JP2006260380A - Layout system, layout program, and layout method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a layout system capable of realizing a good-looking layout based on bookbinding regardless of the amount of layout elements, even if a user has little knowledge about layout without losing layout elements.
A layout device assigns a layout element to each page area and lays out the layout element assigned to the page area for each page area. When a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element are arranged separately on the spread page, an evaluation value is calculated based on the penalty value for the spread page, and the related layout elements or the same layout element is calculated. When the layout elements are arranged separately on the non-page spread page, the evaluation value is calculated based on the penalty value for the non-page spread page that is larger than the penalty value for the page spread.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, a program, and a method for performing layout, and in particular, even if a user has little knowledge about layout without losing layout elements, it has a good appearance based on bookbinding regardless of the amount of layout elements. The present invention relates to a layout system, a layout program, and a layout method that can realize a good layout.

Conventionally, as an automatic layout technique, for example, a layout system described in Patent Document 2 and an information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 are known.
In the invention described in Patent Document 1, when the total number of pages of the layout result exceeds the first upper limit page number, the first layout is performed so that the total page number of the layout result does not exceed the first upper limit page number. The layout processing and the second layout processing for performing layout even when the total number of pages of the layout result exceeds the first upper limit number of pages are selectively performed. In the first layout process, layout is performed such that the total number of pages of the layout result does not exceed the upper limit number of pages by discarding part of the layout elements or changing the contents of the layout elements.

In the invention described in Patent Document 2, when any one of a plurality of types of layout template data having [back cover page] is specified and the total number of pages to be printed is an odd number, the surface of [back cover page] is displayed. Corresponding data is added to the specified layout template data. Then, print conditions for the designated layout template data are set, and print data is generated based on the set print conditions.
JP 2004-152152 A JP 2001-96833 A

  By the way, when creating a printed matter such as a pamphlet, layout elements (for example, text information, image information, title information) are used for printing by allocating a plurality of pages on both sides of a single sheet, and cutting the book. Is laid out so that the number of pages is a multiple of 2 when the printing style is duplex printing, and the number of pages is a multiple of 4 when the printing style is double-sided folding. For example, if the print format is double-sided, if the amount of layout elements is small, the designer reduces the number of layout elements to be placed on the front or back cover page, and the layout to be placed on the middle facing page. By performing layout according to know-how such as increasing the number of elements, a good-looking layout is realized. Therefore, it is not easy for a user with little knowledge about the layout to realize a good-looking layout.

  Further, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, a configuration is adopted in which a part of the layout element is discarded or the contents of the layout element are changed so that the total number of pages of the layout result does not exceed the upper limit number of pages. Therefore, there is a problem that layout elements are damaged. Furthermore, since the layout elements are laid out so as to have a layout defined in advance by the layout template, the number of pages of layout results varies depending on the amount of layout elements. Therefore, unlike the layout based on bookbinding, it is impossible to lay out so that the layout elements fit in the predetermined number of pages.

In the invention described in Patent Document 2, on the premise of bookbinding, the user selects whether or not to arrange a layout element on the front cover or the back page of the back cover, and the empty page data is stored as necessary. Although it is added, the number of pages of the layout result varies depending on the amount of layout elements.
Therefore, the present invention has been made paying attention to such an unsolved problem of the conventional technology, and even if the user has little knowledge about layout without losing layout elements, An object of the present invention is to provide a layout system, a layout program, and a layout method capable of realizing a good-looking layout based on bookbinding regardless of the amount.

[Mode 1] In order to achieve the above object, a layout system according to mode 1 includes:
A layout system that performs layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
Content data input means for inputting content data structured from a plurality of the layout elements;
A print format input means for inputting a print format;
Layout means for arranging the layout elements included in the content data input by the content data input means in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print appearance input by the print appearance input means;
An evaluation value calculation means for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout means;
The evaluation value calculation means includes a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element, and a page area that constitutes a spread page among each page area obtained by dividing a layout area of a size according to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element constitutes a spread page among the page areas. The evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value when they are separately arranged in different page areas.

  With this configuration, when the content data is input by the content data input unit and the print format is input by the print format input unit, the layout element included in the input content data is input by the layout unit. It is arranged in a layout area having a size corresponding to the print style. Then, the evaluation value is calculated by the evaluation value calculation means based on the layout mode of the layout elements in the layout area for the layout result of the layout means. Specifically, when a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element is arranged separately in each page area and constituting a spread page, the evaluation value is based on the first penalty value. Calculated. In addition, when a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element is separately arranged in different page areas that do not constitute a spread page among the page areas, an evaluation value is calculated based on the second penalty value. The Since the first penalty value and the second penalty value are different, a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element are arranged in a page area that constitutes a spread page, and are arranged in different page areas that are not. A different evaluation value is calculated in the case where it is.

  Even when a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element are arranged separately in different page areas due to layout restrictions or the like, it is better to arrange them in a page area constituting a spread page. Therefore, if different evaluation values are obtained between the case where the page is arranged in the page area that constitutes the spread page and the case where it is arranged in a different page area, the layout result is evaluated in consideration of the arrangement mode. can do. In addition, since the layout elements included in the content data are arranged in a layout area having a size corresponding to the print format, the layout result is the number of pages suitable for bookbinding. Therefore, as compared with the prior art, it is possible to achieve a good-looking layout based on bookbinding regardless of the amount of layout elements.

Furthermore, since it is only necessary to input the content data and the print format, it is possible to obtain an effect that even a user who has less knowledge about the layout can easily perform it.
Furthermore, since the layout element itself is not modified, an effect that the possibility that the layout element is damaged can be reduced as compared with the related art.

Here, the layout elements include text information, image information, and other elements that can constitute a layout. Hereinafter, the same applies to the layout system of form 2, the layout program of forms 11 and 12, and the layout method of forms 21 and 22.
Further, the present system may be realized as a single device, terminal, or other device, or may be realized as a network system in which a plurality of devices, terminals, or other devices are communicably connected. In the latter case, each component may belong to any one of a plurality of devices and the like as long as they are connected so as to communicate with each other. The same applies to the layout system of form 2 below.

[Form 2] Furthermore, the layout system of form 2
A layout system that performs layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
Content data input means for inputting content data in which a plurality of layout elements belong to a first hierarchy and a plurality of layout elements belong to a second hierarchy that is a lower hierarchy of the first hierarchy. When,
A print format input means for inputting a print format;
Layout means for arranging the layout elements included in the content data input by the content data input means in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print appearance input by the print appearance input means;
An evaluation value calculation means for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout means;
The evaluation value calculating means is arranged so that the plurality of layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy are separated into different page areas among the page areas obtained by dividing the layout area of the size according to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and the plurality of layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas of the page areas Is characterized in that the evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value.

  With this configuration, when the content data is input by the content data input unit and the print format is input by the print format input unit, the layout element included in the input content data is input by the layout unit. It is arranged in a layout area having a size corresponding to the print style. Then, the evaluation value is calculated by the evaluation value calculation means based on the layout mode of the layout elements in the layout area for the layout result of the layout means. Specifically, when a plurality of layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas among the page areas, the evaluation value is calculated based on the first penalty value. In addition, when a plurality of layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy are separately arranged in different page areas among the page areas, an evaluation value is calculated based on the second penalty value. Since the first penalty value and the second penalty value are different, a plurality of layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy are arranged in different page areas, and a plurality of layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy are arranged in different page areas. A different evaluation value is calculated for the case of arrangement.

