JP4977242B2 - Document management apparatus and document management method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a document management apparatus and a document management method for reading, for example, a paper document existing as a form into electronic data and electronically creating and processing a predetermined material using the electronic data.

  Currently, local governments such as countries, prefectures, municipalities, etc. have established various systems and provide administrative services. These systems and administrative services are, for example, a long-term care insurance service for residents who need care and a pension system for persons with disabilities. When residents want to enjoy the rights based on these services and systems, it is generally necessary to apply to the service provider (service provider).

  Many of these applications are made using dedicated application documents (application format). Residents fill out the application form using application software such as a pen or word processor and submit it. The service provider checks the matters described in the application documents of the residents (applicants) who submitted the application documents, and examines whether the applicant can receive this service.

  The service provider conducts an examination based on the application documents from the applicant, but it is necessary at the time of application and service provision. From the viewpoint of conducting a fair examination, there is information that should be kept secret at the time of the examination. For example, personal information such as the name and address of the applicant is often unnecessary.

  For this reason, when examining application documents from residents regarding administrative services, it is necessary to prepare a document for examination in which a specific portion of the application document is masked (hidden) for each document. Specifically, after receiving the application documents, copy them to make a copy. Further, the operator determines a portion to be masked with respect to the copied material, and paints the document for examination by painting the portion with a pen or the like.

  These actions are mainly human work and are inefficient. Further, if the part to be masked is not properly masked due to an operator's mistake, it may become a serious human rights problem from the viewpoint of privacy protection. Furthermore, since it is necessary to manage the original and the examination documents, management of information is complicated.

  In order to deal with such problems, a system for creating an examination document by using an application document (manuscript) described in a predetermined application format as electronic data using a scanner or as electronic data using a predetermined application is disclosed in Patent Document 1. Proposed in

  This system takes as an example the creation of materials used in insurance application examinations in the long-term care insurance system. Specifically, a first processing unit that registers a definition of a document that constitutes a document (application) in a storage unit, a document that is registered in the storage unit according to the definition, and registration of a document that forms the document A second processing unit for recording information in the storage unit, and a third process for registering in the storage unit the definition of mask information for instructing a portion to be masked when outputting a document as one of the definitions of the document constituting the document A part. Then, the application form entered by the applicant is read with a scanner, image data is generated, and the mask definition described above is applied to the image data to perform concealment processing, thereby creating a document for browsing during the examination. It is configured to be able to.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 proposes a system for processing electronic data into a form as required in a service or business for publicly displaying information.

This system aims to conceal a specific part of the PDF document. Specifically, a PDF file including a character code is input as original data from the original data input unit and stored in the storage unit. The original electronic document (PDF file) is displayed on the document display unit, and the hidden area setting unit sets the hidden area on a part of the original electronic document by the operator. At this time, the hidden area is stored in the storage unit.
Then, the intermediate data creation unit develops the character code in the original data into a bitmap and covers a part thereof with mask data, thereby creating intermediate data in TIFF format. Further, the format conversion unit returns the intermediate data to the PDF format again, and stores the processed data in the storage unit. As a result, a PDF file in which the concealment process is performed on the area set by the operator can be acquired.

JP 2001-101169 A JP 2002-207725

  However, the system proposed in Patent Document 1 directly performs mask processing on the read original image data based on a predetermined mask definition. For this reason, when the contents to be hidden are written out of the specified area, it is necessary to correct the definition such as the position and shape of the mask defined in advance. Of course, the application documents are filled in and created by an unspecified number of applicants, and there are various application mistakes. That is, as the number of application documents increases, the mask definition correction operation processing is less complicated and inefficient.

  In particular, since the present system directly performs mask processing on document image data, once the mask processing is executed, the document image data cannot be returned to the state before mask processing. That is, even if the operator tries to confirm the contents originally written in the masked area, it cannot be done.

  In addition, when there are multiple application documents, for example, when it is necessary to give a tax certificate or medical certificate in addition to the application form in which the applicant's personal information is entered, There are many cases where the page order of is inadequate. In the technique described in Patent Document 1, even if the page order of the application documents to be read is different from the defined order, there is no disclosure about recognizing the difference. As a result, when the technique of this publication (Patent Document 1) is simply applied, when the operator reads the application document, an operation for checking all the page orders of the application document occurs, which is inefficient. Furthermore, if an operator makes a mistake in correcting the page order, information that should be concealed may not be masked correctly, privacy cannot be protected, and human rights problems are likely to occur.

  The system proposed in Patent Document 2 is based on the premise that text data in a PDF file is to be masked. Therefore, it is an unsuitable system for mask processing for image data obtained by scanning paper (application form). In addition, since the mask processing is performed on the input original data, once the mask processing is performed, it is impossible to browse or acquire information existing in the hidden area.

  That is, these problems are systems capable of reliably and easily masking a predetermined area or an arbitrary area regardless of the state of input document data. From the viewpoint of ease of management and guarantee of originals, the original data itself is not subjected to mask processing, and can be solved by providing a system that can guarantee the originality.

The document management apparatus according to the present invention includes a first storage unit that stores document data of a plurality of pages as a file, a second storage unit that stores mask position pattern data of a plurality of pages as a file, and the first storage unit. Applying means for applying the page order pattern data sequentially read from the mask position pattern data of the second storage means to each of the page order document data sequentially read from the page .

  According to the present invention, original data that has been masked only for necessary portions can be displayed on the screen in a state where the original original image is stored and maintained without modification, and the operator can perform confirmation work. Easy to do. In addition, even if it is necessary to correct the mask area from the mask designation status, the mask data can be easily corrected. Therefore, appropriate mask processing suitable for the document description status can be executed, and output data can be efficiently processed. Can be edited.

It is a figure explaining the structure of the document management system which shows one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application document original input by a scanner from the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application document original input by a scanner from the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an application document original input by a scanner from the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining the data processing state of the application document in the document management system shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the data processing form of the document management system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a combination example of paper sizes of application documents (originals) set in the scanner of the multifunction machine illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper size of examination material output from the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper size of examination material output from the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a paper size of examination material output from the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the example of a hierarchy display of the folder ensured in the disk part of the memory | storage part of the host shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the creation processing example of the mask position pattern data in the document management system concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 1st data processing procedure in the document management system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure explaining an example of the form data displayed on the display part of the host shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the mask area | region setting screen displayed on the display part of the host shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the masking state of the data of the mask position pattern displayed on the display part shown in FIG. It is a block diagram explaining a cover creation process state in the document management system according to the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 2nd data processing procedure in the document management system concerning this invention. It is a block diagram explaining the material preparation process state in the document management system concerning this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the whole flow of the 3rd data processing procedure in the document management system concerning this invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an electronic document processing in a third data processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the form registration in a 3rd data processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the various setting processes in a 3rd data processing procedure. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of storage of material data and detection and removal processing of blank data in a third data processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detection and correction | amendment process of the top and the order of material data in a 3rd data processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the detection and correction | amendment process of the top and the order of material data in a 3rd data processing procedure. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the mask data application process in a 3rd data processing procedure. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the original scan data shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog by the application for data creation. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a mask position pattern information table. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a form information table. It is a figure which shows an example of an output style information table. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of a log file. It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of a form abnormality management table. It is a figure which shows an example of the edit screen based on the application for edit. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the 4th data processing procedure in the document management system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting dialog of mask data. It is a figure explaining the memory map of the storage medium which stores the various data processing program which can be read by the document management system concerning this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a document management system to which a document management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. This system corresponds to a system in which the multifunction machine 20 that performs image processing and the host 10 can communicate via a network or the like. The following description is based on the premise that the multifunction device 20 in FIG. 1 has a function of scanning a paper document into electronic document data and transmitting the document data to an arbitrary host 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 20 denotes a multifunction peripheral (one printer refers to a printing machine having a plurality of functions such as copying, printer, and FAX, and may be abbreviated as a printer hereinafter). As shown in FIG. 5 to be described later, the multi-function device 20 is used for creating application examination materials from application documents together with the host 10 and the material creation application 30 and editing application 40 installed in the host 10. . The material creation application 30 and the editing application 40 are loaded from the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 onto a work memory such as the RAM 1030-1, and operate as program modules under the management of an OS (not shown) ( Executed by the control unit 1010). Details of these will be described later.

