination information is set. If the “target section” of one of the “targets” is the end of the sheet, the “reference section” is set to “1”; otherwise, the “reference section” is set to “0”.

[1130] The "interval distance" is a distance value (numerical value) with a definition distinction modification (red in this example) for format definition.
Is entered in the vicinity or if it is connected with the (-) connection line (red), set the entered value, and enter the definition element entry information "△" for "fixed instruction". If it is, set the measured value.

[1140] When all the definition data for a plurality of documents associated as one sheet group have been generated as described above, the processing performed by the present system, particularly the recognition processing (character / graphic recognition, The results of the correction of the position / size, etc., and the definition contents) are displayed and output, and the user's confirmation is obtained.

In this display output, the document contents of each document recognized by the system are sequentially displayed on the display screen 20a by, for example, a toggle method. At that time, click “Next” at the bottom right of the screen.
When the button is clicked, the document image on the screen is switched to the next one.

Therefore, in the above example, the document images PA1 as shown in FIGS. 46, 47 and 48 respectively correspond to the documents PA1, PA2 and PA3 of the sheet group.
, PA2, PA3 are sequentially displayed on the display screen 20a. In order to display these document images, the document image output unit 40 refers to the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36 for the document element data for each document stored in the document element data storage unit 38, and Identify patterns,
Each pattern is converted into bitmap image data by a development program to generate a video signal.

[1170] In the character string of the document element, since the individual characters constituting the character string do not have positional information (FIG. 33), the arrangement positions of the following constituent characters are determined at the output stage. Perform a character string arrangement process to determine.

[1180] That is, with reference to the character string data (FIG. 33), the arrangement position of each character is determined one by one at a character interval from the "head character position" at character intervals determined by the "character pitch" information. If another "character pitch" information appears on the way, the character spacing thereafter is changed to the new "character pitch". Then, as shown in FIG. 49, for a character that is arranged outside the right margin line, the arrangement position is canceled and replaced with the head position of the next line determined by the “line pitch” information. Hereinafter, the same processing is repeated. Finally, as shown in FIG. 50, when the position of the last line is determined, the position is registered in the “last line position”.

The following arrangement processing is performed on the definition element ([,], V) additionally entered in the character string or associated with the character string. Regarding the definition element ([,]) of “range specification”, character codes corresponding to these symbols are included in the character string data. However, at the stage of display output, as shown in FIG. 51, these symbols are not provided with an arrangement space for one character, and are arranged in the space between the characters before and after (both sides). In addition, the definition element (V) of the “character string insertion position” is adjusted to the character arrangement position before and after (both sides) newly determined by the character string arrangement as described above.

In this way, the arrangement positions of each character of the character string and the related document element are sequentially determined according to a predetermined rule. As a result, the position of each character may deviate from the position at the time of input.

As described above, the contents of each document according to the recognition processing result of the system are displayed on the display screen 20a.
At this point, the user can use the keyboard 12, mouse 14, or digitizer 15 to make corrections to each document or enter new entry information from the screen. With respect to the entry information input from the keyboard 12, the character / graphic element input unit 37 (FIG. 19) can generate the document element data without performing the character / graphic recognition processing. With respect to the entry information input from the mouse 14 or the digitizer 15, each entry information is inputted by the character / graphic element input unit 37, and the character / graphic element recognition unit 3
In step 4, character / graphic recognition processing is sequentially performed (for each input entry information) to generate document element data.

[1212] These screen input type input devices 12, 1
Also when inputting the definition information by 4 and 15, the modification information of each definition system is set and input in the "definition information distinction" mode of the "environment setting" (FIG. 8).

By using the screen input method, it is possible to instruct coloring of the entry information not only before the entry information but also after the entry. In other words, the color menu can be used by selecting and instructing a desired "color" button in the "color menu" prior to inputting a character string or the like or drawing a ruled line. Instruct (specify) the desired part on the screen, and then continue to the desired “color”
A method of selecting and instructing a button can be adopted.

[1240] If entry information is entered on the screen in a predetermined definition sub-mode, the system attaches the entered entry information to a definition distinction modification designated in the sub-mode, and It can also be displayed on the screen.
In this case, the definition information is recognized from the entry information provided with the definition distinction modification.

When entry information is input on the screen as described above, every time the entry information is input, the character / graphic element input unit 37 (FIG. 19) responds to each entry information based on the input data. The generated document element data is generated or changed.

[1260] Entry information (character string,
Symbols and graphics are stored in the system in the same manner as document element data (FIGS.
7, FIG. 33).

At the actual use level, it is convenient to use such a screen input method together with the above-described image input method. Since the entry information entered as an image from a form and the entry information entered using a command from the screen are managed in the system as the same document element data, the original entry information (normal entry information) in the book table or its Regardless of the definition entry information added above, any entry information can be input from either the image input or the screen input.

As described above, after the user inputs the document in which the contents of the document are described in advance by the image scanner 10, at the stage of the output display for confirmation as described above,
While confirming the document contents or definition contents of each document, it is possible to add arbitrary entry information, particularly definition support information, from the keyboard 12, mouse 14 or digitizer 15, and furthermore, to perform desired definition by a command from the screen. It is also possible to enter information.

Further, the user can change or cancel the definition information by executing a desired editing and proofreading function on the screen with respect to the entry information forming the definition information once inputted. It is possible.

In order to enable setting and input of definition information using commands in the above-described screen input method, the present system is provided with a command input unit 60 and a command recognition / execution processing unit 62 as shown in FIG. I have. The command input unit 60 receives a command input from the keyboard 12, the mouse 14, or the digitizer 15. The command recognition / execution processing unit 62 analyzes and picks the input command as described above, and generates, changes, or deletes required definition data. The command input unit 60 and the command recognition / execution processing unit 62 include a command input program and a document creation program stored in the internal memory 16 and the CPU 24 that executes those programs.

When the “execute button” is selected and designated in the main mode, the definition execution processing unit 58 (FIG. 28)
The respective definition contents are executed for the command type definition data which requires the system to perform some processing. At this time, the definition execution processing unit 58 searches the definition data storage unit 54 and the sheet group definition data storage unit 56 to extract command-based definition data based on the “definition data type”, and executes the definition execution order rule memory 59. The execution order of the definition data is determined according to the “definition execution order rule procedure (program) or data” stored in the storage device. FIG. 53 shows a data format example of “definition execution order rule data”.

In the copy processing as in this example, as shown in FIG. 54, first, "character string copy definition" or "area copy definition" is executed, and then "interval definition" is executed at the copy destination.

In the execution process of the “character string copy definition”, as shown in FIG. 41, based on the “character string copy definition data”, the character string data of the copy source and the The designated copy portion (character code) therein is searched, and the character string data of the copy destination and the character string insertion position therein are determined through the "character string insertion position instruction data". Then, as shown in FIG. 55, the copy portion (character code) read from the copy source is inserted into the character string insertion position of the copy destination character string data. Then, as shown in FIG. 56, the character string data at the copy destination changed by the insertion of the character code is subjected to "character string arrangement processing" again to determine the position of the new last line, and the position information is obtained. Update and register.

In the execution processing of “area copy definition”, first, as shown in FIG. 43, based on “area copy definition data”,
The area of the copy source is identified through the "area designation data", and all the document element data corresponding to the document elements included in this area are extracted. Next, as shown in FIG. 57, for each extracted document element data, the position coordinates (x, y) in the copy source area are converted to the corresponding position coordinates (x ′,
y '), and the document element data after the coordinate conversion is set as document element data belonging to the copy destination document.

The above coordinate conversion is performed as follows.
That is, as shown in FIG. 58, the length (size) of each of the copy source and copy destination areas in the vertical and horizontal directions
Is calculated, and the magnification (m, n) between the two regions is obtained.

Next, as shown in FIG. 59, the relative coordinate position (X, Y) of each document element in the copy source area is obtained.
Here, if the position of the definition element entry information "" on the upper left of the "range designation" is selected as the reference position in the copy source area and this is set to (x0, y0), (X, Y) becomes X = X-x0,
Y = y-y0. Then, the relative coordinate position (X ′,
Y ′) is given by X = mX and Y = nY ′. And
Assuming that the position of the definition element entry information "" on the upper left of the "range designation" which is the reference position in the copy destination area is (x0, y0), the position coordinates (x ', y) of the document image in the copy destination area ')
Is given by x '= X' + x0 ', y' = Y '+ y0'.

As a result of the execution of the "character string copy definition" and the "area copy definition" as described above, the document content of the document copied from the copy source is added to the copy destination document. Is updated. Next, "Interval Definition"
Is executed, the arrangement position of each part of the updated copy destination document document content is determined.

In the execution process of “interval definition”, referring to “reference section” of “interval definition data” (FIG. 45), the interval definition defined by the “interval indication line” “−” It is determined whether it is "definition". Here, the “reference interval definition” means that one of the pointing objects indicated on both sides indicated by the “interval indicating line” “−” is a sheet edge or is indicated by the “fixed instruction” “△”. This is "interval definition".

[1390] In the example of entry of document PA1 in FIG. 16, the space defined by the horizontal "space indication line""←→" written between the "range designation""" at the upper left and the paper edge. The definition is “reference interval definition” because one of the designated objects is a sheet edge. In addition, a vertical "spacing line" written between the last line of the main sentence "Thank you for your title."
The interval definition defined by “← →” is also a “reference interval definition” since the main sentence is fixedly indicated by “fixed” at the first character “head” and “△”.

