JP2003006556A - Form processing device, form data input device, form input / output system, form definition information creating device, program, program recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] The present invention relates to a form processing apparatus, and an object of the present invention is to provide a form processing apparatus that uses form definition information shared in form input and form output. A form processing device includes a web browser.
1 to the form data input device 70 having
0, and includes a form definition information conversion unit 41 and a form output unit 42. The form definition information conversion unit 41 creates an HTML file for transmitting to the form data input device 70 and displaying a form image based on the form definition information 20 including the layout information, input control information, and output control information. The form output unit 42 outputs an output 80 as a form based on the form definition information 20 and the output data 50 transmitted from the form data input device 70.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a form processing device, a form data input device, a form input / output system, a form definition information creating device, a program, and a program recording medium,
In particular, a form processing device, a form data input device, and a form input / output system that use form definition information about forms that are common in form input and form output, and form definition information creation that creates this common form definition information. The present invention relates to an apparatus, its program, and a program recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a conventional technique and shows a conventional form input / output process. In FIG. 17, the data input processing unit 101, which is a client, and the data output processing unit 107, which is a server, are connected to each other by a network such as the Internet.
It is constructed as a client / server electronic form system.

Data of various forms 102 such as handwritten sales slips are input (entry) on the input screen of the terminal 103. This input screen is displayed in accordance with the input form definition information (input form definition body) 104 created in advance.
Predetermined data can be input at a predetermined position. The input form definition body 104 is composed of input layout information indicating which data is present (displayed) at which position of the form, and is created separately from the data entry / access processing program (hereinafter, input processing program) 105. . The input data is stored in the database 106 by the input processing program 105 and then output from the input processing program 105 together with an output request to the data output processing unit (output application) 108.

Upon receiving the output request (for output), the application program 108 transfers the data (output data) 110, which has been transferred together with the output request, to the output data creation program 111. The output data has no output layout information indicating which data exists (prints) at which position on the form. Therefore, output form definition information (output form definition body) 109 including output layout information is created in advance. The output form definition information 109 includes output layout information. The output data creation program 111 maps the output data according to the output form definition information 109 so that the predetermined data can be output (printed) to a predetermined position and then outputs the data. For example, a form (sales slip) is printed out 112, sent out 113 by facsimile, and saved as electronic data 114 in the form of a form. Note that, as described above, the process of saving the form data is usually performed in the data output processing unit 107.

[0005]

According to the form input / output process shown in FIG. 17, the system of the form data input processing unit 101 and the system of the data output processing unit 107 are constructed as separate systems. That is, each has different processing programs 105 and 108, and uses different form definition information 104 and 109. Therefore, the man-hours for constructing the system are increased to prepare them, and the man-hours for maintenance for changing them when the form is changed are large.

In many cases, each application program 105, 108 is required because it is constructed as a client / server type electronic form system. From this point as well, it takes a lot of man-hours to build the system.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a form processing apparatus which uses common form definition information in form input and form output.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a form data input device which uses common form definition information in form input and form output.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a form input / output system which uses common form definition information in form input and form output.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a form definition information creating apparatus for creating common form definition information for form input and form output.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a program and a program recording medium for realizing a form processing device and a form definition information creating device for creating common form definition information for form input and form output. .

[0012]

The form processing device of the present invention is connected to a form data input device having a web browser via the Internet. The form processing device includes a form definition information conversion unit and a form output unit. The form definition information conversion unit is an HTML for transmitting to the form data input device and displaying the form image based on the form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information.
Create a file. The form output unit outputs an output product that is the form based on the form definition information and the output data transmitted from the form data input device.

According to the form processing apparatus of the present invention, common form definition information is used at the time of inputting and outputting a form. Therefore, the man-hours for developing the form and the man-hours for maintenance for changing these when the form is changed can be reduced to about half of those in the conventional case.

Further, the form data input device of the present invention creates an HTML file for displaying the form image based on the web browser and the form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information. And a form definition information conversion unit. Alternatively, it is provided with a web browser, and a form output unit that outputs an output product that is the form based on the form definition information and the output data transmitted from the form data input device.