  A storage unit 1030 includes a RAM 1030-1, a ROM 1030-2, and a disk device 1030-3. A control unit 1010 includes a CPU and the like, and executes modules (programs) loaded in the RAM 1030-1 to comprehensively control the devices of the host 10.

  An input unit 1070 includes a keyboard and a pointing device. A medium reading unit 1050 is configured to be able to read information stored in various media such as a flexible disk 1060, a CD-ROM, and a DVD. Reference numeral 1040 denotes a display unit which displays an instruction screen necessary for setting and executing various applications in a timely manner. A connection unit 1020 is configured to be able to communicate with the connection unit 2020 of the multifunction machine 20 using a predetermined protocol.

  In the multi-function device 20, reference numeral 2010 denotes a control unit, which is configured by a CPU or the like, executes various modules (programs) loaded in the RAM 2030-1 of the storage unit 2030, and performs print processing of the printing unit 2040. Scanning processing of the reading unit 2050, data transmission / reception processing of the FAX unit 2070, input from the operation unit 2060, display processing of the user interface, and the like are comprehensively controlled.

  The storage unit 2030 includes a RAM 2030-1, a ROM 2030-2, a disk device 2030-3, and the like. Various optional devices can be connected to the printing unit 2040. For example, a finishing device such as a staple sorter can be attached. Further, the reading unit 2050 is configured to be able to automatically scan a document image of an application document by connecting various document conveying devices (ADF, RDF).

  In addition, on the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10, for example, electronic data of an application document read from the reading unit 2050 is converted into a specific file in a directory secured and managed as a folder with a specific name, and stored and managed. Area is secured.

  Further, it is assumed that the application document manuscript has a form in which a predetermined format is printed in advance as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, and the applicant has already filled in the necessary items on the form. .

  2 to 4 are diagrams showing examples of forms of application document manuscripts input by the scanner 20 from the MFP 20 shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, a care insurance application document is used as a form as an example of the application document. However, the scope to which the present invention is applied is not limited by the description of the present embodiment or the examples used for the description in the above-mentioned [Background Art] section. Further, the present invention is not applied only to examination document creation processing in any application processing.

  Note that FIG. 2 is a doctor's opinion form describing the doctor's findings regarding long-term care insurance. FIG. 3 shows an authorization survey form for a certified caregiver regarding care insurance to investigate the physical condition of the insured. Further, FIG. 4 shows a survey item list form for the insured person regarding the long-term care insurance. Note that the types and contents of these forms have nothing to do with the essence of the present invention.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, an object is to create a screening material in which a specific item in an application document item is masked in cooperation with a material creation application 30 and an editing application 40 described later. However, the present invention is not limited to the creation of examination materials. The present invention is applicable to situations where a concealing process for a predetermined area of input data is required.

  Next, processing in the system for managing documents will be described according to the processing order.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the data processing state of the application document in the document management system shown in FIG. The thick arrows in the figure indicate the flow of data. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as FIG.

  In FIG. 5, 60 is scan data. More specifically, the application document manuscript 90 is converted into an image file by the scanner function of the reading unit 2050 of the multifunction machine 20. The scan data 60 is data converted into a predetermined file format, such as a PDF file format developed by Adobe Systems Inc. in the United States.

  Reference numeral 70 denotes print data. Although details will be described later, the print data 70 is subjected to data processing by the material creation application 30 and the editing application 40 executed by the control unit 1010 of the host 10, and an arbitrary area is masked (hidden). It is data. Note that the output destination of the print data 70 is not limited to the multi-function device 20 (used for document input), but may be an apparatus having a printer function capable of communicating via a network.

  The MFP 20 and the host 10 in FIG. 1 are connected in a state where data can be transmitted by some communication means such as the network 80. 1 can transmit electronic data to an arbitrary shared folder 50 (see FIG. 5) provided in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 shown in FIG. And

  An arbitrary folder (for example, \ MaskManager \ Send in this embodiment) provided in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 shown in FIG. It is assumed that the electronic data can be stored.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a data processing mode of the document management system according to the present invention. The data 60 in FIG. 5 is processed in the order indicated by “1” to “8” in FIG. Hereinafter, FIG. 6 will be described in the order of processing.

  After the original document taken in from the multifunction machine 20 is digitized, it is transmitted to the host 10 and taken into a Send folder described later (“1”). The digitized document data Send folder is moved to the Scan folder (“2”). Then, the material creation application 30 reads the document data from the Scan folder (“3”). Further, the mask data and the cover data already created are read from the Mask folder and the Cover folder, respectively, and the masked document data is generated (“4” to “5”). After the operator confirms the masking status of the document data, print data of the document data for examination (a part of which is masked on the application document) is generated ("6") and stored in the Print folder. . Thereafter, the material creation application 30 activates the editing application 40, and the operator executes a predetermined editing operation, which will be described later, using the editing application 40 as necessary. After editing is no longer necessary, printing data is transmitted to the multi-function device 20 to execute printing (“7” to “8”).

  In the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 in FIG. 1, there are a material creation application 30 and an editing application 40 installed as a module group for realizing the present invention. These module groups are premised on being loaded and executable on the RAM 1030-1 as a work area.

  The module for realizing the present invention is a program code based on the flowcharts of FIGS. 13, 18, 20 to 27, 36 and the like to be described later.

  Also, these modules and related data can be installed and executed in the multi-function device 20 via the host 10 from a reading unit 1050 such as a CD-ROM drive of the host 10.

  Based on the above, the data processing of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, an example of input / output data used for description in the present embodiment will be described.

  In this embodiment, an operator scans a paper document (application document 90 (FIG. 5)) as input data by the scan function of the multi-function device 20 and converts it into electronic data. The application document 90 is often a set of a plurality of sheets of paper.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a combination of sheet sizes and scanned electronic data (hereinafter referred to as original data) in one set of application documents 90.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a combination example of paper sizes of paper originals read by the scanner of the multifunction machine 20 shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the document D-1, the document D-2, and the document D-3 each show the set described above.

  The document D-1 is composed of two sheets of A4 size portrait paper and one sheet of A3 size landscape paper. The original data obtained by scanning this in the single-sided mode is one set composed of two A4 size vertical pages and one A3 size horizontal page. For this reason, if there are 10 sets of originals D-1, 10 sets of data total 30 pages.

  The document D-2 is composed of four sheets of A4 size vertical single-sided paper. The original data obtained by scanning this in the single-sided mode is composed of four A4 size vertical pages. For this reason, if there are 10 sets of the original D-2, the 10 sets result in a total of 40 pages of data.

  The document D-3 is composed of two sheets of A4 size portrait paper and one sheet of A4 size portrait paper. The original data obtained by scanning this in the duplex mode is composed of 6 pages of A4 size vertical, with the second and fourth pages being blank paper data. For this reason, if there are 10 sets of the original D-3, 10 sets will be 60 pages of data.

  In this embodiment, a printed paper (examination material) is created as an output. 8 to 10 show examples of output forms of examination materials to be created. Output O-1 and output obtained by specifying paper size, output appearance (imposition, etc.), and finishing (staple, punch, etc.) Three output form examples of O-2 and output O-3 are shown.

  The output O-1 shown in FIG. 8 is a document that is printed on both sides of the A3 size side and is stapled at two places on the left side.

  The output O-2 shown in FIG. 9 is a material that has been printed on both sides in the A3 size side and is not stapled.

  The output O-3 shown in FIG. 10 is a material that has been printed on both sides in A4 size portrait and stapled at two places on the left side.

  Of course, the present invention can be applied to the configuration example of the original described with reference to FIG. 7 and the output form example of the material described with reference to FIGS.

  Next, an operation environment and a procedure for creating a file prepared in advance in the present embodiment will be described.

  The present invention operates using any folder and any file. An example of the configuration form of the folder and file is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a hierarchy display example of folders secured in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 shown in FIG. This figure shows a state displayed on the display unit 1040 shown in FIG.

