JP4546130B2 - Sealed document creation management system and method suitable for character information extraction for database construction - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system and method for creating a sealed document by effectively utilizing an existing electronic document and circulating it. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for adding appropriate characters representing the contents of a stamped document to be useful for searching a database.

  In the conventional electronic seal stamp authentication system, a dedicated electronic document incorporating a seal module has to be created.

  For this reason, it is necessary to prepare for the use of the electronic seal stamp, and the assets of the existing electronic document cannot be effectively used.

Patent Document 1 includes means for storing a seal image, user recording means for storing circulation user information including a sender, and circulation recording means for storing circulating document information and a seal image stamped by the reader. An electronic document circulation check apparatus is disclosed.
Patent Document 2 discloses a plurality of computer terminals that are connected to each other via a communication line and transmit / receive an electronic document, and seal image formation data for forming a unique seal image that can be identified for each user. A recorded electronic seal stamp and a reading device that is provided in a computer terminal and reads data recorded in the electronic seal stamp, and the computer terminal reads the seal image forming data of the electronic seal stamp according to the operation input, and the seal image And an electronic document circulation seal system is disclosed in which the seal image is written into an electronic document verification device.
In Patent Literature 3, circulation case data, approver registration data, and approval order data are accumulated, an approval request is made for the circulation case data, and a response to the approval request is received from the approver. A circulation approval system and a circulation approval method that are performed in a predetermined approval order based on the above are disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 06-131372 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-222589 JP 2002-108789 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be solved by the present invention are a system for creating and managing a stamped document capable of making effective use of an existing electronic document in creating an electronic stamped document, setting an approval workflow, and checking the progress of stamping, and It is to provide a method. In particular, an object is to attach an appropriate text character representing the contents of a stamped document to be useful for database search.

A stamp document creation management system according to the present invention includes an electronic seal stamp, a tablet that reads the electronic seal stamp, a client computer to which the tablet is connected, and an existing document creation device that includes an application program that creates an existing document, A client computer having an electronic file of an existing document created by an existing document creation device and a stamped document creating means for creating the electronic stamped document by taking the existing document, and a client computer to which the tablet is connected, the stamping A client computer having a stamp document browsing means used by a person who approves a stamp document created by the document creation means, an electronic seal authentication server connected to the client computer via the computer network, and the electronic seal stamp Authentication And a document management server connected to said computer network in order to manage the stamp document to authenticate the advisability of seal at over server, a seal documentation management system to create and manage the electronic seal documents,
The stamp document creating means includes:
Login means for inquiring of the electronic seal authentication server to obtain permission to create a stamp document;
After obtaining permission to create a stamped document by the login means, basic settings for paper size selection, cover page presence / absence, validity period, form format, password setting, server computer identification, company name, application name, automatic sampling Initial setting means for executing server settings relating to synchronization of number / seal,
Text creation means for entering / editing text of document titles and item names, figure creation means for drawing figures including polygons, circles, ellipses, and straight lines, creating stamp frames as figures, and approval routes and stamping orders Stamp field creation means that also creates property information of a stamp frame that is set and manages that information, layout adjustment means that adjusts the layout of text, graphics, and stamp frames, and characters that extract some text characters of the existing electronic document A transparent layer comprising character extraction frame setting means for setting an extraction frame, and a template composed of a title, a ruled line, a stamp frame, and a character extraction frame spread over the existing electronic document displayed on the existing document creation device A template creation means created above;
Workflow setting means for generating information relating to a workflow with reference to the information of the electronic seal authentication server / document management server and setting property information of the stamp frame in cooperation with the stamp column creating means;
A template storage unit that stores a template including ruled lines, stamp frames, and character extraction frames created by the template creation unit as an independent electronic file separated from the original existing electronic document;
Installed as a virtual printer to superimpose the template creation unit and the existing document of spreadsheet software / word processor software, and designated as a print destination from the print menu of the existing electronic document by the existing document creation device Selecting a template file stored in the template storage unit as a superposition target and outputting it as a stamped document file;
When the pseudo-printing means outputs a stamped document file, if the template file selected as the superimposition target has a character extraction frame, characters are extracted according to the setting order of the character extraction frame. CSV conversion means for CSV-converting the extracted characters and attaching to the stamped document file; and means for communicating with the electronic seal authentication server / document management server;
Among the client computers, a client computer used by a person who approves the stamped document is:
A sealed document display means for displaying a document that requires a seal;
A stamp event acquisition means for acquiring an event of clicking a stamp button of the electronic seal stamp on the tablet connected to the client computer;
Imprint display means for acquiring the imprint information possessed by the electronic seal authentication server and displaying the imprint on the stamped document of the client computer based on the acquired imprint information;
The electronic seal stamp ID is encrypted using a public key and exchanged, and a seal means comprising a communication means with an electronic seal authentication server for exchanging seal history information / imprint information between the client computer and the electronic seal authentication server Have document browsing means,
The electronic seal authentication server is
Among the users who use this system, the user master who registers the master information including company name, department, name, title, telephone, e-mail address, expiration date, and password of those belonging to his organization, and information / organization related to stamping authority A database unit comprising an application master for registering information on a workflow and information on a circulation order, which is a flow of circulation and sealing according to a predetermined procedure
A server setting management unit, which is a part that can be accessed and set only by a person having authority to access the server;
An electronic seal registration management unit for registering and managing an electronic seal ID number and seal information;
The electronic seal ID number received from the client computer is compared with the electronic seal ID number and master information registered in the server. If they match, the company code, the user code, the server number, and the company An electronic history stamp authenticating unit that writes an authentication history, which is information including a name, a user name, an authentication type, an acceptance date, and an acceptance time, to the server, grants a seal permission to the client computer, and transmits a registered seal.
The document management server
A document management database for managing a stamped document in association with various information;
A stamping status management means for managing how far the internal workflow to be stamped on a stamped document has progressed;
An e-mail delivery means for sending a stamped document attached to an e-mail to the next person to be sealed;
Communication means for communicating with other computers via an intranet or the Internet,
The stamped document browsing means sends the stamped document to the document management server as an event that the first stamper stamps, and the document management server stores the stamped document in the CSV data attached thereto. It is characterized in that it is registered in the document management database in association with the character data.

