JPH11184949A - Form processing device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save energy of slip format preparation in a device for processing slip data. SOLUTION: A storage device 6 of a slip processing device stores a related dictionary for coordinating a character string recorded in a slip as an item name to an equation stored in a cell. Then, the slip processing device has an image reader 4 for reading in an existing slip format as image data. Next, on the basis of ruling of the read-in image data, a layout of the cell is performed, a character string of the item name is character recognized and is inputted to the slip data. Then, in the slip data to which the character string is inputted, the cell in which the equation is stored and the cell in which the numerical value used for the equation are obtained on the basis of the related dictionary. Next, the equation using a cell number of the cell in which the numerical value used for the equation is stored is allocated to the cell in which the equation is stored.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a form processing apparatus and a storage medium for preparing tables of various forms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, forms such as delivery notes, invoices, order forms, and ledgers are created by a computer system having a spreadsheet processing (form processing) program. The form creation processing performed by such a computer system includes:
Basically, the processing is divided into two processings, a form format creation processing and a subsequent data input processing. In the form format creation process, a form layout including a large number of cells is created, and attributes of each cell, that is, attributes such as text, numerical values, and functions (formulas) are defined. If the attribute is text and the item name of the form (for example, if the form is an order slip, the item name is entered in the cell where the product name, unit price, quantity, total, etc.) should be entered, and the attribute is Enter formula data in the cells. The form format is completed by these operations.

In the data input process, for example, data corresponding to each item name, that is, data indicating the actual product name, unit price, quantity, etc. of each product is input. In the data input process, the computer system performs an arithmetic operation based on the mathematical expression in the cell of the mathematical expression and obtains a numerical value together with the data input, and stores the numerical value in the cell.

According to the above-described form processing, in the data input processing, a mathematical operation is automatically performed by inputting data, and each data is stored. However, creating the report format took a lot of work. In particular, when a form having the same standard as that of an existing form is output from a printer, it has been troublesome to create a form format having the same layout as that of the established form.

Therefore, conventionally, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
As described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 174, an effort has been made to save the creation of a form format by inputting an image of an existing established sheet and laying out a form based on the input image data. Further, in the invention of the above publication, in creating a form format, at a stage where a layout such as an arrangement position of each cell of the form is determined, for a user who is unfamiliar with the operation of a computer, attributes and formulas assigned to each cell are defined. Instead of inputting interactively using a keyboard, the attributes and processing methods (e.g., mathematical expressions) for each cell are handwritten on a sheet of paper, and this sheet is written in OCR (optinal).
The function of character recognition) is used to make a computer read.

That is, according to the system including the form processing device disclosed in the above-mentioned publication, the operator needs to set in advance, for example, a form format registration sheet, a field attribute definition sheet,
By filling out the necessary items on the data processing definition sheet and reading it out by an image reader of a computer system, a form format is created, and almost no keyboard operation is required.

[0007] The form sheet for registration of the form format is a sheet in which a code (for example, alphabet) called attribute identification information is written in each column (data field) corresponding to a cell of the existing form sheet. This allows
Each cell is assigned a reference numeral. If the attributes are the same even in different cells, the same reference numerals are assigned. Note that the attribute here is not a rough one such as a text, a numerical value, or a function, but is, for example, an item name used in a form such as a product name, a product code, a unit price, a quantity, an amount, and a total.

The field attribute definition sheet is like a data table in which the attribute identification information is associated with the attribute. The above data processing definition sheet is
A process is defined for the above attribute. For example, a formula for multiplying a unit price by a quantity is defined for an attribute of money, and a SUM (money) for summing all money is defined for an attribute of total. Functions can be assigned.

[0009]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional example, a form format can be created on the basis of a form such as a form already used, and an attribute and a process based on the attribute are set in each cell. In this case, there is almost no need to use a keyboard, and settings can be made by handwriting on the above-mentioned paper or sheet, making it easy for users who are unfamiliar with the keyboard to create a form format. It is possible to be.

[0010] However, in the above-described method of creating a form format, the actual labor involved is actually much more than when a keyboard is used. When there are many entries, the entry by handwriting becomes extremely complicated, and it takes a very long time to input.

An object of the present invention is to enable a form processing apparatus to create a form format without inputting an attribute, a processing method, and the like to each cell of the form data when the form format is created. It is.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A form processing apparatus according to the present invention determines, in form data including a plurality of cells, a cell to which a formula using a numerical value stored in another cell is allocated, and assigns the formula to the cell. In a form processing device that assigns, in accordance with a character string arranged in a cell of the form data, while determining whether a cell subordinate to the character string is a cell storing a specific formula, Based on the discrimination information, the discrimination information that determines whether or not the cell used to store the numerical value used in the specific formula is stored, and the formula is stored in a subordinate cell, corresponding to the character string in which the formula is stored. Determination information storage means for storing calculation information indicated as a calculation method, and dependent cell determination means for determining cells dependent on the character string based on the arrangement position of the cell in which the character string is arranged and other cells, The above discrimination information Based on the discrimination information stored in the means, for each of the cells dependent on each character string determined by the dependent cell discriminating means, whether each cell is a cell storing a specific formula, and a numerical value used for the specific formula A cell discriminating means for discriminating whether a cell is stored or not, and a cell determined to store a formula by the cell discriminating means, based on the calculation information stored in the discrimination information storage means, And a formula assigning means for creating and assigning a formula using the cell name of the cell determined to store the numerical value to be used.

According to the above configuration, in the form data, for example, the item names such as unit price, quantity, amount, and total, which are the item names, are input, that is, the items printed in advance on the enactment sheet of the existing form. In a state where a name is input, the dependent cell determining means determines a cell dependent on the character string.
In the case where there is a continuous cell as a vertical column with the cell storing the above character string at the top, or when there are continuous cells as a horizontal row, the first cell in which the character string is stored Subsequent cells are assumed to be cells dependent on the character string.