  In the second hierarchy, layout elements that are more relevant in terms of content than layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy, which is the higher hierarchy, belong. Considering the simple case where the layout elements of any one of the layers are arranged in different page areas, the layout element of the second hierarchy is better when the layout elements of the first hierarchy are arranged in different page areas. It looks better than when they are arranged in different page areas. Therefore, if different evaluation values are obtained in each case, the layout result can be evaluated in consideration of the arrangement manner. In addition, since the layout elements included in the content data are arranged in a layout area having a size corresponding to the print format, the layout result is the number of pages suitable for bookbinding. Therefore, as compared with the prior art, it is possible to achieve a good-looking layout based on bookbinding regardless of the amount of layout elements.

Furthermore, since it is only necessary to input the content data and the print format, it is possible to obtain an effect that even a user who has less knowledge about the layout can easily perform it.
Furthermore, since the layout element itself is not modified, an effect that the possibility that the layout element is damaged can be reduced as compared with the related art.

[Mode 3] Furthermore, the layout system of mode 3 is the layout system of any one of modes 1 and 2,
The layout means arranges layout elements included in the content data in the layout area by a predetermined layout method, calculates a total number of pages of the layout result as a reference page number, calculates the calculated reference page number, and the print A blank page area is inserted into the layout result based on the number of difference pages from a predetermined target page number according to the appearance.

With such a configuration, the layout means arranges the layout elements included in the content data in the layout area by a predetermined layout method, and the total page number of the layout result is calculated as the reference page number. Then, based on the difference page number between the calculated reference page number and the predetermined target page number, a blank page region is inserted into the layout result.
Thereby, an effect is obtained that the layout result becomes the number of pages suitable for bookbinding by inserting a blank page area.

[Mode 4] Furthermore, the layout system of mode 4 is the layout system of mode 3,
Reference page presentation means for presenting the number of reference pages;
The apparatus further comprises target page number input means for inputting the target page number.

  With such a configuration, the calculated reference page number is presented by the reference page presentation means. Then, referring to the presented reference page number and inputting the target page number by the target page number input means, the layout means based on the difference page number between the calculated reference page number and the input target page number. Thus, a blank page area is inserted into the layout result.

[Mode 5] Furthermore, the layout system of mode 5 is the layout system of mode 3,
The apparatus further comprises target page number determination means for determining the target page number based on the reference page number and the print appearance input by the print appearance input means.
With such a configuration, the target page number determination means determines the target page number based on the reference page number and the input print format.

[Mode 6] Furthermore, the layout system of mode 6 is the layout system of any one of modes 3 to 5,
In the case where “saddle stitching” or “bookbinding” is input as the print format, the layout means performs layout by a predetermined layout method not depending on the print format when the reference page number is a predetermined value or less. It is characterized by becoming.
With such a configuration, when “saddle stitching” or “bookbinding” is input as the print format, and the reference page number is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the layout unit determines a predetermined layout that does not depend on the print format. Layout is performed by the method.

[Mode 7] Furthermore, the layout system of mode 7 is the layout system of any one of modes 1 to 6,
The layout means generates a plurality of layout results having different layout elements in the same print style.

With such a configuration, the layout unit generates a plurality of layout results having different layout elements.
Thereby, since a selection can be made from a plurality of layout results, an effect of widening the range of layout selection can be obtained.

[Mode 8] Furthermore, the layout system of mode 8 is the layout system of mode 7,
The evaluation value calculating means calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout means,
The method further comprises layout result selection means for selecting one of the plurality of layout results based on the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means.

With such a configuration, the evaluation value is calculated for each layout result by the evaluation value calculation means. Then, the layout result selecting means selects one of a plurality of layout results based on the calculated evaluation value.
Thereby, since the layout result is selected based on the evaluation value, it is possible to achieve an effect that it is possible to realize a layout having a better appearance.

[Mode 9] Furthermore, the layout system of mode 9 is the layout system of mode 7,
The evaluation value calculating means calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout means,
The apparatus further comprises layout result presenting means that prompts the user to select one of the plurality of layout results by presenting the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculating means in association with the layout result. .

With such a configuration, the evaluation value is calculated for each layout result by the evaluation value calculation means. Then, the layout result presenting means presents the calculated evaluation value in association with the layout result and prompts the user to select one of the plurality of layout results.
Thereby, since the user can select a layout result with reference to the evaluation value, an effect of realizing a layout according to the user's preference is obtained.

[Mode 10] Furthermore, the layout system of mode 10 is the layout system of mode 7,
The evaluation value calculating means calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout means,
The apparatus further comprises layout result presenting means for presenting the plurality of layout results based on the evaluation values calculated by the evaluation value calculating means and prompting the user to select one of them.

With such a configuration, the evaluation value is calculated for each layout result by the evaluation value calculation means. Then, the layout result presentation means presents a plurality of layout results based on the calculated evaluation value, and prompts the user to select one of them.
Thereby, since the layout result is presented based on the evaluation value, the user can select the layout result with reference to the presentation order. Therefore, an effect that a layout according to the user's preference can be realized is obtained.

[Mode 11] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the layout program of mode 11
A layout program that performs layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
A content data input step for inputting content data in which a plurality of the layout elements are structured;
A print format input step for inputting a print format;
A layout step of arranging the layout elements included in the content data input in the content data input step in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print format input in the print format input step;
A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an evaluation value calculation step for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout step;
In the evaluation value calculating step, a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element includes a page area that constitutes a spread page among each page area obtained by dividing a layout area of a size according to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element constitutes a spread page among the page areas. The evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value when they are arranged separately in different page areas.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system according to the form 1 are obtained.

[Mode 12] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 12 is
A layout program that performs layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
A content data input step for inputting content data in which a plurality of layout elements belong to a first hierarchy and a plurality of the layout elements belong to a second hierarchy that is a lower hierarchy of the first hierarchy. When,
A print format input step for inputting a print format;
A layout step of arranging the layout elements included in the content data input in the content data input step in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print format input in the print format input step;
A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an evaluation value calculation step for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout step;
In the evaluation value calculating step, the plurality of layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas among the page areas obtained by dividing the layout area of a size corresponding to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and the plurality of layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas of the page areas Is characterized in that the evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system of mode 2 are obtained.

[Mode 13] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 13 is the layout program of any one of modes 11 and 12,
The layout step arranges layout elements included in the content data in the layout area by a predetermined layout method, calculates a total page number of the layout result as a reference page number, calculates the calculated reference page number, and the print A blank page area is inserted into the layout result based on a difference page number from a predetermined target page number according to the appearance.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system according to mode 3 can be obtained.

[Mode 14] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 14 is the layout program of mode 13,
A reference page presentation step of presenting the reference page number;
It further includes a program for causing a computer to execute processing including the target page number input step for inputting the target page number.

  With this configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system of mode 4 are obtained.

[Mode 15] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 15 is the layout program of mode 13,
The computer program further includes a program for causing a computer to execute processing including a target page number determining step for determining the target page number based on the reference page number and the print format input in the print format input step.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system of mode 5 are obtained.