  In this embodiment, \ MaskManager \ Send, which is a directory of the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030, is set as the “transmission destination” folder. This folder is a folder that is designated as a destination for transmitting original data in the printer (multifunction device 20) (corresponding to the “Send” folder shown in FIG. 6). If necessary, sharing settings and access rights may be set for this folder.

  In addition, \ MaskManager \ Scan which is a directory of the disk device 1030-3 is assumed to be an “original scan data” folder. This folder is a folder for the document creation application 30 to move and store the original data that has been transmitted from the “transmission destination” folder (corresponding to the “Scan” folder shown in FIG. 6).

  Further, a directory of the disk device 1030-3, \ MaskManager \ Scan-Store, is a “processed original data” folder. This folder is a folder for the document creation application 30 to move and store the original data for which the creation of the document has been completed from the “original scan data” folder.

  Further, \ MaskManager \ Mask which is a directory of the disk device 1030-3 is a “mask position pattern” folder. This folder is a folder for storing mask position pattern data arbitrarily created by the operator (corresponding to the “Mask” folder shown in FIG. 6).

  Further, a directory of the disk device 1030-3, \ MaskManager \ Cover, is assumed to be a “cover data” folder. This folder is a folder for storing cover data arbitrarily created by the operator (corresponding to the “Cover” folder shown in FIG. 6).

  Further, \ MaskManager \ Cover-Template, which is a directory of the disk device 1030-3, is a “cover template data” folder. This folder stores a cover data template prepared in advance.

  Further, \ MaskManager \ Print, which is a directory of the disk device 1030-3, is a "screen for examination board". This folder is a folder for storing material data (corresponding to the “Print” folder shown in FIG. 6).

  Further, \ MaskManager \ Reference, which is a directory of the disk device 1030-3, is a “reference data” folder. This folder is a folder in which data internally referred to by the material creation application 30 is stored.

  Of course, the directory structure, folder names, and number of folders are not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment.

[Mask position pattern data creation process]
Hereinafter, a procedure for creating mask position pattern data in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of a mask position pattern data creation process in the document management system according to the present invention. Of the elements shown in FIG. 12, the same elements as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, the thick arrow in a figure shows the flow of data globally.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the mask position pattern data creation process in this embodiment, the operator creates mask position pattern data for each page of the form using a mask data creation application (annotation editor), and the data Is done by saving. A detailed procedure for creating the mask position pattern data will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a first data processing procedure in the document management system according to the present invention. The processing described in this flowchart corresponds to the data processing procedure executed by the control unit 1010 of the host 10 and the control unit 2010 of the multifunction machine 20 shown in FIG. S1301 to S1312 indicate each step.

  In this embodiment, in order for the operator to create mask position pattern data in advance, it is necessary to specify the mask position of each application form and the size of the area. As information to identify them, character strings such as "name" and "address", figure item positions, ruled line areas, and description areas are already defined, and an application form is used for the applicant to actually fill in. To do. The application document form to be used may be the one before the applicant fills in the contents for the actual application, or the one after the application.

  First, the operator places an application form on paper on a document platen (provided on the RDF or the like) of the printer (S1301).

  Next, an arbitrary folder of the host 10 is designated as a transmission destination in the multi-function device 20 from the operation unit 2060 (S1302), and execution of scanning is instructed.

  As a result, the control unit 2010 of the multi-function device 20 starts scan processing, and forms electronic data (data for creating mask position pattern data) is created and stored in the disk device 2030-3 of the storage unit 2030 of the multi-function device 20. To do. Then, the control unit 2010 of the multifunction device 20 transmits the creation data to the folder specified by the operator to the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 via the connection unit 2020 and the connection unit 1020 of the host 10 ( S1303).

  If the application document is a set composed of a plurality of sheets or double-sided originals as shown in FIG. 7, creation data composed of a plurality of pages with each printing surface as one page is generated.

  Note that the application document form reading process may be converted into electronic data by a scanner or the like constituted by another single unit without using the scanning function of the multifunction machine 20.

  Similarly, data similar to the application document may be created using any other application and system, and the application data may be used.

  Next, in response to an operator instruction, the control unit 1010 activates the editing application 40 (S1304). Thereby, the creation data saved in an arbitrary folder is specified. Then, the operator captures this data into the editing application 40 using a pointing device such as a mouse by an operation such as drag and drop (S1305), and stores it in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030 of the host.

  The control unit 1010 of the host 10 displays the creation data on the display unit 1040 of the host 10 (S1306).

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the creation data display executed in step S1306.

  Next, the operator performs an operation of creating mask position pattern data while confirming the creation data of the mask position pattern data with the editing application 40.

  FIG. 15 shows a part of the operation for creating the mask position pattern data. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a mask area setting screen displayed on the display unit 1040 of the host 10 shown in FIG. 1 in the mask data creation work. As can be seen from this figure, the entry area such as the telephone number and the date of birth is blacked out. That is, for a portion that the operator determines to be an area to be masked, it means that the mask position setting process has been executed using the annotation function provided in the editing application 40.

  Here, the annotation function will be described. The annotation function is a function used by the operator in mask data creation work, and is for creating mask position pattern data for designating a masked area when creating examination materials from application documents. Specifically, the operator places a rectangular or circular mask position designation object (hereinafter referred to as an annotation object) in an area to be masked. This annotation object is preferably registered in advance in the editing application 40 in a vector data format. Then, the operator selects an annotation object having a desired shape, freely deforms the shape, and arranges the region to be masked so as to be virtually filled as shown in FIG. In this way, mask position pattern data is created.

  What is important here is that even when an annotation object is arranged, this object is not overwritten on the creation data existing at the arrangement location. The annotation object is not drawn with respect to the creation data, but is drawn with respect to the transparent or semi-transparent layer superimposed on the creation data, and is stored together with the creation data.

  In the present embodiment, the operator performs such work in the editing application 40, but the present invention is not limited by the work procedure, the configuration of the editing application 40, the data format and shape of the annotation object, and the like. .

  Now, the description returns to the flowchart. Using the creation data displayed on the display unit 1040 by the editing application 40, the operator examines whether there is a portion to be masked. If there is a portion to be masked, the operator executes processing for setting an annotation object. This operation is as described above.

  At this time, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 determines whether or not the operator has performed an operation for setting the annotation object (S1307), and an operation for adding the annotation object by the operator, for example, an “add object” button (not shown). If it is determined that the click operation has been performed, annotation object data is created and reflected in the mask position pattern data stored in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 (S1308), and the process returns to step S1307.

  On the other hand, in step S1307, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 determines that the operator does not have a portion to be masked at the fixed position on this page, or has already placed annotation objects at all the portions to be masked. It is determined whether or not an operation for changing a page is performed without performing an operation for adding an annotation object (S1309), and an operation for changing a page, for example, an operation for clicking a “display next page” button is performed. If it is determined, the page data designated by the operator is displayed on the display unit 1040 of the host 10 (S1310), and the process returns to step S1307.

  On the other hand, if the controller 1010 of the host 10 determines in step S1309 that the operator has not performed an operation to change the page, it determines whether or not the operator has performed an operation to save the mask position pattern in a file (S1311). When the operator determines that the mask position pattern has been saved to a file, a file save dialog (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 1040 of the host 10 and the operator designates the directory \ MaskManager \ Mask folder and Prompt for an arbitrary file name.

  Then, the mask position pattern data is stored according to the input information (S1312), and the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the controller 1010 of the host 10 determines in step S1311 that the operator has not performed an operation to save the mask position pattern in a file, the process returns to step S1307.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a masking state confirmation screen for mask position pattern data displayed on the display unit 1040 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the mask position pattern for the document D-1 shown in FIG. 7 is registered as mask position pattern data as shown in FIG. Of course, these mask position pattern data are examples in the present embodiment, and the mask position and page configuration are not limited to these.

  Note that this display does not directly conceal the mask position pattern data creation data, but overlays the mask position pattern data layer and the creation data image layer so that they are transmitted. it's shown.

  The creation data is also used to create a form information table in a material creation process described later.

