JP4840981B2 - Data processing apparatus and processing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus that acquires and processes data and a processing method thereof.

  Conventionally, on a personal computer (PC), the captured image data can be pasted on another document by user operation, and the layout can be freely edited.

In addition, there is a printer that can perform layout printing by arranging an image acquired by a scanning operation at an arbitrary position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2005-111668 A

  When an image scanned with a digital multi-function peripheral or an image captured with a digital camera is to be pasted to another document, a processing operation is required, and thus image data has to be taken into a PC. However, if an image is to be pasted in a predetermined format each time, the operation on the PC is troublesome, and the intended printed matter cannot be obtained immediately on the spot.

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, since scanned images are arranged in order according to a preset layout, it is necessary to scan data every time, and the user cannot reuse the scanned data once.

The present invention acquires data based on the data acquisition method defined in the document set definition file, registers the data output by layout, together with the document set, and outputs the data again with the same layout as the previously output layout. With the goal.

The present invention relates to a processing method of a data processing apparatus that lays out and outputs acquired data, wherein a document set acquisition unit is specified from among a document set having a definition file defining the data acquisition method and layout information. A first document set acquisition step for acquiring the document set from the database, and the data acquisition means acquires data based on the data acquisition method defined in the document set definition file acquired in the first document set acquisition step. first data acquisition step, the output means, a first output step of outputting on the basis of data obtained by the first data acquisition step to the layout information, the data registration unit, the first data a data registration step of registering the data obtained by the obtaining step in the registration destination, the To enable re-use of the data acquired in the first data acquisition step, customizing means, a definition file that the data registered in the registration destination to define the data acquisition method to obtain from the registration destination A customization step for customizing, a document set registration unit for registering a document set including the definition file customized in the customization step and the layout information in the database, and the document set acquisition unit, When a document set registered in the database is specified in the document set registration step, the document set definition file is customized in the customization step and registered in the database in the document set registration step. A second set of documents acquisition step of acquiring a Le from said database, said data acquisition means, said customized with customization process, data based on the second document set definition file of the acquired document set at the acquisition step A second data acquisition step of acquiring data from the registration destination, and a second output step of outputting the data acquired in the second data acquisition step based on the layout information. It is characterized by.

The present invention is also a data processing apparatus , comprising: a document set acquisition means for acquiring a specified document set from a database among a document set having a definition file defining a data acquisition method and layout information; and the document set a data acquisition means for acquiring data based on the defined data acquisition method in the definition file of the document set obtained by acquisition means, and output means for outputting on the basis of the data acquired by the data acquiring means to the layout information, Data registration means for registering data acquired by the data acquisition means in a registration destination, and data registered in the registration destination from the registration destination in order to enable reuse of the data acquired by the data acquisition means. Definition file that defines the data acquisition method to acquire And customization means to customize a document set including a customized definition file and the layout information in the customized device and a document set registration means for registering in the database, said document set acquisition unit, the document set registered when the document set registered in the database means is designated, is customized by the customization means, the document set registered in the database in the document set registration means obtained from said database, said data acquisition means , is customized by the customization unit acquires data from the registration destination based on the retrieved document set definition file in the document set acquisition means, said output hand Is characterized by outputting based on data obtained from the registration destination by the data acquisition means to the layout information.

According to the present invention, data acquired based on the data acquisition method defined in the document set definition file, laid out and output is registered together with the document set, and output again in the same layout as the previously output layout. This can be done by specifying a document set .

  The best mode for carrying out the invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a system for generating and printing a document in which a user lays out a desired image using an embedded device such as a digital multifunction peripheral having a plurality of functions will be described.

  Specifically, on an embedded device such as a digital multi-function peripheral, image data acquired by a scanning operation or photographing by a digital camera is merged into a specific layout to generate a document. At that time, the user can generate a document more easily by making the acquisition method customizable according to the user's request such as reusing the acquired image data, scanning every time, photographing.

  Furthermore, when the user wants to re-edit a document set once customized, it can be easily changed on the digital multi-function peripheral. Here, the re-editing is performed when, for example, it is desired to update data registered in an ASP (Application Service Provider) server or when a scanning operation is to be changed to a photographing operation of a digital camera.

[First Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, a description will be given of a process for controlling an acquisition method such as reusing a registered image or scanning with a digital multi-function peripheral when a user lays out an image into a document so as to be customizable according to the user's request. .

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a document set customization system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the document set customization system 101 includes a display screen 102, an application execution unit 103, an application 104, and a job execution unit 106.