[Mode 16] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 16 is the layout program of any one of modes 13 to 15,
In the layout step, when “saddle stitching” or “bookbinding” is input as the print format, if the reference page number is a predetermined value or less, the layout is performed by a predetermined layout method not depending on the print format. It is characterized by.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system of mode 6 are obtained.

[Mode 17] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 17 is the layout program of any one of modes 11 to 16,
The layout step generates a plurality of layout results having different layout elements in the same print style.

  With this configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system of mode 7 are obtained.

[Mode 18] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 18 is the layout program of mode 17,
The evaluation value calculating step calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout step,
The computer program further includes a program for causing a computer to execute a process including a layout result selection step of selecting one of the plurality of layout results based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation value calculation step.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system according to mode 8 are obtained.

[Mode 19] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 19 is the layout program of mode 17,
The evaluation value calculating step calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout step,
Let the computer execute a process including a layout result presenting step that prompts the user to select one of the plurality of layout results by presenting the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation value calculating step in association with the layout result. And a program for further comprising.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing according to the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system according to mode 9 are obtained.

[Mode 20] Furthermore, the layout program of mode 20 is the layout program of mode 17,
The evaluation value calculating step calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout step,
A program for causing a computer to execute a process including a layout result presentation step that presents the plurality of layout results based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation value calculation step and prompts the user to select one of them. Is further included.

  With such a configuration, when the program is read by the computer and the computer executes processing in accordance with the read program, the same operations and effects as those of the layout system of mode 10 are obtained.

[Form 21] On the other hand, in order to achieve the above object, the layout method of form 21 includes:
A layout method for performing layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
A content data input step for inputting content data in which a plurality of the layout elements are structured;
A print format input step for inputting a print format;
A layout step of arranging the layout elements included in the content data input in the content data input step in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print format input in the print format input step;
An evaluation value calculating step for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout step,
In the evaluation value calculating step, a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element includes a page area that constitutes a spread page among each page area obtained by dividing a layout area of a size according to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element constitutes a spread page among the page areas. The evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value when they are arranged separately in different page areas.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of aspect 1 is obtained.

[Form 22] Furthermore, the layout method of form 22 includes:
A layout method for performing layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
A content data input step for inputting content data in which a plurality of layout elements belong to a first hierarchy and a plurality of the layout elements belong to a second hierarchy that is a lower hierarchy of the first hierarchy. When,
A print format input step for inputting a print format;
A layout step of arranging the layout elements included in the content data input in the content data input step in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print format input in the print format input step;
An evaluation value calculating step for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout step,
In the evaluation value calculating step, the plurality of layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas among the page areas obtained by dividing the layout area of a size corresponding to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and the plurality of layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas of the page areas Is characterized in that the evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 2 is obtained.

[Form 23] Furthermore, the layout method of form 23 is the layout method of any one of forms 21 and 22,
The layout step arranges layout elements included in the content data in the layout area by a predetermined layout method, calculates a total page number of the layout result as a reference page number, calculates the calculated reference page number, and the print A blank page area is inserted into the layout result based on a difference page number from a predetermined target page number according to the appearance.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 3 is obtained.

[Mode 24] Further, the layout method of mode 24 is the layout method of mode 23,
A reference page presentation step of presenting the reference page number;
And a target page number input step of inputting the target page number.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 4 is obtained.

[Mode 25] Furthermore, the layout method of mode 25 is the layout method of mode 23,
The method further includes a target page number determining step of determining the target page number based on the reference page number and the print format input in the print format input step.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 5 is obtained.

[Mode 26] Furthermore, the layout method of mode 26 is the layout method of any one of modes 23 to 25,
In the layout step, when “saddle stitching” or “bookbinding” is input as the print format, if the reference page number is a predetermined value or less, the layout is performed by a predetermined layout method not depending on the print format. It is characterized by.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 6 is obtained.

[Mode 27] Furthermore, the layout method of mode 27 is the layout method of any one of modes 21 to 26,
The layout step generates a plurality of layout results having different layout elements in the same print style.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 7 is obtained.

[Mode 28] Furthermore, the layout method of mode 28 is the same as the layout method of mode 27,
The evaluation value calculating step calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout step,
The method further includes a layout result selection step of selecting any one of the plurality of layout results based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation value calculation step.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 8 is obtained.

[Mode 29] Furthermore, the layout method of mode 29 is the same as the layout method of mode 27,
The evaluation value calculating step calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout step,
The method further includes a layout result presentation step that prompts the user to select one of the plurality of layout results by presenting the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation value calculating step in association with the layout result. .
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 9 is obtained.

[Mode 30] Furthermore, the layout method of mode 30 is the layout method of mode 27,
The evaluation value calculating step calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout step,
The method further includes a layout result presentation step that presents the plurality of layout results based on the evaluation value calculated in the evaluation value calculation step and prompts the user to select one of them.
Thereby, an effect equivalent to that of the layout system of mode 10 is obtained.

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 to 13 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a layout system, a layout program, and a layout method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the layout system, the layout program, and the layout method according to the present invention are applied to a case where a plurality of layout elements are laid out in accordance with the print style as shown in FIG.

First, the functional outline of the layout apparatus 100 to which the present invention is applied will be described.
FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of the layout apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 1, the layout apparatus 100 includes a content data input unit 10 that inputs content data 2 in which a plurality of layout elements are logically structured, a print format input unit 12 that inputs a print format, and content data. And a layout unit 18 for laying out layout elements included in the content data 2 input by the input unit 10.

  The layout unit 18 assigns a layout element to each page region obtained by dividing the layout region of the size according to the print format input by the print format input unit 12 in units of pages, and the page region is determined for each page region according to the layout template. The layout element assigned to is laid out, and a layout result 4 is obtained. In addition, a plurality of layout results 4 having different layout element arrangement modes for the same print appearance are generated.

  The layout device 100 further calculates an evaluation value for each layout result 4 of the layout unit 18 based on the layout mode of layout elements in the layout area, and the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation unit 20. A layout result display unit 22 that prompts the user to display a plurality of layout results 4 based on the values and select one of them, and a plurality of layout results 4 displayed on the layout result display unit 22 A layout result selection unit 24 for inputting one of the selections is provided.

Next, the configuration of the layout apparatus 100 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the layout apparatus 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the layout apparatus 100 includes a CPU 50 that controls operations and the entire system based on a control program, a ROM 52 that stores a control program of the CPU 50 in a predetermined area, and data read from the ROM 52 and the like. And a RAM 54 for storing calculation results required in the calculation process of the CPU 50, and an I / F 58 for mediating input / output of data to / from an external device, which are signals for transferring data The buses 59 are connected to each other so as to be able to exchange data.

The I / F 58 includes, as external devices, an input device 60 such as a keyboard and a mouse that can input data as a human interface, a storage device 62 that stores data, tables, and the like as files, and a screen based on image signals. Is connected to a display device 64.
Next, the data structure of the storage device 62 will be described.

The storage device 62 stores a plurality of content data 2.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a logical structure of the content data 2.
As shown in FIG. 3, the content data 2 is data formed by hierarchically combining a plurality of layout elements, and is described in a markup language such as XML (eXtensible Markup Language). For example, when a related image is output together when displaying a certain article, the content is obtained by combining image information related to the image corresponding to the article with a lower hierarchy of text data describing the article content. Data 2 is created. As a feature of the content data 2, it is possible to realize various layouts from one document only by changing the layout template to be applied by including only the logical structure by eliminating information on the appearance of the document as much as possible. (One-Source-Multi-Use).