According to the form data input device of the present invention, at the time of inputting and outputting a form, it is possible to input and output the form from the form data input device based on common form definition information. Therefore, unlike the client / server type electronic form system, each application program can be eliminated, and from this point, the number of man-hours for constructing the system can be reduced.

The form input / output system of the present invention comprises a form processing device connected to the form data input device via the Internet. The form processing device includes a form definition information conversion unit and a form output unit. The form definition information conversion unit creates an HTML file for transmitting to the form data input device and displaying the form image based on the form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information. The form output unit, based on the form definition information and the output data transmitted from the form data input device,
An output item that is the form is output. The form data input device includes at least a web browser.

According to the form input / output system of the present invention, common form definition information is used at the time of inputting and outputting a form. Therefore, the man-hours for developing the form and the man-hours for maintenance for changing these when the form is changed can be reduced to about half of those in the conventional case. In many cases, unlike the client / server electronic form system, each application program can be eliminated,
From this point as well, the number of man-hours for constructing the system can be reduced.

Further, the form definition information creating apparatus of the present invention is
Form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information is created. The form definition information creation device includes at least an input support processing unit that supports creation of output control information and input control information. The input support processing unit of the output control information displays the output control information selection screen, and the input item can be selected from the screen by the GUI. The input support processing unit for the input control information displays the input control information selection screen, and the input item can be selected by the GUI from the screen.

According to the form definition information creating apparatus of the present invention,
It is possible to easily create common form definition information at the time of inputting and outputting a form while reducing the burden on the developer as much as possible. Therefore, the man-hours for developing the form and the man-hours for maintenance for changing these when the form is changed can be reduced to about half of those in the conventional case.

Further, according to the present invention, the program for realizing the above-described form processing apparatus and form definition information creating apparatus is provided by being recorded in a recording medium such as a floppy disk. The processing device and the form definition information creating device can be easily realized.

[0021]

1 is a block diagram of an electronic form system, which is a schematic diagram of an electronic form system including a form input / output system including a form processing device and a form data input device and a form definition information creating device according to the present invention. The configuration is shown.

The form definition information creating apparatus 10 of the present invention creates the form definition information 20 in accordance with the user's input. According to the present invention, this form definition information 20 is common to input and output without distinction between input and output. Therefore, the form definition information 20 is commonly input to the form definition information conversion unit 41 and the form output unit 42 of the form processing device 40. A LAN is provided between the form definition information creating device 10 and the form processing device 40.
It may be connected by a network such as 30. If not connected, the form definition information 20 is provided and input in the form of a medium such as a floppy disk. On the other hand, the form processing device 40 and the form data input device 70 are connected by a network such as the Internet 60.

The form definition information conversion unit 41 transmits the form input screen information created based on the form definition information 20 to the form data input device 70 via the processing program 43 and the Internet 60. When the input operator who sees this screen inputs the form data such as sales data into the screen, the form data input device 70 returns the form data to the processing program 43 of the form processing device 40. The processing program 43 saves the received form data as output data 50 (110) in a predetermined storage device (not shown). Therefore, the processing program 43 uses the hardware required each time to output data 50 (11
0) Management processing, Internet connection (and communication) processing, etc. are executed. In addition, the form processing device 40 is a web (We
b) It is a server, and the form data input device 70 is a personal computer having a web browser (WWW browser) 71 for browsing data on the web.

The form output section 42 outputs the output data 50 (1
When 10) is obtained, the output product 80 is created and output based on the form definition information 20. That is, the form definition information 20
According to, the form is laid out and the format of the output product 80 is selected. The output material 80 is, for example, a printed material printed out from a printer or a FAX, and electronic data stored in a storage device (not shown).

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the form definition information creating apparatus, showing the processing in the form definition information creating apparatus 10 of the present invention.