[1400] With respect to the document element defined by the "reference interval definition", the arrangement position is determined based on the fixed position. Although not shown in the example of FIG. 16,
If there is an “interval indication line” of “non-reference interval definition” adjacent to the “interval indication line” of “reference interval definition” (which shares one of the indicated objects), the “non-reference interval definition” Execute after "Reference interval definition". As a result, at first, the positions of both designated objects (document elements) of the "reference interval definition" are determined,
Next, the other instruction target (document element) of "Non-standard interval definition"
Is determined.

If the instruction target of the "interval definition" is the definition element entry information "" of the "area instruction", the document element corresponding to the definition element "" in the execution processing of the "interval definition" In addition to updating the position information of the data, the position information of the corresponding "area copy instruction data" and the position of the document element data corresponding to the other definition element entry information """that forms a pair with the" area instruction " Update information as well.

[1420] As a result of the execution of the "character string copy definition", "area copy definition" and "interval definition", the sheet data area SD relating to the document PA1 is obtained.
(1), especially the document element data area 38 (1),
Document data corresponding to the original document content of A1 plus the document content copied from other documents PA2 and PA3 in the same sheet group is stored.

After execution of the definition, only (black) normal entry information of the entry information is to be output, and entry information (entry information for definition) such as (blue) and (red) is not output. It is often more convenient. In order to selectively output such entry information, the document element data corresponding to the entry information for definition may be removed from the document element data area 38 (1).

Therefore, in the document image output section 40, the document element data stored in the document element data area 38 (1) is referred to the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36 to identify the pattern of each document element. By converting the pattern into image data in a bitmap format by a development program, a target purchase request form PA1 'as shown in FIG. 14 can be output.

In the above example, the document or page of the sheet group is described on paper and input to the system from the image scanner 10. However, a document input from the keyboard 12 by a word processing function, screen switching from the document memory, screen scrolling, or Documents and the like called on the screen by the multi-window operation can be included in the sheet group of the present embodiment.

In the above example, the process of copying document contents between a plurality of documents or pages belonging to a sheet group has been described. However, other processes of "document format" or "editing proofreading definition" (for example, Movement, exchange, etc.) can be performed by the same function as described above.

It is, of course, possible to perform any format or data management processing within a certain range, for example, within the same document or page, by using the same definition method as described above, even if it is not a sheet group.

Further, in the system of this embodiment, as will be described later, data management processing can be performed within a certain range, for example, between a plurality of documents or pages grouped by a sheet group.

The book table creation function and graph creation function in this system will be described below. In addition, as an example of data processing over different documents, for example, FIG.
The function of outputting (transferring) the data described as numerical values in the book table as shown in FIG. 61 as a graph in, for example, a graph format diagram as shown in FIG. 61 will be described. Note that these book tables and graph format diagrams may be printed or handwritten, and are described in black on separate documents or pages.

In this case, too, the user can image a desired graph output diagram and hand-write required definition support information to which predetermined definition information distinction modification has been added in both documents, for example, as shown in FIGS. 62 and 63. May be filled out.

In the book table of FIG. 62, “year”, “product”, and “sales” of each item character string are represented by “items” of (blue).
Are defined as "<year>", "<product>", and "<sales>".
Thus, "year", "product", and "sales" are defined as data items in data management.

In addition, “M $” described in the same cell (column) as “<sales>” is changed to “definition element designation” in (blue).
Enclosed in the definition element entry information "@". This defines that the unit of the data item “sales” is M ￥ (1 million yen).

In each of the fields of “year”, “product”, “sales”, “sales in Hanshin area” and “ratio of sales to Hanshin area”, the cells at the top and bottom are displayed. (Blue), enter the definition element entry information “[”, “]” of “range specification”. This defines that each field is a data entry column in which data of each corresponding item is entered.

Also, algebraic characters "A", "B", "C" are written in the blank space below this book table in (blue), and these algebraic characters "A", "B", "C" Are connected to the fields of “sales”, “Hanshin area sales”, and “Hanshin area sales ratio” via the definition element entry information “−” of the “connection line” of (blue), respectively. Then, an arithmetic expression “C = A / B” using the algebraic characters “A”, “B”, and “C” in blanks
(Blue). As a result, in each record of this book table, the numerical value (C) in the cell of “Sales ratio to Hanshin area” is changed from the numerical value (A) in the cell of “Sales” in the Tokyo area to “Hanshin area sales”. This defines what should be obtained by dividing by the numerical value (B) in the cell.

[1550] The data of "year""93","9"
4 "," 95 ", and" 96 "are 1993, respectively.
(Year), 1994 (year), 1995 (year), 1996
Abbreviation of (year).

As described above, in the book table definition, the user can define a desired book table format under predetermined combination rules (constitutive rules) by using predetermined definition information composed of characters, symbols, and figures that are familiar to us on a daily basis. Since the definition can be made as desired, the work for definition, that is, the entry work, is easy, and the work (entry) time is very short.

The document information of the book table (FIG. 62) to which the definition support information has been added as described above is input from the color image scanner 10 to the present system.

Then, in the present system, “recognition of document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)” and “document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)” are performed on this book document by the same processing unit (FIG. 19, FIG. 28) as described above. Correction "," extraction and identification of definition element entry information (generation of definition element data) ", and" interpretation of definition contents (generation of definition data) ".

As a result, as the definition data, “item definition data” (FIG. 64), “item definition data chain”
(FIG. 65), “Cell Data” (FIG. 66), “Cell Data Chain in Field” (FIG. 67), “Cell Data Chain in Record” (FIG. 68), “Calculation Formula Definition Data” (FIG. 69) And "book management data" (FIG. 72) is created.

First, creation of "cell data" (FIG. 66) is performed as follows. The document element data corresponding to each cell (data entry frame) is identified, and a pointer for establishing connection with the next cell in the same field and record is set together with the data indicating the position of the cell. Further, it checks whether or not a character string is entered in the cell via the document element data, and if it is entered, sets a pointer for referring to the corresponding document element data.

Also, a cell row partitioned by the (blue) range specification “[]” is detected, and the (blue) item “<
When the character string enclosed by >> is adjacent to the cell row (field) in the extension direction of the cell row or connected to the cell row by a (-) connection line (blue), the connection rule is followed. The character string is determined to be a data item name corresponding to the cell column in the field, and “item definition data” (FIG. 64) is created. Also, "Cell data chain in the field"
(FIG. 67) is created.

When a plurality of field cell columns are adjacent to each other in a direction perpendicular to the field cell column, these adjacent cell columns are determined to be "record cell columns" in accordance with the associative rule. Then, “cell data chain in record” (FIG. 68) is created. At the same time, an “item definition data chain” (FIG. 64) is created.

In the calculation formula “C = A / B” written in (blue) in FIG. 62, the operation symbols “=” and “/” in this formula are compared with the registered terms in the applied term dictionary 52. , The meaning of this formula is identified from the associative rules, and “calculation formula definition data” (FIG. 69) is created.

FIG. 70 shows an example of terms contained in the applied term dictionary 52. Characters and character strings that can be used as terms for each sub definition system such as "unit", "calculation formula", "total", etc.
The symbol has been registered. FIG. 71 shows a data format example of term data included in the application term dictionary 52.
The code of each sub-definition system (“unit”, “calculation formula”, “total”, etc.) is set in the data field of “processing system type” in the header. Subsequent to this header, in the data field of "character code string", character code strings constituting each character, character string, and symbol belonging to the sub-definition system are sequentially set in a list format. "Separation identification data" is shown in FIG.
Corresponds to the comma (,) that separates each term.

When all the "item definition data" or "item definition data chain" and "calculation formula definition data" have been created in the book table of FIG. 62, the definition data is managed collectively. “Table management data” (FIG. 72) is created. Note that the "calculation formula definition data" in this example
Since the identification codes A and B in the calculation formula (C = A / B) in the above indicate the fields of the item definition data chain, it is determined that this calculation formula is also a part (component) of the book table, “Calculation formula definition data” is managed by “book management data”.

[1660] In FIG. 63, in this example, the items (TV, radio, car navigation) described in the above book table are set to [9
[4,95,96] in each fiscal year, a bar chart is created to show “sales” in the Tokyo area in a bar graph.

In this bar graph definition diagram, the first data item having predetermined data is “year”,
The second data item having a variable data value corresponding to the individual data of the first data item is “sales”.

A general graph has predetermined graphic attributes (for example, the length of a bar in the case of a bar graph, the position of a data point in the case of a line graph, etc.) according to the data value of the second data item when the graph is output. Are changed and displayed, and a common graph element is displayed with a constant document content regardless of the data value of such a second data item. In this creation example, common graph elements are prepared (described) in the graph format diagram of FIG.

The common graph elements in the graph format diagram of FIG. 61 include the following.

[1700] The graph axis in the horizontal direction (X direction) is the first
Is a “graph development axis” for expanding the graph in the axial direction using the “year” of the data item of FIG.

The leftmost vertical (Y direction) graph axis is used to represent the data value of the second data item corresponding to the individual data of the first data item “year” on the “graph development axis”. "Graph corresponding axis".