[Cover Data Creation Processing]
FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram illustrating a cover creation processing state in the document management system according to the present invention. The thick arrows shown in FIG. 17 indicate the data flow. This process corresponds to the cover creation process by the editing application 40.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a second data processing procedure in the document management system according to the present invention. Each process of this flowchart corresponds to a data processing procedure (cover data creation procedure) executed by the control unit 1010 of the host 10 shown in FIG. Note that S1801 to S1806 indicate each step.

  In this embodiment, a form is employed in which the operator creates cover data in advance and automatically reads the data when creating the material. However, the present invention is not limited to this form.

  As one method for creating the cover data, there is a form in which a cover data template is prepared in advance in the application and the cover data is created using the data. This embodiment will be described using this form.

  First, the operator activates the editing application 40 (S1801), and specifies a cover data template stored in the directory \ MaskManager \ Cover-Template folder. The identified template is loaded into the editing application by dragging and dropping using the input unit 1070 such as a mouse (S1802). As a result, a cover image template image is displayed on the display unit 1040 of the host 10.

  Next, the operator operates the editing application 40 to confirm the content of the cover data on the display unit 1040, and edits the template image as necessary. The control unit 1010 determines whether the operator has performed an editing operation using the editing application 40 (S1803). If it is determined that an editing operation has been performed, the edited content is created and reflected in the cover data stored in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030 (S1804). Thereafter, the process returns to step S1803.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step 1803 that the operator has not performed an editing operation, the control unit 1010 determines whether or not the operator has performed an operation to save the cover data in a file (S1805). ). If it is determined that an operation for saving to a file has been performed, a file saving dialog (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 1040 of the host 10 to prompt the operator to specify a \ MaskManager \ Cover folder and input an arbitrary file name. Then, the cover data is stored according to the input information (S1806), and this process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1805 that the operator has not performed an operation to save the cover data in a file, the process returns to step S1803 and the subsequent processing is continued.

  Thus, cover data is created. In the present invention, the cover data creation process is not an indispensable configuration, but providing a cover can produce secondary effects such as easier management of materials and improved aesthetics.

  Instead of using a cover data template prepared in advance, any cover data can be created by another arbitrary application and system and stored in the \ MaskManager \ Cover folder.

[Data creation process]
Next, a document data creation procedure, which is a third data processing procedure in the document management system according to the present invention, will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram for explaining the material data creation processing state and the printing processing in the document management system according to the present invention. In this figure, thick arrows indicate the flow of data. This processing corresponds to processing using the material creation application 30 and the editing application 40.

  20 to 27 are flowcharts showing an example of a third data processing procedure in the document management system according to the present invention. Each process of these flowcharts corresponds to a data processing procedure (print data creation procedure) executed by the control unit 1010 of the host 10 shown in FIG. In the flowcharts in FIGS. 21 to 27 described later, detailed processing of each step in FIG. 20 is described. Further, S2001 to S2008 in FIG. 20 indicate each step.

  In step S2001 in FIG. 20, the operator performs digitization of the application document (original). Here, digitization is performed by reading a paper document using a scanner (details are shown in FIG. 21). If there is already digitized data, the operation in step S2001 is not necessary.

  In step S2002, the material creation application 30 is automatically or manually activated. Then, the above-described mask position pattern data and form information are acquired and registered as management information of the material creation application 30 (details are shown in FIG. 22).

  In step S2003, the operator operates the user interface of the material creation application 30 to perform various setting operations related to material creation (details are shown in FIG. 23).

  In step S2004, the operator inputs a storage file name of the created material. After the input is completed, the material creation application 30 performs a first preprocessing of material creation on the original data designated by the user interface (details are shown in FIG. 24). Here, the preprocessing is detection and removal of blank data included in the original data.

  In step S2005, processing for correcting the direction and order of the original data is performed as the second preprocessing for creating the material (details are shown in FIGS. 25 and 26).

  In step S2006, a process for applying the mask position pattern data created in advance to the original data and a process for storing the data to which the mask is applied are executed (details are shown in FIG. 27).

  In step S2007, the operator uses the editing application 40 to perform mask position adjustment and arbitrary mask application processing on the data stored in step S2006. The work in step S2007 is an arbitrary process that is executed as necessary.

  In step S2008, a print instruction for performing print processing of data created by executing the above steps is executed.

  Next, detailed processing of each step in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the computerization work shown in step S2001 in FIG. 20 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that S2101 to S2103 in FIG.

  In preparing the examination material, the operator places a paper application document (manuscript) on the manuscript table of the reading unit 2050 of the multifunction machine 20.

  When a document is placed on the document table, the control unit 2010 of the multifunction machine 20 detects this document (S2101). Next, the operator designates an arbitrary folder (directory \ MaskManager \ Send in this embodiment) of the host 10 as a transmission destination in the printing unit 2040. The control unit 2010 of the multifunction device 20 detects a folder designation operation (S2102), and instructs execution of a scan.

  The control unit 2010 of the multifunction device 20 starts a scanning process, and creates application document data (original data) converted into electronic data on the disk device 2030-3 of the storage unit 2030 of the multifunction device 20. In addition, although the form which mounts one set which consists of several paper sheets, and the form which mounts several sets simultaneously can be considered for an application document, the form of mounting in particular is not ask | required in this invention. However, as an effect peculiar to the present invention, it is mentioned that mask processing and document data creation processing can be performed on a plurality of sets at once. Therefore, the description here assumes that a plurality of sets are mounted. Do.

  Here, the original data converted into electronic data will be described as data as shown in FIG.

  An image of the original data shown in FIG. 28 will be described. Document set 1 (first to third pages) is normal data. Document set 2 (pages 4 to 6) shows a state in which the document on page 4 is scanned upside down. Document set 3 (7th to 9th pages) shows a state in which the 8th page of the document is scanned in the reverse side. Document set 4 (10th to 12th pages) shows a state in which the order of the 10th page and 11th page documents is switched. The document set 5 (pages 13 to 15) shows a state in which the document on the 13th page is scanned in a state where it is not necessary or is in a different form.

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control unit 2010 of the multifunction machine 20 transmits the original data to the directory \ MaskManager \ Send folder in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 (S2103).

  It is also possible to create original data obtained by converting the application document into electronic data using another scanner or the like without using the scanning function of the multifunction device 20 and store the original data in the same directory \ MaskManager \ Send folder.

  Similarly, it is also possible to create data in the same format as the application document using other arbitrary applications and systems, and store the application data in the \ MaskManager \ Send folder as original data.

  Next, a form registration process performed by the material creation application 30 will be described with reference to FIG. This process corresponds to the process described in step S2002 of FIG. Note that S2201 to S2211 in FIG.

  The description is started from the stage where the original digitization process described in FIG. 21 is completed and the original data is input to a predetermined folder of the host 10. First, in step S2201, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 activates the material creation application 30 in accordance with the operation of the operator, and displays a dialog as shown in FIG. 29 on the display unit 1040.

  FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of an operation dialog by the material creation application 30 displayed on the display unit 1040 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 29, in this embodiment, the original scan data, the original paper size, the mask position pattern, the cover data, the appearance of the material, and the processed original data are displayed in a list in a state where they are not particularly associated with each other.

  The operator can confirm the contents of the mask position pattern data and the cover data by previewing these data. Since the specific operation for previewing is not the essence of the present invention, the description is omitted. BT1 is a display update button, and BT2 is a material creation button. TVE is a tree view area for displaying page information, PVE is a preview area for displaying the contents of a file, and FN is a file name to be displayed.

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control unit 1010 of the host 10 searches the folder shown in FIG. 11 targeted by the material creation application 30 and collects information on existing files. The collected file information is stored in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030 of the host, and the information is reflected in the dialog shown in FIG. 29 and displayed (S2202).

  Specifically, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 searches for a file in the “transmission destination” (“Send”) folder and confirms the status of the existing file.

  When the control unit 1010 of the host 10 recognizes a file having a status in which the transmission of the original data from the multi-function device 20 is completed and the file generation process is completed, the control unit 1010 designates the file as “original scan data” (“Scan ]) Move to the folder.

  When the control unit 1010 of the host 10 recognizes an original data file having a status in which the transmission from the multi-function device 20 has been completed and the file generation process has not been completed, the file move process is not performed.

