JP2895883B2 - Layouter for flyers and catalogs - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for allocating flyers and catalogs, and more particularly to an apparatus for allocating flyers and catalogs that performs an allocating operation interactively while looking at a display screen.

[Prior Art] In printed materials such as flyers and catalogs, it is necessary to properly assign photographs and character strings of many commodities in one printed material. Recently, an allocating device that can perform such an allocating operation using a computer has been used. In this type of device, a photograph or a character string of each product is input to a computer as digital data. Then, an image based on these data is displayed on the display screen to perform an assignment operation.
The operator can specify the position of arranging a photograph or a character string for a specific product while looking at the display screen, and can change the magnification and the inclination as needed to allocate the product. Since the assignment result is stored in the form of data stored in the memory of the computer, the assignment correction can be easily performed, and the operator can proceed with the assignment in an interactive manner with the computer. .

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the conventional allocating apparatus has a problem in that it is difficult to specify a position for arranging an allocation target such as a photograph image of a product or a character string at a predetermined position on a display screen. In particular, it is difficult to specify a position when arranging an allocation target at a position at a certain distance from a target allocation frame or auxiliary line displayed on the display screen. If the position is specified by the unit of division, accurate allocation cannot be performed. However, when trying to make accurate assignments,
An operation such as drawing another auxiliary line is required at a position at a predetermined distance from the target allocation frame or auxiliary line, and the operation becomes extremely complicated.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flyer / catalog layout device which can easily specify the position of a layout target.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention provides a product data input device for inputting product data relating to a product to be published in a flyer / catalog, an allocation instruction input device for inputting an allocation instruction from an operator, and a device for inputting product data based on the input allocation instruction. A layout device for allocating flyers and catalogs, comprising: an allocation work device for performing the allocation work; an allocation result output device for outputting the result of the allocation work; and a display device for displaying the progress of the allocation work on a screen. And a reference point designating device for designating one point on the display screen as a reference point, a predetermined point on an area rectangle defined for each product data as an area required for allocation, and a position of the reference point Amount specifying device that specifies the offset amount that indicates the spatial gap, and how the area rectangle is And assignment pattern specified device to specify the allocation pattern indicating whether kicking a provided, the allocation working device, a reference point, offset, and based on the assignment pattern in which remembering function of performing assignment operations.

[Action]

In the flyer / catalog layout device according to the present invention,
The offset amount can be determined in advance. And
When a reference point is designated, actual assignment is performed at a position separated from the designated reference point by an offset amount. Therefore, when it is desired to assign the layout frame or the auxiliary line displayed on the screen of the display device to a position separated by a predetermined distance, the distance corresponding to the gap is determined as the offset amount, What is necessary is just to specify the point on an auxiliary line as a reference point. For this reason, the position designation work for the assignment becomes very easy. In addition, since the allocation positional relationship with respect to the reference point can be designated as an allocation pattern, more flexible allocation work can be performed.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a flyer / catalog allocating apparatus according to the present invention. The product data input device 1
This is a device for inputting product data on products to be published in flyers and catalogs. Here, the product data includes data such as a photograph of the product, a character string indicating the product name and the price, and the like, as well as graphic data indicating a plain mesh area. Specifically, in this embodiment, an input scanner device is used as a device for inputting a photograph of a product, and a word processor is used as a device for inputting a character string. In the case of a photograph, it is input as raster data of an image, and in the case of a character string, it is input as a character code (including a series and a typeface code). The allocation instruction input device 2 is a device for inputting an allocation instruction from an operator, and a device such as a keyboard and a mouse can be used. The allocating work device 3 is a device that performs allocating work on input product data based on the input allocating instruction, and is specifically realized by hardware constituting a computer main body and software for operating the same. . The final result of the assignment work is output from the assignment result output device 4, and the progress of the work is sequentially displayed on the display device 5. As the allocation result output device 4, an output scanner device, a printer or the like is used. Normally, the operator gives an output instruction to the assignment result output device 4 after completing the assignment work. On the other hand, the display device 5 has a function of always displaying the allocation state at that time. Therefore, when the operator inputs an allocation instruction from the allocation instruction input device 2 and the allocation work device 3 performs an operation of allocating predetermined product data to a predetermined position according to the instruction, the result is immediately displayed on the display device 5. You. Since the operator can confirm the allocation result based on the instruction given by the operator on the display device 5, the operator can perform the allocation operation in an interactive manner.