The character string “year” entered near the “graph development axis” is the “data item name character string” indicating the first data item “year”, and is entered near the “graph corresponding axis”. The character string “sales” is a “data item name character string” indicating the second data item [sales].

The character strings "94", "95", and "96" entered near each scale "|" of "Graph development axis" are individual data [94, 94] of the first data item "Year". 9
5, 96]. In addition,
Each scale “|” written on the “graph development axis” is also a common graph element.

The numeral character strings “50” and “100” written near the scale “−” of “Graph corresponding axis” are “Scale numerical values”. Each scale "-" entered on the "graph corresponding axis" is also a common graph element.

The character string “M $” entered near the data item name character string “sales” is a “unit name character string” indicating a unit name.

The user can change the pattern of the variable graph element in the desired graph on the sheet of the graph format diagram (FIG. 61) in which the common graph elements are entered as shown in FIG. 63. It is sufficient to fill in.

In FIG. 63, a partial bar graph figure entered as a closed figure at the position of [94] on the “graph development axis” is the second data item “Sales” in the desired graph this time. 6 is an exemplary graph figure exemplarily showing a pattern of a variable graph element corresponding to.

As described above, the example graph graphic may be a minimum graphic showing a pattern of a portion to be a variable graph element in a graph desired by the user. In this example,
Since the bar graph graphic of the same pattern is repeated for each fiscal year [94, 95, 96], which is the mapping data on the "graph development axis", the exemplary bar graph graphic is only for one fiscal year (1994 in the example of FIG. 62). You only need to fill it out and do not need to repeat it every year. However, if it is desired to provide a difference in the pattern of the graph graphic in a different year, a desired example bar graph graphic may be entered for another fiscal year in order to incorporate the difference.

The example in which the example graph graphic is entered in the common graph element as described above usually indicates the format or style of the graph desired by the user with the entry information. That is, it is a graph format viewed from the user side. But,
If the content is input to this system as it is, it is simply recognized as document information, and does not substantially make sense as format information.

Therefore, in this system, by inputting definition information for supporting the definition of each format in the system in addition to the graph format diagram into the system, a graph as expressed by the user in the graph format diagram is obtained. Makes the system aware of the format.

In the entry example of FIG. 63, the data item name character strings “year” and “sales” entered in (black) in the graph format diagram (FIG. 61) are defined as “item names” in (blue). Enclose with element entry information “<>”. As a result, the data items “year” and “sales” are defined.

The defined data item name character strings “<year>” and “<sales>” are respectively represented by “graphs” corresponding to (blue) “joining line” definition support element figures “−”. Connect to "expansion axis" or "graph corresponding axis". As a result, the “year” of the first data item is associated with the “graph development axis”, and the second “graph corresponding axis” is
This means that the data item “sales” has been associated.

A character string "94", "95", "96" written in (black) near each scale "|" of "graph development axis"
Is connected to the “graph development axis” by the “joining line” “−” in (blue), and is connected to the data item name character string “<year>”.
As a result, [94], [95], and [96] are defined as data mapped on the "graph development axis", and further, as individual data of the "year" of the first data item. become.

[1840] Character strings "50" and "100" written in (black) near each scale "-" of "Graph corresponding axis" on the left are replaced by (blue) "bonding line" definition support element figure "-". To connect to the “graph corresponding axis”. Thereby, these character strings “5”
“0” and “100” are data values mapped to the “graph-corresponding axis” on the left side, and thus are defined as the scale values of the data value of the data item “sales”.

[1850] The definition element symbol "$" of "fixed instruction" is entered in (blue) beside the scale numeric character string "100" of "sales". Thus, the entry position of the character string "100" is defined as the fixed (reference) scale position of the "graph corresponding axis".

Also, the character string "M $" written in black (black) near the second data item name character string "<sales>"
Is surrounded by the definition element figure “〇” in “definition element specification” (blue). Now, [Sales] on the "Graph corresponding axis" on the right
Is defined as M ￥ (1,000,000 yen).

The title character string “Sales Analysis by Year” and the comment character string “(Note) Estimated stacked value for fiscal 1996” entered in (black) in the upper margin of the graph graphic area are shown in (blue). Definition element symbol "｛"
The title character string and the comment character string (note information) are normal entry information unrelated to the definition in data management, and are therefore subject to the graph output definition interpretation described later. Defines what should be excluded from

As described above, also in the graph definition, the user uses the predetermined definition support element entry information composed of characters, symbols, and figures that are familiar to the user in each format included in the graph format diagram filled in as desired. Therefore, the work for definition, that is, the entry work, is simple, and the work (entry) time can be extremely short.

The document information of the graph definition diagram (FIG. 63) to which the definition information has been added as described above is input from the color image scanner 10 to the present system.

[1900] Then, in the present system, "recognition of document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)" and "document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)", Correction "," extraction and identification of definition element entry information (generation of definition element data) ", and" interpretation of definition contents (generation of definition data) ".

FIG. 73 shows the overall procedure of graph definition analysis for a bar graph.

First, all the definition element data corresponding to the definition element entry information entered in (blue) in the graph definition diagram (FIG. 63) is extracted from the definition element data storage unit 44 (step S1).

Next, based on the definition element data extracted as described above, a graph corresponding axis and an example graph graphic are identified (step S2). Here, the axis corresponding to the graph is identified as follows. First, the graph definition diagram (Fig. 63)
Character strings ("Year", "Sales") defined as data item names by item symbol "<>" in (blue), and the data item name string is joined with (blue) When connected to a certain straight line via the line "-", the straight line is regarded as a graph axis.

[1932] Such a data item name character string is
The definition element data corresponding to the item symbol “<>” of (blue) is extracted, the position of the item symbol “<>” is determined, and the document element data storage unit 38 is searched to find the position in the graph definition diagram. By identifying a character string located within the item symbol “<>”, it can be identified. Similarly, for the graph axis, the connection line registered in the document element data storage unit 38 is searched, and the “data item name”, “connection line”,
By collating the positional relationship between the three “straight lines”, a “straight line” serving as a “graph axis” can be determined.

Next, the type of the graph axis determined as described above is determined. First, a case where the data name character string connected to the graph axis by a connection line “-” is a numerical character string, or is composed of a number and a unit name such as “m” registered in the applied term dictionary 52. Considers the graph axis to be the value axis.

[1950] Once the numerical axis has been determined, the example graphic figure is identified (step S3). In identifying the example graph graphic, first, a set of line elements satisfying the conditions or the conditions shown in FIG. 74 is determined, and this is set as an example graph graphic candidate. Here, the condition is that both ends of the constituent line element are located above the other constituent line elements, and the condition is that both ends of the constituent line element share end points with both ends of the other constituent line element. Is the case where the constituent line element is located on the graph axis. This analysis is performed by the document element data storage unit 38.
, And collating the end position of each line element data by a known algorithm.

If the above example graph graphic candidate is connected to the above numerical axis by a connecting line “−” of (blue), this numerical axis is regarded as a graph corresponding axis, and this example graph graphic candidate is Is considered as an example graph figure. In the subsequent analysis, when determining the graph variable direction, the graph variable direction may be made to coincide with the axis direction of the graph corresponding axis.

[1970] The document element data corresponding to the line elements and the surface elements constituting the exemplary graph graphic identified as described above are collected and put together in the form of "unit bar graph graphic data" (FIG. 75). Each unit bar graph figure in a graph output diagram to be described later is also expressed in the form of “unit bar graph figure data”.

[1980] The position information of each line element in the above "unit bar graph graphic data" is represented by actual read values of the exemplary graph graphic. Next, this actual read value is converted into a general format, that is, normalized data representing a graphic attribute common to all unit bar graphs, and “bar graph representative graphic data”
(FIG. 77).

Here, the graphic attributes common to the unit bar graph include, for example, “shape (particularly width) of bar graph”,
There are “attribute of constituent line element (solid line, broken line, etc.)” and “attribute of constituent surface element (plane pattern, fill, etc.)”.

In order to create such "bar graph representative figure data", the position coordinates of the constituent line elements and the constituent surface elements in the graph variable direction are calculated from the actual read values as variables or normalized values by the method shown in FIG. Replace with In the graph definition diagram of FIG. 63, since the graph variable direction is the Y direction, each Y coordinate is replaced with a variable (Yi). On the other hand, since the X direction is not a variable direction, a graph center point in the X direction (width direction) is set as a reference point, and a relative value in the X direction from the reference point is set as a normalized value. In this way, bar graph representative figure data that gives a graphical attribute common to all output unit bar graph figures is obtained.

Next, the graph-corresponding axis is analyzed (step S4). The numerical axis expansion analysis is performed on the graph corresponding axis identified as described above and the data item corresponding thereto. In this analysis, the entry positions of the unit name character string and the data name character string (scale, numeric character string) and the like are obtained, and “numerical axis expansion definition data” (FIG. 78) is created.

In this example, “M” is “M” in this example.
\ ", And" data name "(scale number) is" 10
"0" and "50". The unit name string (M ￥) is
Character string "M $" enclosed in (blue) definition element specification "$"
Can be identified by collating with the character string of the unit name registered in the applied term dictionary 52. The data name character string (for example, 100) can be determined based on whether or not it is connected to the corresponding graph axis line by a connection line "-". If a line other than the graph axis intersects the graph axis and a data name character string is written in the vicinity, this line segment is regarded as a scale line. Further, the distance between the scale line and the graph origin is obtained by referring to the corresponding document element data. Then, if the above distance is divided by the numerical value (100M ￥) of the data name character string (for example, 100) corresponding to the scale line, the unit name (M
The size on the document corresponding to one unit (1M ￥) of (¥) is obtained, and this is registered as “unit length”.