The cell discriminating means determines whether a cell subordinate to each character string is a cell storing a specific mathematical expression based on discrimination information corresponding to each character string stored in the discrimination information storage means. Is determined, and it is determined whether or not the cell stores a numerical value used in the formula. The discrimination information at this time is, for example, corresponding to the character strings of the unit price and the quantity, and a cell dependent on these character strings stores a numerical value used in a mathematical expression stored in a cell dependent on the character string of money amount. In accordance with the character string of the amount, the cell dependent on this character string stores a formula using the numerical value stored in the cell dependent on the character string of the quantity and unit price. In addition to defining the cell as a cell, the cell dependent on the character string of the amount may be defined as a cell storing a numerical value used in a mathematical expression stored in the cell dependent on the character string of the sum.

The discrimination information includes, for example, registration of association names of unit price, quantity, amount, and total amount in correspondence with the character strings of unit price, quantity, amount, and total. Information indicating that the total amount is an association name given to the cell storing the formula may be added. Note that, as in the case of the character string of the amount of money, one cell may be a cell in which a formula is stored and a cell in which a numerical value used in the formula is stored.

The formula assigning means stores a numerical value used in the formula based on the calculation information stored in the discriminating information storage means in a cell determined to store the formula by the cell discriminating means. A formula is created and assigned using the cell determined to be performed. At this time, the calculation information is, for example, information such as amount = quantity * unit price or total amount = total.
The calculation method may be indicated by using a character string such as a unit price or a total, and when the association name is used as the discrimination information as described above, the calculation method may be indicated by using the association name. .

When formulas are created based on the calculation information, for example, formulas stored in cells subordinate to a character string of money (or cells with an associated name called quantity) are created. In this case, a cell that depends on the character string of quantity (or a cell with an association name of quantity) and a cell that depends on the character string of unit price (or a cell with an association name of unit price) Is to create a formula that is multiplied by.

In practice, each cell of the form data has a cell number obtained by adding the column number and the row number based on the arrangement position (the column number may be indicated by an alphabet instead of a numerical value). Since the cell number of the cell corresponding to the unit price is assumed to be A1 and the cell number of the cell corresponding to the quantity is assumed to be B1, the formula becomes A1 * B1.

According to the above processing, the formula is stored in the cell where the formula should be stored just by inputting the character string serving as the item name in the form data. Can be saved. In addition, in the process of creating the form format, the operation of inputting the mathematical formula requires at least basic knowledge of the spreadsheet process, so for those who have only input data in the spreadsheet process,
This operation is difficult, but since this operation is automatically processed by the form processing apparatus, even a beginner can easily create a form format.

Further, if the present invention is combined with a form processing apparatus capable of reading an existing form enactment sheet into an image scanner and automatically reconstructing form data from the read form image data, By reading the form enactment form by the form processing device,
It is possible to obtain the form data in which the item names printed on the enactment sheet are input, and then, by performing the above-described processing, it is possible to input a formula into the form data. The form format is created only by the operation of making the form, and the form can be printed by simply inputting necessary data and printing.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a form processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 shows a schematic configuration of the form processing apparatus of the first example. As shown in FIG. 1, the form processing device of the first example is basically a computer system for performing spreadsheet processing, and includes an input device 1 having a keyboard and the like, and a CRT (Cath).
ode Ray Tube) display and LCD (liquid crystal)
a display device 2 having a display such as a display, a printer 3 for performing printing, an image reader 4 for inputting an image, a storage device 6 having a storage medium 5 serving as storage means, and a RAM (random access). memory) 7,
CPU (central processing unit) 8 that performs arithmetic processing
Each of the devices 1 to 8 is connected by a bus line 9.

The input device 1 includes, for example, the keyboard and a pointing device such as a mouse, and is used to input a text code and a coordinate position. The display device 2 is for displaying a form that is being created or that has been created, and various known displays can be used. The printer 3 is for printing the created form, and various known printers can be used.

The image reader 4 is for inputting, as image data, an existing enactment sheet of a form to be created, and can use various well-known image scanners. The storage device 6 has a storage medium 5 in which programs, data, and the like are stored, and the storage medium 5 is formed of a magnetic / optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 5 is fixedly provided in the storage device 6 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 5 stores a form processing program for performing processing to be described later, together with other data and programs. You.

The program and data stored in the storage medium 5 may be received from another device connected via a communication line or the like and stored.
A storage device 6 including the storage medium 5 may be provided on another device connected via a communication line or the like, and programs and data stored in the storage medium 5 may be used via the communication line. good.

In addition, the storage medium 5 of the storage device 6 includes FIG.
Each data is stored as shown in FIG. That is, in the storage medium 5, the image data of the existing form read by the image reader 4 is stored as the image data memory 5a, and the arrangement position of the ruled line from the image data of the form is indicated as the ruled line information memory 5b. Ruled line information obtained by extracting the data is stored. Recognized character data obtained by converting a character image included in the image data of the form into a text code by the OCR function is stored as a recognized character memory 5c.
As d, a dictionary in which data such as cell attributes and the like are stored corresponding to character strings such as item names described in a form as described later is stored. As the cell area memory 5e, the cell name and attribute of each cell are stored. And the like are stored in the data table.

As shown in FIG. 3, the related dictionary 5d includes a character string generally described in an existing form, an attribute of a cell on form data subordinate to the character string, and the character string. Of an association name (association) assigned to a cell in which a formula is stored or a cell in which a numerical value used in a formula is stored, and other cells determined based on the association name (An item in which calculation information indicating a calculation method using a numerical value stored in another cell is registered), and is registered in a data table form. The character string is input by inputting the character string. Can be read out from the attribute of cell, the association name, and the relationship (operation information) with each other cell corresponding to.

The above-mentioned character string is basically a character string written before writing by hand on an existing form written by hand, and is a character string indicating the item name of the form. For example, the existing handwritten delivery note a shown in FIG. 6 is in a state where character strings such as an item name, quantity, and unit price are printed before entry, and the character string is such a character string. It is. It is preferable that the related dictionary 5d store a large number of character strings so as to cover as many such character strings as possible. The character string is not necessarily limited to a character string printed on an existing form, but may be a character string used as an item name in table data.