  Here, the display screen 102 displays a user interface (UI) screen of the application 104. The application execution unit 103 operates an application. The application 104 acquires data by the ASP server 105 or a scanning operation, and generates a document designated by the user. Details of the application 104 will be described later.

  The job execution unit 106 receives instructions from the display screen 102 or the application 104, and executes and processes jobs such as a print 107, a copy 108, a scan 109, and a save in folder 110.

  In the application 104, a UI display unit 111 displays a UI screen for a user operation on the display screen 102. An operation request transmission unit 112 requests a document set processing unit and an output data generation unit, which will be described later, in accordance with user operations such as document set selection, scanning operation, and document set customization request. A document set DB (database) 113 stores a document set for generating a document. Reference numeral 114 denotes a document set processing unit, which customizes a document set in accordance with transmission of the document set to the UI display unit 111 and a user's request.

  Reference numeral 115 denotes an output data generation unit that acquires data by the server 105 or a scanning operation, performs merging based on specific layout information, and performs data generation processing for executing a job. Reference numeral 116 denotes a temporary folder that temporarily stores data acquired by a scanning operation. Reference numeral 117 denotes an acquired data processing unit that performs processing of passing data acquired by a scanning operation to the output data generating unit 115 or registering it in the server 105.

  A job execution instruction unit 118 receives a request for the print 107, scan 109, and save in folder 110 from the operation request transmission unit 112 and the output data generation unit 115, and transmits the request to the job execution unit 106. If the execution instruction is a job of scan 109, the storage location of the data after the scan is transmitted to the acquired data processing unit 117.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a module configuration of an application according to the first embodiment. In the document set processing unit 114, reference numeral 201 denotes a document set transmission process, which passes the document set to the operation request transmission unit 112, the output data generation unit 115, and a document set customization process described later. A document set DB management process 202 acquires a document set from the document set DB 113 or stores a new document set in the document set DB 113. A document set customization process 203 customizes the document set according to the user's request, and passes the document set to the document set DB management process 202.

  Next, in the output data generation unit 115, 204 is a data acquisition process, in which data is acquired from the server 105 or a scan operation is requested to the operation request transmission unit 112, and scanned data is acquired from the acquisition data processing unit 117. To do. Data merge processing 205 merges the data acquired in the data acquisition processing 204 based on the layout file transmitted from the document set transmission processing 201.

  A layout process 206 lays out the data merged by the data merge process 205. A rendering process 207 renders the data subjected to the layout process in the layout process 206 and passes the generated data to the job execution command unit 118.

  Next, in the acquisition data processing unit 117, 208 is an acquisition data transmission process, which notifies each process of the data acquired by the scanning operation, the storage location of the acquisition data, and the registration destination of the acquisition data. Reference numeral 209 denotes acquired data storage processing, which stores the storage location of acquired data. Reference numeral 210 denotes an acquisition data registration process in which acquisition data is registered in a designated registration destination.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document set stored in the document set DB 113 of the document set customization system. This document set is composed of a data acquisition definition file in which a data acquisition method is defined and a layout file in which data layout information is described.

  First, description contents of the data acquisition definition file will be described. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a title of a document set. Is described. Reference numeral 302 denotes an acquisition table indicating an acquisition destination table. In this example, “Product” is defined. Reference numeral 303 denotes an acquisition field indicating a field of the acquisition table 302 from which data is acquired. In this example, the field is defined to acquire data of each field of “Name, Price, Numbers”.

  Reference numeral 304 denotes an acquisition address, which is an actual address where the acquisition table 302 is stored. Reference numeral 305 denotes a definition relating to image acquisition, which defines whether the image is acquired by a user's scanning operation, acquired from the server 105, or acquired from an external terminal device (for example, a camera). In this example, “Product.Image” is described, and it is defined that the user acquires it by a scanning operation. Reference numeral 306 denotes a definition relating to a registration destination field, which is described as “Image” in this example, and defines a field name for registering an image acquired by a scanning operation.

  Next, description of the layout file will be described. “Product.Name” shown in 311 means that “Name” described in the acquisition field 303 from “Product” in the acquisition table 302 is merged as a product name. “Product.Price” shown in 312 means that “Price” is merged as the current price, and “Product.Numbers” shown in 313 means that “Numbers” is merged as the remaining number. “Product.Image” indicated by 314 means that an image acquired by the scanning operation is pasted.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print result of a document generated from the document set shown in FIG. “Note PC”, “90,000”, and “10”, which are data acquired from the server 105, are merged into the product name, current price, and remaining number shown in FIG. 3, and a scanned image is pasted as an image.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data acquisition definition file of a customized document set. This example is a customized data acquisition definition file when a user requests reuse of a scanned image scanned with the document set shown in FIG. Here, the acquired image processing unit 117 uploads the scanned image to “Image” in the registration destination field 306 described. Then, the document set processing unit 114 newly creates a document set obtained by changing a part of the data acquisition definition file included in the document set, and stores it in the document set DB 113.