  In the example of FIG. 3, title information 502 and four pieces of text information 504 to 501 belong to the hierarchy immediately below the root 500. Further, the image information 512 belongs to the hierarchy immediately below the text information 504, the two image information 514 and 516 belong to the hierarchy immediately below the text information 506, and the image information 518 belongs to the hierarchy immediately below the text information 510. Yes. This is because a set of text information 504 and image information 512, a set of text information 506 and image information 514 and 516, and a set of text information 510 and image information 518 constitute one content, and title information 502 These three contents and text information 508 constitute the whole.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the content data 2.
In the content data 2 having the logical structure of FIG. 3, a tag set of start tags and end tags is nested between a start tag 540 and an end tag 542 for setting a route 500, as shown in FIG. By doing so, the layout element is set.
First, tag sets 544 and 546 for setting the title information 502 are described between the tag sets 540 and 542, and between the tag sets 544 and 546 are tag sets 548 and 550 for setting the contents of layout elements. “Title” is described. This indicates that “title” is set as the title information 502.

  Tag sets 552 and 554 for setting the text information 504 are further described between the tag sets 540 and 542. Between the tag sets 552 and 554, the “text” and “text of text” are set by the tag sets 548 and 550. "Continued" is described. Further, tag sets 556 and 558 for setting the image information 512 are described between “text” and “continuation of the text”, and image information is set between the tag sets 556 and 558 by the tag sets 548 and 550. A tag 559 indicating link information 512 is described. This indicates that “text” and “continuation of the text” are set as the text information 504, and the image information 512 is inserted between the “text” and “continuation of the text”.

Between the tag sets 540 and 542, the text information 506 to 510 and the image information 514 to 518 are similarly described by the tag set.
The storage device 62 further stores a plurality of layout templates.
The layout template includes the number of information storage frames, layout position and size, and the type of each information storage frame, as well as the font size, type and color of character information, character spacing and line pitch, and the quality of image information. , Size, aspect ratio, and trimming can be set, and is described in a markup language such as XML. The information storage frame corresponds to each layout element, and includes a title information storage frame for storing title information, a text information storage frame for storing text information, and an image information storage frame for storing image information. There is.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a layout defined by the layout template.
As shown in FIG. 5, the layout template defines a layout in which a title information storage frame 602, two text information storage frames 604 and 606, and four image information storage frames 608 to 612 are arranged in a page area 600. The title information storage frame 602 and the text information storage frames 604 and 606 are arranged in order from the top of the page area 600. Further, an image information storage frame 608 is arranged on the right side of the text information storage frame 604, and image information storage frames 610 and 612 are arranged on the right side of the text information storage frame 606, respectively. Note that the data structure in FIG. 5 is merely an example, and each layout template has a different data structure.

  For example, when the layout template of FIG. 5 is applied to the content data 2 of FIG. 3, the title information 502 is in the title information storage frame 602, and the text information 504 and the image information 512 are in the text information storage frame 604 and the image information storage frame 608. The text information 506 and the image information 514 and 516 are stored in the text information storage frame 606 and the image information storage frames 610 and 612, respectively. Other layout elements are stored in information storage frames of other layout templates.

Although not shown, the storage device 62 further stores a penalty value registration table in which penalty values are registered for a plurality of combinations of layout element types.
Next, processing executed by the CPU 50 will be described.
The CPU 50 includes a microprocessing unit and the like, starts a predetermined program stored in a predetermined area of the ROM 52, and executes a layout process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 according to the program.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the layout processing.
The layout process is a process realized as the content data input unit 10, the print appearance input unit 12, the layout unit 18, the evaluation value calculation unit 20, the layout result display unit 22, and the layout result selection unit 24, and is executed by the CPU 50. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the process proceeds to step S100.

In step S100, the content data 2 to be laid out is read from the storage device 62, and the process proceeds to step S102, where the print device such as “saddle stitching”, “bookbinding”, “double-sided”, and “bi-fold” is printed on the input device 60. And the process proceeds to step S104.
In step S104, one of a plurality of page allocation operations is selected, and the layout elements included in the read content data 2 are allocated to each page area 600 by the selected page allocation operation. Then, the layout is performed for each page region 600 as follows.

  First, a layout template that matches the number and type of layout elements assigned to the page area 600 is selected from the storage device 62. Specifically, a layout template in which the number of layout elements matches the number of information storage frames is selected. When it is determined that there is no layout template in which the number of layout elements matches the number of information storage frames, a layout template that most closely approximates the number of layout elements and the number of information storage frames is selected. Then, after adding or deleting information storage frames so that the number of layout elements matches the number of information storage frames for the layout specified by the selected layout template, the logical structure of the layout template is changed. To do. Then, according to the selected layout template, the layout elements assigned to the page area 600 are laid out.

Next, the process proceeds to step S106, where the total number of pages of the temporary layout result in step S104 is calculated as the reference page number, and the process proceeds to step S108, where 4 based on the calculated reference page number and the input print format. The target number of pages consisting of a multiple of is determined, and the process proceeds to step S110.
In step S110, it is determined whether or not the calculated reference page number is a multiple of four. When it is determined that the reference page number is not a multiple of four (No), the process proceeds to step S112, and in step S104. Blank page insertion processing for inserting a blank page area 600 into the temporary layout result is executed, and the process proceeds to step S114.

In step S114, an evaluation value calculation process for calculating an evaluation value for the layout result 4 in steps S104 and S112 is executed. The process proceeds to step S116, and is associated with the calculated evaluation value in steps S104 and S112. The layout result 4 is stored in the storage device 62, and the process proceeds to step S118.
In step S118, it is determined whether or not the processing of steps S104 to S116 has been completed for all page allocation operations. When it is determined that the processing has been completed for all page allocation operations (Yes), the process proceeds to step S120. The layout result 4 and the evaluation value are read from the storage device 62, the layout result 4 is displayed on the display device 64 in ascending order of the evaluation value, and the user is prompted to select one of them, and the process proceeds to step S122. Transition.

In step S122, the selection of the layout result 4 is input from the input device 60, the process proceeds to step S124, the selected layout result 4 is output to the printing device or the like, a series of processing ends, and the original processing is restored. Let
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S118 that the processing has not been completed for all page allocation operations (No), the process proceeds to step S104.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S110 that the reference page number is a multiple of 4 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S114.
Next, the blank page insertion process in step S112 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing blank page insertion processing.
When the blank page insertion process is executed in step S112, as shown in FIG. 7, first, the process proceeds to step S200.

In step S200, the difference page number is calculated by subtracting the reference page number from the target page number, the process proceeds to step S202, the calculated difference page number is determined, and the difference page number is determined to be less than “0”. If so (<0), the process proceeds to step S204, the target page number is incremented by "4", and the process proceeds to step S200.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S202 that the difference page number is larger than “4” (> 4), the process proceeds to step S206, the target page number is decremented by “4”, and the process proceeds to step S200.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S202 that the number of difference pages is “1” (= 1), the process proceeds to step S208, and a blank page area 600 is set as the second page in the temporary layout result in step S104. The first layout result 4 is generated by inserting one, and the process proceeds to step S210.
In step S210, the second layout result 4 is generated by inserting one blank page area 600 on the last page in the temporary layout result in step S104, and a series of processes is terminated and the original process is restored. .