The attribute indicates whether data stored in a cell corresponding to the character string is numerical data or character data. In addition, a numerical value as an attribute of this example includes both a cell in which the numerical value itself is directly input and a cell in which numerical data is calculated based on a relationship with other cells, that is, a cell in which a formula is stored. Including.
Note that the attribute of a cell to which a numerical value is directly input may be a numerical value, and the attribute of a cell whose numerical value is obtained by calculation may be a mathematical expression or a function, and the attributes may be divided.

The association name indicates, for example, the meaning and content of the character string and also indicates the association between the cell corresponding to the character string and another cell. Further, the association name is assigned to a cell in which a formula is stored or a cell in which a numerical value used in the formula is stored. In the related dictionary 5d,
A cell with an association name corresponding to the operation information of the item related to each cell is a cell in which a formula is stored, and data in which the association name is associated with the operation information is used in the formula. This is discrimination information for discriminating, from other cells, a cell in which a numerical value to be stored is stored and a cell in which a formula is stored.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, if the character string is a money amount, the meaning is also a money amount, and the association name is a money amount. In addition, the amount of money referred to here is the amount of money described on a form such as a delivery note or other slip, and basically,
It shows the result of multiplying the unit price and the quantity. Therefore, it is shown that the cell whose association name is unit price and the quantity is associated with the cell whose association name is money as described later. Further, in the related dictionary 5d, since the calculation information is registered in relation to each cell corresponding to the amount, the cell whose association name is the amount is a cell in which the formula is stored. Furthermore, there is a description that the character string is related to each cell in the term of the sum, that is, the sum of the numerical value of the money amount cell, and the cell with the associated name of the money amount is also a cell in which the numerical value used in the formula is stored.

Similarly, if the character string is the sum, the meaning of the character string on the form (specifically, the delivery note shown in FIG. 6) is expressed by the sum of the numerical values entered in the item of the amount of money. This indicates that the association name of the cell corresponding to the character string is the total amount, and that the cell whose association name is the amount is associated with the cell. Further, since the calculation information is registered corresponding to the total amount, the cell with the association name of the total amount is a cell in which the formula is stored. In addition, the operation information corresponding to the character strings of the consumption tax amount and the tax-included total amount includes an association name of the total amount, and the cell with the association name of the total amount is also a cell in which a numerical value used in a mathematical expression is stored.

Similarly, the association names of the cells corresponding to the character strings of quantity, unit price, and tax rate are the quantity, unit price, and tax rate, respectively, from the meaning and content of the character string. In addition, since the calculation information is not registered corresponding to the association names of quantity, unit price, and tax rate, the cells with these association names do not store the formula, and the numerical values used in the formula are not stored. Will be stored. Note that a cell that depends on a character string whose association name is not registered correspondingly is a cell that is not related to other cells, and may store a formula.
Numerical values used in mathematical expressions are not stored.

The operation information registered in relation to each of the above-mentioned cells basically includes a mathematical expression stored in a cell corresponding to the operation information as an association name such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with the association name as a term. This is shown as an arithmetic method using. For example, the relationship with each cell corresponding to the cell whose association name is the amount is “quantity × unit price” because the amount is obtained by multiplying the unit price by the quantity. Similarly, the relationship between each cell whose association name corresponds to the cell of the consumption tax amount is
Since the consumption tax amount is obtained by multiplying the total amount by the tax rate, the total amount is calculated by multiplying the tax rate by the tax amount. The sum is the sum of the sum and the consumption tax because the sum is added.

The relationship with each cell does not necessarily need to be expressed in the form of the above formula. For example, the relationship with each cell whose association name corresponds to the cell of the total amount is
Since the total amount is the sum of all amounts, the relationship with each cell is defined as the sum of numerical values of the amount cells. That is, the relationship with each cell may be any as long as the formula of the cell in which the formula is finally stored can be determined as described later.

The character string printed on the form is
Even if the content and meaning are the same, a different character string may be used.For example, as a character string with the same content and meaning as the quantity,
A character string such as a number, a number, or QTY may be used, or a character string such as a unit price ＠ or a unit price without tax may be used as a character string having the same content and meaning as the unit price. Therefore, in the related dictionary 5d, character strings having the same content and meaning may be grouped, and the attribute, the association name, and the calculation information may be registered for each group.

This makes it possible to easily increase the types of existing forms that can be supported by the related dictionary 5d without greatly increasing the number of data in the related dictionary 5d. Also,
The related dictionary 5d stores a new character string and its corresponding attribute,
It is preferable that the user can register the association name and the data of the relationship with each cell. In this way, it is possible to easily cope with a case where a character string not registered in the association dictionary 5d is used in the form. be able to.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cell area memory 5e stores the cell name of each cell set by the form processing described later, the attribute, the association name, the group information, and the mathematical expression. This is a registered data table. Here, the cell names (cell numbers) refer to cells arranged in the horizontal direction (row direction) in the order of A, B, C from top to bottom.
.., And cells arranged in the vertical direction (column direction) are assigned in order from left to right in order of 1, 2, 3
.., And these column numbers and row numbers are shown for each cell. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, each cell is given a cell name. ,
The cell name of the leftmost cell in the top cell is A1
And the cell name of the fifth cell from the top and the third cell from the left is E3.

The above attributes and association names are as described above. In addition, the group information basically includes a cell name of each cell arranged in the row direction following the first cell of the row,
The cell name of each cell arranged in the column direction following the first cell of the column, and is added to the first cell of the row and the first cell of the column, and is determined by a process described later. is there. The above formula is determined based on the above calculation information. In the calculation information, what was indicated as the calculation method using the association name is associated at the stage where the association name is assigned to each cell. The name is converted into a cell name (cell number) and converted into a mathematical expression using the cell name. A method of deriving a mathematical expression from the operation information of the related dictionary 5d will be described in a form process described later.