An example of a form defined by the form definition information 20 created by the form definition information creating apparatus 10 is shown in FIG.
It shows in (A). The form definition information 20 is in accordance with the present invention.
It is common at the time of input (when displayed on the web browser 71) and at the time of output (when outputting such as printing on the web server). Therefore, in either case, the user can basically see the form shown in FIG. However, as will be described later in detail, for example, the output item “output (or send) button” is displayed when displayed on the web browser 71 by the input control information 23, and output by the output control information 22 such as printing on the web server. Sometimes it is not printed. In this way, by providing both the input control information 23 and the output control information 22, one form definition information 20 is shared for each form at the time of input and output. An "output button" is always provided, and is displayed and not output.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the form definition information 20 includes not only layout information 21 but also output control information 2
2. Includes input control information 23. The layout information 21 is
This is information indicating the layout of the form when the output product 80 of the form is actually output, and the layout of the form is determined by this. The output control information 22 is information for controlling output items when the output product 80 of the form is actually output, and items (information) to be output such as printing are determined by this. The input control information 23 is information for controlling the display items in the screen information for inputting the form displayed on the form data input device 70, and the items (information) to be displayed are determined by this. The items in the form are the customer name,
This is an item for entering the product name, quantity, etc. For example, in the case of inputting a plurality of customer names like a tabular form, each of them is treated as one item, and layout information 2 is set for each item.
The position of the item is determined by 1, and the input control information 23
Controls the display of the item in the input, and controls the printing of the item in the output by the output control information 22.

The user inputs the layout information 21, the output control information 22, and the input control information 23 by using the form definition information creating apparatus 10 to generate the form definition information 2
Create 0. For this purpose, the form definition information creation device 10
Is a first input support processing unit 11 that supports input of layout information 21, a second input support processing unit 12 that supports input of output control information 22, and a third input support processing unit that supports input of input control information 23. 13 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2 (C), the first input support processing section 11 reads the output material 80 of the preprinted form with a scanner and extracts ruled line data and character data by a known process, Based on this, the layout information 21
Support the creation of. The layout information 21 indicates the input position of each item.

As shown in FIG. 2D, the third input support processing unit 13 displays a selection screen 131 of items (information) expected to be necessary as the input control information 23 on the form definition information creating apparatus 10. It is displayed on the screen of the display device (not shown) to support the creation of the input control information 23. Items displayed on the selection screen include "data edit designation", "input data check designation", "calculation designation", and the like. These can be selected by clicking a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on the selection screen. The user
Any item (the corresponding GUI) from the selection screen
Select and input the attribute of the item. Therefore, the input control information 23 consists of the item name and the attribute information. For example, as shown in FIG. 2D, a screen for inputting the attribute (this screen is an example of “calculation designation”) may be displayed in response to the GUI selection.

In accordance with the "data edit designation" attribute input screen for each item defined in the form definition information 20, digit separation,
Enter edit designation information such as negative sign display. As a result, at the time of input, if the cursor is moved to the next column after the data is input to the column having the form, the data is edited with this as a trigger. For example, select the input numerical data, divide each into three digits, and enter a comma (,)
Insert.

According to the "input data check designation" attribute input screen of each item defined in the form definition information 20, the check designation information such as the range of values and the necessity of input is input. Accordingly, when the "output button" or the "calculation button" is clicked at the time of input, the input data check is performed by using this as a trigger. For example, it is checked whether the input data has the correct data format (character data, alphanumeric characters, etc.). If not correct, re-input is requested before output or calculation is started.

According to the "calculation designation" attribute input screen for each item defined in the form definition information 20, the calculation contents (amount =
Input calculation specification information such as (number x unit price). As a result, the "Calculation (or calculation) button" is displayed at the time of input, and when this is clicked, the calculation of "Number x Unit price" specified in the calculation content is performed with this as a trigger, and the result is "Amount" Displayed in the column, "Calculation button" is not printed when printing.

The second input support processing unit 12 also supports the creation of the output control information 22 in the same manner as the third input support processing unit 13. For example, the "data edit designation" of each item defined in the form definition information 20 is changed according to the attribute input screen.
It is input in the same manner as described above. Further, the presence / absence of display is input according to the “display designation” attribute input screen of each item defined in the form definition information 20. The same applies to "output designation". Thereby, it becomes possible to display and not output a certain item in the form definition information 20 that is common to input and output, or to output without displaying. However, the input of items (information) that are unnecessary as the output control information 22 is excluded from the target of screen display. For example, the “input data check designation” and the “calculation designation” are not required at the time of output and are not prepared on the support screen.