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S202 that the difference page number is “2” (= 2), the process proceeds to step S212, and the second page and the last page in the temporary layout result in step S104 are blank pages. The first layout result 4 is generated by inserting each region 600 one by one, and the process proceeds to step S214.
In step S214, a second layout result 4 is generated by inserting two blank page areas 600 on the last page in the provisional layout result in step S104, and a series of processes is terminated to return to the original process. .

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S202 that the number of difference pages is “3” (= 3), the process proceeds to step S216, and a blank page area 600 is set on the second page in the temporary layout result in step S104. One is inserted, and two blank page areas 600 are inserted in the last page to generate the layout result 4, and a series of processing is terminated to return to the original processing.

Next, the evaluation value calculation process in step S114 will be described.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the evaluation value calculation process.
When the evaluation value calculation process is executed in step S114, the process first proceeds to step S300 as shown in FIG.
In step S300, “1” is set in the variable Page that stores the number of pages to be processed at present, and “0” is set in the variable Psum that stores the total penalty value. If the value of the variable Page is determined to be an even number (Yes), the process proceeds to step S304, the spread page coefficient is set to the weighting variable W, and step S306 is performed. Migrate to

  In step S306, the attributes (including type and hierarchy) of the layout element arranged at the end of the page area 600 specified by the value of the variable Page are acquired, the process proceeds to step S308, and the value of the variable Page + 1 ( A value obtained by adding “1” to the value of the variable “Page” (hereinafter, the same applies) is acquired, and the attribute of the layout element arranged at the head of the page area 600 is acquired, and the process proceeds to step S310.

  In step S310, based on the acquired attribute, a penalty value corresponding to a combination of types of layout elements (hereinafter referred to as boundary layout elements) arranged separately in the preceding and following page areas 600 is obtained from the penalty value registration table. get. Further, based on the acquired attribute, it is determined whether the boundary layout element belongs to the same hierarchy in the content data 2, and when it is determined that the boundary layout element belongs to the same hierarchy, the acquired penalty value is set. Add a predetermined penalty value. Further, based on the acquired attribute, it is determined whether or not the boundary layout element is the same layout element. When it is determined that the boundary layout element is the same layout element, a predetermined penalty value is added to the acquired penalty value. .

Next, the process proceeds to step S312, where the obtained penalty value is multiplied by the value of the weighting variable W, and the multiplication result is added to the variable Psum. The process proceeds to step S314, and “1” is added to the value of the variable Page. Then, the process proceeds to step S316.
In step S316, it is determined whether or not the value of the variable Page is larger than the target page number. If it is determined that the value of the variable Page is larger than the target page number (Yes), the process proceeds to step S318, and the variable The value of Psum is output as an evaluation value, a series of processing is terminated and the original processing is restored.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S316 that the value of the variable Page is equal to or less than the target page number (No), the process proceeds to step S302.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step S302 that the value of the variable Page is an odd number (No), the process proceeds to step S320, and the coefficient for the non-spread page that is larger than the coefficient for the spread page is set as the weighting variable. W is set, and the process proceeds to step S306.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
Hereinafter, a case where the content data 2 is the content of FIG. 3 will be described as an example.
In the layout apparatus 100, the user designates the content data 2 to be laid out and inputs “bookbinding” as the print format.
In the layout apparatus 100, when “bookbinding” is input as the print format, the layout elements included in the content data 2 are assigned to each page area 600 by a predetermined page allocation operation through steps S102 and S104. Then, a layout template is read for each page area 600, and the page area 600 is laid out according to the read layout template.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a temporary layout result when a layout element allocated by a predetermined page allocation operation is laid out.
As shown in FIG. 9, the temporary layout result includes title information 502 and text information 504 in the page area 600 of the first page, text information 506 and image information 512 and 514 in the page area 600 of the second and third pages, Text information 508 and 510 and image information 516 are laid out in the page area 600 of the fourth and fifth pages, and text information 510 and image information 518 are laid out in the page area 600 of the sixth page. Here, the text information 506, 508, and 510 are arranged separately in different page areas 600.

  In the layout apparatus 100, when a temporary layout result is obtained, the reference page number is calculated through steps S106 and S108, and the target page number is determined. In the example of FIG. 9, the reference page number is 6 pages, and the target page number is 8 pages because the print format is “bookbinding”. Next, since the reference page number is not a multiple of 4, a blank page insertion process is executed through step S112.

In the blank page insertion process, the difference page number obtained by subtracting the reference page number from the target page number becomes two pages. First, after step S212, blank page areas 600 are formed on the second page and the last page in the temporary layout result. Each one is inserted. Thereby, the first layout result 4 is generated.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first layout result 4 obtained by inserting a blank page region 600 into the temporary layout result by the first page allocation operation.

As shown in FIG. 10, the first layout result 4 is obtained by inserting one blank page region 600 on each of the second page and the last page in the temporary layout result of FIG. 9.
In addition, through step S214, two blank page areas 600 are inserted in the last page in the temporary layout result. Thereby, the second layout result 4 is generated.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a second layout result 4 obtained by inserting a blank page region 600 into the temporary layout result by the first page allocation operation.
As shown in FIG. 11, the second layout result 4 is obtained by inserting two blank page areas 600 in the last page in the temporary layout result of FIG. 9.
In the layout apparatus 100, when the layout result 4 is generated, the evaluation value calculation process is executed through step S114.

  In the evaluation value calculation process, first, an evaluation value is calculated for the first layout result 4. In the example of FIG. 10, the text information 510 is arranged separately on the spread pages, and the image information 514 and 516 belonging to the same hierarchy is also arranged separately on the spread pages. Therefore, the text information 510 and the image information 514 are arranged. , 516, the penalty value is calculated by multiplying the spread page coefficient. In addition, since the text information 506 and 508 are arranged separately on the non-page spread pages, the text information 506 and 508 are multiplied by a coefficient for the non-page spread page which is larger than the coefficient for the page spread. A penalty value is calculated. The evaluation value is calculated as the sum of the calculated penalty values.

  Next, an evaluation value is similarly calculated for the second layout result 4. In the example of FIG. 11, the text information 506 and 508 are separately arranged on the spread pages, so that the penalty values are calculated by multiplying the text information 506 and 508 by the spread page coefficient. Further, since the text information 510 is arranged separately on the non-page spread pages, and the image information 514 and 516 belonging to the same hierarchy is also arranged on the non-page spread pages, the text information 510 and the image information 514 and 516 are arranged. For, the penalty value is calculated by multiplying the coefficient for the non-page spread page. Other portions are the same as those in the first layout result 4. The evaluation value is calculated as the sum of the calculated penalty values.

Then, the first layout result 4 and the second layout result 4 are stored in association with the calculated evaluation values through step S116.
Next, when there is a second page allocation operation, a temporary layout result is obtained by the second page allocation operation as described above. For example, it is assumed that a page break is performed with the title information 502. As a result, the temporary layout result is that the title information 502 is in the page area 600 of the first page, the text information 504 and 506 and the image information 512 are in the page area 600 of the second and third pages, and the page areas of the fourth and fifth pages. In 600, text information 508 and image information 514 and 516 are laid out, and in page area 600 of the sixth page, text information 510 and image information 518 are laid out. In this case, any layout element is arranged in one page area 600.