Next, in addition to the data items whose data is graph values as described above (that is, data items whose graph-corresponding axes are developed axes), they are defined as data items in the graph definition diagram (FIG. 63). The character strings are sequentially extracted, and the process branches to a corresponding expansion analysis according to the expansion mode (step S5).

When the character string of the data item extracted as described above is connected to a certain straight line via the (blue) connecting line "-", this straight line is regarded as a graph axis. If the graph axis is regarded as the numerical axis by the above-described determination method, the numerical axis development analysis processing (step S6) is performed, and the same analysis processing as described above is performed. However, in the graph definition diagram (FIG. 63) of this example, since there is no numerical axis other than the graph corresponding axis, this analysis process is not performed.

If the graph axis cannot be regarded as a numerical axis, the graph axis is regarded as a name axis, and the flow branches to name axis analysis processing (step S7). In this example (FIG. 63), the graph axis connected to the data item character string <year> by the connection line “−” (blue) corresponds to the name axis. In this analysis,
By the same method as the above-mentioned numerical axis expansion analysis, the corresponding data name character string and scale line are identified, and “name axis expansion definition data” (FIG. 79) is created.

In the “name axis development definition data”, “positions of both end data name character strings” and “data name positions” are also the corresponding scale line positions. The position of each scale line is not an actually measured value but a correction value. The scale line correction position is obtained by, for example, dividing the distance between the scale lines at both ends corresponding to the character strings (94, 96) at both ends by the number of scale line divisions (2) in the section, and calculating the “distance between adjacent scales”. Is obtained by arranging a scale line on the graph axis at the “distance between adjacent scales” bitch.

If there is a scale line indicated by the definition element entry information of “fixed instruction” in (red), the correction position of another scale line is determined based on the position of this scale line (actually measured value). You can ask. In addition, the character size / pitch and the like in each data name character string are aligned, and the center position of the character string is matched with the corresponding scale line correction position.

Finally, "graph management data" (FIG. 80) for collectively managing graph representative graphic data (exemplary graph data) and all development definition data for the graph definition diagram is created (step S8). ). In this "graph management data", in order to distinguish the expansion definition data of the graph corresponding axis from others, a pointer for referring to the expansion definition data is placed before (leading to) a pointer to other expansion definition data. Deploy. The order of arrangement of the other expansion definition data may be arbitrary (in any order), and may be, for example, the order of creation.

Next, the operation of executing the graph definition defined in the system as described above and outputting a desired graph will be described. For example, it is assumed that the book table (FIG. 62) and the graph definition diagram (FIG. 63) in which desired definition information is entered are grouped together as sheet grooves.

In this case, “book management data” and “graph management data” are generated within a certain range (sheet group) as described above. Then, a set of data items defined in "Graph management data"("FY",
A set of data items ("Sales") defined in "Book management data"("Year","Product","Sales" ...)
In the data items (“Year” and “Sales”) that are common to both, the data values are not entered in one document (graph definition diagram) and the other document (book) Table) is filled out above.

[211] Since the above-described determination conditions are satisfied, the definition data generating unit 46 converts the book definition relating to the "book management data" to the graph definition relating to the "graph management data" according to the associative rule (constitutive rule). It is considered that the data transfer of the common data item to the figure is defined, and the higher-level definition data “data transfer definition data” (FIG. 81) is generated as the sheet group definition data.

At the stage where the "data transfer definition data" is created, the system prompts the user to confirm the result of the recognition processing up to that time. Then, when the “execute button” is selected and instructed, the definition execution processing unit 58 executes the “definition execution ordering procedure or data” (FIG. 53) for each of the command-based definition data for which the system is to be executed. Execute the defined contents in a predetermined order.

In this example, first, the book table (FIG.
In 2), the “calculation formula definition” of “C = A / B” is executed, and then, from the book table (FIG. 62), a graph definition diagram (FIG. 63)
Execute "Data Posting Definition" for common items ("Year" and "Sales") to output the target graph.

In the execution process of “calculation formula definition” in the book table, the operated character or character string (“A”, “B”) in the calculation formula “C = A / B” and the connecting line “−” are used. A field that identifies the concatenated (or the character or character string entered therein) field and that corresponds to each operand character or character string ("A", "B") in each record in that field The cell is identified, and the operation (A / B) defined by the “calculation formula definition” is performed on the data therein.

[2150] The definition execution processing unit 58 calculates the value of C (numerical data) for each field cell obtained by this operation.
The data / character code conversion table (not shown) converts the data into a character or character string code representing the corresponding numerical value. Then, the character size and arrangement position of the numeric character string are determined in accordance with a preset arrangement format to generate document element data, and the document element data is stored in the document element data storage unit 38.

[2160] "Data transfer definition" is executed as a graph output process (FIG. 82). That is, "creation of output source data", "creation of unit graph data", "creation of unit bar graph graphic data", "creation of graph output diagram document data"
Are sequentially executed.

In the “creation of output source data”, data is sequentially extracted one record at a time from the transfer source book table based on the cell data (FIG. 66) and the in-record cell data chain (FIG. 68). Then, from the retrieved records, records having no data defined and entered as data names in the output destination graph definition diagram are removed (select processing). In the case of the graph definition diagram of this example (FIG. 63),
Records whose “year” is other than “94”, “95”, and “96” (records for 1993) will be removed.

Next, with respect to the records remaining in the above-described selection processing, records having a common data value defined in the graph definition diagram are added to each other to generate one composite data (totaling processing). For example, for the “94” year, the records corresponding to “radio”, “television”, and “car navigation” are added (more specifically, the numerical value of “sales”, which is regarded as an aggregation item, is added). First, one piece of composite data is generated. This totaling process is performed for all records, and a set of the obtained composite data is defined as “output source data”.

Here, “sales” can be regarded as a total item in the book table because “graph definition data” of the destination
For a single parameter combination (for example, "FY 1994", "Sales") of all data items ("Year", "Sales") in the posting table, a plurality of records ("Radio") , "Television", and "car navigation").

However, definition element entry information (for example, “●”) that explicitly indicates that the item is a “total item” is set and registered. May be added to the definition element entry information (“●”) (for example, <sales> ●).

The “output source data” is composed of data items (“year” and “sales”) defined as a graph format, and is defined on the graph definition diagram (FIG. 63). "94", "95", "9"
6 ") as a data value.
All the data items defined as the graph format are registered and managed in the graph management data (FIG. 80), and the development definition data corresponding to each data item is also pointed out from the graph management data.

Next, in the output source data, the data corresponding to each data item is rearranged so as to match the arrangement order of each corresponding expansion definition data pointed in the graph management data.

As shown in FIG. 83, in this example, in the graph management data (FIG. 80), the pointer to the graph corresponding axis (numerical axis) development definition data corresponding to “sales” is the name corresponding to “year”. Since the data is arranged before the pointer to the axis development definition data, the data of “sales” is arranged before and the data of “year” is arranged after in the output source data.

In “creation of unit graph data”, each “output source data” obtained as described above is converted into a corresponding “unit graph data” (FIG. 84). The “unit graph data” is composed of a combination of graph parameters corresponding to data constituting “output source data”. In this example, the constituent data of the “output source data” are “sales” and “year”, and the corresponding graph parameters are “vertical axis length” and “horizontal axis position”. Therefore, for example, when “sales” of “output source data” is 15 (M $) and “year” is 95 (year), “length in the vertical axis direction” in “unit graph data” is 20 (Mm) and the “position in the horizontal axis direction” is 70
(Mm).

If the unit (eg, M （) defined on the output side (graph side) differs from the unit (eg, ＄) defined on the output source (book table side), it is stored in a predetermined memory. The numerical value is converted using a unit conversion table provided in advance.

In the conversion from the “output source data” to the “unit graph data”, the parameter conversion from the “sales” to the “length in the vertical axis direction” is defined by numerical axis expansion definition data (FIG. 78). For the parameter conversion from “year” to “horizontal axis direction position”, refer to the name axis development definition data (FIG. 79).

When all "unit graph data" have been created as described above, "unit bar graph graphic data" (FIG. 85) is created based on these data. The “unit bar graph graphic data” has the same data structure as the “bar graph representative graphic data” (FIG. 77).

As shown in FIG. 86, the output value of “unit graph data” (each unit bar graph to be output) is added to the position information of each line element or surface element that has been variable or normalized in “bar graph representative graphic data”. Actual figures for each figure)
By substituting "unit bar graph figure data"
Is obtained.

The “unit bar graph figure data” (FIG. 85) obtained by the definition execution processing unit is used as a variable graph element of the “graph output figure document data” as the document element data storage unit 38.
In the corresponding sheet data area SD
(i) is stored in the document element data area 38 (i). In this case, it is preferable to store the document element data (common graph element) corresponding to the graph format diagram in a second area different from the area (first area) in which the document element data is stored. By copying the data of the common graph element from the first area to the second area, document element data in which the common graph element and the variable graph element are combined is stored in the second area.