By the way, for example, the form of the form to be printed out is defined, and cannot be changed due to the convenience of the system side. Therefore, the form definition information 20 common to the input and output follows the predetermined output format. That is, if the output form definition information that matches the output format has already been created, the layout information 21 and the output control information 22 can be used as they are. Therefore, when using the existing output form definition information, the user causes the third input support processing unit 13 to input the input control information 23.
The form definition information 20 can be created only by adding the above to the existing output form definition information.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the form definition information creating process, showing the form definition information creating process in the form definition information creating apparatus 10 of the present invention.

It is checked whether or not there is the existing form definition information 20 (step S11), and if there is not, the layout information 2
1 and the output control information 22 (step S12),
If there is, step S12 is omitted. After that, the input control information 23 is created (step S13), and the process ends.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the form processing apparatus, and shows an outline of the configuration and processing of the form definition information conversion unit 41 in the form processing apparatus 40 of the present invention.

The form definition information conversion unit 41 comprises a data reading unit 411 and an input information generation unit 412. Further, the form definition information conversion unit 41 uses the data editing applet 41.
3, an input data check script 414 and a calculation script 415 are provided.

The data reading unit 411 uses the form definition information 20.
It is activated when (URL of) is accessed from the web browser 71 of the form data input device 70, and the form definition information 20 is read. The activated data reading unit 411
The read data (form definition information 20) is sent to the input information generation unit 412.

The data reading unit 411 is also activated when called from another application program 90 operating on the form processing apparatus 40. In this case, the other application program 90 normally passes the initial display data 901 to the data reading unit 411. The initial display data 901 is a part of the form data that should be originally input from the web browser 71 side, and is common to a plurality of forms related to other application programs 90, and is therefore specified by the web server 40 side. It
An example of the initial display data 901 is shown in FIG. In the initial display data 901, for example, customer name data in the form data is “Yamada Shoten”. The data reading unit 411 incorporates the initial display data 901 into the read form definition information 20 and sends it to the input information generation unit 412.

The input information generating section 412 outputs (displays) the passed form definition information 20 on the web browser 71.
As possible, it is converted into an HTML (HTML file) 91 and then the processing program 43 is requested to send it. In response to this request, the processing program 43 sends the HTM
Web browser 71 that has accessed the L file 91
(Form data input device 70). The web browser 71 having received this displays the form image 711 on the display screen of its display device (not shown) based on the HTML file 91.

Here, the input information generating section 412 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (A), an HTML file 91 corresponding to the accessed web browser 71 is created. At the time of access, the web browser 71 notifies the types 71A, 71B, and 71C of the web browser 71 (for example, distinction between ordinary personal computers and mobile information terminals such as mobile phones). Therefore, the input information generation unit 412 creates the HTML files 91A, 91B and 91C corresponding to the types 71A, 71B and 71C.

Further, the input information generating section 412 adds a predetermined applet or script based on the form definition information 20, as shown in FIG. Although FIG. 7 shows addition of an applet or the like based on the input control information 23, the same applies to the output control information 22.

In FIG. 7A, when the input control information 23 describes "data edit designation", the input information generation unit 412 adds the data edit applet 413 to the converted HTML file 91. That is, the web browser 71 calls the data editing applet 413 to execute the data editing process as shown in FIG. 7D at the timing of the execution. Web browser 71
Receives the data edited by the data editing applet 413 and displays it at the original position on the form image 711.

In FIG. 7B, when "input data check designation" is described in the input control information 23, the input information generating section 412 causes the converted HTML file 91 to be converted.
The input data check script 414 is added to. That is, the web browser 71 causes the execution of FIG.
As shown in (D), input data check script 4
14 is called, and the check processing of the input data is executed. The web browser 71 receives the result checked by the input data check script 414,
This is displayed at the original position on the form image 711. For example, if the check result is an error, re-input is requested.

In FIG. 7C, when the input control information 23 describes "calculation designation", the input information generating section 4
12 adds the operation script 415 to the converted HTML file 91. That is, the web browser 71 calls the calculation script 415 to execute the calculation as shown in FIG. 7D at the execution trigger. The web browser 71 receives the result (for example, “number × unit price”) calculated by the calculation script 415, and displays the result at the result display position (for example, “amount” column) on the form image 711. It is also possible to incorporate scripts and applets prepared by the user.