The RAM 7 stores a CPU 8 as described later.
Forms a memory area for temporarily storing a form processing program to be processed and data relating to the processing. The CPU 8 expands a form processing program stored in the storage medium 5 of the storage device 6 into the RAM 7 and performs form processing described later. That is, the CPU 8
Extracts the ruled lines from the image data obtained by reading the existing form with the image reader 4, lays out and assigns each cell of the form data based on the extracted ruled lines, and extracts characters from the image data. The text data (recognized character) is obtained by extracting and performing character recognition processing from an image representing the character.

Then, the CPU 8 assigns a recognized character as a character string to the form data to which each cell is allocated as described above, based on the data on the arrangement position of the recognized character. Then, the CPU 8 assigns an attribute to each cell based on the data registered in the related dictionary 5d in the form data to which the character string is assigned, and determines the cell in which the formula is stored. A formula is assigned to the cell.

Next, the form processing by the form processing apparatus of the first example as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and other drawings. The form processing is performed based on the form processing program described above.
The form processing program will be described by describing the form processing. First, for example, an image of an existing paper delivery note (form paper) a shown in FIG. 6 is read by the image reader 4, and the read image data of the delivery note a is stored in the image data memory 5 a of the storage medium 5 of the storage device 6. (Step S1).

Next, the image data of the delivery note a is read from the image data memory 5a, and ruled line data b is extracted from the image data as shown in FIG. 7 (step S2). That is, the arrangement position of each ruled line is obtained and stored in the ruled line information memory 5b of the storage medium 5 of the storage device 6. In this case, not only the arrangement position of the ruled line but also the thickness of the ruled line is read. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, each cell of the form data is allocated from the arrangement position of each ruled line (step S3). That is, the layout position and size of each cell are determined, and the form data c in which the cells are laid out is obtained.

In this case, each cell of the form data is arranged in correspondence with each entry column on the existing paper form, but the entry column is not necessarily surrounded by ruled lines at the top, bottom, left and right. Basically, cells are placed above the horizontal ruled lines from end to end of the ruled lines, and vertical ruled lines are placed between the ends of the horizontal ruled lines. When there is a cell, the cell is divided into two at the position of the vertical ruled line. As a result, the arrangement of the cells is determined, and the left and right widths of the cells are determined.

When there is a horizontal ruled line above the horizontal ruled line, the upper and lower widths of the cells are set to be the same as the interval between the two upper and lower horizontal ruled lines, and the left and right widths and the upper and lower widths of the cells are determined. This determines the size of the cell. If there is no horizontal ruled line above the horizontal ruled line, for example, a predetermined vertical width may be used. A length longer than the vertical width of the row by a predetermined length may be used as the vertical width. If there are a plurality of horizontal ruled lines above and below, and the top ruled line is thicker than other ruled lines, cells may not be formed on the ruled lines. At the stage where the cell arrangement is determined, each cell is given a cell name (cell number) composed of the above-described row number and column number. The form data c thus obtained is also stored in the storage device 6. Further, when there is an error in the arrangement of the cells of the created form data c, it can be corrected by an instruction from the input device 1.

On the other hand, characters are extracted from the image data and recognized by a well-known OCR function (step S4). That is, characters on the image data are converted to text data. In this case, it is necessary not only to convert characters on the image data into text data, but also to read data such as a character arrangement position and a character size in association with the text data. The text data constituting a character string as one word or one sentence, the arrangement position of each text data, and the font size of each text data are stored in the recognized character memory 5 c of the storage medium 5 of the storage device 6. Is stored in
It should be noted that if a character typeface can also be read, it is preferable to read the typeface as well.

FIG. 9 shows an image d in which the recognized character is arranged at the arrangement position where the character has been read again in the read size. In this example, the cells are allocated based on the extracted ruled line data. However, the cells may be allocated based on the ruled line data and the arrangement of the recognized characters.

Next, the image d shown in FIG. 9 in which the recognized characters are arranged at the read position at the read position again and the arrangement position and size of each cell are determined. 8 is linked with the form data c in which the cells are laid out (step S5). That is, the recognized character is input to the form data c. In this case,
Recognized characters whose arrangement positions match each cell are stored in cells whose positions match. Recognized characters whose cell positions and arrangement positions do not match are assigned as background characters.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, in the form data e obtained by linking the image d and the form data c, the layout of the character strings of the recognition characters arranged in the image d is performed. A character string whose arrangement position matches that of the placed cell is stored in the cell. Next, based on the character string stored in each cell as described above, the relation between the cell attribute, the association name, and each cell is determined by referring to the related dictionary 5d (step S).
6).

At this stage, instead of actually assigning attributes and the like to each cell, the attributes of the cell, the association name, and the relationship with each cell are assigned for each character string. The cell itself in which the above-described character string is stored has its attribute changed to a character when a character string other than a number is input, so that an attribute corresponding to the character string is assigned on the related dictionary 5d. is not.

Next, the cells are grouped in the vertical direction according to the ruled line state and the arrangement of the recognized characters (step S).
7). For example, in the form data shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of cells arranged vertically consecutively between two vertical ruled lines, that is, the left and right widths are the same, the left and right arrangement positions match, and , A plurality of cells arranged continuously one above the other constitute a group. Therefore, in FIG. 10, the cells D2 to D1 arranged in the vertical columns
Cells arranged in the vertical columns up to M2, cells arranged in the vertical columns D3 to M3, cells arranged in the vertical columns D4 to M4, and arranged in the vertical columns D5 to M5 The selected cells are grouped.

Further, for example, in each group, it is determined whether or not a character string is stored in each cell in the group. If there is a cell in which the character string is stored, the character string is stored. It is determined whether there is a blank cell in which no character string is stored, following the cell that has been set.
Then, in the above-mentioned group, a blank cell following the cell in which the character string is stored is set as a subordinate group subordinate to the character string.

In FIG. 10, as described above, five vertical groups are grouped from the group of D1 to M1 to the group of D5 to M5. Since a character string is stored in a cell and a blank group is placed after that, a portion of each group excluding the first cell in which the character string is stored is set as a subordinate group. Note that D1
In the groups M1 to M1, a character string is arranged in the last cell M1, but since there is no blank cell thereafter, there is no vertical subordinate group below M1.