After the execution of the definition, only the (black) ordinary entry information of the entry information is to be output, and the entry information (entry information for definition) such as (blue) and (red) is not output. It is often more convenient. In order to selectively output such entry information, the document element data corresponding to the entry information for definition may be removed at the stage of storing the entry information in the second area.

Therefore, in the document image output unit 40, the document element data stored in the second area is referred to the character / graphic pattern dictionary 36 to identify the pattern of each document element. By converting the image data into bitmap image data, a target graph shown in FIG. 87 can be output.

Similarly, the book table output after execution of the definition corresponding to the book table (FIG. 61) is as shown in FIG.

As described above, the definition support information of the "data management" system is entered in the book table or the graph format diagram to define the data management, and the desired data is specified from the master file or the output source file. Of course, it is also possible to take out in the record format and output (transfer) it to the fields of the book table, or convert it to a graph and output it.

In the above example, a bar graph has been described. However, other graphs such as a line graph can be arbitrarily created by the same graph definition method as described above.

FIG. 96 shows an example of a line graph definition diagram. In this definition diagram, the part (blue) is definition-specific entry information.

In this line graph definition document, the line graph entered by way of example is connected to the graph-corresponding axis indicating “sales” by the “joining line” “-” of (blue), similarly to the bar graph definition diagram described above. Have been. "Line graph graphic data" is created from the line graph example graphic in a data format as shown in FIG. 97, for example. The “data point position coordinates” in the “line graph graphic data” are values read from the example graph.

[2354] The "line graph graphic data"
Based on the above, “line graph representative graphic data” representing the graphic characteristics of the line graph in a data format as shown in FIG. 98, for example, is created by the same processing as the bar graph described above.

This "line graph representative figure data" and unit graph data obtained by the same processing as described above (FIG. 83)
Based on the above, create "line graph graphic data" again (however, the position information of each data point is an output value)
For example, a line graph as shown in FIG. 99 can be output.

FIG. 100 shows an example of a definition diagram of bar graph plane development. In this definition example, "xxx" is used as a numeric character string that exemplifies a graph numerical value, and other necessary definition-specific entry information is also added. Note that the axis corresponding to the graph is also added with the definition-specific entry information (blue). Also, each data name (“Tokyo”, “Nagoya”, “Osaka”) developed on the plane and the corresponding graph entry reference point (indicated by “.”) Are joined by the “blue” Line ".

From this definition diagram, in this system, FIG.
FIG. 1 shows "bar graph representative figure data" as shown in FIG.
02, “planar development definition data” is created.
At this time, since "xxx" exemplifying the above graph numerical values is entered as "bar graph representative graphic data", a data format of a type having a relative position (y0) to each bar graph (FIG. 101) ) Is used. The “data numerical character string relative position (y0)” in the “bar graph representative graphic data” indicates the distance between the graph exemplary graphic and the exemplary numerical character string (“xxx”) on the graph definition diagram. Obtained by reading.

In this bar graph plane development, only the relative position in the graph corresponding axis direction (variable bar graph direction) is read. For the direction orthogonal to the graph-corresponding axis, the center of the character string in the same direction is centered (centered) on the center line of the graph figure in the same direction by default.
No need to read. The data names (Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, etc.) are defined by the underlined definition element "-". As another method, character strings that are not recognized (“Region sales analysis by district”) are enclosed in “｛｝” entry information of “No definition information specified”, and the other entry information other than the data items It is also possible to recognize the character string of the entry information as a data name. Note that a simple map as shown in FIG. 100 is recognized as being approximated by a polygon.

At this time, in the processing of FIG. 73, “plane expansion definition data” is created by replacing “name axis expansion analysis” with “plane expansion analysis”. Then, based on these definition data, for example, a bar graph plane development diagram as shown in FIG. 104 can be output from the data source of the book table of FIG. 103, for example. In this graph output, portions of the map hidden under (shaded) the output graph graphic are removed (masked) by a known hidden line removal process.

In the book table of FIG. 103, since the data in the book table is a transcription source, the definition element entry information “□ →” of “data transfer” is written outward. On the other hand, FIG.
In the graph definition diagram of, the definition element entry information “□ →” of “data transfer” is written inward to make the graph a data transfer source.

In the graph definition document of FIG. 100, “<product> [car navigation]” is entered as definition information. In this entry information, “<>” in (blue) is the definition element entry information of “item”, and “[]” in (blue)
Is the definition element entry information of "range designation". From this set of definition information “<product> [car navigation]”, “item definition data” (FIG. 64) with “product” as an item and “car navigation” as a data name is used as “select common data” in the graph definition. Created.

[2400] Dummy cell data indicated by "pointer to first cell data" in "select common data" (item definition data) does not have position information, and is exclusively used to indicate a character string in the cell. Function as a pointer. “Graph management data” (FIG. 80) points to “select common data” in common with other graph development definition data.

In the select processing in the graph output processing, records that do not match the data item (commodity car navigation) designated by the above-mentioned "select common data" are also removed (one of the objects to be removed).

In this system, data transfer from one book table to another book table is also possible. In this case, too, in accordance with the “Definition execution order procedure or program”, the command definition in the source book table is first executed, and then the data is transferred from the source book table to the destination book table. Then, the definition of other commands is finally executed in the destination book.

Next, a function of automatically transmitting a document of another document or page by facsimile according to a table (list) defined on a certain document or page in the present system will be described.

As an example, an arbitrary person described in the “business-related department list” as shown in FIG. 89 is addressed to FIG.
An example in which the purchase request form 4 is transmitted by facsimile will be described.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 90, "common" and "data management" system definition information may be entered in the "business related department list". That is, character strings (department, position, name, ...) that should be data item names are enclosed in (<), the definition element entry information of <item> (blue), and each character string (data item) The field (vertical cell row) to be specified is specified by the definition element entry information “[]” of “area specification” in (blue). As a result, definition information related to “item definition” is entered in the “business-related department list”.

Also, a character string "FAX" which is a data item name
"FAX" in "number" is surrounded by definition element entry information "@" of "definition element designation" of (blue). The character string "FAX"
It is registered in the definition element identification data storage unit 48 as definition element entry information of the “command definition” system. Therefore, by enclosing the character string “FAX” which is the normal entry information in (black) with the definition element entry information “〇” in “definition element specification” in (blue), the “FAX” in the definition element or unit definition information
And the command of “FAX transmission” is defined.

Further, outside the list table, definition element entry information of "target designation" is set at a height substantially equal to the column (line) in which the destination (Taro Tokai, Ichiro Tokyo) is entered. (Blue). This defines that the destination of the “FAX” transmission is both names (Taro Tokai and Ichiro Tokyo).

[2480] On the other hand, the "purchase request form" in FIG.
What is necessary is just to fill in the definition information as shown in FIG. That is,
In the “Request for Purchase” form, enter the definition element entry information “□” for the “field” (blue) in the destination entry field,
The data item name <department>, <
Name> (blue). These data item names <department> and <name> correspond to the data item names <department> and <name> defined in the above-mentioned "business-related department list".

As shown in FIG. 91, the relevant person and the relevant date are written in the “approval”, “creation” and “date and time” fields at the upper right of the “purchase request” by handwriting or screen input. Fill in the normal entry information (black).

[2500] "Business related department list" (FIG. 90) and "purchase request form" in which the definition information is entered as described above.
(FIG. 91) is read by the color image scanner 10 or input to the system by command input from the screen 20a. At this time, both documents or pages are designated as grouping as a sheet group.

Then, in this system, the same processing unit (FIGS. 19 and 28) as described above uses the “document element (character)” for the “business related department list” (FIG. 90) and the “purchase request” (FIG. 91). / Recognition of graphic elements, etc.), "Correction of document elements (characters / graphics, etc.)", "Extraction and identification of definition element entry information (Generation of definition element data)", and "Interpretation of definition contents (Generation of definition data)" Are sequentially performed.

In the case of this example, for the “business related department list” (FIG. 90), the data item names <department>, <post>,
Regarding <name>,..., “Item definition data” (FIG. 64), “item definition data chain” (FIG. 65), “cell data” (FIG. 66), “cell data chain in field” (FIG. 67) and The “cell data chain in record” (68) is created as the upper definition data.

When creating "item definition data" and "cell data", "character string data" (FIG. 33) is created for related item character strings and character strings in cells, and character size, character pitch, font And so on.

Since the first and third rows in the list are specified by the definition element entry information "RE" of "target specification", the "cell data chain in record" corresponding to those rows is specified. Is generated (FIG. 93).

Since the command "FAX" is defined, "FAX definition data" (FIG. 94) is created. In this case, the “FAX number” field in which the definition information “FAX” is entered is identified, and this field is identified as being included in the row (record) specified by the target specification “RE”. The group of rows (records) is regarded as a “FAX destination”
X definition data "and point to the corresponding" record / field designation data "(FIG. 93).

At this stage, the target (document) to be transmitted by fax is not yet determined, and the operand data column of "feed information" in "FAX definition data" (FIG. 94) is opened.

[2570] Regarding the "purchase request form" (FIG. 91), 2
The “item definition data” (FIG. 64), “item definition data chain” (FIG. 65), “cell data” (FIG. 66), and “cell data chain in field” for the two data item names <department> and <name> (FIG. 67) and “cell data chain in record” (68).