The stamp document creation management method according to the present invention includes an electronic seal stamp, a tablet that reads the electronic seal stamp, a client computer to which the tablet is connected, and an existing document creation device that includes an application program that creates an existing document, A client computer having an electronic file of an existing document created by an existing document creation device and a stamped document creating means for creating the electronic stamped document by taking the existing document, and a client computer to which the tablet is connected, the stamping A client computer having a stamp document browsing means used by a person who approves a stamp document created by the document creation means, an electronic seal authentication server connected to the client computer via the computer network, and the electronic seal stamp Authentication server Te in order to manage the stamp document to authenticate the advisability of stamping said and a document management server connected to a computer network, a seal documentation management system to create and manage the electronic seal documents,
The stamp document creating means includes:
Login means for inquiring of the electronic seal authentication server to obtain permission to create a stamp document;
After obtaining permission to create a stamped document by the login means, basic settings for paper size selection, cover page presence / absence, validity period, form format, password setting, server computer identification, company name, application name, automatic sampling Initial setting means for executing server settings relating to synchronization of number / seal,
Text creation means for entering / editing text of document titles and item names, figure creation means for drawing figures including polygons, circles, ellipses, and straight lines, creating stamp frames as figures, and approval routes and stamping orders Stamp field creation means that also creates property information of a stamp frame that is set and manages that information, layout adjustment means that adjusts the layout of text, graphics, and stamp frames, and characters that extract some text characters of the existing electronic document A transparent layer comprising character extraction frame setting means for setting an extraction frame, and a template composed of a title, a ruled line, a stamp frame, and a character extraction frame spread over the existing electronic document displayed on the existing document creation device A template creation means created above;
Workflow setting means for generating information relating to a workflow with reference to the information of the electronic seal authentication server / document management server and setting property information of the stamp frame in cooperation with the stamp column creating means;
A template storage unit that stores a template including ruled lines, stamp frames, and character extraction frames created by the template creation unit as an independent electronic file separated from the original existing electronic document;
Installed as a virtual printer to superimpose the template creation unit and the existing document of spreadsheet software / word processor software, and designated as a print destination from the print menu of the existing electronic document by the existing document creation device Selecting a template file stored in the template storage unit as a superposition target and outputting it as a stamped document file;
When the pseudo-printing means outputs a stamped document file, if the template file selected as the superimposition target has a character extraction frame, characters are extracted according to the setting order of the character extraction frame. CSV conversion means for CSV-converting the extracted characters and attaching to the stamped document file; and means for communicating with the electronic seal authentication server / document management server;
Among the client computers, a client computer used by a person who approves the stamped document is:
A sealed document display means for displaying a document that requires a seal;
A stamp event acquisition means for acquiring an event of clicking a stamp button of the electronic seal stamp on the tablet connected to the client computer;
Imprint display means for acquiring the imprint information possessed by the electronic seal authentication server and displaying the imprint on the stamped document of the client computer based on the acquired imprint information;
The electronic seal stamp ID is encrypted using a public key and exchanged, and a seal means comprising a communication means with an electronic seal authentication server for exchanging seal history information / imprint information between the client computer and the electronic seal authentication server Have document browsing means,
The electronic seal authentication server is
Among the users who use this system, the user master who registers the master information including company name, department, name, title, telephone, e-mail address, expiration date, and password of those belonging to his organization, and information / organization related to stamping authority A database unit comprising an application master for registering information on a workflow and information on a circulation order, which is a flow of circulation and sealing according to a predetermined procedure
A server setting management unit, which is a part that can be accessed and set only by a person having authority to access the server;
An electronic seal registration management unit for registering and managing an electronic seal ID number and seal information;
The electronic seal ID number received from the client computer is compared with the electronic seal ID number and master information registered in the server. If they match, the company code, the user code, the server number, and the company An electronic history stamp authenticating unit that writes an authentication history, which is information including a name, a user name, an authentication type, an acceptance date, and an acceptance time, to the server, grants a seal permission to the client computer, and transmits a registered seal.
The document management server
A document management database for managing a stamped document in association with various information;
A stamping status management means for managing how far the internal workflow to be stamped on a stamped document has progressed;
An e-mail delivery means for sending a stamped document attached to an e-mail to the next person to be sealed;
Communication means for communicating with other computers via an intranet or the Internet,
The stamped document browsing means sends the stamped document to the document management server as an event that the first stamper stamps, and the document management server stores the stamped document in the CSV data attached thereto. A method for creating and managing a stamped document in a stamped document creation and management system, characterized in that it is registered in the document management database in association with the character data,
An existing electronic document display step of displaying the existing electronic document on the display screen by the existing electronic document creation device;
A transparent layer display step for displaying a transparent layer over the existing electronic document displayed in the existing electronic document display step;
A template creation step for creating a template having a stamp field and a character extraction frame on the transparent layer displayed in the transparent layer display step;
A template storage step for storing the template created in the template creation step as a file independent of the existing electronic document;
A printing destination designating step of designating a printing destination as the pseudo printing means in a printing menu of the existing electronic document creation device;
As an overlay target of the pseudo-printing means, an overlay target selection step for selecting the template file stored in the template storage step;
A character information extraction step of extracting character information on the existing electronic document corresponding to a character extraction frame in a template stored in the template file selected in the overlay target selection step;
A stamped document file creating step of creating a stamped document file by superimposing the print output of the existing electronic document creating device with the template selected in the overlay target selecting step;
CSV data attaching step for attaching the character information extracted in the character information extracting step as CSV data to the stamped document file created in the stamped document file creating step;
A stamped document file transmitting step of transmitting the stamped document file to which the CSV data is attached in the CSV data attaching step to the document management server.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the method for creating and managing a stamped document, wherein the transmission to the document management server in the stamped document file transmission step is performed immediately after the first stamp is made on the stamped document. It is.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the method for creating and managing a stamped document, wherein the document management server that has received the stamped document file through the stamped document file transmission step receives character information from the CSV data attached to the stamped document file. And a database construction step of constructing a database using the character information as a search keyword.