  Since the document creation application 30 does not display the “transmission destination” (“Send”) folder, the operator does not select a file stored in the “transmission destination” folder. For this reason, a situation in which a document is created using a file whose generation of the original data file has not been completed does not occur. This makes it possible to improve the certainty of the material to be created.

  Subsequently, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 processes the contents of the “original scan data” (“Scan”) folder in the original scan data list box and the contents of the “processed original data” (“Scan-Store”) folder. In the original data list box, the contents of the “mask position pattern” (“Mask”) folder are displayed in the mask position pattern list box, and the contents of the “cover data” (“Cover”) folder are displayed in the cover data list box. The content here is preferably a file name registered in each folder.

  When the process of step S2202 ends, the process proceeds to step S2203.

  In step S2203, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 acquires a file name of arbitrary mask position pattern data existing in the Mask folder. The mask position pattern data acquired here is created in the mask position pattern data creation process described above.

  In step S2204, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 refers to the mask position pattern information table shown in FIG. 30 based on the acquired file name of the mask position pattern data, and proceeds to step S2205.

  If the mask position pattern information table itself does not exist, in step S2204, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 has an empty mask position pattern information table with a data structure as shown in FIG. 30 and no internal data. Is created in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10.

  FIG. 30 shows an example of the mask position pattern information table generated and stored in the disk device 1030-3 in the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 30, the mask position pattern information table associates a file name of mask position pattern data with an ID (form ID) for identifying a form corresponding to the file. The form ID will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  The control unit 1010 of the host 10 determines whether or not the file name of the target mask position pattern exists in the mask position pattern information table (S2205). If it is determined that the file name of the mask position pattern exists, the process advances to step S2211. If it is determined that the file name of the target mask position pattern data does not exist in the mask position pattern information table, the process advances to step S2206.

  Next, in step S2206, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 performs form recognition processing of the mask position pattern data file, and acquires form information.

  Note that the form recognition method is a well-known technique and is not the essence of the present invention, and therefore will not be described in detail.

  The control unit 1010 of the host 10 refers to the form information table shown in FIG. 31 based on the form recognition information (S2207). When the form information table does not exist, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 creates an empty form information table in the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 in a form having a data structure as shown in FIG. Created in the disk device 1030-3.

  FIG. 31 shows an example of the configuration of the form information table created and stored in the disk device 1030-3 in the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 31, the form information table associates the form ID assigned to each form, the form page ID assigned to each page of the form, and form page information indicating the form information of each page of the form. Has been made.

  The form refers to the format of the application document, and the form ID is unique information assigned to each format. When creating a document using this document management system, if there are a plurality of application document formats, different form IDs are assigned to them.

  Taking FIG. 31 as an example, since there are form IDs 1 to 4, it can be seen that four types of application document formats are registered in the form information table. Also, 1 to 3 are assigned as form page IDs associated with form ID1. This indicates that the application document registered as the form ID 1 is composed of three pages. Each page to which the form page ID is assigned stores information associated with the page. For example, an application document page with a form ID of 1 and a form page ID of 1 has a size of A4, a direction of P (portrait), and a cell T1 indicating an application item entry area defined on this page has coordinates (X11 , Y11, X12, Y12).

  Therefore, the mask position pattern information table shown in FIG. 30 and the form information table shown in FIG. 31 associate each stored mask position pattern data file with the form information.

  For example, in the application document with the form ID 1 described above, as the mask position pattern data, No. It can be seen that the “mask position-A4A4A3-basic.iwd” file defined as 01 corresponds. The file name is arbitrarily named by the operator.

  Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S2208, the control unit 1010 determines whether the same form information as the mask position pattern exists in the form information table based on the form recognition result of the mask position pattern performed in step S2206. If it is determined that the same form information as the mask position pattern exists in the form information table, the process advances to step S2210. The determination at this step is made by comparing each form information defined in the form information table with the form recognition result of the read application.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2208 that the same form information as the mask position pattern does not exist in the form information table, the process advances to step S2209. If the form information table itself does not exist in step S2206 described above and an empty form information table is newly created, it is determined in step S2208 that the same form information as the mask position pattern does not exist in the form information table. The control unit 1010 determines and proceeds to step S2209.

  In step S2209, the control unit 1010 provides the form information of the mask position pattern acquired by form recognition as a new form information with a new form ID, and the form present in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10. The information table is saved (registered) in the form as shown in FIG. 31, and the process proceeds to step S2210.

  Next, in step S2210, the control unit 1010 uses the mask position pattern file name and the form ID that is the same as the form information of the mask position pattern to store the mask position in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10. It is stored (registered) in the pattern information table in the form as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2211.

  Next, in step S2211, the control unit 1010 determines whether all mask position pattern files have been recognized. If it is determined that all the mask position pattern files have not been recognized, the process returns to step S2203.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2211 that all mask position pattern files have been recognized, the above process ends. Then, it waits for an instruction from the operator to the dialog shown in FIG.

  Through the processes in steps S2201 to S2211, the operator does not need to consciously register the form. When the material creation application 30 is started, the mask position pattern file is associated with the target form information. Will be registered automatically. After that, even when performing mask processing on a new application form with a different form, a new target form can be created by creating a mask position pattern file for the new application form according to the work procedure shown in FIG. Will be automatically registered, thus improving work efficiency.

  Also, as in the prior art, a registration button is provided in the dialog of the document creation application 30 shown in FIG. 29, and an arbitrary mask position pattern file and its form information are manually specified and associated and registered. It is also possible to do.

  Next, the material creation process using the user interface by the material creation application 30 will be described with reference to FIG. This process corresponds to the process described in step S2003 in FIG. Note that S2301 to S2319 in FIG.

  First, in step S2301, it is determined whether or not original data for creating a document is selected in the dialog shown in FIG. Note that the original data here refers to files displayed in the original scan data list box and the processed original data list box.

  When the file displayed in the original scan data list box is selected and the material creation button (button BT2) in FIG. 29 is pressed, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 sets the selected file as “processed original data”. ”(“ Scan-Store ”) folder automatically. Thereafter, the file is displayed in the original scan data list box.

  Thereby, it is possible to reduce an operator's work of moving a file.

  In addition, since the area (section) in which the file is automatically displayed is changed, it is possible to easily discriminate between the original data that has not been created and the original data that has been created, thus avoiding an operator's mistake in selecting the file. It becomes possible. Furthermore, it becomes possible to improve the searchability when the material once created is created again.

  When the control unit 1010 determines that the original data is selected in step S2301, the original data information for creating the material is stored in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 (S2302), and the next step (S2303). Move on.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2301 that the original data has not been selected by the operator, the control unit 1010 determines whether a combination of paper sizes of the original data has been selected in the dialog shown in FIG. 29 (S2303). . If it is determined that the paper size combination of the original data has been selected, the information on the paper size combination of the original data is stored in the RAM 1030-1 (S2304), and the process proceeds to step S2305.

  In this embodiment, the combinations of paper sizes of the original data include, for example, “A4 single side + A4 single side + A3 single side”, “A4 single side + A4 single side + A4 single side + A4 single side”, “A4 single side + A4 single side + A4 double side”, and the like. However, the present invention can be applied to other combinations of paper sizes.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2303 that the paper size combination of the original data has not been selected, it is determined whether or not mask position pattern data has been selected in the dialog shown in FIG. 29 (S2305). ). When the control unit 1010 determines that the mask position pattern data has been selected, the mask position pattern data information is stored in the RAM 1030-1 (S2306), and the process proceeds to the next step (S2307).

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2305 that the mask position pattern data has not been selected, it determines whether or not the mask position pattern data preview button has been selected in the dialog shown in FIG. 29 (S2307). ). When the control unit 1010 determines that the mask position pattern data preview button PVB1 has been selected, the control unit 1010 determines whether or not the mask position pattern data information is stored in the RAM 1030-1 (S2308). When the control unit 1010 determines that the mask position pattern data information is not stored, the process proceeds to the next step (S2310).

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2308 that the mask position pattern data information is stored, the mask position pattern data information (file name, etc.) stored in the RAM 1030-1 is acquired. . Then, the page information is displayed in the tree view area TVE, and the contents of the file are displayed in the preview area PVE. In addition, the file name FN is displayed at a position below the preview area (S2309), and the process proceeds to step S2310.