In this example, as in the case of the book table (FIG. 61) and the graph definition diagram (FIG. 63), the "business related department list" (FIG. 90) and the "purchase request" (FIG. 9)
Both documents or pages of 1) are grouped together as a sheet groove, and data is entered in one of the “business related department list” (FIG. 90) for the data item names <department> and <name> common to each other. However, since there is no entry in the other “purchase request form” (FIG. 91), the data transfer condition is satisfied. Therefore,
“Data transfer definition data” (FIG. 81) is created.

However, in this example, the “purchase request form” (FIG. 9)
Although there is only one record in 1), since there are a plurality of records in the “business-related department list” (FIG. 90), the transfer target is not uniquely determined. Therefore, in this case, other definition information (“FAX”, “RE”)
Is incorporated into the join condition to determine the “data transfer definition data”.

[2600] Further, "Business related department list" (FIG. 9)
0) and the “purchase request” (FIG. 91) are grouped together as a sheet groove, so the command “FAX” defined in the “business related department list”
Is determined to be a “purchase request” (FIG. 91), and “purchase request” (FIG. 91) is entered in the operand data column of “sending information” of the “FAX definition data” (FIG. 94).
"Sheet data area management data" (Figure 2)
Set the pointer to 1).

At the point of time when all the definition data have been created as described above, the present system allows the user to confirm the result of the previous recognition processing. When the “execute button” is instructed to be selected, the definition execution processing unit 58
According to the “definition execution order rule procedure or data” (FIG. 53), the respective definition contents of the command definition data required to be executed by the system are executed in a predetermined order.

In this example, “data transfer definition data” and “FAX definition data” are command-based definition data, and “data transfer definition” is first executed in accordance with the above-described definition execution order rule, and then “FAX definition” is executed. Is executed.

In the process of “data transfer definition”, the transfer destination “purchase request form” (FIG. 91) is transferred from “transaction-related department list” (FIG. 90) of the transfer source for common data item names <department> and <name>. Post the relevant data to ()). That is, the character string data corresponding to the corresponding data name character string of the transfer source is searched, the corresponding field of the transfer destination is identified, and the character string position information in the character string data is changed to an appropriate position in the field or cell (for example, Centering if it is a character string, right-justifying it if it is a number)
This is the character string position information on the destination side. Then, the position information on the transfer destination side is set, and the character string data is stored in the document element data area 38 corresponding to the “purchase request” of the transfer destination.
(i), and the storage position in the area is pointed from the corresponding "cell data" (FIG. 66).

As a result, as shown in FIG. 92, in the “purchase request form”, the relevant data of the data item names <department> and <name> (for example, “purchase 1”, “Taro Tokai”) are included in the corresponding fields. Or it is transcribed to the cell position.

In the “FAX definition” process, the “purchase request” after the above “data transfer” process has been executed (FIG. 92)
Is expanded (converted) into bitmap image data. However, the (blue) entry information for the definition is removed. Then, the developed image data is transferred to the buffer memory in the communication device 26.

Next, "FAX definition data" (FIG. 94)
And "Record / field specification data" (FIG. 93)
Is set on the FAX board in the communication device 26 as the FAX number of the destination as identified by the FAX number. In this case, among the numerical data of the FAX number, the numeral string in parentheses is set as the station number, and then the numeral string on the (right) side is set as the intra-station number.

[2670] Thereafter, the communication device 26 sets the FA of the other party.
Dial the X receiving device to connect the line, and follow a predetermined facsimile communication procedure to obtain a "purchase request form" (FIG. 9).
The image data of 2) is transmitted. This fax transmission operation
This is repeated for other destinations.

Although the main functions of the system according to the present embodiment have been described above, various modifications are possible. For example, FIG. 95 shows an example in which definition information is input by a command from the screen. As shown in FIG. 95, the document content of the input book document is displayed on the display screen 20a, and a predetermined command is input from the keyboard 12, the mouse 14, or the like while checking the input document content, thereby obtaining a desired command. You can enter definition information.

In FIG. 95, for example, when "sales number" of the normal entry information is designated and clicked in the "definition" mode, the designated portion 90 is specified (for example, highlighted) and simultaneously displayed. At an appropriate position in the screen 20a, a sub-screen 94 listing various definition items such as "1. field", "2. data item", and "3. unit name" appears. Here, when "2. data item" is selected and instructed, the normal entry information "sales number" is converted to the data item "sales number". Similarly, when the user designates and clicks the area 92 below the “sales number” column and designates “1. field” for the area 92, the area 92 is defined as a field for entering the data of “sales number”. Is done.

[2700] In FIG. 95, for convenience of explanation, a state in which the data item location 90 and the field area 92 are simultaneously selected and instructed is shown. However, actually, one location is selected for each click. Be instructed.

In the system, in response to the above-described user operation, the command recognition / execution processing unit 62 analyzes the input command, and sets a position on the screen (click position) to which the command is applied, The collation with the “position” information of the document element data stored in the document element data storage unit 38 is repeated to identify the corresponding document element data (picking processing). Then, necessary definition data is generated from the identified document element data and the instruction content of the input command.

Next, a description will be given of a preferential character / graphic recognition processing method in the present system. FIG.
The configuration of the main part of the system for performing the graphic recognition processing is shown, and FIG. 105 shows the procedure of this processing.

As shown in FIG. 104, the recognition range / method determination section 64 and the application file 66 are associated with the character / graphic element recognition section 34 and the definition data generation section 46.
And a data dictionary 68 are added.

In this preferential character / figure recognition processing method, first, only the entry information representing the defining element is selectively recognized from the image document (image data) input by the scanner (step E1). In this case, the “combination of adjacent line elements” identified at the cut-out position is collated exclusively with the character / graphic / symbol pattern (dictionary) constituting the defining element. If the defining element has a distinguishing modifier (for example, a particular color)
The combination of only the line elements having the modification information is identified in advance, and the pattern matching (collation) is performed.

Next, definition element data is generated based on the document element data of the definition element obtained as described above (step E2), and the definition data is temporarily created by combining the generated definition element data (step E2). E3).

[2760] Here, in temporarily creating the definition data,
Recognize related normal entry information as needed. In this case, the normal entry information is selectively or foreseeably recognized based on the relevance to the definition element.

For example, if there is a line element of a straight line connected to the definition element entry information “<>” of “item” and a connecting line “−”, whether or not the line element of the straight line can be recognized as a graph axis Is checked first. As another example, if the definition element entry information “<>” of “item” and the entry information “[]” of “range specification” are close to each other or linked, enter “range specification”. First, it is checked whether there is a ruled line or a straight line element forming a cell around the information "[]".

If the "combination definition data" such as the character string copy definition data (FIG. 41) and the data transfer definition data (FIG. 81) is applicable, the definition data provisional creation processing (step E3) Preliminarily created in).

For example, in one sheet group, two book management data pairs or one book management data and one graph management data pair are tentatively created, and the transfer symbol “□” is set in each document. When “transfer source” and “transfer destination” are specified by “→”, “data transfer definition data” between them is provisionally created.

Next, the recognition range / method determination unit 64 refers to the various definition data or combination definition data provisionally created as described above and complies with a predetermined recognition method determination rule that has been algorithmized or converted into data. Accordingly, the recognition range and method of the entry information that has not yet been recognized in the input image document (image data) are determined (step E5).

The character / graphic element recognizing section 34 preferentially performs the following recognition processing on the remaining entry information in accordance with the contents of the determination of the recognition range / method.

For example, for a character candidate extracted from the entry information “<>” of “item” related to the item definition data, the character code of the character candidate (document element) is registered in the data dictionary 68. Recognition processing for comparing and collating is preferentially performed by a known method, that is, a method of sequentially collating character patterns with the character codes of characters constituting data item names or synonyms thereof.

FIG. 107 shows an example of a data definition document serving as a source of the data dictionary 68. The data definition document defines a list of data item names and their attributes that can be used in the application. In the data dictionary 68,
Data definition data corresponding to each row (record) of this list is stored in a predetermined data format.

[2830] The entry information "[
]], The character names belonging to the corresponding data item name are compared and matched with the constituent characters of the headword data by the same pattern matching as described above with reference to the application master file 66. Priority is given to recognition of character strings.

FIGS. 108 and 109 show the definition documents of “merchandise management file” and “branch management file” as examples of the master file stored in the application file 66. File definition data corresponding to this definition document is registered in a predetermined data format.

In general, the data amount of the master file is enormous, and the same headword (for example, “TV” in “product management file” and “Kanda” in “branch management file”) is stored in a plurality of records in one file. There are many things that exist. Therefore, instead of the master file itself, a file in which each data item name is associated with all headwords belonging to the data item name can be used.

[2860] Also, the entry information "@" of "designation of definition element"
For the character candidates cut out in, the application term dictionary 5
2, the same pattern matching comparison and matching as described above is performed, and it is preferentially determined whether or not the character string is registered in this dictionary.

[2870] In the graph definition data, for example, it relates to the name axis / value axis or the plane development definition data.
The characters or character strings cut out from the entry information “<>” of the “item” and the entry information “の” of the “designation of the definition element” are similarly processed in the data dictionary 68 and the application term dictionary 5.
2 is preferentially performed.

The character string near the left side of the vertical axis or the character string near the lower side of the horizontal axis is related to the name axis expansion definition data.
The character recognition of the data name referring to No. 6 is preferentially performed.