As described above, since the data editing applet 413 and the like are added to the HTML file 91, the web browser 71 itself does not need to have a data editing function or a callable function. Therefore, unlike the conventional server / client type, the form data input device 70 does not need to have an application program for data editing or the like.

An example of the displayed form image 711 is shown in FIG. 5 (B). Since this form image 711 is based on the form definition information 20 that is common to the output, the input operator can input the form data while viewing the screen that is almost the same as the form (output object 80) that is actually output. it can. An example of inputting form data by the input operator is shown in FIG.
It shows in (C). Initial display data 901 shown in FIG.
5B, the form image 711 shown in FIG.
At the time of displaying, the initial display data 901 is displayed at a predetermined position, and is also displayed in FIG. 5C.

After the form data is input, the web browser 71 extracts the form data from the form image 711 and sends it back to the processing program 43. The processing program 43 receives the output data 50 (see FIG. 5).
Based on (D), the output data 110 is created and saved. Initial display data 901 shown in FIG.
Is present, the initial display data 901 is extracted as form data (a part of the form data) including this,
It is (part of) the output data 110.

It should be noted that the form data to be transmitted has a digital signature (data of) 51 or a digital signature by the input operator.
May be added. In this case, the web browser 71 displays the screen for inputting the digital signature 51 before or after inputting the form data. As shown in FIG. 6B, the digital signature 51 is transmitted together with the extracted form data 50, and output data 110 created based on the form data 50 (data similar to the output data 110 shown in FIG. 17). Format data).

FIG. 8 is a form input / output process flow, showing a conversion process of the form definition information 20 in (the form definition information conversion unit 41 of) the form processing apparatus 40 of the present invention.

It is checked whether or not the initial display data 901 is designated (step S21), if there is, the initial display data 901 is read (step S22), and if not, step S22 is omitted. Then, the form definition information 20 is read (step S23), and the HTML file 91 is created based on these information (step S23).
24). Further, it is checked whether or not there is designation of data editing or the like in the output control information 22 or the like of the form definition information 20 (step S25), and if there is, an applet 413 or the like for performing the data editing or the like is written in the HTML file 91. Addition (step S26), and if not, step S26 is omitted, and the process ends.

After this, as described above, the applet 413
The HTML file 91 to which the above items are added is transmitted to (the web browser 71 of) the form data input device 70.

FIG. 9 is a form input / output processing flow, in which the form data input device 70 of the present invention (web browser 71).
The display processing of the form image 711 in FIG.

When the HTML file 91 transmitted from the form definition information input device 10 accessed from the web browser 71 is received, one item is taken out and whether or not there is a designation of "not display" for this item is checked. It is checked (step S31), if there is, the item is changed to non-display information (step S32), and if not, step S32 is omitted. After that, it is checked whether or not all the items have been completed (step S33). If not completed, steps S31 and subsequent steps are repeated, and if completed, the process is completed.

After that, the web browser 71 displays the form image 711 based on the HTML file 91 which has confirmed the items to be displayed. The input operator who sees the display of the form image 711, as described above,
Form data (for example, sales data) is input to the form image 711. In this input process, the input operator appropriately clicks the “calculation button” to cause the calculation script 415 to perform calculation. Further, the data editing process and the input data check process by the data editing applet 413 and the input data check script 414 are executed at a predetermined execution timing. The input operator is
Actually, it is only necessary to click a button, and it is not necessary to be aware of calling an applet or the like. Form image 71
When the input of the form data to 1 is completed, the input operator clicks the “output (or send) button” on the form image 711. As a result, the input form data is returned to the form processing device 40. The transmitted data is the output data 50 in FIG. 5D, for example.

FIG. 10 is a form input / output process flow, showing a process of creating the output data 110 in (the processing program 43 of) the form processing apparatus 40 of the present invention.