  Thereafter, by using the customized document set, the user can generate a document using the same image without performing a scanning operation. In addition, when a scanning operation is performed every time, a new document set is not created. If it is desired to change the image once registered in the server 105, the document set before customization is selected, the document set is corrected and registered again.

  Here, processing in which the application 104 in the document set customization system customizes a document set will be described. First, an outline of processing performed by the application 104 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6, and then detailed processing performed by each unit will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the application 104 in the first embodiment. First, when processing is started by the application 104, a list of document sets stored in the document set DB 113 is displayed on the display screen 102 (S601). Next, it waits for the user to request a document generation process from the document set list display (S602). When the user designates a desired document set from the list and requests a document generation process (Yes in S602), the application 104 starts the document generation process.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the user performs a scanning operation in a desired document generation process. This process is a process for determining based on the data acquisition definition file of the document set designated by the user. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when a registration destination is defined, it is determined that a scanning operation is necessary. If it is determined that it is necessary (Yes in S603), the user is requested to perform a scanning operation (S604). When the user designates a scan operation, the scan job 109 is executed by the job execution unit 106.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 5, when an image is defined in the acquisition field, it is determined that a scan operation is not necessary (No in S603), and the process proceeds to S605 without requiring any user.

  Next, the application 104 acquires data based on the data acquisition definition file (S605). Then, the data acquired in S605 is merged according to the layout file to generate a document, and then a printing process is performed (S606).

  Next, when the user requests to reuse the scan data (Yes in S607), the scan data is registered in the server 105 (S608). Then, as shown in FIG. 5, a document set in which the registration destination field is customized is generated (S609). If there is no request to reuse the scan data from the user (No in S607), this process ends.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing of the operation request transmission unit 112 of the application 104. If the request is from the UI display unit 111 (S701), if the request is a document set list request (Yes in S702), the list is requested from the document set processing unit 114, and the acquired list is displayed in the UI display unit 111. (S703). As described above, the document set list display in S601 of FIG. 6 is performed.

  If the request is a document generation request (S602 in FIG. 6) (Yes in S704), the designated document set is transmitted to the document set processing unit 114 (S705). If the request is a document set customization request (Yes in S706), the document set processing unit 114 is requested to customize the designated document set (S707). An example of this customization request is a scan data reuse request in S607 of FIG.

  If the request is a request for re-editing a document set that has already been customized (Yes in S708), the document set processing unit 114 is requested for a document set before customization. Then, the acquired document set is transmitted to the UI display unit 111 (S709). The process of S709 is a process when the user wants to change the registered data later when the scan data is already registered in the server 105 and there is a customized document set.

  On the other hand, if it is not a request from the UI display unit 111 in S701 but a request from the output data generation unit 115 (Yes in S710), it is determined whether or not the content is a scan operation request (S711). If the request is a scan operation request (Yes in S711), the UI display unit 111 is requested to perform a scan operation, and the job execution command unit 118 is requested to execute a job of the scan job 109 (S712). This request for scanning operation corresponds to the request in S604 of FIG. By executing this scan job, the document is read and scan data is acquired.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing of the document set processing unit 114 of the application 104. First, when the document set transmission processing 201 acquires a document set from the operation request transmission unit 112 (Yes in S801), the document set is transmitted to the output data generation unit 115 (S802). When a list of document sets is requested from the operation request transmission unit 112 (Yes in S803), the document set DB management process 202 acquires a list from the document set DB 113. Then, the list is transmitted to the operation request transmission unit 112 via the document set transmission process 201 (S804).

  When the operation request transmission unit 112 requests a document set before customization (Yes in S805), the document set DB management process 202 acquires the document set before customization from the document set DB 113. Then, the document set is transmitted to the operation request transmission unit 112 via the document set transmission process 201 (S806).

  If the request from the operation request transmission unit 112 is document set customization (Yes in S807), the document set customization processing 203 transmits the acquired data name and the data registration destination to the acquired data processing unit 117. Then, registration of data is requested (S808). The acquired data name is, for example, the name of scan data. Next, the document set customization process 203 creates a customized document set reflecting the information of the registered data (S809). The creation of the customized document set corresponds to the generation of the customized document set in S609 of FIG. Then, the document set DB management process 202 stores the created document set in the document set DB 113 (S810). This document set is added to the list of the document set DB 113, and when S601 in FIG. 6 is executed again, the list includes the added document set.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing processing of the output data generation unit 115 of the application 104. This process is started when a document generation is requested in S602 of FIG. 6 (S704 of S7) (when a document set is transmitted in S802 of FIG. 8). First, if it is necessary to acquire image data by a scanning operation (Yes in S901), a scanning operation is requested to the operation request transmitting unit 112 (S902), and scanning data is requested to the obtaining data processing unit 117 and obtained ( S903). The determination at S901 corresponds to the determination at S603 in FIG.

  Whether or not a scan operation is necessary is determined based on the data acquisition definition file included in the document set.

  Further, the processing from S903 to S905 is repeated as long as the scanning operation is necessary.

  If the data acquisition process 204 needs to acquire data (Yes in S904), the data is acquired from the server 105 (S905). This data acquisition corresponds to the data acquisition in S605 of FIG. Whether data needs to be acquired is determined based on a data acquisition definition file included in the document set. The data acquired from the server 105 is field data acquired by the acquisition table described in the data acquisition definition file, and includes image data if any.

  Next, when all the data acquisition is completed, the data merge process 205 executes a merge process between the layout file and the acquired data (S906). The layout process 206 lays out (S907), and the rendering process 207 renders (S908). The merge, layout, and rendering processes described above correspond to document generation in S606 of FIG. Finally, the generated data is transferred to the job execution command unit 118, and execution of the print job 107 is requested (S909).

  Here, an example is given in which the processing moves to the data merge processing 205 after all the data acquisition is completed in the data acquisition processing 204. However, the data merge process 205 may request the data acquisition process 204 for necessary data during the layout file merge process, and the data acquisition process 204 may acquire the required data each time it is requested.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the acquisition data processing unit 117 of the application 104. First, when there is an acquisition data request from the output data generation unit 115 (S1001-Yes), the acquisition data transmission processing 208 acquires the acquisition image data from the temporary folder 116 (S1002), and acquires the acquisition image data in the output data generation unit 115. Transmit (S1003). An example of this acquisition data request is a request for scan data in S905 of FIG.

  The storage location of the scanned image is notified to the acquired data storage processing 209 by the job execution command unit 118. Therefore, the acquisition data transmission process 208 obtains image data by listening to the storage location of the scanned image from the acquisition data storage process 209.

  On the other hand, when there is a data registration request from the document set processing unit 114 (Yes in S1004), data to be registered is acquired from the temporary folder 116 (S1005). In the temporary folder 116, for example, scan data is temporarily stored. Then, the acquired data registration process 210 registers the data in the designated registration destination (S1006). This registration corresponds to the data registration in S608 of FIG.

  In addition, since the generation of the document is finished and the acquired data is no longer necessary, when there is a data deletion request from the document set processing unit (Yes in S1007), the acquired data storage process 209 deletes the data from the temporary folder 116 ( S1008).

  According to the first embodiment, it is possible to generate and output a document using a scanned image or a server image on a digital multifunction peripheral, and it is not necessary to use a PC.

  In addition, since it is possible on the digital multifunction peripheral to generate a document set reflecting the acquisition method desired by the user, change the acquisition method of the generated document set, and update reuse data, the user can generate a document more easily.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the first embodiment, merged data and image data are acquired from the server 105 or by a scanning operation. However, there may be a case where data is acquired by photographing with a digital camera. In this case, as an acquisition method for acquiring image data, the user is allowed to select a scan operation or a captured image of a digital camera.

  In addition, text information can also be input by the user from the UI screen, and a document can be generated without accessing the server. If you want to reuse the data, save it in the database inside the system and use it.

  In the second embodiment, a case will be described in which image data captured by a digital camera is selected to generate a document, and a document set is customized.

  Hereinafter, a document set customization system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the entire document set customization system and an application module configuration according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 used in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  1101 shown in FIG. 11 is an application in the second embodiment. In the application 1101, reference numeral 1111 denotes a captured image acquisition unit that captures an image captured by the digital camera 1112, stores it in the temporary folder 116, and notifies the acquired data storage processing 209 of the storage location.

  Reference numeral 1112 denotes a digital camera, which is photographed by the user in order to acquire an image for document generation. Reference numeral 1113 denotes a system internal database of the application 1101 that stores an image when the user requests to reuse an image scanned by the user or an image taken by the digital camera 1112.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document set according to the second embodiment. Also in the second embodiment, it is assumed that the document set includes a data acquisition definition file and a layout file and is stored in the document set DB 113. Here, differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  First, in the data acquisition definition file shown in FIG. 12, reference numeral 1201 denotes an acquired character string, which is a definition of a character string that the user inputs from the UI screen. In this example, the input of the apartment name “House.Name”, the rent “House.Price”, the nearest station name “House.Station”, and the required time “House.Time” are defined. Reference numeral 1202 denotes a definition relating to image acquisition, which defines whether the image is acquired by a user's scanning operation or an image captured by the digital camera 1112 is acquired. In this example, two images “House.Image1” and “House.Image2” are defined to be acquired. Reference numeral 1103 denotes a definition relating to a registration destination path. Here, a registration path when an acquired image is stored in the system internal database 1113 is defined. The acquired image 1202 will be further described later.

  Next, description of the layout file will be described. In the layout file of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the names described in the data acquisition definition file are merged at the merge position of the acquired data.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a print result of a document generated from the document set shown in FIG. Here, “House.Name”, “House.Price”, “House.Station”, and “House.Time” have the data “Omura Mansion”, “100,000”, “Omura” “Walk 10” are merged. Further, an appearance photograph of the apartment taken by the digital camera 1112 is pasted on “House.Image1”, and a floor plan of the apartment acquired by the scanning operation is pasted on “House.Image2”.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a data acquisition definition file of a customized document set according to the second embodiment. This example is an example in which the user fixes the current image acquisition method. Here, “House.Image1” always captures an image captured by a digital camera, and “House.Image2” always captures a scanned image. If the method for acquiring an image is determined every time, the user can save time and effort by fixing the acquisition method in this way. Moreover, it is not necessary to remember that the layout is such that an appearance photograph is placed on the left side and a floor plan is placed on the right side. If the image data is to be reused, the acquired data is stored in the internal database 1113, and the storage destination and the stored image name are described in the data acquisition definition file.

  Here, processing for customizing a document set by the application 1101 in the document set customization system will be described. First, an outline of processing performed by the application 1101 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15, and then detailed processing performed by each unit will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing processing of the application 1101 in the second embodiment. First, when processing is started by the application 1101, a list of document sets stored in the document set DB 113 is displayed on the display screen 102 (S1501). Next, it waits for the user to request a document generation process from the document set list display (S1502). When the user designates a desired document set from the list and requests a document generation process (Yes in S1502), the application 1101 starts the document generation process.

  Next, the user determines whether or not character string information is necessary in a desired document generation process. If necessary (Yes in S1503), the user is requested to input a character string (S1504). Is acquired (S1505). Next, when an acquired image is necessary (S1506-Yes), the user is requested to select an image acquisition method (S1507), and data is acquired using the specified acquisition method (S1508).

  Specifically, the image is acquired based on the acquisition method defined in the acquired image of the data acquisition definition file. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, if a captured image and a scanned image are defined, images are acquired by the respective acquisition methods.

  Next, after obtaining necessary data, a document is generated, and printing processing is performed (S1509). If there is a request to reuse the acquired data from the user (Yes in S1510), the data is registered in the internal database 1113 (S1511), and a customized document set reflecting the registration destination is generated (S1512).

  If there is no request to reuse the acquired data from the user (S1510-No), the user is inquired whether the current acquisition method is fixed (S1513). If there is a request that the user wants to fix the method acquired this time (Yes in S1513), a customized document set reflecting the acquisition method is generated (S1512). If there is no request from the user to fix, this process is terminated.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the operation request transmission unit 112 in the second embodiment. Note that the processing when the request is from the UI display unit 111 (S701 to S709) is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 7 described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a case where the request is from the output data generation unit 115 will be described.

  If the request is from the output data generation unit 115 (Yes in S710), if the content is a request for character string information (S1601-Yes), the UI display unit 111 is requested to input character string information and is acquired. (S1602). If the content is a request for an acquired image (Yes in S1603), the UI display unit 111 is requested to select an acquisition method (S1604). Next, when the user selects acquisition by scanning (Yes in S1605), the job execution command unit 118 is requested to execute the scan job 109 (S1606). If the user selects acquisition by shooting instead of scanning (Yes in S1607), the captured image acquisition unit 1111 is requested to acquire a captured image (S1608).

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing of the document set processing unit 114 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the processing in the case where customization of the document set is requested from the operation request transmission unit 112 is different from the processing shown in FIG. 8 described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the processing after S807 will be described.

  If the user's desire is data reuse (Yes in S1701), the document set transmission process 201 transmits the acquired data name and the data registration destination to the acquired data processing unit 117, and requests data registration ( S808). Then, a customized document set reflecting the contents of the data registered by the document set customization process 203 is created (S809). Then, the document set DB management process 202 stores the created document set in the document set DB 113 (S810).

  On the other hand, if the user's desire is to fix the current acquisition method (Yes in S1702), the document set transmission processing 201 requests the acquisition data processing unit 117 for information on the current acquisition method and acquires it (S1703). Then, the document set customization process 203 creates a customized document set reflecting the acquisition method (S809). Then, the document set DB management process 202 stores the created document set in the document set DB 113 (S810).

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the processing of the output data generation unit 115 in the second embodiment. If there is a need to acquire data (Yes in S901), the data acquisition process 204 acquires data from the server 105 (S902). Further, it is determined whether it is necessary to acquire character string information. If necessary (Yes in S1801), the operation request transmission unit 112 is requested to acquire character string information (S1802).

  Next, it is determined whether an image acquired by the user is necessary, and if necessary (Yes in S1803), the operation request transmission unit 112 is requested to acquire an image by the acquisition method selected by the user (S1804). Then, an acquired image is acquired from the acquired data processing unit 117 (S1805).

  Here, the acquisition method selected by the user means a scanning operation or a photographing operation, and each operation is repeated for character strings and images corresponding to data necessary for the document set (S1801 to S1802, S1803 to S1805). ).

  When the image acquisition is completed, the process proceeds to S906. The subsequent processing is the same as the processing shown in FIG. 11 described in the first embodiment.

Figure 19 is a flowchart showing a process of acquiring the data processing unit 11 7 in the second embodiment. First, when there is an acquisition data request from the output data generation unit 115 (Yes in S1001), the acquisition data transmission processing 208 acquires the acquisition image data from the temporary folder 116 (S1002), and acquires the acquisition image data in the output data generation unit 115. Transmit (S1003).

  In the case of a scanned image, the job execution command unit 118 notifies the acquired data storage process 209 of the storage location by the captured image acquisition unit 1111 in the case of a captured image. Therefore, the acquisition data transmission process 208 obtains image data by hearing the storage location of the image from the acquisition data storage process 209.

  On the other hand, when there is a data registration request from the document set processing unit 114 (Yes in S1005) and when there is a data deletion request from the document set processing unit 114 (S1008-Yes), the diagram described in the first embodiment. 10 is the same.

Furthermore, if there is an information request of this acquisition method from de queue placement setting processor 114 (S1901 Yes in), acquires information of this acquisition method from the acquired data transfer processing 208 obtains data storage process 209, the document setting process Is transmitted to the unit 114 (S1902).

  According to the second embodiment, it is possible to generate and output a document using a scanned image or an image photographed by a digital camera on the digital multifunction peripheral, and it is not necessary to use a PC.

  In addition, since it is possible on the digital multifunction peripheral to generate a document set reflecting the acquisition method desired by the user, change the acquisition method of the generated document set, and update reuse data, the user can generate a document more easily.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the first and second embodiments, one or two images are pasted on the generated document. However, when pasting many images, it is difficult for the user to remember where and how the layout file images are placed.

  Also, it is convenient if the user can freely select a place to merge instead of automatically merging acquired images in order from the top as a layout.

  In the third embodiment, a case will be described in which acquired data arrangement information that allows the user to visually understand arrangement information of data to be acquired is displayed to the user, and the user can select an area to merge and acquire an image.

  In the third embodiment, the same drawings as those described in the first and second embodiments and the description thereof will not be described.

  FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the entire document set customization system and an application module configuration according to the third embodiment. 101 to 117 are the same as in FIG. 1, and 201 to 210 are the same as in FIG. Also, 1101 to 1113 are the same as those in FIG.

Reference numeral 2001 shown in FIG. 20 denotes an application in the third embodiment. In the document set processing unit 114 of the application 2001, reference numeral 2011 denotes an arrangement information grasping process, in which the acquired data arrangement information included in the document set is associated with the acquired data name described in the layout file.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document set according to the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, the document set includes acquired data arrangement information in addition to the data acquisition definition file and the layout file. The description contents of the data acquisition definition file and the layout file are the same as those shown in FIGS.

  In this example, when reusing data, the images that can be registered in the server are “Shop.Image1” and “Shop.Image2”. “Product1.Image”, “Product2.Image”, “Product3.Image”, and “Product4.Image” are stored in the internal database 1113. In addition, when there are a plurality of acquired images, it is possible to select whether or not to register for each data so that only “Shop.Image1” is reused.

  Also, newly added acquired data arrangement information 2101 displays information on what information should be taken into the image data and input character string arrangement information that the user takes in.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen when requesting data to be captured by the user in the third embodiment. In this example, the document set shown in FIG. 21 is selected. As shown in FIG. 22, acquired data arrangement information 2101 included in the document set shown in FIG. 21 is displayed on the display screen. Here, from this screen, the user can first select which location data is to be captured.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting an image capturing method. As shown in FIG. 23, the user selects whether the image 2301 selected by the user is captured by the scan operation 2302 or captured by the photographing 2303. Note that the user can select not only an image but also an input of a character string.

  Further, instead of selecting an image to be freely captured by the user, images may be automatically selected in a predetermined order.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for selecting an image capturing method to be selected in a predetermined order. As shown in FIG. 24, the acquired data arrangement information can be used to inform the user which image is to be captured. Thereby, the user can instantaneously determine which image is requested to be captured next.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a print result of a document generated from the document set shown in FIG. This document is based on the document set shown in FIG. 21, those generated by merging the image data acquired by the information acquired from the server 105, the character information input by the user, scanned or photographed.

  FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing processing of the document set processing unit 114 in the third embodiment. Note that the processing when there is any request from the operation request transmission unit 112 is the same as S803 to S810 shown in FIG. 8 and S1701 to S1703 shown in FIG. Here, processing in other cases will be described.

  When the document set is acquired from the operation request transmission unit 112 (Yes in S801), the document set transmission process 201 transmits the document set to the output data generation unit 115 (S802). Then, the acquired data arrangement information included in the document set is transmitted to the operation request transmission unit 112 (S2601), and the acquired data arrangement information is associated with the acquired data name of the layout file (S2602).

  On the other hand, when the arrangement information of the acquired data selected by the user is acquired from the operation request transmission unit 112 (Yes in S2603), the acquired data name corresponding to the arrangement information is transmitted to the operation request transmission unit 112 (S2604).

  According to the third embodiment, it is possible to generate and output a document using a plurality of scanned images and photographed images, and it is not necessary to use a PC.

  In addition, since it is possible on the digital multifunction peripheral to generate a document set reflecting the acquisition method desired by the user, change the acquisition method of the generated document set, and update reuse data, the user can generate a document more easily.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment which concerns on this invention was described, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention may combine the 1st thru | or 3rd embodiment mentioned above.

  Even if the present invention is applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), it is applied to an apparatus (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. It may be applied.

  In addition, a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded is supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer (CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the program code stored in the recording medium. Read and execute. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention can also be achieved by this.

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

  As a recording medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

  In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the following cases are included. That is, based on the instruction of the program code, an OS (operating system) running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing. .

  Further, the program code read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. After that, based on the instruction of the program code, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing. Needless to say.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the document set customization system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the module structure of the application in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the document set stored in document set DB113 of a document set customization system. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a print result of a document generated from the document set shown in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the data acquisition definition file of the customized document set. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the application 104 in 1st Embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of an operation request transmission unit 112 of an application 104. 6 is a flowchart showing processing of a document set processing unit 114 of an application 104. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an output data generation unit 115 of an application 104. 10 is a flowchart illustrating processing of an acquisition data processing unit 117 of an application 104. It is a figure which shows an example of the module configuration of the whole document set customization system and application in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the document set in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the printing result of the document produced | generated from the document set shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the data acquisition definition file of the customized document set in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the application 1101 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the operation request transmission part 112 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the document set process part 114 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the output data generation part 115 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the acquisition data process part 116 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the module configuration of the whole document set customization system and application in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the document set in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen at the time of requesting the data taken in to the user in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which selects the capture method of an image. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which selects the capture method of the image selected in the order decided beforehand. It is a figure which shows the printing result of the document produced | generated from the document set shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the document set process part 114 in 3rd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

201 Document set transmission processing 202 Document set DB management processing 203 Document set customization processing 204 Data acquisition processing 205 Data merge processing 206 Layout processing 207 Rendering processing 208 Acquisition data transmission processing 209 Acquisition data storage processing 210 Acquisition data registration processing

Claims (9)

A processing method of a data processing apparatus for laying out and outputting acquired data,
A document set acquisition means for acquiring a specified document set from a database among a document set having a definition file defining a data acquisition method and layout information; and
Data acquisition means, a first data acquisition step of acquiring data based on the first set of documents defined data acquisition method in the definition file for the document set which is acquired by the acquisition step,
Output means, a first output step of outputting on the basis of data obtained by the first data acquisition step to the layout information,
Data registration unit, a data registration step of registering the data acquired by the first data acquisition step in the registration destination,
Definition that defines the data acquisition method so that the customization unit acquires the data registered in the registration destination from the registration destination in order to enable reuse of the data acquired in the first data acquisition step. Customization process to customize the file ,
A document set registration step in which a document set registration unit registers a document set including the definition file customized in the customization step and the layout information in the database;
When the document set acquisition means specifies a document set registered in the database in the document set registration step, the document set acquisition unit is customized in the customization step, and the document set registration unit stores the document set registered in the database in the document set registration step. A second document set acquisition step of acquiring a definition file from the database;
Said data acquisition means, said customized with customization step, the second data acquiring step of acquiring data from the registration destination based on the second set of documents acquisition process is acquired by the document set definition file,
A second output step in which the output means outputs the data acquired in the second data acquisition step based on the layout information;
A processing method for a data processing apparatus, comprising: The first data acquisition step is any one of acquiring data via at least an external network, acquiring data by scanning, and acquiring data photographed by an imaging device based on the data acquisition method. The processing method of the data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is acquired by the method. In the first data acquisition step, a plurality of data is acquired based on the definition file , and in the first output step, the plurality of data acquired in the first data acquisition step is output according to the layout information. And
2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a display unit displays a layout arrangement of the plurality of data, and a selection unit selects a data acquisition method for each data based on the layout arrangement. Method. A data processing device,
A document set acquisition means for acquiring a specified document set from a database among a document set having a definition file defining a data acquisition method and layout information;
Data acquisition means for acquiring data based on the data acquisition method defined in the document set definition file acquired by the document set acquisition means;
And output means for outputting on the basis of the data acquired by the data acquiring means to the layout information,
Data registration means for registering data acquired by the data acquisition means in a registration destination;
Customization means for customizing a definition file that defines the data acquisition method so as to acquire data registered in the registration destination from the registration destination in order to enable reuse of the data acquired by the data acquisition means; ,
Document set registration means for registering a document set including the definition file customized by the customization means and the layout information in the database ;
When the document set acquisition unit designates a document set registered in the database by the document set registration unit, the document set acquisition unit customizes the document set registered in the database by the document set registration unit. From the database,
The data acquisition means acquires data from the registration destination based on the document set definition file customized by the customization means and acquired by the document set acquisition means ,
The data processing apparatus characterized in that the output means outputs data acquired from the registration destination by the data acquisition means based on the layout information. The data acquisition means acquires data through at least one of an external network based on the data acquisition method, data acquisition by scanning, and data acquired by an imaging device. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: The data acquisition means acquires a plurality of data based on the definition file, and the output means outputs the plurality of data acquired by the data acquisition means according to the layout information,
5. The data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a display unit displays a layout arrangement of the plurality of data, and a selection unit selects a data acquisition method for each data based on the layout arrangement. A document set acquisition procedure for acquiring a specified document set from a database among a document set having a definition file that defines a data acquisition method and layout information;
A data acquisition procedure for acquiring data based on the data acquisition method defined in the document set definition file acquired in the document set acquisition procedure;
Output and instructions on output based on the data obtained the layout information data acquisition procedure,
A data registration procedure for registering the data acquired in the data acquisition procedure in a registration destination;
A customization procedure for customizing the data acquisition method to acquire data registered in the registration destination from the registration destination in order to enable reuse of the data acquired in the data acquisition procedure ;
A program for causing a computer to execute a document set registration procedure for registering a document set including the definition file customized in the customization procedure and the layout information in the database,
When the document set registered in the database is specified in the document set registration procedure, the document set acquisition procedure is customized in the customization procedure, and the document set registered in the database in the document set registration procedure is stored. obtained from the database, the data acquisition procedure is customized by the customization procedure, based on the definition file of the document set which is acquired by the document set obtaining step obtains the data from the registration destination, said output step, Help program be output based on data acquired by the data acquisition procedure to the layout information. The data acquisition procedure is based on any one of acquiring data via at least an external network, acquiring data by scanning, and acquiring data photographed by an imaging device based on the data acquisition method. The program according to claim 7, wherein the program is acquired. The data acquisition procedure acquires a plurality of data based on the definition file, and the output procedure outputs a plurality of data acquired in the data acquisition procedure according to the layout information,
8. The program according to claim 7, which causes a computer to execute a display procedure for displaying the layout arrangement of the plurality of data and a selection procedure for selecting a data acquisition method for each data based on the layout arrangement.

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