The feature of this device is that an offset amount specifying device 6, an allocation pattern specifying device 7, and a reference point specifying device 8 are further provided. These three devices have a function of giving an assignment instruction by a method different from the conventional assignment instruction input device 2, and all three devices are connected to software in the computer used as the assignment work device 3 and this computer. And an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse.

The assignment instructions given by these three devices are convenient when assigning an assignment target at a position separated by a predetermined distance from an assignment frame or an auxiliary line on the display screen of the display device 5. Hereinafter, the assignment operation, which is a feature of the present invention, will be described with reference to specific examples. Now, for example,
As shown in the figure, an allocation frame 10 is displayed on the display screen of the display device 5, and a photograph of the product is displayed in the allocation frame 10.
The task of allocating 11 and description 12 shall be performed. In the assignment work according to the present invention, it is necessary to define an area rectangle for each product data. This area rectangle is a rectangle indicating a standard of an area necessary for allocating the product data. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the region rectangle 13 of the photograph 11 is a circumscribed rectangle of the photograph 11, and the region rectangle 14 of the description 12 is a rectangle surrounding the character string of the description. There are various other definitions for the area rectangle. In short, any rectangle may be used as long as the rectangle is defined so as to indicate a rough area such as a photograph or a description to be allocated. However,
When the position of the region rectangle is determined, the relative position between the allocation target and the region rectangle needs to be defined so that the position of the allocation target such as a photograph or a description is uniquely determined.

Now, when the layout frame 10 as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed, the operator assigns the offset amount to the offset amount designating device 6 in order to allocate the photograph 11 to the position shown in the layout frame 10. Make the specified input. In the case of this example, the offset Δx1, between the upper left corner point P1 of the allocation frame 10 (this point is later specified as a reference point) and the upper left corner point Q1 of the area rectangle 13, is set as the offset amount. Specify Δy1 as the offset amount. This may be input numerically using an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse. Subsequently, the operator performs an input to the assignment pattern designation device 7 to designate an assignment pattern. In the apparatus of this embodiment, nine allocation patterns as shown in FIG. 3 are prepared, and a display as shown in FIG. 3 is made on a part of the display screen of the display device 5. The operator instructs one of the displays shown in FIG. As a result, one of the nine allocation patterns is specified. When allocating the photograph 11 in FIG. 2, it is preferable to select the allocation pattern “upper left”. Finally, the operator performs an input to the reference point specifying device 8 to specify the position of the reference point. This can be done by pointing one point P1 on the screen of the display device 5 using an input device such as a mouse.

When the above input is performed, the allocating work device 3 performs a work of allocating the photograph 11 to a position as shown in FIG. Here, the procedure of this assignment work will be described as follows. It is assumed that a two-dimensional xy coordinate system as shown in the lower left of FIG. 2 is defined on this screen. First, when listing the information given to the layout work device 3, the position coordinate values (Xp1, Yp1) of the reference point P1, the offset amounts Δx1, Δy1, and the information indicating that the layout pattern is “upper left” And Therefore, the position coordinate value (Xq1, Yq1) of the allocation point Q1 is obtained from the information as follows.

Xq1 = Xp1 + Δx1 Yq1 = Yp1−Δy1 With this, the position of the allocation point Q1 is determined.
The position of the region rectangle 13 is determined so that Q1 matches the upper left corner point of the region rectangle 13. Note that each side of the region rectangle is always allocated in such a direction as to be parallel to either of the xy coordinate axes. This means that the photograph 11 has been allocated to the position shown in FIG.