Here, the thickness of the ruled line may be referred to at the time of grouping. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the horizontal rows of C1 to C3 and the horizontal rows of D1 to D5 Between the two horizontal lines L1 to L5 and the horizontal line between M1 to M5. In the above, as described above, a plurality of cells vertically arranged between two vertical ruled lines may be grouped together. In this case, the cells in which M is included in the cell name are excluded from the above-described subordinate groups.

Next, the cells are grouped in the horizontal direction according to the state of the ruled lines and the arrangement of the recognized characters (step S).
8). For example, substantially in the same manner as vertical grouping, FIG.
In the form data shown in, a plurality of cells arranged vertically consecutively between two horizontal ruled lines, that is, the same upper and lower widths, and the upper and lower arrangement positions match, and the A plurality of cells arranged in a group are grouped together.

Therefore, in FIG. 10, cells arranged in horizontal rows C1 to C3, cells arranged in horizontal rows D1 to D5, and cells arranged in horizontal rows E1 to E5. Cells, cells arranged in horizontal rows from F1 to F5, G
Cells arranged in horizontal rows from 1 to G5, cells arranged in horizontal rows from H1 to H5, cells arranged in horizontal rows from I1 to I5, horizontal rows from J1 to J5 , Cells arranged in horizontal rows from K1 to K5, L
Cells arranged in horizontal columns from 1 to L5 and cells arranged in horizontal columns from M1 to M5 are grouped.

Here, a character string is stored in all cells, and a group having no blank cell is not regarded as a group. That is, the group of C1 to C3 and the group of D1
The group of D5 is canceled. In the vertical grouping, if there is a group in which a character string is stored in all cells, the group is canceled. Further, for example, in each group, it is determined whether or not a character string is stored in each cell in the group, and further, if there is a cell in which the character string is stored, a cell in which the character string is stored Followed by,
It is determined whether there is a blank cell in which no character string is stored. Then, in the above-mentioned group, a blank cell following the cell in which the character string is stored is set as a subordinate group.

In FIG. 10, groups M2 to M5 are set as subordinate groups. Here, since the vertical subordinate group and the horizontal subordinate group are overlapped with the cell including M in the cell name, for example, the cell including M in the cell name is excluded from the vertical subordinate group. Since A1, A2, and B1 of the cells included in the form data exist independently, they are treated as independent cells that are not grouped vertically or horizontally. Further, for C1 to C3,
Since all character strings are stored as described above, they are not grouped in the horizontal direction, and there are no blank cells that continue in the vertical direction. Is treated as a lost cell.

The above grouping method is merely an example, and other methods may be used. For example, first, a cell storing a character string is obtained, and a blank cell is placed next to the cell. When arranged along the direction or the lateral direction, a group of these cells may be the subordinate group. In addition, in the above-described grouping, the delivery note a illustrated in FIG. 6 has been described as an example. However, basically, the grouping method is such that cells in each column arranged in a vertical direction in cells arranged vertically and horizontally. Each is a vertical group,
When cells in each row arranged in the horizontal direction are grouped in the horizontal direction, and cells containing character strings are followed by blank cells in the horizontal or vertical direction, these blank cells are subordinate groups. It is said that.

In the case where the ruled lines have different thicknesses, the subordinate groups are separated by portions where ruled lines different from other ruled lines are used. The group information indicating the cell names included in each group provided as described above is stored in the cell area memory 5 e of the storage medium 5 of the storage device 6. In this case, the cell name of the same group following the cell is registered in the first cell of the group. For example, as shown in FIG. The cells E1 to M1 are registered as group information in the cell D1 which is the first cell of
In addition, the cell of E1, which is the first cell of the horizontal group of E1 to E5, has E2 to E5 as group information.
Up to the cell are registered. Although the information of the subordinate group is not shown in FIG. 4, the information of the subordinate group is actually registered in the cell area memory 5e.

Next, based on the result of the grouping of cells as described above, the attribute and the association name assigned to each character string with reference to the above-mentioned related dictionary 5d are assigned to each cell. Then, the data allocated to each cell is stored in the cell area memory 5e of the storage medium 5 of the storage device 6 (Step S9). For example, if the cell names are A1 and A
As shown in FIG. Are stored, respectively, so that their attributes are characters. In this case, A1 and A2 are independent cells that are not grouped and have no subordinate cells. Are assigned as the attributes obtained by referring to the related dictionary 5d. Then, the character string originally stored in the cell is registered as a background character, not the data actually stored in the cell. In addition, date and No. Has no association name in the association dictionary 5d, so only the attribute is assigned to the cell.

Similarly, the cells B1 and C1 to C3 are not grouped and have no subordinate blank cells even though the character strings are stored.
The character string stored in the cell is used as the background character, and another data is stored in the cell. Then, based on the data retrieved from the related dictionary 5d based on the character string, the cell B1 in which the state is stored is assigned a character as an attribute, and the cell C1 in which the total amount including tax is stored.
Numeral 1 is assigned a numerical value as an attribute, a tax-included total amount is assigned as an association name, and a numerical value is assigned as an attribute to the cell C2 in which the tax rate is stored, and a tax rate is assigned as an association name, and To the cell 3 in which the tax amount has been stored, a numerical value is assigned as an attribute, and a consumption tax amount is assigned as an association name.

Further, the cells D1 and D5 in which the product name and the description are stored, respectively, are subordinate to the vertical subordinate groups E1 to L1 and E5 to L5. Therefore, characters are assigned to the cells belonging to the subgroups E1 to L1 and E5 to L5 subordinate to the product name or description in the related dictionary 5d as attributes corresponding to the product name and description. That is, unlike the case of an independent cell in which a character string is stored, in a cell in which a character string is stored and a cell of a subordinate group is dependent, an attribute and an association name corresponding to the character string are stored in a related dictionary 5d. Is assigned to a cell belonging to a subordinate group following the cell in which the character string is stored.