  In the present invention, by setting a text extraction frame in a template for creating a stamp field for a business electronic document accompanied by a stamp, the completion of the stamp becomes an event and is automatically saved in the document management server and included in the stamper and the document. A database that can be searched based on the text to be created. Unlike the conventional case, there is no need to perform a secondary operation for creating a database, and it is possible to achieve complete paper-less and work efficiency using an electronic seal stamp.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the electronic seal stamp authentication system of the present invention. The configuration on the client side includes an electronic seal stamp 50, a tablet 40, and a personal computer 30. The electronic seal 50 includes a chip IC and a coordinate pointing device. The ID number of the electronic seal stamp 50 is recorded on the chip IC. The tablet 40 is a device for reading the position of the electronic seal stamp 50, and is connected to the personal computer 30 by a USB cable. The tablet 40 notifies the personal computer 30 of the position and ID number of the electronic seal stamp 50 and also performs a stamping event (of the tablet 40). The information that the electronic seal stamp 50 has been pressed can be notified . FIG. 9 illustrates the electronic seal stamp 50 in more detail. Inside the electronic seal 50 includes a circuit necessary to interact with the tablet 40, the individual electronic seal is identifiable ID number is incorporated in the particular internal IC chip 51. This ID number is unique data for each seal and there is no identical data. The stamp button 52 is used to click at the time of stamping. The stamping surface 53 can also be stamped on real paper and has a name stamped on it. It is possible to select whether to stamp with vermilion or to use the ink built-in type.