Generally, the reference point P (Xp, Yp) and the offset amounts Δx, Δy
Is given, the allocation point Q (Xq, Yq) is obtained as follows in accordance with the specified allocation pattern, and the position of the region rectangle is determined.

(1) In the case of an allocation pattern of “upper left”, an allocation point Q is obtained from the equation Xq = Xp + Δx Yq = Yp−Δy, and the position is determined such that the upper left corner point of the region rectangle coincides with the allocation point Q (described above). Photo 11
).

(2) In the case of an allocation pattern of "lower left" The allocation point Q is obtained from the following equation: Xq = Xp + Δx Yq = Yp + Δy, and the position is determined so that the lower left corner point of the area rectangle coincides with the allocation point Q.

For example, for the description 12, the assignment pattern “lower left” is specified, and Δx2, Δy2 are given as offset amounts.
If the reference point P2 (Xp2, Yp2) is designated, the allocation point Q2 (Xp2 + Δx2, Yp2 + Δy2) is determined as shown in FIG. Done.

(3) In the case of the allocation pattern "upper right" The allocation point Q is obtained from the equation Xq = Xp- [Delta] x Yq = Yp- [Delta] y, and the position is determined so that the upper right corner point of the area rectangle coincides with the allocation point Q.

(4) In the case of an allocation pattern of "lower right" The allocation point Q is obtained from the following equation: Xq = Xp-Δx Yq = Yp + Δy, and the position is determined so that the lower right corner point of the area rectangle coincides with the allocation point Q.

In the case of vertical, horizontal, and center layout patterns,
It is as follows.

(5) In the case of the “left” allocation pattern The allocation point Q is obtained from the equation Xq = Xp + Δx Yq = Yp, and the position is determined so that the middle point on the left side of the area rectangle coincides with the allocation point Q.

For example, let us consider a case where a photo 21 is allocated in an allocation frame 20 being displayed as shown in FIG. In this case, the assignment pattern “left” is designated, Δx3 is given as the offset amount (Δy3 is unnecessary), and the reference point P3 (Xp3, Yp3) is designated.
3 (Xp3 + Δx3, Yp3) is determined, and the area rectangle is
Assignment is made so that the middle point of the left side of 22 matches.

(6) In the case of the “right” allocation pattern: The allocation point Q is obtained from the equation Xq = Xp−Δx Yq = Yp, and the position is determined so that the middle point of the right side of the region rectangle coincides with the allocation point Q.

For example, consider a case in which, when an allocation frame 20 is displayed as shown in FIG. 4, a description 23 is allocated in this frame. In this case, the assignment pattern “right” is designated, Δx4 is given as the offset amount (Δy4 is unnecessary), and if the reference point P4 (Xp4, Yp4) is designated, the assignment point Q4 (Xp4− Δx4, Yp4) is determined, and allocation is performed such that the middle point on the right side of the area rectangle 24 coincides with the allocation point Q4.

(7) In the case of the “upper” allocation pattern The allocation point Q is obtained from the equation Xq = Xp Yq = Yp−Δy, and the position is determined so that the middle point of the upper side of the region rectangle coincides with the allocation point Q.

For example, consider a case in which, when the allocation frame 30 is displayed as shown in FIG. 5, the photograph 31 is allocated in this frame. In this case, the allocation pattern “up” is specified, Δy5 is given as the offset amount (Δx5 is unnecessary), and the reference point P5 (Xp5, Yp5) is specified.
5 (Xp5, Yp5-Δy5) is determined, and an area rectangle is set at this allocation point Q5.
Assignment is made so that the midpoints of the upper 32 sides match.

(8) In the case of the “lower” allocation pattern, the allocation point Q is obtained from the equation Xq = Xp Yq = Yp + Δy, and the position is determined so that the middle point of the lower side of the region rectangle coincides with the allocation point Q.