The attribute of the first cell in which a character string such as an article name or a summary is stored is directly changed to a character by storing the character string. Similarly, the subordinate groups E2 to L2, E3 to L3, and E4 to L4 are subordinate to the cells D2, D3, and D4 in which the quantities, unit prices, and amounts are stored, respectively. Therefore, when the character string is stored in D
2, D3, D4 followed by E2 to L2, E3 to L3, E4 to
A cell belonging to the subordinate group up to L4 has a related dictionary 5d
In, numerical values are assigned as attributes corresponding to the quantity, unit price, and amount. Since cells D2, D3, and D4 each store a character string, the attribute is directly used as a character.

Further, E2 to L2, E3 to L3, E4 to L
To the cells belonging to the subordinate group No. 4, the quantity, the unit price, and the amount are respectively assigned as the association names corresponding to the quantity, the unit price, and the amount in the related dictionary 5d. In addition, the cell M1 in which the total is stored is subordinate to the subordinate groups M2 to M5. Therefore, a numerical value and a total amount are assigned to the cells belonging to the subordinate groups of M2 to M5 as the attribute and the association name corresponding to the total in the association dictionary 5d. Since the association name is related only to the cell whose association name is an amount as shown in the relationship with each cell of the association dictionary 5d, the cells E4 to L4 whose association data is an amount are A numerical value is assigned as an attribute to only M4 included in the containing group (D4 to M4), and a total amount is assigned as an association name. Note that attributes may not be assigned to the cells M2, M3, and M5, or numerical values may be assigned as attributes.

Next, an operation result cell to which an operation result is assigned, that is, a cell storing a mathematical expression, is determined based on the association name assigned to each cell and the association dictionary 5d (step S10). For example, in the related dictionary 5d,
Among the association names used in the present form data, the amount, the total amount, the consumption tax amount, and the total amount including tax are registered as the association names associated with the calculation information of the relationship with each cell.

Then, as shown in the cell area memory 5e shown in FIG. 4, the cell to which the amount, the total amount, the consumption tax amount, and the total amount including tax are assigned as the association names is
E4 to L4, M4, C3, and C1, and these cells are calculation result cells in which formulas are stored. Next, a mathematical expression is developed in these operation result cells, and the mathematical expression is stored in the cell area memory 5e corresponding to the cell (step S11).

For example, in the cells E4 to L4, the association name is the amount as described above, and the relation with each cell corresponding to the amount is the quantity * unit price in the association dictionary 5d. Therefore, in E4 to L4, a formula for multiplying the numerical value stored in the cell of the association name by the numerical value stored in the cell of the unit price is stored.

Here, cells whose association names are quantities are E2 to L2, cells whose association names are unit prices are E3 to L3, and a plurality of cells correspond to each association name. I have. In such a case, the calculation is basically performed between cells belonging to the same group, and the cell of E4 in which the association name is a monetary amount has the association name belonging to the same horizontal group as the quantity. Is calculated, and a mathematical expression for performing an operation using E3 whose association name is a unit price is stored. Actually, E2 *
A mathematical expression such as E3 is stored.

Similarly, F in which the association name is the amount
4, G4, H4, I4, J4, K4, and L4 are expressions for calculating cells belonging to the same group and having associated names of quantity and unit price, respectively.
F2 * F3, G2 * G3, H2 * H3, I2 * I3, J
2 * J3, K2 * K3, L2 * L3 are stored.

In the cell of M4, the association name is the total amount, and the relation with each cell corresponding to the total amount is the sum of the numerical value cells in the association dictionary 5d. The numbers stored in the cells of are summed. Then, the cells whose association names are the amounts are the cells from E4 to L4, and the numerical values stored in these cells are summed up.
The expression stored in is stored as SUM (E4: L4) using SUM which is a total function expression.

The cell C3 has an association name of the consumption tax amount, and the relation with each cell corresponding to the consumption tax amount in the association dictionary 5d is "total amount * tax rate". Is multiplied by the numerical value stored in the cell whose association name is the tax rate. Then, the cell whose association name is the total amount is the cell of M4, and the cell whose association name is the tax rate is the cell of C2. Therefore, the cell stored in the cell of M4 is stored in the cell of C2. Multiplied by Therefore, the cell of C3 determined as the consumption tax amount includes M
The mathematical expression 4 * C2 is stored.

The cell C1 has an association name of the total tax-included amount, and in the related dictionary 5d, the calculation information of the relationship with each cell corresponding to the total tax-included amount is the total amount + the consumption tax amount. Then, the numerical value stored in the cell of the consumption tax amount is added to the numerical value of the association name stored in the cell of the total amount.

Since the cell whose association name is the total amount is the cell of M4 and the cell whose association name is the consumption tax amount is the cell of C3, the numerical value stored in the cell of M4 is C2. Will be multiplied by the number stored in the cell. Therefore, the cell of C3, which is regarded as the consumption tax amount,
The formula of M4 + C3 is stored.

When the formula is assigned to the calculation result cell, the formula is displayed in the calculation result cell in the form data f on the display screen of the display device 2 as shown in FIG. 11 (step S12). ). Also, this ends the process of creating the form format, but when actually creating the form, after performing the data input process of inputting the necessary items to the blank cells of the form data described above, The form data will be printed.

The form data g shown in FIG. 12 is obtained by printing the form data f on the display screen of the display device 2 shown in FIG. 11 without inputting the data. The font size is reproduced based on the existing paper form read by the image reader 4. Further, in the form data g of FIG. 12, the formula is printed so as to display the formula in the calculation result cell. However, when the form data g is printed as a delivery note to be actually used, the formula is not displayed. It has become something.

As described above, according to the form processing by the form processing apparatus, after inputting an image of an existing paper form, unless a correction of an erroneous character recognition type or other correction is required, it is automatically performed. Only the data to be stored in the cell is input. That is, the attribute of each cell is determined, and the formula is stored in the cell where the formula is stored, and the form format is completed.

Accordingly, there is no need to set the form format by the operator, and the operation of the operator can be greatly saved. In addition, the processing of creating a form format basically requires specialized knowledge of a spreadsheet program, but this part can be automatically processed by a computer using the form processing method described above, and anyone can easily use an existing paper format. It is possible to create a form format from this form.