The ID number of the electronic seal stamp 50 acquired by the personal computer 30 and the event of the seal are sent to the electronic seal authentication server 10 via the Internet 90. The electronic seal authentication server 10 includes a database unit 100, a server setting management unit 170 , an electronic seal registration management unit 180, and an electronic seal authentication unit 190 . FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the electronic seal stamp authentication server. The database unit 100 includes a user master 110, an application master 120, and an Excel input / output unit (not shown. “Excel” is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation, USA). The user master 110 is a part for registering master information such as a company name, a department, a name, a title, a telephone, an e-mail address, an expiration date, and a password (only when used) of a person who uses this system. The application master 120 is a part for registering information on the stamping authority, workflow, information on the circulation order, and the like. Here, the “workflow” refers to a flow of circulating and stamping a request for approval or a seal application form in accordance with a predetermined procedure within the organization. The Excel input / output unit is the part that controls the input / output interface with the client computer.

  The server setting management unit 170 is a part that can be accessed and set only by a person having authority to access the server. Since this electronic seal authentication server may be shared by a plurality of companies, the administrator is identified hierarchically and the server setting and the database access permission authority level are set. Login to the electronic seal authentication server 10 can also be performed using the electronic seal stamp. The electronic seal registration management unit 180 is a part that registers and manages the electronic seal ID number and seal information. The electronic seal stamp authenticating unit 190 compares the electronic seal stamp ID number received by the electronic seal stamp authentication server 10 with the electronic seal stamp ID number and master information registered in the server, and if they match, the authentication history Is sent to the server, and the client is given permission to send a seal stamp. The client that has obtained the permission to stamp writes the received seal image into the stamped file. Here, the authentication history is information including company code, user code, server number, company name, user name, authentication type (either electronic seal stamp or ID password or both), reception date, reception time, etc. If necessary, the IP address or MAC address of the client-side personal computer can be included. The risk of falsification of communication data between the client and server can be avoided by performing encryption processing using a public key.

  Next, the operation of the electronic seal authentication server when a certain company organization introduces this system will be described. First, the system administrator of the user's company logs in to the electronic seal authentication server and stamps the electronic seal on the login screen for authentication. The ID number of the electronic seal stamp of all users of the company and the user information that uses it are registered. Connect the tablet to the client computer and prepare a flexible disk that stores the electronic seal stamp and its imprint data. Connect to the electronic seal authentication server with administrator authority and log in (FIG. 1). When the system administrator has already registered his / her electronic seal stamp, the user can log in by pushing his / her electronic seal stamp into the stamp field. If you have not registered yet, you will log in with your ID and password. When login is complete, the menu screen appears (Figure 2). Since the system administrator now registers user information, the “user master” button in the menu screen of FIG. 2 is selected and clicked, and the user master screen appears (FIG. 3). The user master is a company code, company information such as company name, user code, user name, telephone number, facsimile number, department name, job title, whether supervisor, e-mail address, user ID and password, validity period, User information such as the seal ID and registration is set, registered, and managed. Here, the supervisor means presence or absence of company browsing authority, and only a user having this authority can set supervisor authority and company browsing authority for other users. This item is not displayed when an unauthorized user logs in. In order to newly register an electronic seal stamp, the user presses the “electronic seal stamp registration” button on the screen of the user master and proceeds to the seal image registration processing screen (FIG. 4).