When the form data (output data 50) transmitted from the web browser 71 is received (step S4)
1) Based on this, the output data 110 of the form data 50 shown in FIG. 5D is created (step S4).
2), the process ends. For example, looking at the output data 50 in FIG. 5D, the order of the data is fixed, so the first piece of data “Yamada Shoten” is the first tag pair <customer name></ customer name>. , And creates one piece of data "Yamada Shoten" for the customer name.
The same applies to the following.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view of the form processing apparatus, showing an outline of the configuration and processing of the form output unit 42 in the form processing apparatus 40 of the present invention.

The form output unit 42 includes a data reading unit 421,
It includes a mapping unit 422 and a data output unit 423.
The data reading unit 421 is activated when it is notified by the processing program 43 that the creation of the output data 110 has been completed, or when an output instruction is input from another application program 90 operating on the form processing apparatus 40. Is activated. The activated data reading unit 421 reads the output data 110 and the form definition information 20 and sends them to the mapping unit 422. The mapping unit 422 is
The form to be output is mapped based on the form definition information 20, and the form data to be output is mapped based on the output data 110, and the result is sent to the data output unit 423. The data output unit 423 selects an output format based on the form definition information 20, forms a print image according to the output mapping result, and outputs the output product 80.

FIG. 12 is a form input / output process flow and shows an output process of the output data 110 in (the form output unit 42 of) the form processing apparatus 40 of the present invention.

When a print processing instruction is input (step S
51), one item of the output data 110 is taken out, and it is checked whether or not there is a designation of "not print" for this (step S52). If there is, the item is changed to non-print information ( Step S53), and if not, step S53 is omitted. After that, it is checked whether or not all the items have been completed (step S54). If not completed, steps S51 and below are repeated. If completed, the print process is called to execute the print process (step S5).
5), the process ends.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the form processing apparatus and shows an outline of digital signature processing in the form output section 42 in the form processing apparatus 40 of the present invention.

As described above, the output data 50 (11
0) is the digital signature (data) by the input operator
Can be accompanied by 51. These are passed from the processing program 43 to the data output unit 423 as shown in FIG. At this time, the digital signature 51 is passed to the data output unit 423 as it is without being used for mapping. When detecting that the mapping result is accompanied by the digital signature 51, the data output unit 423 calls the digital signature verification unit 424. That is, the digital signature 51 is passed and the verification is requested. In response to this, the digital signature verification unit 424 accesses the verification server 100 and requests the verification. The verification server 100 is a third party organization that certifies the validity of the digital signature 51, and is connected to the form processing device 40 via the Internet 60. When the notification that the legitimacy of the digital signature 51 is authenticated is received from the verification server 100, the digital signature verification unit 42 receives the notification.
4 notifies the data output unit 423, and the data output unit 423
Performs the output processing. When the notification that the legitimacy is not authenticated is received from the verification server 100, the digital signature verification unit 424 notifies the processing program 43 of this and performs a predetermined error process. For example, the form data input device 70
Error notification to.

FIG. 14 is a form input / output process flow, showing a digital signature verification process in the form output section 42 (data output section 423) of the form processing apparatus 40 of the present invention.

When the output process is started, the digital signature 5
1 is checked (step S61), and if there is one, the digital signature verification unit 424 checks the digital signature 5
The correctness of 1 is verified (step S62), and if there is no step S62 and subsequent steps are omitted and the process ends. After that, it is checked whether or not the digital signature 51 is correct (step S63), and if it is correct, the output process by the data output unit 423 is executed (step S64). If it is not correct, the processing program 43 is notified of the abnormality. (Step S6
5). The output process in step S64 is the same as in FIG.
This is the process shown in 2.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a form data input device, showing an example of another configuration of the form data input device 70 (or its web browser 71).

The form data input device 70 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the form definition information conversion unit 41A may be provided in addition to the web browser 71. Form definition information conversion unit 4
1A has the same configuration as the form definition information conversion unit 41 in the form processing device 40. As a result, the other application programs 90 can be input from the form data input device 70.
A makes it possible to input the initial display data 901A.
Even if the form data input device 70 and the form processing device 40 are not connected via the Internet 60, by providing the form definition information 20A with a recording medium such as a floppy disk, the input process of the form data can be performed offline. It will be possible. Even in this case, there is no need to prepare an application program for performing input processing.

The form data input device 70 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (B), a form output unit 42A may be provided in addition to the web browser 71. The form output unit 42A has the same configuration as the form output unit 42 in the form processing device 40. As a result, even from the form data input device 70,
The input form data can be immediately output as the output product 80A. For example, the form can be printed out from the printer 72 or the like included in the computer which is the form data input device 70.

FIG. 16 is a form input / output processing flow, in which the form data input device 70 (web browser 7 of the form data input device 70 of the present invention.
The output processing of the form information in 1) is shown.

Form image 71 on web browser 71
When the "output button" in 1 is clicked, the printing process of the web browser 71 accompanying this is intercepted (step S71), and one item is output from the output data 110 (the input form data 50 to be the output data). To check whether or not there is a designation of "not print" for this (step S72), and if there is, change the item to non-print information (step S73), and if not, omit step S73. To do. After that, it is checked whether or not all the items have been completed (step S74). If not completed, steps S71 and thereafter are repeated, and if completed, the print process of the web browser 71 is called (step S7).
5). As a result, the item is not printed. After this,
One item is taken out and it is checked whether or not this is the item changed to the non-print information in step S73 (step S7).
6) If yes, change the item to print information (step S77); otherwise, step S7
Omit 7 As a result, the item is returned to the original state. After that, it is checked whether or not all the items have been completed (step S78). If not completed, steps S76 and thereafter are repeated, and if completed, the process is completed.

The form data input device 70 is shown in FIG.
You may make it provide both the structure shown to (A) and FIG. 15 (B). That is, both the form definition information conversion unit 41A and the form output unit 42A may be provided. In addition, the web browser 71 uses, as a part thereof, the form definition information conversion unit 4
1A and / or the form output unit 42A may be provided.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the form processing device uses common form definition information at the time of inputting and outputting forms, it is possible to reduce the man-hours for developing the form and the man-hours for maintenance for changing these when the form is changed to about half of the conventional one. it can.

Further, according to the present invention, in the form data input device, it is possible to input and output forms from the form data input device based on common form definition information at the time of inputting and outputting forms. Unlike the client / server type electronic form system, each application program can be eliminated, and from this point, the number of man-hours for constructing the system can be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, since the form input / output system uses the common form definition information at the time of inputting and outputting the form, maintenance for changing the man-hours for developing the form and changing the form The number of man-hours required can be reduced to about half that of the conventional system, and unlike the client / server electronic form system, each application program can be eliminated, which also reduces the man-hours required for system construction. be able to.

Further, according to the present invention, in the form definition information creating apparatus, common form definition information at the time of inputting and outputting a form can be easily created with the burden on the developer as small as possible. It is possible to reduce the man-hours for developing a form and the man-hours for maintenance for changing these when the form is changed to about half that of the conventional method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic form system.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a form definition information creation device.

FIG. 3 is a form definition information creation processing flow.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a form processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of form processing.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of form processing.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of form processing.

FIG. 8 is a form input / output processing flow.

FIG. 9 is a form input / output processing flow.

FIG. 10 is a form input / output processing flow.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a form processing apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a form input / output processing flow.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of a form processing device.

FIG. 14 is a form input / output processing flow.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a form data input device.

FIG. 16 is a form input / output processing flow.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Form definition information creation device 20 Form definition information 40 Form processing device 41 Form definition information conversion unit 42 Form output section 43 Processing program 50 Output data 60 Internet 70 Form data input device 71 Web browser 80 Output

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Terada             At 98 Unoke-nu, Unoki-cho, Kawakita-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture             2 PFU Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideo Sano             At 98 Unoke-nu, Unoki-cho, Kawakita-gun, Ishikawa Prefecture             2 PF Active Lab Co., Ltd.             Within