Next, a description will be given of a form processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the form processing apparatus of the second example, the present invention is applied to the processing of creating a form format using the input device 1 having a keyboard, a mouse, etc., without using the image reader 4. The form processing apparatus of the second example is basically the same as the form processing apparatus of the first example shown in FIG. 1, but the form processing apparatus of the second example does not necessarily require the image reader 4. Instead, the image reader 4 may be removed from the form processing apparatus of the first example.

Further, in the second example, since the image reader 4 is not used as described above, the CPU 8 extracts ruled lines from the image data of the paper form read by the image reader 4 to determine There is no need to read thickness data or recognize characters on image data, and in the second example, the CPU 8 may not have a function of a recognition process using image data.

Here, the form processing device of the second example is basically the same as the form processing device of the first example, and the description thereof is omitted. A form processing method using a form processing program by the form processing apparatus of the second example will be described below. First, in the form processing apparatus, the same processing as that of a conventional so-called spreadsheet processing program is performed, and the operator enters data into form data composed of vertical and horizontal cells.

At this time, on the display screen of the display device 2, row numbers indicating individual rows are displayed vertically on the left end side, and column numbers indicating individual columns horizontally (here, numerals are shown) on the upper end side. Without the use of alphabets). That is, the form data before the format at the time of printing is determined is displayed.

For example, in this state, the operator inputs an item name used in the form. For example, as shown in FIG. 13A, item names such as name, standard, QTY (quantity), unit price, amount of money, remarks, and total are input to the form data h. Up to this point, the processing is basically the same as the creation of a table using a conventional spreadsheet processing program.

Next, after inputting the item name, for example,
As shown in FIG. 13B, in the form data i, a cell related to the arithmetic processing is specified. Here, QTY
Specify and select the item names (quantity), unit price, amount and total. Note that here, instead of the cell in which the item name “Sum” is input, the cell in the same row as the cell in which the item name “Sum” is input and in the same column as the amount is specified. Indicates the total amount of money, and QT
It does not indicate the sum of Y or the unit price.

The sum is the sum of the numerical values in the column of the amount of money in the excerpt 5d1 of the related dictionary 5d shown in FIG. 13 (D), and the item name “sum” is input without particularly specifying the above-mentioned cell. A cell may be specified. The related dictionary 5d used here includes, in addition to the data of the related dictionary 5d shown in FIG. 3, an excerpt 5d1 of the related dictionary 5d in FIG.
Is registered as shown in FIG. Here, the same processing as that after step S6 of the form processing of the first example is started. For example, by instructing the start of the form processing, based on the character string input as the item name, The attribute of the cell and the association with other cells are determined with reference to the related dictionary 5d.

Here, for example, the related dictionary 5 shown in FIG.
d and an extract 5di of the related dictionary 5d, the association name of the cell subordinate to the character string of the amount is set to the amount, and the relationship with each cell is set to QTY * unit price. Is associated with the unit price.

Further, for example, the association name of the cell subordinate to the character string QTY (quantity) is set to QTY, the association name of the cell subordinate to the character string total is the total amount, and the relationship with each cell is determined. It is the sum of the numbers in the amount column. Next, similar to steps S8 and S9 of the first example, a cell grouping process is performed.

For example, cells in each column in which a character string of QTY, unit price, and amount are input in the first cell are grouped, and cells in each horizontal row are grouped. Also, here, the horizontal (row) group in which the character string “total” is input in the first cell and the vertical (column) group in which the character strings “QTY”, “unit price” and “amount” are input overlap each other. And the subordinate groups subordinate to these character strings of the group of amounts are C2 to C1, respectively.
0, D2 to D10, E2 to E10, and the subordinate groups subordinate to the total are B11 to F11.

Then, similarly to the process of step S9 in the above example, the attribute, the association name, and the group information are set in the cell area memory 5e. That is, attributes such as numerical values and characters are assigned to each cell for each subordinate group. For example, a numerical value is assigned as an attribute to each of the subordinate groups of QTY, unit price, and amount, and QTY, unit price, and amount are assigned as association names, respectively.

Further, as a total subordinate group, B11
A numerical value is assigned as an attribute to E11 which is a column of the amount of money from F11 to F11, and a total amount is assigned as an association name. This is because E11 is a cell that is the intersection of the amount column and the total line, and the total is the numerical sum of the amount column in the related dictionary 5d.

Then, as in the first example, step S1
0, and in the related dictionary 5d, the cell to which the association name registered corresponding to the calculation information of the relationship with each cell is assigned, in this case, the cell to which the amount and the total amount are assigned as the association name ( E2 to E10, E1
1) is an operation result cell in which a formula is stored.

Then, as in the first example, step S1
1 is performed, and a formula is assigned to the operation result cell. For example, as shown in the form data j in FIG. 13C, the cells whose association names of E2 to E10 are monetary values have QTY * unit prices because the data relating to each cell is QTY * unit price. As in the case of the example, a mathematical expression for multiplying the numerical value stored in each cell of the same row whose association name is QTY and the cell whose association name is unit price, for example, C2 * D2, C3 * D3, C4 * D4, ...
Is stored.

Therefore, in the form processing of the second example, the form data is created from the beginning on the computer instead of reading the image of the existing paper form and creating the form data as in the first example. Even in the case where the operator does not need to assign attributes and formulas to each cell, simply enter an item name, attributes and formulas are assigned to each cell, so in a so-called spreadsheet process including creation of form data, The labor of the operator can be greatly reduced. Furthermore, in the second example, since the above-described form processing can be performed in a specified range of cells on the form data, it is possible to perform the above-described form processing only on a necessary portion in a large form data. The processing time can be shortened. In addition,
In the form processing device, as a process other than the mathematical formula, a process for extracting data from another data file may be defined. For example, the process depends on a character string such as a product name or a unit price. As a process for a cell, a process for reading a product name and a unit price corresponding to a product code from a product data file may be defined.