For example, consider a case in which, when an allocation frame 30 is displayed as shown in FIG. 5, a description 33 is allocated in this frame. In this case, the assignment pattern “lower” is designated, Δy6 is given as the offset amount (Δx6 is unnecessary), and the reference point P6 (Xp6, Yp6) is designated. Then, the assignment point Q6 (Xp6, Yp6 + Δy6) is determined, and allocation is performed such that the middle point of the lower side of the area rectangle 34 coincides with the allocation point Q6.

(9) In the case of an allocation pattern of “center”, an allocation point Q is obtained from an equation of Xq = Xp Yq = Yp (that is, the reference point P and the allocation point Q coincide with each other). Position is determined so that they match.

For example, consider a case in which, when the allocation frame 40 is displayed as shown in FIG. 6, the photograph 41 is allocated in this frame. In this case, the assignment pattern “center” is specified (the offset amount need not be specified), and the reference point P7 (Xp7, Yp
If 7) is specified, the allocation point Q7 (Xp7, Yp7) is calculated by the above formula.
Is determined, and allocation is performed such that the center point of the area rectangle 42 matches the allocation point Q7.

As described above, according to the apparatus of this embodiment, the assignment operation to a desired position can be easily performed by freely selecting nine assignment patterns and designating the offset amount and the reference point. In addition, various patterns can be prepared in addition to the nine patterns shown here. In addition, as an assignment target, a photograph and a description have been described as an example here, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to any assignment target. Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the reference point is set on the allocation frame, but the position where the reference point is set is not limited to the allocation frame. For example,
An auxiliary line that is displayed only on the display device may be drawn, and a reference point may be set on this auxiliary line, or a reference point may be set on an allocation target that has already been allocated. Of course, it is possible to take any point on the screen.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the flyer / catalog layout apparatus according to the present invention, the layout is performed by selecting several layout patterns prepared in advance and further specifying the offset amount and the reference point. Can be easily assigned to the position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a leaflet / catalog allocating apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an operation of selecting an upper left and lower left allocation pattern by the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view showing an allocation pattern prepared in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a view showing "left" and "right" by the apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen when an assignment operation is being performed by selecting an assignment pattern that is different from that shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen when an assignment pattern “center” is selected by the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to perform an assignment operation. 10 ... layout frame, 11 ... product photo, 12 ... product description, 13 ...
Area rectangle, 14 ... area rectangle, 20 ... layout frame, 21 ... product photograph, 22 ... area rectangle, 23 ... product description, 24 ... area rectangle,
30 ... layout frame, 31 ... product picture, 32 ... area rectangle, 33 ... product description, 34 ... area rectangle, 40 ... layout frame, 41 ... product picture, 42 ... area rectangle.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Koji Kotani, Inventor 1-1-1, Ichigaya-Kaga-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (72) Takashi Sekiguchi 1-1, Ichigaga-cho, Ichigaya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. 1 Inside Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-62-44879 (JP, A) JP-A-62-44886 (JP, A) JP-A-60-181743 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G03F 1/00-1/16

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A product data input device for inputting product data relating to a product to be published in a flyer / catalog, an allocation instruction input device for inputting an allocation instruction from an operator, and the product based on the input allocation instruction. An assignment device for assigning data to a data, an assignment result output device for outputting a result of the assignment job, and a display device for displaying a progress of the assignment job on a screen, the A reference point designating device for designating one point on the display screen of the display device as a reference point; a predetermined point on an area rectangle defined for each product data as a standard of an area necessary for performing allocation; An offset amount specifying device for specifying an offset amount indicating a positional difference between the reference point and a reference point; An assignment pattern designating device that designates an assignment pattern indicating whether or not the area rectangle is assigned to the relationship, wherein the assignment work device performs an assignment operation based on the reference point, the offset amount, and the assignment pattern. An apparatus for allocating flyers and catalogs, comprising: