Information processing apparatus and method for making document

• US 6,681,372 B2
• Filed: 10/28/1999
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mantaro Yajima
• Original Assignee: Mantaro Yajima
• Inventors: Yajima, Mantaro
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Stephen S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huynh, Thu V.
• Application Number:
  US09/429,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20020095444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,545 Days
• Field of Search: 707/517, 707/530, 707/541, 707/528, 345/352, 345/358, 382/182, 382/187, 382/188, 382/186, 382/181, 715/541, 715/530, 715/517, 715/528
• US Class Current: 715/268
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/103 Formatting, i.e. changing of presentation of documents automatic justification G06F40/189; automatic line break hyphenation G06F40/191
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/166 Editing, e.g. inserting or deleting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/177 of tables; using ruled lines
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/155 Removing patterns interfering with the pattern to be recognised, such as ruled lines or underlines

Abstract

An information processing apparatus and method capable of making a desired document using a simple operation based on highly object oriented features. In an embodiment, all writings in a source document are entered by an image scanner and decomposed into individual characters (character strings), symbols and/or graphicals. From them a recognize characters and graphicals block makes document element records which are stored into a document element file storage. A create descriptor elements block makes descriptor element records of document-carried written signs for descriptors for specifying requirements of a desired document from the document element records while referencing descriptor group attributes and descriptor element specifiers. A create descriptors block makes descriptor records from the descriptor element records in a first storage and the document element records in a second storage while looking up the descriptor element specifiers.

Claims

1. A method for use in an information processing apparatus for data managing with a document, said method comprising:

entering first written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document such that an attribute of the first written signs is distinct from that of an ordinary writing in the source document, the entered first written signs specifying a data item name and a field with a desired field attribute and a desired field format at a desired location in predetermined rules so that a combination of the data item name and the field defines a first descriptor indicating that one or more data values of the data item are to be filled in the field with the desired field attribute and the desired field format;

wherein the source document is unrestricted by rules applicable to the entered first written signs;

wherein the first written signs comprise a first descriptor element for designating, as the data item name, a character or character string that is originally written to be literally representative of the data item as an ordinary writing in the source document; and

wherein the first written signs comprise another descriptor element having its written position indicating a location or boundary of the field in the source document;

recognizing the first descriptor on a basis of the entered first written signs to produce a corresponding first descriptor record;

fetching a data record containing a data value of the data item name from a source data file;

converting the data value of the data item name in the data record to a corresponding document element in accordance with the first descriptor record; and

outputting writings of the document element so as to be filled in the field specified by the first descriptor record in the output document.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

entering second written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document, the entered second written signs specifying a unit relating to the field in predetermined rules so that a combination of the unit and the field defines a second descriptor associated with the first descriptor, the second descriptor indicating that one or more numerical data values of the data item to be filled in the field of the data item name are to be expressed in the unit;

wherein the second written signs comprise a second descriptor element for designating, as the unit name, a character, character string, or symbol literally representative of the unit as an ordinary writing and for requesting searching in a dictionary for the unit name registered to specify the descriptor content;

recognizing the second descriptor on a basis of the entered second written signs to produce a corresponding second descriptor record combined with the first descriptor record; and

converting the unit of the data item name in the data record to the unit specified by the second descriptor record.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

entering third written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document, the entered third written signs specifying an arithmetic formula including the data item name as an operand and one or more operators in predetermined rules so that the arithmetic formula is qualified as a third descriptor indicating that an arithmetic operation is to be performed in accordance with the arithmetic formula;

wherein the third written signs include the same pattern of written signs to designate the data item name in the arithmetic formula as the first descriptor element of the first written signs;

recognizing the third descriptor on a basis of the entered third written signs to produce a corresponding third descriptor record;

carrying out the arithmetic operation for a data value of the data item name in the data record to produce data of the computed result in accordance with the third descriptor record;

converting the data of the computed result to a corresponding document element; and

outputting writings of the document element so as to be filled in the field of the corresponding data item name specified by the first descriptor record in the output document.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the field includes a plurality of tubular cells arranged in a line in each of which a numerical data of the data item name per one data record is to be filled.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

entering fourth written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document, the entered fourth written signs specifying a total sum and a total sum field related to the field of the data item name in predetermined rules so that a combination of the total sum and total sum field defines a fourth descriptor associated with the first descriptor, the fourth descriptor indicating that numerical data values of the data item to be filled in the field of the data item name are to be summed and the resultant sum data is to be filled in the total sum field;

wherein the fourth written signs comprise a fourth descriptor element for designating, as the total sum name constituting the fourth descriptor, a character, character string, or symbol literally representative of the total sum as an ordinary writing and for requesting searching in a dictionary for the total sum name registered to specify the descriptor content;

recognizing the fourth descriptor on a basis of the entered fourth written signs to produce a corresponding fourth descriptor record combined with the first descriptor record;

summing up data values of the data item name in data records to obtain a total sum data representative of the resultant sum;

converting the total sum data to a corresponding document element data in accordance with the fourth descriptor record; and

outputting writings of the document element of the total sum so as to be filled in the total sum field specified by the fourth descriptor record in the output document.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the entered first written signs comprise descriptor-dedicated written signs that serve as dedicated descriptor elements to constitute a descriptor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the descriptor-dedicated written signs have attributes distinct from those of ordinary written-information representative of contents of the source document.

8. An apparatus for information processing, said apparatus comprising:

a first entering device operable to enter first written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document such that an attribute of the first written signs is distinct from that of an ordinary writing in the source document, the entered first written signs specifying a data item name and a field with a desired field attribute and a desired field format at a desired location in predetermined rules so that the combination of the data item name and the field defines a first descriptor indicating that one or more data values of the data item are to be filled in the field with the desired field attribute and the desired field format;

wherein the source document is unrestricted by rules applicable to the entered first written signs;

wherein the first written signs comprise a first descriptor element for designating, as the data item name, a character or character string that is originally written to be literally representative of the data item as an ordinary writing in the source document; and

wherein the first written signs comprise another descriptor element having its written position indicating a location or boundary of the field in the source documents;

a first recognizing device operable to recognize the first descriptor on a basis of the entered first written signs to produce a corresponding first descriptor record;

a device operable to fetch a data record containing a data value of the data item name from a source data file;

a first converting device operable to convert the data value of the data item name in the data record to a corresponding document element data in accordance with the first descriptor record; and

a first outputting device operable to output writings of the document element so as to be filled in the field specified by the first descriptor record in the output document.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a second entering device operable to enter second written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document, the entered second written signs specifying a unit relating to the field in predetermined rules so that a combination of the unit and the field defines a second descriptor associated with the first descriptor, the second descriptor indicating that one or more numerical data values of the data item to be filled in the field of the data item name are to be expressed in the unit;

wherein the second written signs comprise a second descriptor element for designating, as the unit name, a character, character string, or symbol literally representative of the unit as an ordinary writing for requesting searching in a dictionary for the unit name registered to specify the descriptor content;

a second recognizing device operable to recognize the second descriptor on the basis of the entered second written signs to produce a corresponding second descriptor record combined with the first descriptor record; and

a second converting device operable to convert the unit of the data item name in the data record to the unit specified by the second descriptor record.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said entering device comprises a second input device operable to enter the written signs from a display screen.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said first recognizing device comprises a device operable to create a document file corresponding to written signs entered by said second input device.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a third entering device operable to enter third written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document, the entered third written signs specifying an arithmetic formula including the data item name as an operand in predetermined rules so that the arithmetic formula is qualified as a third descriptor indicating that an arithmetic operation is to be performed in accordance with the arithmetic formula;

wherein the third written signs include the same pattern of written signs to designate the data item name in the arithmetic formula as the first descriptor element of the first written signs;

a third recognizing device operable to recognize the third descriptor on a basis of the entered written signs to produce a corresponding third descriptor record;

an operating device operable to carry out the arithmetic operation for the data value of the data item name in the data record to produce data of the computed result in accordance with the third descriptor record;

a third converting device operable to convert the data of the computed result to a corresponding document element; and

a third outputting device operable to output writings of the document element so as to be filled in the field of the corresponding data item name specified by the first descriptor record in the output document.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said entering device employs a common entering system operable to enter ordinary written-information on document contents and the first written-signs for descriptors.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said entering device comprises a first input device operable to enter the written signs by an image.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first recognizing device comprises a device operable to recognize, from the image entered by said first input device, characters and graphicals of the written signs to thereby create a document file corresponding to the written signs.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first recognizing device comprises a device operable to recognize, from the image entered by said first input device, characters and graphicals of the written signs only, including all descriptor-dedicated written signs and ordinary written information associated therewith, to thereby create a document element file corresponding to the written signs.

17. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said first recognizing device comprises a descriptor-dedicated written signs recognizing device operable to recognize, from the written signs entered by said entering device, descriptor-dedicated written signs from their attributes.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said descriptor-dedicated written signs recognizing device comprises a device operable to identity a color attribute of the written signs.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said descriptor-dedicated written signs recognizing device comprises a device operable to determine whether the written signs are hand-written or printed.

20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said descriptor-dedicated written signs recognizing device comprises a device operable to identify a line width attribute of the written signs.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said descriptor-dedicated written signs recognizing device comprises a device operable to identify a line type attribute of the written signs.

22. A computer-readable medium encoded with a computer program for performing data managing with a document, said computer readable medium comprising:

computer readable program code operable to allow entry of first written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document such that an attribute of the first written signs is distinct from that of an ordinary writing in the source document, the entered first written signs specifying a data item name and a field with a desired field attribute and a desired field format at a desired location in predetermined rules so that a combination of the data item name and the field defines a first descriptor indicating that one or more data values of the data item are to be filled in the field with the desired field attribute and the desired field format;

wherein the source document is unrestricted by rules applicable to the entered first written signs;

wherein the first written signs comprise a first descriptor element for designating, as the data item name, a character or character string that is originally written to be literally representative of the data item as an ordinary writing in the source document; and

wherein the first written signs comprise another descriptor element having its written position indicating a location or boundary of the field in the source document;

computer readable code operable to allow recognition of the first descriptor on a basis of the entered first written signs to produce a corresponding first descriptor record;

computer readable code operable to allow fetching of a data record containing data value of the data item name from a source data file;

computer readable code operable to allow a conversion of the data value of the data item name in the data record to a corresponding document element in accordance with the first descriptor record; and

computer readable code operable to allow an output of writings of the document element so as to be filled in the field specified by the first descriptor record in the output document.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising:

computer readable code operable to allow entry of second written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document, the entered second written signs specifying a unit relating to the field in predetermined rules so that a combination of the unit and the field defines a second descriptor associated with the first descriptor, the second descriptor indicating that one or more numerical data values of the data item to be filled in the field of the data item name are to be expressed in the unit;

wherein the second written signs comprise a second descriptor element for designating, as the unit name, a character, character string, or symbol literally representative of the unit as an ordinary writing and for requesting searching in a dictionary for the unit name registered to specify the descriptor content;

computer readable code operable to allow recognition of the second descriptor on a basis of the entered second written signs to produce a corresponding second descriptor record combined with the first descriptor record; and

computer readable code operable to allow conversion of the unit of the data item name in the data record to the unit specified by the second descriptor record.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising:

computer readable code operable to allow entry of third written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document, the entered third written signs specifying an arithmetic formula including the data item name as an operand and one or more operators in predetermined rules so that the arithmetic formula is qualified as a third descriptor indicating that an arithmetic operation is to be performed in accordance with the arithmetic formula;

wherein the third written signs include the same pattern of written signs to designate the data item name in the arithmetic formula as the first descriptor element of the first written signs;

computer readable code operable to allow recognition of the third descriptor on a basis of the entered third written signs to produce a corresponding third descriptor record;

computer readable code operable to perform the arithmetic operation for a data value of the data item name in the data record to produce data of the computed result in accordance with the third descriptor record;

computer readable code operable to allow conversion of the data of the computed result to a corresponding document element; and

computer readable code operable to allow output of the writings of the document element so as to be filled in the field of the corresponding data item name specified by the first descriptor record in the output document.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the field includes a plurality of tubular cells arranged in a line in each of which a numerical data of the data item name per one data record is to be filled.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 25, further comprising:

computer readable code operable to allow entry of fourth written signs in the form of characters, symbols, and/or graphicals additionally written in a source document, the entered fourth written signs specifying a total sum and a total sum field related to the field of the data item name in predetermined rules so that a combination of the total sum and total sum field defines a fourth descriptor associated with the first descriptor, the fourth descriptor indicating that numerical data values of the data item to be filled in the field of the data item name are to be summed and the resultant sum data is to be filled in the total sum field;

wherein the fourth written signs comprise a fourth descriptor element for designating, as the total sum name constituting the fourth descriptor, a character, character string, or symbol literally representative of the total sum as an ordinary writing and for requesting searching in a dictionary for the total sum name registered to specify the descriptor content;

computer readable code operable to allow recognition of the fourth descriptor on the basis of the entered fourth written signs to produce a corresponding fourth descriptor record combined with the first descriptor record;

computer readable code operable to allow a summing up of data values of the data item name in data records to obtain a total sum data representative of the resultant sum;

computer readable code operable to allow conversion of the total sum data to a corresponding document element data in accordance with the fourth descriptor record; and

computer readable code operable to allow output of writings of the document element of the total sum so as to be filled in the total sum field specified by the fourth descriptor record in the output document.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the entered first written signs comprise descriptor-dedicated written signs that serve as dedicated descriptor elements to constitute a descriptor.

28. The computer-readable medium of claim 27, wherein the descriptor-dedicated written signs have attributes distinct from those of ordinary written-information representative of contents of the source document.