In the blank page insertion process, since the number of difference pages is two, first, through step S212, one blank page region 600 is inserted in each of the second page and the last page in the temporary layout result. Thereby, the first layout result 4 is generated.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a first layout result 4 obtained by inserting a blank page region 600 into the temporary layout result by the second page allocation operation.

As shown in FIG. 12, the first layout result 4 is a temporary layout result in which one blank page region 600 is inserted in each of the second page and the last page.
In addition, through step S214, two blank page areas 600 are inserted in the last page in the temporary layout result. Thereby, the second layout result 4 is generated.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a second layout result 4 obtained by inserting a blank page region 600 into the temporary layout result by the second page allocation operation.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the second layout result 4, two blank page areas 600 are inserted in the last page in the temporary layout result.
In the evaluation value calculation process, first, an evaluation value is calculated for the first layout result 4. In the example of FIG. 12, the text information 506 and the image information 514 belonging to the same hierarchy are arranged separately on the spread pages, so that the text information 506 and the image information 514 are multiplied by the spread page coefficient and the penalty. A value is calculated. The evaluation value is calculated as the sum of the calculated penalty values.

  Next, an evaluation value is similarly calculated for the second layout result 4. In the example of FIG. 13, since the text information 506 and the image information 514 belonging to the same hierarchy are arranged separately on the non-page spread pages, the text information 506 and the image information 514 are multiplied by a coefficient for the non-page spread pages. The penalty value is calculated. The evaluation value is calculated as the sum of the calculated penalty values.

Then, the first layout result 4 and the second layout result 4 are stored in association with the calculated evaluation values through step S116.
As described above, four layout results 4 are obtained. In the penalty value registration table, when the penalty value corresponding to the combination of text information is larger than the penalty value corresponding to the combination of image information, 4 The evaluation value of one layout result 4 decreases in the order of FIG. 10, FIG. 11, FIG. 13, and FIG.

Then, through step S120, the layout results 4 are displayed in ascending order of evaluation values, and the user is prompted to select one of them. Here, the user selects a desired layout result 4 with reference to the display order.
When the layout result 4 is selected, the selected layout result 4 is output through step S124.

  In this way, in the present embodiment, when a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element are arranged separately on the spread page, the evaluation value is calculated based on the penalty value for the spread page. When multiple related layout elements or the same layout element are arranged separately on non-page spread pages, the evaluation is based on the penalty value for non-page spread pages, which is greater than the penalty value for page spreads. The value is calculated.

  Even when a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element are arranged separately on different pages due to layout restrictions or the like, it is better to arrange them on a spread page. Therefore, if different evaluation values are obtained for the case of being arranged on a spread page and the case of being arranged on a non-page spread page, the layout result 4 can be selected in consideration of those arrangement modes. In addition, since the layout elements included in the content data 2 are arranged in a layout area having a size corresponding to the print format, the layout result 4 is the number of pages suitable for bookbinding. Therefore, it is possible to realize a good-looking layout based on bookbinding regardless of the amount of layout elements as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, since it is only necessary to input the content data 2 and the print format, even a user who has less knowledge about the layout than in the past can easily do so.
Furthermore, since the layout element itself is not modified, the possibility that the layout element is damaged can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.
Further, in the present embodiment, the layout elements included in the content data 2 are arranged in the layout area by a predetermined layout method, the total number of pages of the temporary layout result is calculated as the reference page number, and the calculated reference page number and A blank page region 600 is inserted into the temporary layout result based on the number of difference pages from the predetermined target number of pages according to the print format.

Accordingly, the layout result 4 becomes the number of pages suitable for bookbinding by inserting the blank page area 600.
Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of layout results 4 having different layout element arrangement modes are generated for the same printing style.
As a result, a selection can be made from among a plurality of layout results 4, and the range of layout selection is widened.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, for each layout result 4, an evaluation value is calculated based on the layout mode of layout elements in the layout area, and a plurality of layout results 4 are displayed based on the calculated evaluation value. It encourages you to choose one of them.
Thereby, since the layout result 4 is displayed based on the evaluation value, the user can select the layout result 4 with reference to the display order. Therefore, a layout according to the user's preference can be realized.

  In the first embodiment, the content data input unit 10 and step S100 correspond to the content data input means of form 1, and step S100 corresponds to the content data input step of form 11 or 21, and print format input. The unit 12, the input device 60, and step S <b> 102 correspond to the print format input unit of the form 1 or 5. Step S102 corresponds to the print format input step of the form 11, 15, 21 or 25, and the layout unit 18 and steps S104, S106, S112 correspond to the layout means of the form 1, 3, 7 or 10. Steps S104, S106, and S112 correspond to the layout steps of forms 11, 13, 17, 20, 21, 23, 27, or 30.

  Further, in the first embodiment, step S108 corresponds to the target page number determination means of form 5, or the target page number determination step of form 15 or 25, and the evaluation value calculation unit 20 and step S114 Corresponding to the evaluation value calculating means 1 or 10, step S114 corresponds to the evaluation value calculating step of the form 11, 20, 21 or 30. Further, the layout result display unit 22 and step S120 correspond to the layout result presentation unit of form 10, and step S120 corresponds to the layout result presentation step of form 20 or 30.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 14 to 16 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of a layout system, a layout program, and a layout method according to the present invention.
In the present embodiment, the layout system, the layout program, and the layout method according to the present invention are applied to the case where a plurality of layout elements are laid out according to the printing style, and are different from the first embodiment. This is because the penalty value is increased when the layout elements belonging to the lower hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas 600. Hereinafter, only the parts different from the first embodiment will be described, and the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

First, the logical structure of the content data 2 will be described.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a logical structure of the content data 2.
In the example of FIG. 14, title information 520, table of contents information 522, and text 524 belong to the hierarchy immediately below root 500, and chapter 526 belongs to the hierarchy immediately below text 524. In addition, chapter title information 528, text information 530, and sections 532 and 534 belong to the hierarchy immediately below chapter 526, and section title information 536, text information 538, image information 540, and bar are directly below the section 532. 542 belongs to. In addition, bar title information 544, text information 546, and image information 548 belong to a hierarchy immediately below bar 542. This constitutes one bar 542 in which the bar title information 544, text information 546, and image information 548 are related, and the bar 542 is related to the bar title information 536, text information 538, image information 540, and bar 542. One node 532 is formed. The section 532, chapter title information 528, text information 530, and section 534 constitute one chapter 526. The chapter 526 is a body 524, and the title information 520 and table of contents information 522 constitute the whole. is doing.

The root 500 indicates the highest level of the hierarchy, and the text 524, chapter 526, sections 532, 534, and measure 542 indicate that other layout elements are grouped, and all have a logical structure. Is not reflected in the output.
Each layout element is set with a penalty value in the case where the layout elements are arranged in different page areas 600 with respect to adjacent layout elements in the same hierarchy. For example, when the chapter title information 528 and the text information 530 are arranged in different page areas 600, the penalty value is “2”. The penalty value is set larger in the lower hierarchy. The reason is that layout elements belonging to the lower hierarchy are more relevant in terms of content than layout elements belonging to the upper hierarchy, and the appearance is impaired when they are arranged separately.

