Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and a program which can check a tag in a document at a glance.SOLUTION: An information processing device 1 comprises: tag reception means 112 which receives tag data consisting of an image added to a designated position of a document and a text embedded in the image; an index information storage unit 210 which stores index information 211 consisting of an index item in an index in the document and a position of a header corresponding to the index item; a tag storage unit 220 which stores the designated position, the text and the header to which the designated position belongs in association with each other; and output means 140 which outputs the tag data to the designated position, refers to the index information storage unit 210 and the tag storage unit 220, and outputs a tag icon to the neighborhood of the index item corresponding to the header to which the tag data belongs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a call center or the like, in a manual search system used by an operator, it has been widely practiced to record a personal memo as a sticker on manual data. The sticker is, for example, an image of a square piece of paper with a memo written on it. The display position of the sticker is generally recorded by a page number, an X coordinate, and a Y coordinate. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an information processing apparatus using the above-described sticker.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in the case of a paper manual, the location where the sticker paper is pasted is physically easy to visually check. However, in the case of an information processing apparatus using a sticker, including those described in Patent Document 1, an operator can notice the sticker for the first time when referring to the corresponding page and can check the content written on the sticker. Thus, in the case of an information processing apparatus using a sticker, it is difficult to comprehensively check where the sticker is described.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program that enable a sticker in a document to be checked at a glance.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention solves the above problems by the following means. The first invention is an information processing device comprising: sticky note receiving means for receiving sticky note data consisting of an image to be added to a specified position in a document and content embedded in the image; table of contents information storage unit for storing table of contents information consisting of headings in the table of contents of the document and the positions of the headings; sticky note storage unit for storing the specified position, the content, and the heading to which the specified position belongs in association with each other; and output means for outputting the sticky note data to the specified position and, by referring to the table of contents information storage unit and the sticky note storage unit, outputting existence information indicating that the sticky note data exists in the main text corresponding to the heading in the table of contents to which the sticky note data belongs, near the heading in the table of contents to which the sticky note data belongs. The second invention is an information processing device of the first invention, further comprising a table of contents information extraction means for scanning the document and extracting the table of contents information. The third invention is an information processing device described in the second invention, wherein the table of contents information extraction means extracts the table of contents information based on at least one of the font of the string of characters contained in the document, the size of the characters in the string of characters, and a predetermined string of characters, and the position of the string of characters. The fourth invention is an information processing device that, in any of the first to third inventions, comprises: a table of contents output means for outputting a list of table of contents information; and a sticky note extraction means for referencing the sticky note storage unit and extracting sticky note data related to each of the table of contents pieces of information output by the table of contents output means, wherein the output means comprises a sticky note icon output means for outputting sticky note icons corresponding to the sticky note data extracted by the sticky note extraction means as existence information. The fifth invention is an information processing device of the fourth invention, wherein the sticky note icon output means outputs a number of sticky note icons corresponding to the number of sticky note data extracted by the sticky note extraction means. The sixth invention is an information processing device of the fourth or fifth invention, comprising a first operation receiving means for receiving a first operation on the sticky note icon output by the sticky note icon output means, and the output means comprising a sticky note output means for outputting sticky note data corresponding to the sticky note icon in a visible manner in response to the first operation received by the first operation receiving means. The seventh invention is an information processing device of the fourth or fifth invention, further comprising a second operation receiving means for receiving a second operation on the sticky note icon output by the sticky note icon output means, and the output means comprising a page output means for outputting a page of the document containing the sticky note data corresponding to the sticky note icon in response to the second operation received by the second operation receiving means. The eighth invention is an information processing device in any of the fourth to seventh inventions, wherein the sticky note icon has a background image and text. The ninth invention is an information processing device of the eighth invention, wherein the text indicates the content or information related to the content. The tenth invention is an information processing device of the eighth or ninth invention, further comprising a third operation receiving means for receiving a third operation on the sticky note icon output by the sticky note icon output means, wherein the sticky note icon output means enlarges and outputs the sticky note icon in accordance with the third operation received by the third operation receiving means. The eleventh invention is an information processing device that, in any of the fourth to tenth inventions, includes a fourth operation receiving means for receiving a fourth operation on the sticky note icon output by the sticky note icon output means, and the sticky note icon output means outputs the content of the sticky note data corresponding to the sticky note icon in a speech bubble format in response to the fourth operation received by the fourth operation receiving means. The twelfth invention is an information processing device in any of the fourth to eleventh inventions, wherein the sticky note icon output means, when there are multiple sticky note data in the main text corresponding to the same heading in the table of contents, outputs a representative icon that represents the multiple sticky note icons instead of outputting multiple sticky note icons. The 13th invention is an information processing device of the 12th invention, wherein the sticky note icon output means outputs a representative icon having a configuration in which multiple sticky note icons are superimposed. The fourteenth invention is an information processing device of the twelfth invention, wherein the sticky note icon output means outputs a representative icon that shows the number of sticky note icons in the shape of one sticky note icon. The 15th invention is an information processing device that, in any of the 12th to 14th inventions, includes a 5th operation receiving means for receiving a 5th operation on the representative icon output by the sticky note icon output means, and the sticky note icon output means outputs a plurality of the sticky note icons arranged in a row in place of the representative icon in response to the 5th operation received by the 5th operation receiving means. The sixteenth invention is an information processing device in any of the first to fifteenth inventions, wherein the document is either a PDF (Portable Document Format) or image data. The 17th invention is a program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device of any of the first through 16th inventions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing device and program that enables users to check sticky notes within a document at a glance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This diagram illustrates the general processing steps in the information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a functional block diagram of an information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing an example of the table of contents information stored in the table of contents information storage unit according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the document output process of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the page output process of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a diagram for explaining the process related to the addition of sticky note data according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a diagram for explaining the process related to the addition of sticky note data according to the present embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing the table of contents output process of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a diagram for explaining the process by operating the sticky note icon according to the present embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing the table of contents information creation process of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that this is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the processing of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1(A) is a terminal operated by, for example, an operator 2 of a call center. The information processing apparatus 1 can be configured by, for example, a personal computer (PC) or a tablet terminal. The operator 2 responds to inquiries from a customer (not shown) via a telephone (not shown) or via the Internet through the information processing apparatus 1.