  In the preview area PVE, mask data can be displayed in addition to the contents of the form data. The preview contents can be switched by switching the page information in the tree view area TVE with the input unit 1070 such as a mouse. Further, when the mask position pattern data is composed of a plurality of pages, it is possible to check the mask data of each page.

  If the control unit 1010 determines in step S2307 that the preview button for mask position pattern data has not been selected, it determines whether or not cover data has been selected in the dialog shown in FIG. 29 (S2310). If the control unit 1010 determines that the cover data has been selected, the cover data information is stored in the RAM 1030-1 (S2311), and the process proceeds to the next step (S2312).

  On the other hand, when the control unit 1010 determines that the cover data is not selected in step S2310, the control unit 1010 determines whether or not the cover data preview button is selected on the dialog screen shown in FIG. S2312). When the control unit 1010 determines that the cover data preview button has been selected, it is determined whether or not the cover data information is stored in the RAM 1030-1 (S2313). If the control unit 1010 determines that the cover data information is not stored, the process proceeds to the next step (S2315).

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines that the cover data information is stored in step S2313, the cover data information (file name, etc.) stored in the RAM 1030-1 is acquired and stored in the tree view area TVE. Display page information. Further, the content (image) of the page is displayed in the preview area PVE. Further, the file name is displayed at the lower position of the preview area (S2314), and the process proceeds to step S2315.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 1010 determines that the cover data preview button is not selected in step S2312, it is determined whether or not the appearance of the material is selected in the dialog shown in FIG. 29 (S2315). If the control unit 1010 determines that the material appearance has been selected, the material appearance information is stored in the RAM 1030-1 (S2316), and the process proceeds to step S2317.

  For example, A3 double staple, no A3 staple, A4 double staple, etc. are used as the format of the material in the present embodiment, but the present invention can be applied to the format of other materials.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2315 that the appearance of the material is not selected, the control unit 1010 determines whether or not the display update button BT1 is pressed in the dialog shown in FIG. 29 (S2317). When the control unit 1010 determines that the display update button BT1 has been pressed, the material creation application 30 searches for a target folder and collects information on existing files. Then, the collected information is stored in the RAM 1030-1, the information is reflected in the dialog (S2318), and the process proceeds to step S2319.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2317 that the display update button BT1 is not selected, it is determined whether or not the material creation button BT2 is selected in the dialog shown in FIG. 29 (S2319). If the control unit 1010 determines that the material creation button BT2 has been selected, the process proceeds to the next process, and the various material creation designation processes shown in FIG. 23 are terminated.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2319 that the material creation button BT2 is not selected, the process returns to step S2301 in the flow of FIG. 23 to continue the processing.

  Next, the file saving process and blank data detection / removal process by the material creation application 30 will be described with reference to FIG. This process corresponds to the process described in step S2004 of FIG. Note that S2401 to S2411 in FIG. 24 indicate each step.

  When the material creation button BT2 is pressed by the operator in step S2319 in FIG. 23, the control unit 1010 displays a file storage dialog (not shown) on the display unit 1040 of the host 10 and stores the data of the material in the operator. The user is prompted to specify a folder and input an arbitrary file name (S2401). Then, the operator inputs a designation of a folder for saving the document data and an arbitrary file name (S2402).

  Next, the control unit 1010 refers to the output format information table shown in FIG. 32 existing in the document creation application 30 and the information on the format of the material stored in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030, and refers to the output format. A file is specified (S2403).

  FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output format information table stored in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030 illustrated in FIG.

  Here, “A3 double staple” is stored as information on the format of the material, and “A3 Double Staple.dat” is specified as an output format reference file from the output format information table, and the flowchart of FIG. 24 will be described.

  Next, the control unit 1010 refers to the output format reference file “A3 Double Staple.dat” and acquires information on the output format. Then, the control unit 1010 creates data reflecting the acquired information, and uses the folder and file name specified by the operator in step S2402 to store the file as the material data in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030. Save (S2404).

  Next, the control unit 1010 refers to the information of the original data stored in the RAM 1030-1, identifies the original data file for creating the material, and reads it together with the material data stored in step S2404 (S2405).

  Here, it is assumed that “20030130127.pdf” is stored as information of the original data, and the content of the file is read together with the data of the material.

  Then, the control unit 1010 refers to the paper size combination information of the original data stored in the RAM 10030-1 of the storage unit 1030, and determines whether the information is A4 single side + A4 single side + A4 double side (S2406). .

  When the control unit 1010 determines that the information on the combination of the paper sizes of the original data is A4 single side + A4 single side + A4 double side, “2” is set to a variable D used for processing of deleting unnecessary pages, which will be described later (S2407). ).

  Next, the control unit 1010 deletes the Dth page data that is a blank page (S2408), and the control unit 1010 deletes the D + 1th page that is a blank page (S2409).

  Next, the control unit 1010 adds “4” to the variable D (S2410), determines whether or not the Dth page exists (S2411), and the control unit 1010 determines that the Dth page exists. If yes, the process returns to step S2408.

  In this way, by repeating the above steps S2408 to S2411, it is possible to automatically delete all blank pages even when there are a plurality of originals, which is efficient.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 1010 determines in step S2411 that the D-th page does not exist, the control unit 1010 ends these processes and proceeds to the next process.

  Also, when the control unit 1010 determines in step S2406 that the information on the combination of the paper sizes of the original data is not A4 single side + A4 single side + A4 double side, these processes are terminated and the process proceeds to the next process.

  Next, processing for correcting the direction and order of the original data by the material creation application 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. This process corresponds to the process described in step S2005 of FIG. Note that S2501 to S2524 in FIGS. 25 and 26 indicate steps.

  First, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 sets “1” as an initial value to the variable M indicating the page number of the mask position pattern data used for the mask process, and similarly, the variable indicating the page number of the data of the material. N is set to “1” as an initial value (S2501).

  Next, the control unit 1010 refers to the information on the mask position pattern data stored in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030, and specifies the mask position pattern data (S2502).

  Here, it is assumed that “mask position-A4A4A3-basic.iwd” is stored as information of the original data, and the content of the file is the file content shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S2503, the control unit 1010 refers to the mask position pattern information table (FIG. 30) stored in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030, and forms ID of the mask position pattern specified in step S2502. Is set to FID as a parameter. Here, it is assumed that “1” is set as the FID data.

  The control unit 1010 acquires the form ID FID and the form page ID M (page number of the mask position pattern data) (S2504), and identifies the form information that is the target of form recognition from the form information table (FIG. 31).

  Next, the control unit 1010 recognizes the form for the Nth page data (original data read in the material data) using the form information specified in step S2504. It performs (S2505). In the next step S2506, it is determined whether or not the form is the same. If it is determined that the form is the same, the process proceeds to step S2514.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines that the forms are not the same in step S2506, it is determined whether the N pages of the original data read in the data of the material are upside down with respect to the form (S2507). ). In the example shown in FIG. 28, it is determined that the fourth page (N = 4, M = 1) is upside down.

  If the controller 1010 determines that the page is upside down in step S2507, the page image of the material data (original data read in the material data) is rotated by 180 degrees and stored (S2508). The process proceeds to step S2513.

  In step S2513, the control unit 1010 saves the recognition result and the processing content in a log file (created if not present) stored in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 as shown in FIG. 33, and in step S2514. Move on. In this case, the page number, the detection that the top and the bottom are upside down, and the automatically corrected content are stored.

  FIG. 33 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a log file in the document management system according to the present invention.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2507 that the data read in the data of the material is not upside down with respect to the form, the process proceeds to step S2509. In step S2509, it is determined whether or not the original data read in the material data is blank. In the example shown in FIG. 28, the eighth page (N = 8, M = 2) is determined to be blank.

  In step S2509, when the control unit 1010 determines that the original data read in the data of the material is blank, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 in step S2509 shows the recognition result and the processing content as shown in FIG. Are stored in the log file of the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030. In this case, the page number, the fact that a blank page is detected, and the fact that correction is not being executed are saved.