Next, processing executed by the CPU 50 will be described.
The difference from the first embodiment is the process of step S310.
In step S310, based on the acquired attribute, it is determined whether the boundary layout element belongs to the same hierarchy in the content data 2, and when it is determined that the boundary layout element belongs to the same hierarchy, the boundary layout element Is obtained from the content data 2.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
In the layout apparatus 100, when the temporary layout result is obtained, if the difference page number is two pages, one blank page region 600 is inserted into each of the second page and the last page in the temporary layout result through step S212. Is done. Thereby, the first layout result 4 is generated.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a first layout result 4 obtained by inserting a blank page region 600 into the temporary layout result by the first page allocation operation.
As shown in FIG. 15, the first layout result 4 shows that the title information 520 in the page area 600 of the first page, the table of contents information 522 in the page area 600 of the third page, and the page area 600 of the fourth and fifth pages. The chapter title information 528, the text information 530, 538 and the section title information 536 are laid out, and the text information 538, 546, the image information 540 and the bar title information 544 are respectively laid out in the page area 600 of the sixth and seventh pages. ing.

Similarly, the second layout result 4 is generated by the second page allocation operation.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second layout result 4 obtained by inserting a blank page region 600 into the temporary layout result obtained by the second page allocation operation.
As shown in FIG. 16, the second layout result 4 shows that the title information 520 in the page area 600 of the first page, the table of contents information 522 in the page area 600 of the third page, and the page area 600 of the fourth and fifth pages. , Chapter title information 528, text information 530, 538 and section title information 536 are included in the page area 600 of the 6th and 7th pages, text information 538 and image information 540 are included in the page area 600 of the 8th page, and bar title information 544 and The text information 546 is laid out.

In the layout apparatus 100, when the layout result 4 is generated, the evaluation value calculation process is executed through step S114.
In the evaluation value calculation process, first, an evaluation value is calculated for the first layout result 4. In the example of FIG. 15, since the section title information 536 and the text information 538 are arranged separately on the spread page, the penalty value “4” is acquired from the content data 2 and the acquired penalty value is displayed for the spread page. Multiply by a coefficient. Further, since the image information 540 and the bar title information 544 are arranged separately on the spread page, the penalty value “1” is acquired from the content data 2, and the acquired penalty value is multiplied by the coefficient for the spread page. The For other locations, penalty values are calculated as in the first embodiment. The evaluation value is calculated as the sum of the calculated penalty values.

Here, the coefficient for the spread page is “1”, the coefficient for the non-page spread page is “2”, and the penalty value of the portion where the text information 538 is arranged separately on the non-page spread page is “1”. In this case, the evaluation value P1 of the layout result 4 in FIG. 15 is as shown in the following expression (1).

P1 = (4 + 1) × 1 + 1 × 2 = 7 (1)

Next, an evaluation value is similarly calculated for the second layout result 4. In the example of FIG. 16, since the text information 530 and the section title information 536 are arranged separately on the spread page, the penalty value “1” is acquired from the content data 2, and the spread value for the spread page is acquired in the acquired penalty value. Multiply by a coefficient. For other locations, penalty values are calculated as in the first embodiment. The evaluation value is calculated as the sum of the calculated penalty values.

Here, in addition to the above condition, when the penalty value of the location where the text information 538 and the image information belonging to the same hierarchy are separately arranged on the spread page is “2”, the evaluation value of the layout result 4 in FIG. P2 is as shown in the following formula (2).

P2 = (1 + 2) × 1 + 1 × 2 = 5 (2)

Then, through step S120, the layout results 4 are displayed in ascending order of evaluation values, and the user is prompted to select one of them. Here, the user selects a desired layout result 4 with reference to the display order.

When the layout result 4 is selected, the selected layout result 4 is output through step S124.
In this way, in the present embodiment, when layout elements belonging to the first layer are separated and arranged on different pages, the first penalty value is acquired from the content data 2 and the first layer When layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy, which is the lower hierarchy, are arranged separately on different pages, a second penalty value larger than the first penalty value is obtained from the content data 2, and the obtained penalty An evaluation value is calculated based on the value.

  In the second hierarchy, layout elements that are more relevant in terms of content than layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy belong. Considering a simple case where the layout elements of any one of the layers are arranged in different page areas 600, the case where the layout elements of the first hierarchy are arranged in different page areas 600 is more It looks better than when layout elements are arranged in different page areas 600. Therefore, if a different evaluation value is obtained in each case, the layout result 4 can be selected in consideration of the arrangement mode. In addition, since the layout elements included in the content data 2 are arranged in a layout area having a size corresponding to the print format, the layout result 4 is the number of pages suitable for bookbinding. Therefore, it is possible to realize a good-looking layout based on bookbinding regardless of the amount of layout elements as compared with the conventional case.

Furthermore, since it is only necessary to input the content data 2 and the print format, even a user who has less knowledge about the layout than in the past can easily do so.
Furthermore, since the layout element itself is not modified, the possibility that the layout element is damaged can be reduced as compared with the conventional case.
In the first and second embodiments, the target page number is determined based on the reference page number and the print format. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the target page number is displayed by displaying the reference page number. It can also be configured to prompt the user to enter a number and have the user enter the target page number.

  In the first and second embodiments, the layout is not performed regardless of the number of reference pages. For example, “saddle stitching” or “bookbinding” is input as the print format. In this case, when the reference page number is extremely small and equal to or less than a predetermined value, the layout can be performed by a predetermined layout method that does not depend on the print format.

In the first and second embodiments, the plurality of layout results 4 are displayed based on the evaluation value and the user is prompted to select one of them. The present invention is not limited to the following two configurations.
In the first configuration, one of the plurality of layout results 4 is selected based on the evaluation value. For example, the layout result 4 having the smallest evaluation value is selected. If another constraint condition is given, the layout result 4 that satisfies the other constraint condition and has the smallest evaluation value is selected.

As a result, the layout result 4 is selected based on the evaluation value, so that a more attractive layout can be realized.
In the second configuration, the evaluation value is displayed in association with the layout result 4 to prompt the user to select one of the plurality of layout results 4.
As a result, the user can select the layout result 4 with reference to the evaluation value, thereby realizing a layout according to the user's preference.

  In the second embodiment, the penalty value is set in the content data 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the penalty value may be calculated according to a certain rule. For example, it is possible to cope with the case where the depth of the hierarchy is indefinite by setting a rule such that the penalty of page breaks between layout elements is doubled when the depth of the hierarchy is further increased.

  In the first and second embodiments, the case where the control program stored in advance in the ROM 52 is executed when the layout processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 8 is executed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be read from the storage medium storing the program showing these procedures into the RAM 54 and executed.

  Here, the storage medium is a semiconductor storage medium such as RAM or ROM, a magnetic storage type storage medium such as FD or HD, an optical reading type storage medium such as CD, CDV, LD, or DVD, or a magnetic storage type such as MO. / Optical reading type storage media, including any storage media that can be read by a computer regardless of electronic, magnetic, optical, or other reading methods.

  In the first and second embodiments, the layout system, the layout program, and the layout method according to the present invention are applied to the case where a plurality of layout elements are laid out according to the print style. The present invention is not limited, and can be applied to other cases without departing from the gist of the present invention.