[0010] When, for example, operator 2 is handling customer inquiries, information processing apparatus 1 outputs document 30 to display unit 22 (described later) according to the operations of operator 2. Document 30 is, for example, manual data obtained by digitizing a manual document that operator 2 browses, and cannot be edited by operator 2. Also, document 30 is, for example, data in PDF (Portable Document Format). In the following description, document 30 is described by taking as an example a manual document used in a call center, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0011] Document 30 is, for example, text information including a table of contents 41 shown in FIG. 1(B) and a main text 31 including headings 32. The table of contents 41 is an arrangement of headings 32 in the main text 31 and is listed as table of contents items 42 (headings). Operator 2 can attach sticker data 34 to a designated position 35 specified by operator 2 in document 30. Here, the sticker data is data in which text 36 (content), which is the operator's own note, is embedded in a sticker image, which is a planar image in the shape of a sticker. Also, the designated position 35 in document 30 specified by operator 2 is, for example, a position determined by operator 2 to be a sentence that should be noted in main text 31. As described above, information processing apparatus 1 has a function of adding sticker data 34 to a designated position 35 in document 30 desired by operator 2.

[0012] Also, as shown in FIG. 1(B), information processing apparatus 1 outputs a sticker icon 51 (existence information) near table of contents item 42 corresponding to heading 32 to which sticker data 34 belongs in table of contents 41. Sticker icon 51 is a mark indicating that sticker data 34 exists in main text 31 to which heading 32 corresponding to the table of contents item 42 belongs. When it is necessary to distinguish each of the table of contents items 42 and sticker icons 51 shown in FIG. 1(B), in the following description, for example, they are described with an alphabet at the end, such as table of contents items 42a and 42b.

[0013] Next, we will explain the functional blocks of the information processing device 1. Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of the table of contents information 211 of the table of contents information storage unit 210 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 1 comprises a control unit 10, a storage unit 20, an input unit 21, and a display unit 22. The control unit 10 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls the entire information processing device 1. The control unit 10 works in cooperation with the aforementioned hardware to perform various functions by appropriately reading and executing the OS (Operating System) and various application programs stored in the memory unit 20.

[0014] Before explaining the functions of the control unit 10, let's describe the storage unit 20. The memory unit 20 is a storage area such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory element for storing programs, data, etc., necessary for the control unit 10 to perform various processes. The memory unit 20 stores the table of contents information memory unit 210, the sticky note memory unit 220, and the heading condition memory unit 230. The table of contents information storage unit 210 is a storage area for storing table of contents information 211. The table of contents information 211 is, for example, information that associates the names of the headings 32 in the main text 31 that correspond to the table of contents items 42 that make up the table of contents 41 in document 30, with their positions.

[0015] Figure 3 shows an example of table of contents information 211 stored in the table of contents information storage unit 210. The table of contents information 211 shown in Figure 3 includes the following items: identification number, heading name, range starting page number, range starting Y coordinate, range ending page number, and range ending Y coordinate. The main body 31 of document 30 is composed of pages 39a, 39b, ..., 39d. In each of the pages 39a, 39b, ..., 39d, the top edge of the page is the origin (0) of the Y coordinate system, and the bottom edge of the page is 1500.

[0016] Figure 3 shows three examples with identification numbers 0001 to 0003 as concrete examples. The identification number is identification information used to identify heading 32. For example, the heading name corresponding to identification number 0001 is "Chapter 1 XXXX Section 1 Summary," indicating that the summary is presented as the title of Chapter 1 Section 1. The record with identification number 0001 has a range starting page number of 1, indicating that Chapter 1 Section 1 is located on page 39a, which is the first page. Also, the record with identification number 0001 has a range starting Y coordinate of 0, indicating that Chapter 1 Section 1 starts from the beginning of page 39a. Furthermore, the range ending page number for identification number 0001 is 84, and the range ending Y coordinate is 1500. Thus, the table of contents information 211 indicates that Chapter 1, Section 1, with identification number 0001, covers the period from the beginning of page 1 (indicated by page 39a) to the last line of page 84 (indicated by page 39b).

[0017] The record with identification number 0002 has a range starting page number of 85, a range starting Y coordinate of 0, a range ending page number of 119, and a range ending Y coordinate of 1350. Therefore, from the table of contents information 211, it can be seen that Chapter 1, Section 2, with identification number 0002, has a range from the beginning of page 85, indicated by page 39c, to the middle of page 119, indicated by page 39d.