  If the control unit 1010 determines in step S2509 that the original data read in the material data is not blank, the process advances to step S2510.

  In step S2510, control unit 1010 determines whether or not it is the same as another form constituting form ID FID. If it is determined that the form ID is the same as another form constituting the FID, the control unit 1010 stores a form abnormality management table as shown in FIG. 34 in the disk device 1030-3 (S2512).

  FIG. 34 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the form abnormality management table. Referring to the example shown in FIG. 28, in the case of the 10th page (N = 10, M = 1), the control unit 1010 sets the other form page IDs that constitute the form ID FID “1” to “2”. ”And“ 3 ”are specified from the form information table, the form information of M = 2 and M = 3 is specified, and the form recognition is sequentially performed and determined. In this example, the control unit 1010 determines that the 10th page is the same as another form ID (M = 2) constituting the form ID FID (= 1).

  In this case, the control unit 1010 stores page number = 10, mask position pattern form page ID = 1, and original data form ID = 2 in the form abnormality management table shown in FIG.

  Similarly, in the case of the eleventh page (N = 11, M = 2) in FIG. 28, the control unit 1010 has other form page IDs “1”, “1” constituting the form ID FID “1”. 3 ”is specified from the form information table, the form information of M = 1 and M = 3 is specified, and the form recognition is sequentially performed for determination. The control unit 1010 determines that the 11th page is the same as the other form ID (M = 1) constituting the form ID FID (= 1).

  As a result, the control unit 1010 stores the form abnormality management table as shown in FIG. 34 in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10 (S2512). In this case, the page number = 11, the mask position pattern form page ID = 2, and the original data form ID = 1 are stored as the order mismatch data.

  Then, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 saves the recognition result and the processing content in a log file as shown in FIG. In this case, the page number and the contents detected in the order mismatch are stored (S2513).

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step 2510 that the data of the material (original data read in the data of the material) is not the same as the other forms constituting the form ID FID, Save the recognition results and processing contents in a log file. In this case, the page number and the contents for which processing is stopped are stored.

  Then, a message indicating that the process is to be stopped is displayed on the display unit 1040 of the host 10 (S2511), and the process ends.

  Specifically, using the example of FIG. 28, the 13th page (N = 13, M = 1) is another form ID (M = 1, M =) constituting the form ID FID (= 1). 2 and M = 3). In other words, the form document is irrelevant, and normal processing cannot be created when processing is continued. Therefore, the operator is warned and the processing is interrupted.

  Subsequently, in step S2514, the control unit 1010 adds “1” to the variable M and the variable N, respectively.

  Next, in step S2515, the control unit 1010 refers to the information on the combination of the paper sizes of the original data stored in the RAM 1030-1, and determines whether or not the information is “A4 single side + A4 single side + A3 single side”. To do.

  In step S2515, when the control unit 1010 determines that the information of the combination of the paper sizes of the original data is “A4 single side + A4 single side + A3 single side”, it is determined whether the variable M is larger than “3” (S2516). .

  If the control unit 1010 determines that the variable M is not greater than “3” as a result of the determination, the process returns to step S2504. On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines that the variable M is greater than “3”, the process proceeds to step S2518.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2515 that the information on the combination of the paper sizes of the original data is not “A4 single side + A4 single side + A3 single side”, the process proceeds to step S2517.

  In step S2517, control unit 1010 determines whether or not variable M is greater than “4”. If it is determined that the variable M is not greater than “4”, the process returns to step S2504. On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines that the variable M is greater than “4”, the process proceeds to step S2518.

  In step S2518, the control unit 1010 determines whether the form abnormality management table exists in the disk device 1030-3.

  If it is determined in step S2518 that the form abnormality management table exists, the process advances to step S2519. In step S2519, the control unit 1010 obtains information on the form abnormality management table, performs a process of changing the page order of the data of the material (original data read in the data of the material), and stores the data. To do. In a step (not shown), the processing content is stored in a log file (created if it does not exist), and the process proceeds to step S2520. In this case, the page number and page replacement content are saved.

  As a result, when the page order of the document data is different from the form, the document data can be matched to the form by changing the order of the original data.

  If the control unit 1010 determines in step S2518 that the form abnormality management table does not exist, the process proceeds to step S2520.

  In step S2520, the control unit 1010 sets “1” to the variable M and proceeds to step S2521.

  In step S2521, the control unit 1010 refers to page N of the material data stored in the disk device 1030-3, and determines whether the page N exists. If the control unit 1010 determines that the Nth page exists, the process returns to step S2504.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines that the Nth page does not exist in step S2521, the process proceeds to step S2522, where the control unit 1010 determines whether a new log file exists in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030. Determine whether.

  If the control unit 1010 determines that there is a new log file in step S2522, the process proceeds to step S2523, and a message dialog with content such as correcting the problem existing in the original data is displayed on the display unit 1040 of the host 10. Display, and the process advances to step S2524.

  In step S2524, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 sets “1” as an initial value to the variable M indicating the page number of the mask position pattern data used for the mask process. Similarly, “1” is set as an initial value in the variable N indicating the page number of the material data, and all the processes are completed.

  As described above, the processing of each step shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 indicates that the operator has a problem with the original data from the dialog, the correctable problem is automatically corrected, and the processing is stopped due to the problem. Each of them can be easily grasped. Then, by referring to the log file, the operator can quickly solve the problem of the original data and smoothly perform reliable document creation.

  Further, the result of the automatically corrected processing can be confirmed by an editing application.

  Furthermore, regarding blank page detection, only the problem page can be replaced with the original page by an editing application, which is more efficient than redoing all operations.

  Next, a process for applying the mask position pattern data created in advance to the original data and a process for saving the data to which the mask is applied will be described with reference to FIG. This process corresponds to the process described in step S2006 of FIG. Note that S2701 to S2710 in FIG.

  In step S2701 of FIG. 27, the control unit 1010 refers to the mask position pattern data file “mask position-A4A4A3-basic.iwd” stored in the disk device 1030-3, and mask data existing on the Mth page. Collect information of all at once.

  In step S2702, the control unit 1010 reads the Nth page data of the material data stored in the disk device 1030-3, and stores the mask data stored in the Nth page data of the material. Reflect the contents.

  Subsequently, the process proceeds to step S2703, and the control unit 1010 adds “1” to the variable M and the variable N, respectively.

  In step S2704, the control unit 1010 refers to the information on the combination of paper sizes of the original data stored in the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030, and whether the information is “A4 single side + A4 single side + A3 single side”. Judge whether or not. If the control unit 1010 determines that the information is “A4 single side + A4 single side + A3 single side”, the process advances to step S2705.

  In step S2705, it is determined whether the variable M is larger than “3”.

  If the control unit 1010 of the host 10 determines in step S2705 that the variable M is not greater than “3”, the process returns to step S2701. On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines that the variable M is greater than “3”, the process proceeds to step S2707.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 1010 determines that the information is not “A4 single side + A4 single side + A3 single side” in step S2704, the process proceeds to step S2706. In step S2706, control unit 1010 determines whether or not variable M is greater than “4”.

  If the control unit 1010 determines in step S2706 that the variable M is not greater than “4”, the process returns to step S2701. On the other hand, when the control unit 1010 determines that the variable M is larger than “4”, the process proceeds to step S2707.

  In step S2707, the control unit 1010 sets “1” to the variable M, and the process proceeds to step S2708.

  In step S2708, the control unit 1010 refers to page N of the material data stored in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030. Then, the control unit 1010 determines whether or not the Nth page exists.

  If the control unit 1010 determines in step S2708 that the Nth page exists, the process returns to step S2701.

  As described above, steps S2701 to S2708 are repeated until the last page of the material, so that even if the original data includes one set of application documents composed of a plurality of paper originals, The mask data can be applied automatically and easily.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S2708 that the Nth page does not exist, the process advances to step S2709.

  In step S2709, the cover data file is specified by referring to the cover data information stored in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030. Then, the page is read as the first page of the material data. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S2710.

  In step S2710, the control unit 1010 saves the material data as a file in the disk device 1030-3 of the storage unit 1030. Thereafter, the control unit 1010 reads the data of the saved material into the RAM 1030-1 of the storage unit 1030 of the host 10. The editing application 40 is activated in such a manner that the contents of the read file are displayed on the host display unit 1040 as shown in FIG.