3 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of functions of the layout apparatus 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a layout apparatus 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows the logical structure of the content data. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the content data. It is a figure which shows the layout prescribed | regulated by a layout template. It is a flowchart which shows a layout process. It is a flowchart which shows a blank page insertion process. It is a flowchart which shows an evaluation value calculation process. It is a figure which shows the temporary layout result at the time of laying out the layout element allocated by predetermined | prescribed page allocation operation. It is a figure which shows the 1st layout result 4 obtained by inserting the blank page area | region 600 in the temporary layout result by 1st page allocation operation. It is a figure which shows the 2nd layout result 4 obtained by inserting the blank page area | region 600 in the temporary layout result by 1st page allocation operation. It is a figure which shows the 1st layout result 4 obtained by inserting the blank page area | region 600 in the temporary layout result by 2nd page allocation operation. It is a figure which shows the 2nd layout result 4 obtained by inserting the blank page area | region 600 in the temporary layout result by 2nd page allocation operation. It is a figure which shows the logical structure of the content data. It is a figure which shows the 1st layout result 4 obtained by inserting the blank page area | region 600 in the temporary layout result by 1st page allocation operation. It is a figure which shows the 2nd layout result 4 obtained by inserting the blank page area | region 600 in the temporary layout result by 2nd page allocation operation.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Layout apparatus, 2 ... Content data, 4 ... Layout result, 10 ... Content data input part, 12 ... Printing style input part, 18 ... Layout part, 20 ... Evaluation value calculation part, 22 ... Layout result display part, 24 ... Layout result selection section, 50 ... CPU, 52 ... ROM, 54 ... RAM, 58 ... I / F, 60 ... input device, 62 ... storage device, 64 ... display device, 502,520 ... title information, 504 to 510,530 , 538, 546 ... text information, 512-518, 540, 548 ... image information, 522 ... table of contents information, 528 ... chapter title information, 536 ... section title information, 544 ... section title information, 540-558, 560, 562 ... Tag set, 559, 564 to 585 ... tag, 600 ... page area, 6 02 ... Text information storage frame, 604, 606 ... Text information storage frame, 608 to 612 ... Image information storage frame

Claims (14)

A layout system that performs layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
Content data input means for inputting content data structured from a plurality of the layout elements;
A print format input means for inputting a print format;
Layout means for arranging the layout elements included in the content data input by the content data input means in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print appearance input by the print appearance input means;
An evaluation value calculation means for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout means;
The evaluation value calculation means includes a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element, and a page area that constitutes a spread page among each page area obtained by dividing a layout area of a size according to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element constitutes a spread page among the page areas. The layout system is configured to calculate the evaluation value based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value when arranged separately in different page areas. . A layout system that performs layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
Content data input means for inputting content data in which a plurality of layout elements belong to a first hierarchy and a plurality of layout elements belong to a second hierarchy that is a lower hierarchy of the first hierarchy. When,
A print format input means for inputting a print format;
Layout means for arranging the layout elements included in the content data input by the content data input means in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print appearance input by the print appearance input means;
An evaluation value calculation means for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout means;
The evaluation value calculating means is arranged so that the plurality of layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy are separated into different page areas among the page areas obtained by dividing the layout area of the size according to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and the plurality of layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas of the page areas The layout system is characterized in that the evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value different from the first penalty value. In any one of Claim 1 and 2,
The layout means arranges layout elements included in the content data in the layout area by a predetermined layout method, calculates a total number of pages of the layout result as a reference page number, calculates the calculated reference page number, and the print A layout system, wherein a blank page area is inserted into the layout result based on a difference page number from a predetermined target page number according to a format. In claim 3,
Reference page presentation means for presenting the number of reference pages;
A layout system further comprising target page number input means for inputting the target page number. In claim 3,
A layout system further comprising target page number determination means for determining the target page number based on the reference page number and the print appearance input by the print appearance input means. In any one of Claims 3 thru | or 5,
In the case where “saddle stitching” or “bookbinding” is input as the print format, the layout means performs layout by a predetermined layout method not depending on the print format when the reference page number is a predetermined value or less. A layout system characterized by In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
The layout system is characterized in that the layout means generates a plurality of layout results with different layout elements in the same print style. In claim 7,
The evaluation value calculating means calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout means,
A layout system further comprising layout result selection means for selecting one of the plurality of layout results based on the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculation means. In claim 7,
The evaluation value calculating means calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout means,
The apparatus further comprises layout result presenting means that prompts the user to select one of the plurality of layout results by presenting the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculating means in association with the layout result. Layout system. In claim 7,
The evaluation value calculating means calculates the evaluation value for each layout result of the layout means,
A layout system further comprising layout result presenting means for presenting the plurality of layout results based on the evaluation value calculated by the evaluation value calculating means and prompting the user to select one of them. A layout program that performs layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
A content data input step for inputting content data in which a plurality of the layout elements are structured;
A print format input step for inputting a print format;
A layout step of arranging the layout elements included in the content data input in the content data input step in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print format input in the print format input step;
A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an evaluation value calculation step for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout step;
In the evaluation value calculating step, a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element includes a page area that constitutes a spread page among each page area obtained by dividing a layout area of a size according to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element constitutes a spread page among the page areas. A layout program that calculates the evaluation value based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value when the pages are separately arranged in different page areas. A layout program that performs layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
A content data input step for inputting content data in which a plurality of layout elements belong to a first hierarchy and a plurality of the layout elements belong to a second hierarchy that is a lower hierarchy of the first hierarchy. When,
A print format input step for inputting a print format;
A layout step of arranging the layout elements included in the content data input in the content data input step in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print format input in the print format input step;
A program for causing a computer to execute a process consisting of an evaluation value calculation step for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout step;
In the evaluation value calculating step, the plurality of layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas among the page areas obtained by dividing the layout area of a size corresponding to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and the plurality of layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas of the page areas , Wherein the evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value. A layout method for performing layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
A content data input step for inputting content data in which a plurality of the layout elements are structured;
A print format input step for inputting a print format;
A layout step of arranging the layout elements included in the content data input in the content data input step in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print format input in the print format input step;
An evaluation value calculating step for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout step,
In the evaluation value calculating step, a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element includes a page area that constitutes a spread page among each page area obtained by dividing a layout area of a size according to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and a plurality of related layout elements or the same layout element constitutes a spread page among the page areas. The layout method is characterized in that the evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value when they are arranged separately in different page areas. A layout method for performing layout by arranging layout elements in a predetermined layout area,
A content data input step for inputting content data in which a plurality of layout elements belong to a first hierarchy and a plurality of the layout elements belong to a second hierarchy that is a lower hierarchy of the first hierarchy. When,
A print format input step for inputting a print format;
A layout step of arranging the layout elements included in the content data input in the content data input step in the layout area having a size corresponding to the print format input in the print format input step;
An evaluation value calculating step for calculating an evaluation value based on an arrangement mode of the layout element in the layout area, for the layout result of the layout step,
In the evaluation value calculating step, the plurality of layout elements belonging to the first hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas among the page areas obtained by dividing the layout area of a size corresponding to the print format in units of pages. The evaluation value is calculated based on a first penalty value, and the plurality of layout elements belonging to the second hierarchy are arranged separately in different page areas of the page areas , Wherein the evaluation value is calculated based on a second penalty value that is different from the first penalty value.

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