In relation to the numerical axis development definition data, with respect to a character string near the left side of the vertical axis or a character string near the lower side of the horizontal axis, character recognition based on numbers is preferentially performed.

In the document in which the definition information of the plane development is entered as described above, the definition element entry information (“<
> ”,“ 〇 ”,“ ｛｝ ”) and all character strings other than specific normal entry information (“ xxx ”), preferentially perform character recognition of data names referring to the application file 66. .

When "combination definition data" is created, for example, when "data transfer definition data" is defined between two documents, data items common to the transfer source side and the transfer destination side Since there are names and data names, priority is given to recognition processing that compares and matches corresponding levels (for example, “<>” and data names) in the destination recognition processing performed after the recognition processing on the transcription source side. Do it.

When "copy definition data" is created between a plurality of documents, the copy source side defines the definition element entry information """","][", etc. Priority is given to the processing of the entry information.For example, in the copy source document, characters / characters outside the specified area
Figures and the like are excluded from recognition targets.

With the above-described preferential character / figure recognition method, entry information on a document can be efficiently recognized, and as a result, all document element data can be generated in a short time.
Then, when all the document element data are collected, the formal definition data is determined (step E7).

Next, a description will be given of a method of performing required character / figure recognition or definition recognition by using as few definition elements as possible in the present system.

In this method, as shown in FIG. 110, for example, a data item name and one or a plurality of data name character strings corresponding to the data item name are converted into one by using predetermined definition element entry information. This is how to define one string group.

In FIG. 110A, the data item name “year” and a plurality of data name character strings {,
(Blue) "Range designation" so that it penetrates in a skewered shape
Is entered to define one character string group.

In FIG. 110 (B), the data item name “year” and a plurality of data name character strings {,
〇 are enclosed by (blue) definition element entry information “〇” of “range designation” to define one character string group.

In FIG. 110C, the data item name “year” and a plurality of data name character strings {,
〇 ... and the definition element entry information “-” of the “connection line” in blue
Are linked in a chain to define one character string group.

In (D) of FIG. 110, the data item name “year” and a plurality of data name character strings {,
〇 are enclosed in (blue) definition element entry information “[]” of “range designation” to define one character string group.

In (E) of FIG. 110, one subgroup is defined by enclosing only similar data name character strings {,} in “[]” of “range specification” in (blue), and this subgroup is defined. The character string “Year” is connected by a “joining line” “-” in (blue).

When the system recognizes such a group definition, it first refers to the data dictionary 68 and identifies a data item name character string ("year") in the character string group by pattern matching. Next, the applied term dictionary 52
, The application term (for example, unit name, etc.) in the character string group is identified by pattern matching. Finally, the data name character string is identified with reference to the application file 66. Numeric character strings are also identified as data name character strings.

In the method of FIG. 110 (E),
The data item string "year" outside the subgroup can be recognized from the beginning as a data item string, and then each string within the subgroup can be identified as an applied term or data name.

After the related data item name and the data name are identified as described above, the related ordinary entry information entered near the character string group is identified with a predetermined positional relationship. Generate definition data to be created.

For example, when one straight line (in the X direction) parallel to the vicinity of the upper side of the character string groove is identified as shown in FIG. 110, this is regarded as a graph development axis, and "name axis development definition data" Create

Also, in the case shown in FIG. 111, since a cell row or a cell is identified in the vicinity, "item definition data" is created. In FIG. 111, "OO"
“○” and “〇” in the table schematically indicate a character string.

Note that the curved portion of the closed-loop definition element entry information "$" of "range designation" as shown in FIG. 110B can be approximated and recognized by a polygon as shown in FIG.

The determination as to whether or not each character string “〇” is included in a closed figure represented by “範 囲” in a closed loop form as shown in FIG. 113
And the method shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 113, vertical and horizontal center lines Cy and Cx are defined in a circumscribed rectangle R of the character string, and the respective center lines Cy and Cx are positioned on both sides of the character string (the point object). By inspecting whether or not the character string intersects the closed graphic LP at the position), it can be determined whether or not the entire character string is included in the closed graphic LP. In this inspection, the closed figure LP
Is checked for the intersection of all the line segments or the approximate arcs that constitute.

Also, as shown in FIG. 114, the intersection between each side constituting the character string circumscribed rectangle R and the closed figure LP is inspected, and when there are at least two intersections, the two overlap. That is, a part of the character string is a closed figure L
It is determined that P is included.

When a group is defined by definition element entry information "[]" of "range designation" of a method sandwiching from both sides as shown in FIG. 110 (D) or (E), FIG.
As shown in Fig. 15, "[]"
After defining a closed region by drawing an imaginary line (dash-dot line) connecting both ends of, the same determination processing as in FIG. 113 or FIG. 114 is performed.

[3110] As shown in FIG. 116, the same grouping (GR) as described above can be performed on the display screen 20a.

In the above-described character string group definition method, it is necessary for the system to refer to various dictionaries and identify data items and data names in the group each time.

[3130] To further simplify the processing on the system side,
For example, as shown in FIG. 117, there is a method in which the attributes (for example, line type, color, and shape of the contour) of the group definition information are set in advance in a table format for each data item. This set value table is registered as an appendix in a predetermined memory such as the data dictionary 68. The user sets each data item 1,
Enter the desired item name (for example, sales, number of sales,
And the like, and the groove definition information is written on the document in a manner as shown in FIG. 118, for example.

[3140] As described above, a plurality of graphic attributes (line type, color,
, Etc.), and various types of data items can be distinguished and defined.

[3150] By developing the recognition processing for referring to various dictionaries as described above, the system allows the system to recognize the definition diagram from the contents of the entry information without substantially using the definition element.
It is also possible to create the corresponding definition data.

For example, in the graph definition diagram of FIG. 121,
Character strings to be excluded from the definition target are simply enclosed in the definition element entry information “｛｝” of “out of definition information specification”. The system recognizes all other entry information (normal entry information) and refers to various dictionaries (data dictionary, application master file, application term dictionary, etc.) in the same manner as described above for data items and data names. Recognize graph axes, etc., and create necessary definition data.

[3170] FIG. 122 shows a case where required data item names and data names are not included in ordinary entry information in a document in which definition information is to be entered, or even if they are entered, they are abbreviated (in the example of FIG. , "Tokai") and not the formal name, this is an example in which the formal name ("district", "Nagoya") is supplementarily added by definition-specific entry information.

The present invention uses a program or software for realizing the functions of the present invention. Such software can be installed in the system of the present invention via an arbitrary medium, for example, a storage medium or online. Therefore,
An act of transferring a storage medium storing software for carrying out the present invention as a business and an act of installing the software on a system online are one embodiment of the present invention.

[3190]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By inputting definition information representing desired definition contents on a document through entry information entered in the form of characters, symbols, figures, etc., which are used by the user on a daily basis, the definition on the desired document or data management is obtained. It can be performed.

[3200] In addition to recognizing the unit definition information having the meaning of the minimum unit in the definition among the input entry information, a plurality of entry information items which are entered in association with each other according to a predetermined associative rule. Since it is also possible to recognize complex or advanced definition information based on a plurality of unit definition information respectively corresponding to, the degree of freedom on the user side can be improved.

Also, the definition is executed after the execution order between the definitions is automatically determined according to a predetermined order rule, so that the burden on the user side is reduced and various definition information can be freely transmitted. Can be filled out.

The user can efficiently create a desired graph by a simple operation with very little memory.

Further, when processing over different documents or pages is desired, it is only necessary to enter necessary definition information in each document, which is very convenient.

[3240]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration on hardware of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a list of operation modes related to creation of a book in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a “main mode list menu screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an “environment setting mode screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a “definition element / entry information comparison table” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition element identification data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a “definition information discriminating instruction screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition information distinction data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a “main mode screen” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document content of a first document input to the system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document content of a second document input to the system according to the embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document content of a third document input to the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document content obtained by a copying function in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example in which normal entry information is added to the first document of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example in which definition information is added to the first document of FIG.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition information is added to the second document in FIG. 12;

18 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition information is added to the third document in FIG.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document input and document element data generation unit in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sheet data management function in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “sheet data area management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “image management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an input image to be “image management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of “character data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to a line segment in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to an ellipse in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graphic element data” corresponding to a rectangle or the like in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a definition information recognition and format setting unit and a definition execution processing unit in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a data format example of “definition element data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “margin definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating a criterion for a continuous character string defined by “margin definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating a criterion for a continuous character string defined by “margin definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 33 shows “character string data” in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a data format of FIG.

FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “character string insertion position instruction data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating a function (definition content) of “character string insertion position instruction data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “character string range instruction data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating functions (definition contents) of “character string range instruction data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “area instruction data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a function (definition content) of “area designation data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “character string copy definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 41 is a diagram showing functions (definition contents) of “character string copy definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 42 is a diagram showing a data format example of “area copy definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 43 is a diagram showing functions (definition contents) of “area copy definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 44 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “fixed instruction definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 45 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “interval definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 46 is a diagram showing the contents of a first document in which definition information has been written and output on a screen for user confirmation in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 47 is a diagram showing the contents of a second document in which definition information has been written and output on the screen for user confirmation in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 48 is a diagram showing the contents of a third document in which definition information has been written and output on a screen for user confirmation in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 49 is a diagram for describing “character string arrangement processing” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating “character string arrangement processing” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 51 is a diagram for describing “character string arrangement processing” in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 52 is a block diagram showing a configuration for performing processing of document entry information and definition information by a screen input method in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 53 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “definition execution order rule data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 54 shows different documents (pages) in the system of the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an execution procedure of a copying process between the two.