[0018] The sticky note storage unit 220 in Figure 2 is a storage area that stores information about the sticky note data 34. The sticky note storage unit 220 stores, for example, the specified position 35 of the sticky note data 34, the text 36 of the sticky note data 34, and the heading 32 to which the specified position 35 belongs, in association with each other. Here, the heading 32 to which the specified position belongs is a heading that exists before the specified position 35. In other words, the range of text described after the heading 32 includes the specified position 35.

[0019] The heading condition storage unit 230 is a storage area that stores heading conditions for determining whether a string extracted from document 30 is a heading 32. The heading condition storage unit 230 stores conditions that constitute the chapters, sections, etc. of heading 32, such as numbers, fonts, and font sizes. The heading condition storage unit 230 may also store heading conditions according to document 30. Specifically, heading conditions include conditions related to font size, such as the font size being at least a predetermined point (pt), and conditions related to combinations of numbers and chapter names (predetermined strings), such as the text beginning with a number (chapter number). The heading conditions to be stored in the heading condition storage unit 230 are registered in advance as settings. The memory unit 20 may also include other components, such as an operator information memory unit that stores the operator name and ID (IDentification) of operator 2, and a document memory unit that stores the document 30.

[0020] Next, the control unit 10 will be described. The control unit 10 includes icon operation receiving means 111 (first operation receiving means, second operation receiving means, third operation receiving means, fourth operation receiving means, fifth operation receiving means), sticky note receiving means 112, table of contents information extraction means 121, sticky note extraction means 122, association means 130, and output means 140.

[0021] The icon operation receiving means 111 receives any of the operations from the first to the fifth on the sticky note icon 51 attached to the table of contents 41. Here, the operations from the first to the fifth are, for example, operations to change the display mode of the sticky note icon 51 or operations to display the contents of the sticky note data 34 corresponding to the sticky note icon 51. These operations are performed by the operator 2 via the input unit 21 and include, for example, mouse over operations, long-pressing the left mouse button, left click, left double-click, right click, right double-click, right long-press, and rotation of the mouse wheel. Here, the operations from the first to the fifth may all be the same operation, some may be different operations, or each may be a different operation. The icon operation receiving means 111 may, for example, output a context menu for processing corresponding to the operations from the first to the fifth when it receives a right-click operation of the mouse via the input unit 21, and accept the item selected from the menu.

[0022] The sticky note receiving means 112 receives sticky note data 34 that operator 2 has attached to document 30. The sticky note receiving means 112 receives, for example, a specified position 35 of the sticky note data 34 and the text 36 contained in the sticky note data 34. The table of contents information extraction means 121 scans the document 30 and extracts table of contents information 211. If the document 30 has a table of contents 41, for example, the table of contents information extraction means 121 scans the document 30 based on the table of contents items 42 of the table of contents 41 and extracts strings. Then, for example, the table of contents information extraction means 121 creates table of contents information 211 by using the extracted strings as heading names and associating them with the positions of the extracted strings, and stores it in the table of contents information storage unit 210.

[0023] Furthermore, if the document 30 does not have a table of contents 41, the table of contents information extraction means 121 creates a table of contents 41 and table of contents information 211. Here, we will explain how to create Table of Contents 41 and Table of Contents Information 211. First, the table of contents information extraction means 121 scans the document 30 and extracts the headings 32 in the document 30. Here, the table of contents information extraction means 121 extracts heading 32 by referring to the heading conditions in the heading condition storage unit 230, for example.

[0024] More specifically, the heading condition storage unit 230 may store, for example, Gothic font as a heading condition. In that case, for example, if document 30 contains both Mincho and Gothic fonts, the table of contents information extraction means 121 will extract the Gothic font string as heading 32. Furthermore, the heading condition storage unit 230 stores, for example, strings of characters larger than a predetermined point size (e.g., 10 points) as heading conditions. In that case, the table of contents information extraction means 121 extracts a string of characters larger than the characters of the main text 31 in the document 30, for example, 15 points, as heading 32. Furthermore, the heading condition storage unit 230 stores, for example, combinations of numbers and chapter names as heading conditions. In that case, the table of contents information extraction means 121 extracts the string combination of numbers and chapter names in the document 30 as heading 32. The table of contents information extraction means 121 then creates table of contents information 211 by associating the position of the extracted heading 32 with the heading name, and stores it in the table of contents information storage unit 210.

[0025] The sticky note extraction means 122 refers to the sticky note storage unit 220 and extracts the sticky note data 34 attached to the document 30. The association means 130 compares the designated location 35 to which the sticky note data 34 received by the sticky note receiving means 112 is attached with the table of contents information 211, which includes the location of the heading 32 in the document 30, to identify the heading 32, which is the chapter or section to which the sticky note data 34 belongs. The association means 130 then associates the designated location 35, the sticky note data 34, and the heading 32 and stores them in the sticky note storage unit 220.

[0026] The output means 140 performs control for outputting to the display unit 22. The output means 140 includes a page output means 141 and a table of contents output means 142 (table of contents output means, sticky note icon output means, sticky note output means). The page output means 141 outputs the main text 31 of the document 30 to the display unit 22. Then, the page output means 141 outputs sticky note data 34 to a specified position 35 on the output main text 31. Here, the sticky note data 34 output by the page output means 141 is either data containing only the sticky note image, or data containing the sticky note image and text 36.

[0027] For example, when operator 2 performs an operation to output the main text 31 of document 30 to the display unit 22 (for example, a page-turning operation to output the main text 31), the page output means 141 refers to the sticky note storage unit 220 and outputs sticky note data 34, which includes a sticky note image and text 36, to the specified position 35 of the main text 31. For example, in Figure 1(A), sticky note data 34 is output, which includes a sticky note image and the text 36 "Points to note in the case of AAAA...". Furthermore, for example, when operator 2 selects a position in the text 31 while the text 31 is output to the display unit 22 (for example, by right-clicking), the page output means 141 outputs sticky note data 34 consisting only of a sticky note image without any text, with the operation position designated as position 35. Furthermore, for example, when operator 2 selects a certain sticky note icon 51 while the table of contents 41 is output to the display unit 22, the page output means 141 outputs the main text 31 (page) of the document 30, which includes sticky note data 34 corresponding to the selected sticky note icon 51.

[0028] The table of contents output means 142 outputs a table of contents 41, as illustrated in Figure 1(B), based on the table of contents information 211 stored in the table of contents information storage unit 210. The table of contents output means 142 then refers to the sticky note storage unit 220 and outputs sticky note icons 51 corresponding to the sticky note data 34 of the document 30 near the relevant table of contents item 42 in the table of contents 41. For example, when there is one sticky note data 34 corresponding to table of contents item 42a (see Figure 1(B)), the table of contents output means 142 outputs a sticky note icon 51a near the relevant table of contents item 42a in the table of contents 41. Also, for example, when there are three sticky note data 34 corresponding to table of contents item 42b of the document 30 (see Figure 1(B)), the table of contents output means 142 outputs, for example, a number of sticky note icons 51b to 51d corresponding to the number of sticky note data 34 (3 in this example) near the relevant table of contents item 42b in the table of contents 41.

[0029] The input unit 21 in Figure 2 is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The display unit 22 is, for example, a display device such as a display. Furthermore, the input unit 21 and the display unit 22 may be configured as an integrated unit, such as a touch panel, combining input and display functions. Furthermore, a computer is defined as an information processing device equipped with a control unit, a memory device, etc., and information processing device 1 is an information processing device equipped with a control unit 10, a memory unit 20, etc., and is included in the concept of a computer.

[0030] Next, we will explain the processing in the information processing device 1. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the document output process of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the page output process of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. Figures 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the process of adding sticky note data 34 according to this embodiment. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the table of contents output process of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the processing performed by operations on the sticky note icon 51 according to this embodiment.

[0031] Operator 2 selects, for example, a viewer (not shown), which is an application for outputting documents. The control unit 10 of the information processing device 1 then starts the viewer and makes the document 30 available for display on the display unit 22. Next, Operator 2 selects, for example, the document 30 to be output to the viewer. In step S (hereinafter referred to simply as "S") 11 of Figure 4, the control unit 10 of the information processing device 1 receives the specification of the document 30 and outputs the document 30 to the display unit 22. In S12, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the table of contents information 211 has already been created. If the table of contents information 211 is already stored in the table of contents information storage unit 210, the control unit 10 determines that the table of contents information 211 has already been created. If the table of contents information 211 has already been created (S12: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S14. On the other hand, if the table of contents information has not been created (S12: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S13. In S13, the control unit 10 (table of contents information extraction means 121) performs a table of contents information creation process to create table of contents information from the document 30. The table of contents information creation process will be described later.

[0032] When operator 2 performs a desired operation on document 30 output to display unit 22, in S14, control unit 10 determines whether a page of the main text 31 was specified by the desired operation. If a page of the main text 31 is specified (S14: YES), control unit 10 moves the process to S15. On the other hand, if a page of the main text 31 is not specified (S14: NO), control unit 10 moves the process to S16. In S15, the control unit 10 performs page output processing.

[0033] Here, the page output process will be explained based on Figure 5. In S101 of Figure 5, the control unit 10 (sticky note extraction means 122) performs sticky note extraction processing. The control unit 10 refers to the sticky note storage unit 220 and extracts sticky note data 34 contained in the specified page of the main text 31. In S102, the control unit 10 (page output means 141) outputs a page to the display unit 22 with the extracted sticky note data 34 attached to predetermined positions. As a result of this process, the page of the main text 31 output to the display unit 22 will have the sticky note data 34 that has already been created and registered. Therefore, operator 2 can view the text 36 from the previously added sticky note data 34 and obtain, for example, information about previously registered notices.

[0034] Next, operator 2, for example, if they want to write down something new to pay attention to, performs an operation to create a sticky note via the input unit 21. In S103, the control unit 10 (sticky note receiving means 112) determines whether or not it has received a sticky note creation operation. When operator 2 performs an operation such as right-clicking at a position specified by operator 2 on the page output to the display unit 22, the control unit 10 receives the operation to create sticky note data 34. If the sticky note creation operation is received (S103: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S104. On the other hand, if the sticky note creation operation is not received (S103: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S16 in Figure 4.

[0035] In S104, the control unit 10 (page output means 141) outputs sticky note data 34, which consists only of sticky note images, to the display unit 22. Figure 6 shows the state on page 39c where sticky note data 34, consisting only of a sticky note image, has been added to the designated position 35 operated by operator 2. In the example shown in Figure 6, the sticky note data 34 contains the text "Please enter," but it may be blank. The control unit 10 may also prompt operator 2 to enter text by, for example, flashing the "Please enter" display.

[0036] In step S105 of Figure 5, the control unit 10 (sticky note receiving means 112) receives text input from operator 2 for sticky note data 34. Figure 7(A) shows the configuration in which text 36 has been added to sticky note data 34. In this example, the text entered by operator 2 is "Note: The procedure flow has changed from 2021 / 07 / 29!", and is displayed as text 36. In S106 of Figure 5, the control unit 10 (association means 130) performs a heading detection process. Specifically, the control unit 10 refers to the table of contents information 211 stored in the table of contents information storage unit 210 and identifies the heading 32 to which the attached sticky note data 34 belongs, based on the page number and Y coordinate to which the sticky note data 34 belongs.

[0037] In S107, the control unit 10 (association means 130) performs association processing. Specifically, the control unit 10 obtains the page number of page 39c to which the sticky note data 34 is attached, and the X and Y coordinates (see Figure 6) of the operation position by operator 2 as the specified position 35. In the example in Figure 6, the control unit 10 obtains an X coordinate value of 856 and a Y coordinate value of 1021 as the specified position 35. Then, the control unit 10 associates the page number of the page to which the sticky note data 34 is attached, the X and Y coordinates of the specified position to which the sticky note data 34 is attached, the content of the text 36, and the name of the identified heading 32, and registers them in the sticky note storage unit 220.

[0038] Figure 7(B) shows an example of a sticky note storage unit 220 in which sticky note data 34, which was added to document 30 containing the created sticky note data 34, is registered. For example, the first line of Figure 7(B) reflects information about the sticky note data 34 added in Figure 7(A). More specifically, the text content of the sticky note storage unit 220 is "Note! The procedure flow has changed from 2021 / 07 / 28", the page number is "85" in page section 38a, the X coordinate is "856", and the Y coordinate is "1021". In addition, the heading name of the sticky note storage unit 220 reflects "Chapter 1 XXXX Section 2 Customer Code" in heading section 38b, which was identified in the processing of S106. Subsequently, the control unit 10 moves the process to S16 in Figure 4.

[0039] When operator 2 performs a desired operation on document 30 output to display unit 22, in S16 of Figure 4, control unit 10 determines whether or not the table of contents 41 was specified by the desired operation. If the table of contents 41 is specified (S16: YES), control unit 10 moves the process to S17. On the other hand, if the table of contents is not specified (S16: NO), control unit 10 moves the process to S18. In S17, the control unit 10 performs table of contents output processing.

[0040] Here, the table of contents output process will be explained based on Figure 8. In S111 of Figure 8, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) outputs the table of contents 41 with sticky note icons 51 added to the display unit 22. The control unit 10 outputs a table of contents 41, for example, as illustrated in Figure 1(B), based on the table of contents information 211 (see Figure 3) in the table of contents information storage unit 210. Subsequently, the control unit 10 refers to the sticky note storage unit 220 and outputs a sticky note icon 51 corresponding to the sticky note data 34 of the document 30 near the table of contents item 42 corresponding to the heading 32 to which the sticky note data 34 belongs.

[0041] For example, Figure 1(B) shows an example of a sticky note icon 51a output near the table of contents item 42a, which is "(Chapter 1) Section 2 Customer Code". The sticky note icon 51a clearly indicates that one sticky note data 34 is associated with the body text 31 of the heading 32 corresponding to the table of contents item 42a. Figure 1(B) also shows examples of sticky note icons 51b to 51d output near the table of contents item 42b, which is "(Chapter 2) Section 2 Procedure". The sticky note icons 51b to 51d clearly indicate that three sticky note data 34 are associated with the body text 31 of the heading 32 corresponding to the table of contents item 42b. In this way, the table of contents 41 outputs sticky note icons 51 corresponding to the sticky note data 34, so by simply looking at the table of contents 41, you can see at a glance how many sticky note data 34 are associated with each heading 32.

[0042] In S112 of Figure 8, the control unit 10 (icon operation receiving means 111) determines whether or not it has received an operation on the sticky note icon 51. If it has received an operation on the sticky note icon 51 (S112: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S113. On the other hand, if it has not received an operation on the sticky note icon 51 (S112: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S18 of Figure 4. In S113, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) changes the sticky note icon 51 to a form corresponding to the operation on the sticky note icon 51 and outputs it. After that, the control unit 10 moves the process to S18 in Figure 4.

[0043] Here, an example of how an operation is performed on a sticky note icon 51 that is output near table of contents item 42, and how it is output in a manner corresponding to the operation, will be explained based on Figure 9. Figure 9(A) shows an example where operator 2 performs a mouse-over operation on sticky note icon 51, for example, by pointing the pointer 53 over it. In this case, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) changes sticky note icon 51 to sticky note icon 61, which has the text 36 of the sticky note data 34 corresponding to sticky note icon 51 output inside sticky note icon 51. This makes it convenient for operator 2 to view the text 36 of the sticky note data 34 attached to the main text 31, even when referring to the table of contents 41. Furthermore, if operator 2 stops the mouse hover operation of pointer 53, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) may revert the sticky note icon 61 back to the original sticky note icon 51.

[0044] Next, Figure 9(B) shows an example where operator 2 performs a double-click operation on the sticky note icon 51, for example, using the pointer 53. In this case, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) outputs a speech bubble image 62 superimposed on the sticky note icon 51 and outputs the text 36 of the sticky note data 34 inside the speech bubble image 62. In this way, operator 2 can conveniently view the text 36 of the sticky note data 34 attached to the main text 31 in a callout format, even when referring to the table of contents 41. In particular, if the text 36 contains a lot of characters, the contents of the sticky note data 34 can be checked in a font size that is just right. Furthermore, if operator 2 stops the mouse-over operation of pointer 53, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) may erase the callout 62.

[0045] Next, Figure 9(C) shows an example where operator 2 rotates the mouse wheel while, for example, hovering the pointer 53 over the sticky note icon 61 modified in Figure 9(A). In this case, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) enlarges the sticky note icon 61 in response to the mouse wheel rotation. In Figure 9(C), the sticky note icon 61 has the text 36 of the sticky note data 34 output in small characters, but enlarging it makes the text easier to read. This makes it convenient for operator 2 to enlarge the text on the sticky note icon 61, even if it is small, making it easier to read. Furthermore, if operator 2 reverses the direction of rotation of the mouse wheel, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) may reduce the size of the enlarged sticky note icon 61.

[0046] Next, Figure 9(D) shows a sticky note icon 54 (representative icon) output near one table of contents item 42. The sticky note icon 54 indicates that there are three sticky note data 34 belonging to the heading 32 corresponding to the table of contents item 42. The sticky note icon 54 is shown in a manner in which multiple sticky note icons are superimposed. The number of superimposed sticky note icons may be the number of sticky note data 34 associated with the heading 32 corresponding to the table of contents item 42. The sticky note icon 54 also includes the number "3", which is the number of sticky note data 34 associated with the heading 32 corresponding to the table of contents item 42. Note that the sticky note icon 54 is just an example, and for example, it may be shown only in a manner in which multiple sticky note icons are superimposed, or it may be shown as a sticky note image representing a single sticky note with the number of sticky note data 34 indicated numerically.

[0047] Then, when operator 2 performs a mouse-over operation on the sticky note icon 54, for example, using the pointer 53, the control unit 10 (table of contents output means 142) changes the sticky note icon 54 to display three sticky note icons 51 side by side. In this way, by changing from one sticky note icon 54 to individual sticky note icons 51, operator 2 can perform an operation to select individual sticky note icons 51, for example, as follows:

[0048] Although not shown in the diagram, for example, when the control unit 10 (icon operation receiving means 111) receives a double-click operation of the mouse on the pointer 53 of the sticky note icon 51 by the operator 2, the control unit 10 (page output means 141) may output a page with sticky note data 34 corresponding to the sticky note icon 51, along with the sticky note data 34. By doing so, the operator 2 can check the contents of the sticky note data 34 and the documents 30 near the sticky note data 34 at the same time, making any points of caution regarding the documents 30 clearer.

[0049] The above describes several examples of operations on sticky note icons 51 and 54 using a pointer 53, such as the use of a mouse, but is not limited to these. Many variations of operations using the input unit 21 are possible, such as using the left or right mouse button, the length of time to press, the number of times to press, the way to rotate the mouse wheel, the tilt of the mouse wheel, and combinations with the shift key or control key.

[0050] In S18 of Figure 4, the control unit 10 determines whether or not to terminate the output of document 30. If operator 2 performs an operation to close the displayed document 30, for example, the control unit 10 determines to terminate the output of document 30. If the output of document 30 is terminated (S18: YES), the control unit 10 terminates this process. On the other hand, if the output of document 30 is not terminated (S18: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S14.

[0051] Next, we will explain the process for creating table of contents information. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the table of contents information creation process of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. In S201, the control unit 10 of the information processing device 1 reads the document 30. In S202, the control unit 10 (table of contents information extraction means 121) scans the document 30 from the beginning to the end as part of the document scanning process.

[0052] In S203, the control unit 10 (table of contents information extraction means 121) determines whether or not it was possible to extract the string of characters at the beginning of each sentence. The control unit 10 extracts the string of characters at the beginning of each sentence from the document 30. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may extract the string of characters at the beginning of each paragraph. If the string of characters at the beginning of each sentence was extracted (S203: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S204. On the other hand, if the string of characters at the beginning of each sentence could not be extracted (S203: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S206.

[0053] In S204, the control unit 10 (table of contents information extraction means 121) checks whether the extracted string matches the heading conditions in the heading condition storage unit 230. If it matches the heading conditions (S204: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S205. On the other hand, if it does not match the heading conditions (S204: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S206.

[0054] In S205, the control unit 10 (table of contents information extraction means 121) registers a record in the table of contents information storage unit 210 as a heading registration process, in which a string is used as the heading name and values ​​are entered for the range start page number and range start Y coordinate. If a record exists immediately before the registered record, the control unit 10 enters the corresponding values ​​for the range end page number and range end Y coordinate of that record. Here, the corresponding values ​​are the range end Y coordinate being the value immediately preceding the range start Y coordinate, and the range end page number being the page number of the page indicated by the value immediately preceding the range start Y coordinate.

[0055] In S206, the control unit 10 determines whether the scan has reached the end of document 30. If the end of document 30 has been reached (S206: YES), the control unit 10 moves the process to S207. On the other hand, if the end of document 30 has not been reached (S206: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S202. In S207, the control unit 10 (table of contents information extraction means 121) inputs values ​​corresponding to the end of the document into the range end page number and range end Y coordinate of the most recently registered record. After that, the control unit 10 terminates this process.

[0056] The above description explains how the table of contents information 211 is created by the processing of the information processing device 1, but it is not limited to this. For example, the table of contents information 211 may be created manually. In that case, a person can create the table of contents information 211 by actually looking at the document, reading information related to the table of contents such as chapters, sections, articles, and subsections, and manually adding headings and their scope information to the table of contents information storage unit 210.

[0057] Thus, according to this embodiment, the information processing device 1 has the following effects. (1) The sticky note data 34 is received at a specified position 35 in document 30, and the specified position 35 is associated with the text 36 and the heading 32 to which the specified position 35 belongs. The sticky note data 34 is then output to the specified position 35, and a sticky note icon 51 is output near the table of contents item 42 in the table of contents 41 to which the sticky note data 34 exists in the main text 31 to which the heading 32 for the table of contents item 42 belongs. Therefore, when sticky note data 34 is received, the sticky note data 34 can be registered by associating the specified position 35 of the sticky note data 34 with the text 36 and the heading 32. In addition, operator 2 can check the sticky note data 34 attached to document 30 and check the sticky note icon 51 output near the table of contents item 42. As a result, the location of the registered sticky note data 34 can be confirmed at a glance simply by looking at the table of contents 41.

[0058] (2) Since the document 30 is scanned and the table of contents information 211 is extracted, the processing described in (1) can be performed using the table of contents information 211. (3) Table of contents information 211 is extracted based on the font of the strings contained in the document 30, the size of the characters in the strings, and at least one of the predetermined strings, and the position of the strings. Therefore, table of contents information 211 can be extracted based on the characteristics of the headings 32 in the document 30.

[0059] (4) The table of contents information 211 is output as a table of contents 41, sticky note data 34 related to each of the table of contents information 211 is extracted, and sticky note icons 51 corresponding to the sticky note data 34 are output. Therefore, operator 2 can confirm the existence of the sticky note data 34 attached to document 30 by referring to the table of contents 41, as indicated by the sticky note icon 51. (5) The number of sticky note icons 51 corresponding to the number of extracted sticky note data 34 is output, so the presence of sticky note data 34 attached to the document 30 can be confirmed by the sticky note icons 51, including the number of sticky note data 34.

[0060] (6) In response to an operation on the sticky note icon 51, the sticky note data 34 is output in a visible format, so that the contents of the sticky note data 34 corresponding to the sticky note icon 51 can be understood with the table of contents 41 output. (7) In response to an operation on the sticky note icon 51, the page of document 30 containing the sticky note data 34 is output, so that the contents of the sticky note data 34, along with the preceding and following documents 30, can be understood.

[0061] (8) Since the sticky note icon 61 has a background image and text, the contents of the sticky note data 34 can be confirmed simply by looking at the sticky note icon 61 output in the table of contents 41. Additionally, the sticky note icon 61 will enlarge in response to your actions, allowing you to make the text easier to read as needed. (9) In response to an operation on the sticky note icon 51, the text 36 of the sticky note data 34 is output in a callout format, making it easier to check the contents of the sticky note data 34 corresponding to the sticky note icon 51.

[0062] (10) Instead of displaying multiple sticky note icons 51 near a single table of contents item 42 in the table of contents 41, a representative sticky note icon 54 is output, so that the presence of multiple sticky note icons 51 can be visually summarized. In particular, when there are many sticky note icons 51, they can be displayed in a neat manner. Furthermore, since multiple sticky note icons 51 are output in response to operations on the sticky note icon 54, it becomes easier to check each individual sticky note icon 51.

[0063] (11) Since document 30 is in PDF (Portable Document Format), the contents of document 30 can be imported as digital data and processed.

[0064] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Furthermore, the effects described in the embodiments are merely a list of the most preferred effects arising from the present invention, and the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments. The embodiments described above and the modified forms described later can be used in combination as appropriate, but a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0065] (Transformed form) (1) In this embodiment, the table of contents information stored in the table of contents information storage unit is described as storing the scope to which the heading belongs in association with the heading name, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, if a document has a table of contents, the table of contents information stored in the table of contents information storage unit may contain only the information of the table of contents, that is, the heading names. In that case, the control unit of the information processing device should scan the document backward from the designated location where the sticky note data is attached until a string matching the heading name in the table of contents information appears, and then set the appearing heading name as the heading name corresponding to the sticky note data.

[0066] (2) In this embodiment, the table of contents information stored in the table of contents information storage unit is described as storing both the information of the range start point and the information of the range end point as the range to which the heading belongs, associated with the heading name, but the embodiment is not limited to this. Processing can be performed in the same way even if only the information of the range start point is used.

[0067] (3) In this embodiment, the document was described using PDF data as an example, but it is not limited to this. For example, it may be a simple text file or the like. The document may also be image data. If the document is image data, it may be converted into a string using OCR (optical character recognition / reader) technology before processing. Furthermore, if the document is in image data format, for example, when performing OCR processing, table of contents information may be created at the same time.

[0068] (4) In this embodiment, the sticky note storage unit was described as storing the specified location of the sticky note data, the text of the sticky note data, and the heading to which the specified location belongs in association with each other, but it is not limited to this. For example, identification information that identifies the sticky note icon may also be stored in association with each other. In this case, when the sticky note icon is manipulated, the sticky note storage unit can be consulted and the sticky note data corresponding to the sticky note icon can be immediately identified, thus improving processing efficiency.

[0069] (5) In this embodiment, the information processing device has been described as being implemented by a standalone computer, but is not limited thereto. The information processing device may be, for example, a server connected via a communication network to a terminal equipped with input / output means operated by an operator.

[0070] (6) In this embodiment, manual data used by the operator was described as an example of a document, but the document on which sticky note data is attached is not limited to this. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1. Information Processing Device 10 Control Unit 20 Memory section 21 Input section 22 Display section 30 documents 31 Main text 32 Headlines 34 Sticky note data 35 Specified position 36 Text Page 38a 38b Heading Section Pages 39a, 39b, 39c, 39d 41 Table of Contents 42 Table of Contents Item 51, 54, 61 Sticky note icon 53 Pointer 62 speech bubble images 111 Icon operation reception method 112 Sticky note receiving method 121 Table of Contents Information Extraction Method 122 Sticky note extraction means 130 Association means 140 Output means 141 Page Output Method 142 Table of Contents Output Method 210 Table of Contents Information Storage Section 211 Table of Contents Information 220 Sticky note storage section 230 Heading Condition Storage Unit

Claims

1. A sticky note receiving means that receives sticky note data consisting of an image and content embedded in the image, which is attached to a designated position in the body of a document at any position specified by the operator. A table of contents information storage unit stores table of contents information consisting of headings and the positions of those headings in the table of contents of the document, A sticky note storage unit that stores the specified location, the content, and the heading to which the specified location belongs in association with each other, A page output means that outputs the sticky note data to the specified position, Table of contents output means for outputting a list of the aforementioned table of contents information, A sticky note extraction means that, by referring to the sticky note storage unit, extracts sticky note data related to each of the table of contents information output by the table of contents output means, Equipped with, The table of contents output means includes a sticky note icon output means that, by referring to the table of contents information storage unit and the sticky note storage unit, outputs a sticky note icon corresponding to the sticky note data extracted by the sticky note extraction means as existence information indicating that the sticky note data exists in the main text corresponding to the heading in the table of contents to which the sticky note data belongs, near the heading in the table of contents to which the sticky note data belongs. The sticky note icon output means includes a second operation receiving means for receiving a second operation on the sticky note icon output by the sticky note icon output means, The page output means is an information processing device that outputs a page of the document containing the sticky note data corresponding to the sticky note icon, in response to the second operation received by the second operation receiving means.

2. In the information processing apparatus according to Claim 1, The sticky note icon output means is an information processing device that outputs a number of sticky note icons corresponding to the number of sticky note data extracted by the sticky note extraction means.

3. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, The sticky note icon output means includes a first operation receiving means that receives a first operation on the sticky note icon output by the sticky note icon output means, The table of contents output means includes a sticky note output means that outputs sticky note data corresponding to the sticky note icon in a visible manner in response to the first operation received by the first operation receiving means, an information processing device.

4. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, The aforementioned sticky note icon is an information processing device having a background image and text.

5. In the information processing apparatus described in Claim 4, The text is an information processing device that indicates the content or information related to the content.

6. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5, The sticky note icon output means includes a third operation receiving means that receives a third operation on the sticky note icon output by the sticky note icon output means, The sticky note icon output means is an information processing device that enlarges and outputs the sticky note icon in response to the third operation received by the third operation receiving means.

7. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The sticky note icon output means includes a fourth operation receiving means that receives a fourth operation on the sticky note icon output by the sticky note icon output means, The sticky note icon output means is an information processing device that outputs the content of the sticky note data corresponding to the sticky note icon in a speech bubble format in response to the fourth operation received by the fourth operation receiving means.

8. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, The sticky note icon output means is an information processing device that, when there are multiple sticky note data in the main text corresponding to the same heading in the table of contents, outputs a representative icon that represents the multiple sticky note icons instead of outputting multiple sticky note icons.

9. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 8, The sticky note icon output means is an information processing device that outputs the representative icon having a configuration in which multiple sticky note icons are superimposed.

10. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 8, The sticky note icon output means is an information processing device that outputs a representative icon in the shape of one of the sticky note icons, with the number of sticky note icons indicated numerically. Information processing device.

11. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, The sticky note icon output means includes a fifth operation receiving means that receives a fifth operation on the representative icon output by the sticky note icon output means, The sticky note icon output means is an information processing device that, in response to the fifth operation received by the fifth operation receiving means, outputs a plurality of sticky note icons arranged in a row instead of the representative icon.

12. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, An information processing device comprising a table of contents information extraction means for scanning the aforementioned document and extracting the table of contents information.

13. In the information processing apparatus according to claim 12, The table of contents information extraction means is an information processing device that extracts the table of contents information based on at least one of the font of the strings of characters contained in the document, the size of the characters of the strings, and a predetermined string, and the position of the strings.

14. In the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The aforementioned document is either a PDF (Portable Document Format) or image data, and is an information processing device.

15. A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images