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A form processing device connected to a form data input device having a web browser via the Internet, wherein the form data is based on form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information. A form definition information conversion unit that creates an HTML file for transmitting to the input device to display the form image, and the form definition information conversion unit based on the form definition information and the output data transmitted from the form data input device. And a form output unit for outputting the output product. 2. The form definition information is created by adding the input control information to existing output form definition information including the layout information and output control information. The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the form processing apparatus is commonly used for inputting the form data and outputting the form in the form processing apparatus. 3. The form definition information includes a description for designating an applet or a script in the input control information or the output control information, and the form definition information conversion section includes a predetermined applet or script, and the form definition information. The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the applet or script is added to the HTML file in accordance with the above. 4. The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the form definition information conversion unit creates the HTML file according to the type of the web browser included in the form data input device. 5. In the form definition information, the output control information and the input control information consist of item names and attribute information, and the presence / absence of display and output of the item is designated in the attribute information. When the information conversion unit displays the form image of the form by transmitting the form definition information to the web browser of the form data input device,
When the form output unit outputs the output matter that is the form, the item specified as "absent" is not displayed according to the designation, and the item specified as "absent" is not specified. The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the form processing apparatus does not output according to the above. 6. The output data transmitted from the form data input device is accompanied by a digital signature, and the form output unit includes a digital signature verification unit for accessing a verification server to verify the digital signature. The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 7. A program for realizing a form processing device connected to a form data input device having a web browser via the Internet, the form including layout information, output control information, and input control information in a computer. A process of creating an HTML file for displaying the form image by transmitting the form image to the form data input device based on the definition information; and the form definition information and the output data sent from the form data input device. A program for executing a process of outputting an output material which is the form based on the above. 8. A program for realizing a form processing device connected to a form data input device having a web browser via the Internet, the form including layout information, output control information, and input control information in a computer. A process of creating an HTML file for displaying the form image by transmitting the form image to the form data input device based on the definition information; and the form definition information and the output data sent from the form data input device. A computer-readable program recording medium that records a program for executing the process of outputting an output product that is the form based on the above. 9. A web browser, and a form definition information conversion unit that creates an HTML file for displaying the form image based on the form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information. Form data input device characterized by. 10. A web browser, and a form output unit for outputting an output product which is the form based on the form definition information and the output data transmitted from the form data input device. A form data input device. 11. A form input / output system comprising a form processing device connected to a form data input device via the Internet, wherein the form processing device includes a form information, output control information, and input control information. A form definition information conversion unit that creates an HTML file for transmitting the form image to the form data input device based on the definition information, and the form definition information and the output sent from the form data input device. A form input / output system, comprising: a form output unit that outputs an output product that is the form based on the use data; and the form data input device includes at least a web browser. 12. The form definition information conversion unit, wherein the form data input device creates an HTML file for displaying the form image based on the form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information.
Alternatively, one or both of a form output unit that outputs an output product that is the form based on the form definition information and the output data transmitted from the form data input device is provided. The form input / output system according to item 11. 13. A form definition information creating apparatus for creating form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information, the input support process supporting at least creation of the output control information and the input control information. And an input support processing unit for the output control information displays a selection screen for the output control information, enables selection of input items by GUI from the screen, and the input support processing unit for the input control information is A form definition information creating apparatus, characterized in that a selection screen of the input control information is displayed, and input items can be selected from the screen by a GUI. 14. The output control information is composed of its item name and attribute information, the input control information is composed of its item name and attribute information, and the attribute information of the output control information and the attribute information of the input control information. 13. The form definition information creating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the presence or absence of display and the presence or absence of output of the item can be designated respectively. 15. The input control information input support processing unit creates the form definition information by adding the input control information to the existing output form definition information including the layout information and the output control information. The form definition information creating apparatus according to claim 11, wherein 16. A program for realizing a form definition information creating apparatus for creating form definition information including layout information, output control information, and input control information, the program comprising: a computer, at least the output control information and the input control. Executing an input support process for supporting the creation of information, displaying a selection screen of the output control information in the input support process of the output control information, and enabling selection of an input item from the screen by a GUI; A program for displaying an input control information selection screen in an information input support process and enabling selection of an input item by a GUI from the screen. 17. A program for realizing a form definition information creating apparatus for creating form definition information including layout information, output control information and input control information, the program comprising: a computer, at least the output control information and the input control. An input support process for supporting the creation of information is executed, in the input support process of the output control information, a selection screen for the output control information is displayed, and an input item can be selected from the screen by a GUI, A computer-readable program recording medium that records a program for displaying a selection screen of the input control information and enabling selection of an input item from the screen by a GUI in the information input support process.