FIG. 55 is a diagram illustrating an operation of “character string copy processing” in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 56 is a diagram illustrating an operation of “character string copy processing” in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 57 shows “area copy processing” in the system of the embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the effect | action of.

FIG. 58: “Area copy processing” in the system of the embodiment
It is a figure which shows the effect | action of.

FIG. 59 shows “area copy processing” in the system of the embodiment.
It is a figure which shows the effect | action of.

FIG. 60 is a diagram showing an example of a book table which is input as a document into the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 61 is a diagram showing an example of a graph format diagram which is input to a document in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 62 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition information is added to the book table of FIG. 60;

63 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition information is added to the graph format diagram of FIG. 61 to form a graph definition diagram.

FIG. 64 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of “item definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 65 is a diagram showing a structure of an “item definition data chain” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 66 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “cell data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 67 is a diagram illustrating a structure of “cell data chain in field” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 68 is a diagram showing a structure of “cell data chain in record” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 69 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “calculation formula definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 70 is a diagram illustrating an example of terms included in an applied term dictionary in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 71 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “dictionary term data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 72 is a diagram showing a data format example of “book management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 73 is a diagram showing an overall procedure of “graph definition analysis related to bar graph” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 74 is a diagram for describing conditions for identifying “exemplary graph graphics” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 75 is a diagram showing a data format example of “unit bar graph graphic data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 76 is a diagram illustrating a process of converting “unit bar graph graphic data” into “bar graph representative graphic data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 77 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “bar graph representative graphic data” in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 78 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “numerical axis expansion definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 79 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “name axis expansion definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 80 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “graph management data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 81 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “data transfer definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 82 is a diagram showing an overall procedure of “graph output” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 83 is a diagram for describing “graph output” processing (“creation of output source data” and “creation of unit graph data”) in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 84 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “unit graph data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 85 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “unit bar graph graphic data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 86 is a diagram for describing “graph output” processing (“creation of unit bar graph graphic data”) in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 87: “Graph output diagram” in the system of the embodiment
It is a figure showing an example of.

FIG. 88 is a diagram illustrating document contents of a book output after execution of a definition in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 89 is a diagram illustrating the contents of a document of a “business-related department list” input for the FAX transmission function in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 90 is a diagram showing an example in which definition information is entered in the list of FIG. 89.

FIG. 91 is a diagram illustrating an example in which definition information is entered in a “purchase request” to be transmitted by facsimile in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 92 shows the content of a “purchase request” obtained by executing “data transfer definition” in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 93 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “record / field designation data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 94 is a diagram illustrating a data format example of “FAX definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 95 is a diagram illustrating an example of inputting definition information from a screen using a command in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 96 is a diagram illustrating an example of a line graph definition diagram in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 97 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of “line graph graphic data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 98 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of “line graph representative graphic data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 99 is a diagram illustrating an example of a line graph output diagram in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 100 is a diagram showing an example of a bar graph plane development definition diagram in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 101 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of “bar graph representative graphic data” corresponding to a bar graph plane development definition in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 102 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data format of “plane development definition data” in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 103 is a diagram showing an example of a data source book used in bar graph plane development in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 104 is a diagram illustrating an example of output of bar graph plane development in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 105 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part for performing preferential character / graphic recognition processing in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 106 is a flowchart showing main procedures of preferential character / graphic recognition processing in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 107 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data definition document in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 108 is a diagram showing an example of a master file constituting an application file in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 109 is a diagram illustrating another example of the master file in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 110 is a diagram illustrating an example of a character string group definition in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 111 is a diagram illustrating another example of the character string group definition in the system according to the embodiment.

112 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of recognizing a curved portion of closed-loop-type entry information in the system of the embodiment. FIG.

FIG. 113 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining whether a character string is entirely included in an area defined by a closed loop in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 114 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining whether a character string is partially included in an area defined by a closed loop in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 115 is a diagram illustrating a method of determining whether a character string is partially included in a region sandwiched by both sides in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 116 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting a character string group on a screen in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 117 is a diagram illustrating a table for setting entry information for defining a character string group for each data item in the system according to the embodiment.

118 is a diagram illustrating a method of defining a character string group using the table in FIG. 117 in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 119 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting a sheet group using a button on a screen in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 120 is a diagram illustrating a method of setting a sheet group using an icon on a screen in the system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 121 is a diagram illustrating an example of causing the dictionary reference function to perform recognition and definition creation without substantially using definition element entry information in the system of the embodiment.

FIG. 122 is a diagram illustrating an example of supplementing with the definition information when the formal name is omitted in the entry of the definition information in the system according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 color image scanner 12 keyboard 14 mouse 15 digitizer 16 internal memory 18 external memory 20 display device 24 CPU (microprocessor) 27 communication device 34 character / graphic element recognition unit 35 sheet data area management unit 37 character / graphic element input unit 38 document Element data storage unit 40 Document image display output unit 42 Definition element data generation unit 46 Definition data generation unit 48 Definition element identification data storage unit 50 Definition information distinction data storage unit 52 Application term dictionary 54 Definition data storage unit 56 Sheet groove definition data storage Unit 58 definition execution processing unit 60 command input unit 62 command recognition execution processing unit 64 recognition range / method determination unit 66 application file 68 data dictionary

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A definition information on data management or a format is input through a writing information written in a form of a character, a symbol or a figure in a document, and a minimum unit of the definition in the input writing information is defined. Recognize the unit definition information having the meaning of, and based on the plurality of unit definition information respectively corresponding to the plurality of entry information entered in association with each other in accordance with a predetermined associative rule, the composite definition information And generating definition data defining definition contents of the recognized unit definition information and / or the composite definition information. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the unit definition information includes definition element entry information in which the form of the character, symbol or graphic is set and registered in advance as having the meaning of the minimum unit in the definition. Item 1. The definition method according to Item 1. 3. The definition method according to claim 2, wherein the definition element entry information has predetermined modification information for distinguishing from the normal entry information indicating the document content of the document. 4. The definition according to claim 1, wherein the associating rule includes a condition for determining whether or not a plurality of individual entry information items are linked to each other by predetermined definition element entry information. Method. 5. The definition method according to claim 1, wherein the associative rule includes a condition for determining whether or not a plurality of individual entry information items are entered in a predetermined arrangement relationship with each other. 6. When the first unit definition information indicating a desired data item name and the second unit definition information indicating a desired area on a document are related to each other according to the associative rule, 2. The definition method according to claim 1, wherein it is recognized that data having the data item name as an attribute is written or should be written in the area. 7. First unit definition information indicating a desired range including normal entry information representing arbitrary document contents on a document, and indicating that the normal entry information within the range is a copy source. Second unit definition information, third unit definition information indicating a desired insertion position or free space on the document, and fourth unit definition information indicating that the insertion position or free space is a copy destination 2. The definition according to claim 1, wherein when と and に し た が っ て are related to each other in accordance with the associative rule, it is recognized that normal entry information within the range should be copied to the insertion position or the empty area. Method. 8. The first and second unit definition information are written on a first document or page, and the third and fourth unit definition information are written on a second document or page. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the definition of the data is executed between the first document or page and the second document or page. 9. The normal entry information representing the format of the graph is input with definition information for supporting the definition of the format via the entry information entered in the form of characters, symbols or graphics in the document. Along with recognizing unit definition information having the meaning of the minimum unit in the definition in the entry information, a plurality of entry information respectively corresponding to a plurality of entry information entered in association with each other according to a predetermined combination rule An information processing apparatus for recognizing complex definition information based on the unit definition information and generating definition data for defining the recognized unit definition information and / or definition contents of the complex definition information; Graph definition method. 10. An entry information input means for inputting entry information consisting of characters, symbols, or graphics entered in a document on a sheet or an electronic document, and input information entered by the entry information input means. A first definition information recognizing means for recognizing unit definition information having a meaning of a minimum unit in a definition, and a predetermined combination rule in the unit definition information recognized by the first definition information recognizing means. A second definition information recognizing means for recognizing complex definition information based on a plurality of unit definition information respectively corresponding to the plurality of entry information entered in association with each other, and the recognized unit definition information and / or Alternatively, an information processing apparatus having definition data generating means for generating definition data for defining the definition content of the composite definition information. 11. Extraction of data indicating a predetermined process from the definition data generated by the definition data generating means, and sequentially executing the definition contents defined by the extracted definition data in a predetermined order. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a definition execution processing unit. 12. A computer, comprising: entry information input means for inputting entry information consisting of characters, symbols, or graphics entered in a document on paper or an electronic document; and said entry information entered by said entry information input means. First definition information recognizing means for recognizing unit definition information having the meaning of the minimum unit in definition in the entry information; and a predetermined combination in the unit definition information recognized by the first definition information recognizing means. A second definition information recognizing means for recognizing complex definition information based on a plurality of unit definition information respectively corresponding to a plurality of entry information which are entered in association with each other according to a rule; A program for functioning as definition data generating means for generating definition data defining unit definition information and / or definition contents of the complex definition information is described. The media.