  Thus, all the processes for applying the mask data created in advance to the original data are completed.

[Examination Document Print Processing]
Next, mask position adjustment, arbitrary mask application processing, and document printing processing that can be executed by the editing application 40 will be described. These are processes corresponding to step S2007 and step S2008 in FIG.

  FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating an example of an editing screen based on the editing application 40. On the screen by the editing application 40, it is possible to confirm the position, size and content of the automatically generated mask data at a fixed position, and confirm the print style, layout, and the like.

  FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing an example of a fourth data processing procedure in the document management system according to the present invention. This corresponds to the data processing procedure (print data creation procedure) executed by the control unit 2010 of the multifunction machine 20 and the control unit 1010 of the host 10 shown in FIG. Note that S3601 to S3615 indicate each step.

  First, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 displays the data of the material created by the material creation application 30 as described above on the screen of the editing application 40 as shown in FIG. By this display, the operator confirms the position, size and content of mask data, print style, layout, and the like (S3601).

  Next, the control unit 1010 determines whether the operator has changed the attributes such as the position, size and color of the fixed position mask data, the type of imposition, etc. in the data of the displayed material (changes the fixed position mask data). It is determined whether or not an operation has been performed (S3602). If it is determined that the operator has changed the mask data at the fixed position in the data of the displayed material, the changed mask data information is stored in the RAM 1030-1 (S3603), and the process proceeds to step S3604. .

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S3602 that the operator has not changed the mask data at the fixed position in the data of the displayed material, the process proceeds to step S3604.

  Subsequently, in step S3604, it is determined whether or not the operator has added arbitrary mask data to the displayed material data (whether or not an operation for adding mask data to an arbitrary position has been performed). If the control unit 1010 determines that the operator has performed an addition operation, the information of the added mask data is stored in the RAM 1030-1 (S3605), and the process proceeds to step S3606.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 1010 determines in step S3604 that the operator has not added any mask data to the data of the displayed material, the process proceeds to the next step (S3606).

  Next, in step S3606, the control unit 1010 determines whether the operator has performed an operation of switching between displaying and hiding mask data in the data of the displayed material. This is arbitrarily executed for the purpose of visually confirming an image present at the masked portion.

  Here, when it is determined that the operator has performed an operation for switching between display and non-display of the mask data using the input screen as shown in FIG. 37, the mask data is displayed in accordance with the display / non-display switching operation by the operator. The control unit 1010 executes the process of switching the non-display so that the operator can visually check the contents of the material (S3607). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S3608.

  FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog regarding print settings. As shown in FIG. 37, mask data print designation / non-print designation and mask data display designation / non-display designation can be performed by checking / unchecking the mask data print designation check box. .

  Here, it is assumed that the mask data is switched to the display state. In this way, when the mask data is switched between the display and non-display states and the subsequent printing is processed, it is possible to easily switch and print both the masked material and the unmasked material.

  Returning to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 3608, the control unit 1010 determines whether or not the operator performs an operation for executing a printing process on the data of the displayed material. If it is determined that the operator has performed an operation to perform printing (printing is performed), a print dialog (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 1040 of the host 10 (S3609).

  In response to a print dialog (not shown), the operator sets an output destination printer, the number of copies, and other items as necessary, and instructs printing. Upon detecting the print execution instruction input by the operator, the control unit 1010 sets a printer (S3610), sets the number of prints (S3611), sets other items as necessary (S3612), and performs print processing. Start (S3613) and move to step S3614.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3608 that the operator has not performed an operation to perform printing (no printing is performed), the process directly proceeds to step S3614.

  Next, in step S3614, the control unit 1010 determines whether or not the operator has performed an operation to end the editing application 40. If it is determined that no operation has been performed, the control unit 1010 returns to step S3602.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3614 that the operator has performed an operation to end the editing application, the control application 1010 ends the editing application 40 (S3615), and ends the processing.

  Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 36, when the operator instructs the saving process in the editing application 40, the control unit 1010 sends the contents corrected in the editing application 40 to the disk device 1030-3. It is assumed that processing is performed to reflect the data of the saved material (in addition to overwriting, it is possible to save with a different name).

  As described above, the control unit 1010 of the host 10 loads and executes the material creation application 30 and the editing application 40 on the RAM 1030-1 so that the mask position pattern data to be selected is referred to and input. The output data is created in a form in which the predetermined area is masked without altering the image existing in the predetermined area of the original data.

  At that time, form recognition is performed for each page of the document data. Then, the control unit 1010 determines whether or not the form recognition result of each page matches the page form information of each page of the form information corresponding to the mask position pattern data. When the control unit 1010 determines that they do not match, various editing processes are executed so as to match the document data with the form information, and a process for creating output data is performed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, final output data appropriately masked can be efficiently created and edited even for a plurality of paper originals having a problem in alignment.

  In addition, the operator does not consciously register the form for recognizing the form, but is automatically registered when the document management apparatus (method) is activated, so that the work efficiency can be greatly improved. Play.

  Furthermore, since the form registration work can be performed separately from the document input process, the document registration process, the mask creation, the mask edit, and the output process for the document, it is possible to divide the work and improve the work efficiency significantly. There are effects such as.

  The medium reading unit 1060 includes any medium reading device such as an FD device, an MO device, a CD-ROM device, and an IC memory card device. Furthermore, the recording medium read by the medium reading unit 1050 may be any recording medium such as an HDD, MO, CD-ROM, or IC memory card.

  The configuration of a data processing program that can be read by the document management system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the memory map shown in FIG.

  FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining a memory map of a storage medium (recording medium) that stores various data processing programs readable by the document management system according to the present invention.

  Although not particularly illustrated, information for managing a program group stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, creator, etc. is also stored, and information depending on the OS on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons may also be stored.

  Further, data depending on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs in the computer, and a program for decompressing when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.

  The functions shown in FIGS. 13, 18, 20 to 27, and 36 in this embodiment may be performed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when an information group including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Is.

  As described above, a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by reading and executing the programmed program code.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Therefore, as long as it has the function of the program, the form of the program such as an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, or script data supplied to the OS is not limited.

  As a storage medium for supplying the program, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD, etc. Can be used.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

  As another program supply method, a browser of a client computer is used to connect to a homepage on the Internet, and the computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is stored on a recording medium such as a hard disk from the homepage. It can also be supplied by downloading. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server, an ftp server, and the like that allow a plurality of operators to download program files for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer are also included in the claims of the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to the operator, and key information for decryption is downloaded from the homepage via the Internet to an operator who has cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) or the like running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

10 Host 20 Multifunction machine 30 Document creation application 40 Document editing application

Claims (9)

First storage means for storing a plurality of pages of document data as a file;
Second storage means for storing a plurality of pages of mask position pattern data as a file;
Applying means for applying the page order pattern data sequentially read from the mask position pattern data of the second storage means to each of the page order document data sequentially read from the first storage means;
A document management apparatus comprising:   2. The document management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document data is composed of pages of different sizes.   2. The document processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of files of the mask position pattern data are stored, and the mask position pattern applied by the applying unit is one of the plurality of files.   2. The document management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mask position pattern data is created by arranging a mask position designation object on electronic data obtained by scanning a form. A document management method for a document management apparatus having first storage means and second storage means,
A first storage step in which the control means stores a plurality of pages of document data in the first storage means as a file;
A second storage step in which the control means stores a plurality of pages of mask position pattern data as a file in the second storage means;
Applying step of applying means applies the first sequential page order of the pattern data read from the mask position pattern data in the second storage means to sequentially read each page order of the original data from the storage means When,
A document management method characterized by comprising:   6. The document management method according to claim 5, wherein the document data is composed of pages of different sizes.   6. The document processing method according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of files of the mask position pattern data are stored, and the mask position pattern applied in the applying step is one of the plurality.   6. The document management method according to claim 5, wherein the mask position pattern data is created by arranging a mask position designation object on electronic data obtained by scanning a form.   The program for functioning a computer as a means of the document management apparatus of any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4.

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