[0093]

According to the form processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, a formula is stored in a cell where a formula is to be stored simply by inputting a character string serving as an item name in the form data. In the process of creating the form format, the operation of inputting the mathematical formula by the operator can be saved. In addition, in the process of creating a form format, the operation of inputting a mathematical expression requires at least basic knowledge of spreadsheet processing, which is a difficult operation for those who have only input data in spreadsheet processing. Since this operation is automatically processed by the form processing apparatus, a beginner can easily create a form format.

According to the form processing apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether a cell stores a specific formula and a cell stores a numerical value used for the specific formula. The discrimination information can be represented by a combination of the association name and the operation information, and the association name is basically a short character string, and the operation information is basically an expression using the association name. Can be made very simple. Therefore, the storage capacity of the determination information can be reduced.

According to the form processing device of the third aspect of the present invention, the form data in which the item names printed on the form sheets are input can be obtained by reading the form form sheets. By performing the same processing as in the configuration of claim 1 or 2, it is possible to input a formula into the form data, so that a form format is created only by reading the form enactment sheet. After that, the form can be printed by simply inputting necessary data and printing. Therefore, it becomes possible to further reduce the form processing,
Even a beginner can very easily create a form format.

According to the form processing apparatus of the fourth aspect of the present invention, within the range specified on the form data, the formula of the cell can be allocated by the same processing as in the configuration of the first or second aspect. Possible. Therefore, the processing time can be reduced by processing only the cells related to the formula stored in the cells. According to the storage medium of the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to perform the same processing as that of the form processing apparatus of the first aspect in the computer system, and the same effect as the configuration of the first aspect is obtained. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a form processing device according to a first example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining data stored in a storage device of the form processing apparatus of the first example.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a related dictionary stored in a storage device of the form processing device of the first example.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a cell area memory stored in a storage device of the form processing apparatus of the first example.

FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a form processing by the form processing apparatus of the first example.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a form read as image data by the form processing apparatus of the first example.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing ruled line data extracted from image data of a form read into the form processing apparatus of the first example.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing form data created from image data of a form read into the form processing apparatus of the first example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an arrangement image of characters recognized from image data of a form read by the form processing apparatus of the first example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing form data created by the form processing apparatus of the first example and having a character string input.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing form data created by the form processing apparatus of the first example and into which a mathematical expression has been input.

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a form output from the form processing apparatus of the first example.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing form data for explaining form processing by the form processing apparatus of the second example.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 input device (designating means) 4 image reader (image reading means) 6 storage device (discrimination information storing means) 8 CPU (dependent cell discriminating means, cell discriminating means, formula assigning means, recognizing means, form data creating means)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A form processing apparatus for deciding a cell to which a formula using a numerical value stored in another cell is assigned in form data including a plurality of cells, and assigning the formula to the cell. In response to a character string arranged in a cell, a cell that depends on the character string determines whether or not a cell in which a specific formula is stored, and a cell in which a numerical value used in the specific formula is stored Discrimination information that stores discrimination information that determines whether or not, and that stores calculation information that indicates the formula as a calculation method based on the discrimination information, corresponding to a character string in which a formula is stored in a dependent cell. Storage means; subordinate cell discriminating means for discriminating a cell dependent on the character string based on the arrangement position of the cell in which the character string is arranged and another cell; and discrimination information stored in the discrimination information storage means. On the basis of, For each of the cells dependent on each character string determined by the dependent cell determination means, it is determined whether or not each of the cells stores a specific formula and whether or not the cell stores a numerical value used for the specific formula. Cell discriminating means, and it is determined that a numerical value used in the formula is stored in the cell in which the formula is stored by the cell discriminating means, based on the calculation information stored in the discriminating information storage means. A form processing apparatus comprising: a formula assigning unit that creates and assigns a formula using a cell name of a cell. 2. The discrimination information is attached to a cell that depends on a character string and stores a mathematical expression, or a cell that depends on a character string and stores a numerical value used in the mathematical expression, corresponding to the character string. An association name, wherein the operation information indicates an operation method using the association name, and the cell discriminating means is subordinate to a character string corresponding to the association name registered in the discrimination information storage means. The above-mentioned association name is assigned to the cell, and the formula assigning means assigns the above-mentioned computation information to the cell having the association name registered with the computation information in the discrimination information storage means among the above-mentioned association names. 2. The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the form is converted into a mathematical expression using each cell number indicating each allocated cell and allocated. 3. An image reading means for reading an image of an existing form as form image data, a recognition means for recognizing an arrangement position of a ruled line and a character string on the form image data, and recognizing a character string as a character. Form data creating means for deciding the cell layout based on the arrangement positions of the ruled lines determined by the recognizing means and creating form data in which the recognized character strings recognized by the recognizing means are allocated to the laid-out cells. Using, in a cell where the formula of the form data is to be stored, the discrimination information and calculation information registered in the discrimination information storage means, the dependent cell discrimination means, the cell discrimination means, and the formula assignment means. The form processing device according to claim 1, wherein the formula is stored by using a formula. 4. A designating means for designating each cell on the form data, wherein the character string is assigned to an arbitrary cell of the form data, and a formula among the cells designated by the designating means is entered. In a cell to be stored, a formula is stored using the discrimination information and calculation information registered in the discrimination information storage means, the dependent cell discrimination means, the cell discrimination means, and the formula assignment means. The form processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program, wherein a cell in which a character string is arranged in an arbitrary cell in form data including a plurality of cells. And a program code for determining a cell dependent on a character string based on the arrangement position of other cells and whether or not the cell dependent on the character string is a cell storing a specific formula corresponding to the character string Based on the determination information that determines whether or not a cell is used to store a numerical value used in a specific mathematical expression corresponding to a character string, cells dependent on the character string are each stored with a specific mathematical expression. A program code for determining whether the cell is a cell that stores a numerical value used in a specific formula, and a calculation method based on the above-described determination information. And a program code for creating and assigning a formula using a cell name of a cell determined to store a numerical value used in the formula based on the calculation information shown in the formula, and storing a program including Storage media.