  The seal registration process is performed by registering after inputting the seal registration password. The ID of the ID chip in the electronic seal stamp and the seal information are registered in association with each other. When deleting an already registered stamp, the delete stamp button in FIG. 4 is clicked. By selecting the application master button on the menu screen of FIG. 2, the application master screen appears (FIG. 5). Click the pull-down button in the company name field at the top of the screen to select a company. Then, the application registered in the selected company is displayed. Here, the application refers to an application that is accepted as an in-house document in the company such as a seal application, contract management, estimate demo, in-house business, mail order system, test system, and the like. The application phase registered in the selected application is displayed in the upper right column. Here, the application phase refers to a post that should have an authority to approve the document, such as a section manager, section manager, general affairs reception, general affairs department manager. Furthermore, the user registered in the selected application phase is displayed in the lower column. The user name, company name, etc. are specified and displayed as to which user corresponds to each position in the application phase. The expiration date of the user of the selected application phase can be defined and displayed under the user name. In the lower right, a correction button and an inquiry button are provided next to the end button. When it is necessary to correct the data, press the correction button to change to correction mode. By default, it is in query mode. The menu shown in FIG. 2 has an Excel input / output button. In addition to inputting user master information and application master information using the function of the electronic seal authentication server, Excel (US Microsoft) It is also possible to import a file that has been filed by inputting a trademark of the company, and conversely, the information entered using the electronic seal authentication server function can be output to Excel and output to another computer. It is.

FIG. 6 shows a basic protocol between the electronic seal authentication server and the client personal computer. In the initial process, the client personal computer that executes the stamp process acquires the public key information from the electronic seal authentication server. When an electronic seal stamp is stamped with a tablet connected to a client personal computer with a USB cable or the like, the client personal computer encrypts the ID information of the chip ID inside the electronic personal seal with the public key acquired earlier and sends it to the electronic seal authentication server. The electronic seal stamp authentication server that received it executes the electronic seal stamp authentication process by comparing the user master and the application master. When a stamp event occurs on the client personal computer side, the electronic seal authentication server side acquires the information and sends the seal information to the client side. The client side acquires the imprint information and displays the imprint imprinted on the screen. The stamp history information is also exchanged between the client side and the electronic seal authentication server side. The stamp history information is information for specifying who, when and where a document is stamped.

  FIG. 10 shows a flow when the client personal computer 30 or 35 executes a login process using an electronic seal stamp in cooperation with the electronic seal authentication server 10. Initial processing is performed first, and initial information is acquired from the electronic seal authentication server (the electronic seal authentication server 10 returns company information and a public key to the client personal computer at this time). When a user performs a stamping operation for login using a client personal computer, a stamping event occurs, and the client personal computer acquires the chip ID of the electronic seal stamp used for the stamping through the tablet. Using the public key acquired in the initial process, the electronic seal chip ID is encrypted and sent to the electronic seal authentication server 10 together with the function code and accompanying information. The electronic seal stamp authentication server 10 determines whether or not the user has the login authority based on the received chip ID (encrypted with the public key) and the function code. (The validity of this login authority is preferably compared in the encrypted state. This is to avoid the risk of the ID number being stolen.) If the login process is successful, the reception number and imprint Information and seal history information are returned to the client computer. The client personal computer acquires the seal impression information and the seal history information and displays the seal impression on the login screen.

  FIG. 11 shows a flow when the client personal computer 30 or 35 executes a stamping process using an electronic seal stamp in cooperation with the electronic seal authentication server 10. First, it is determined whether a receipt number is set in the client personal computer 30 or 35. If so, the receipt number is sent to the server. The electronic seal authentication server 10 passes the imprint and stamp history information to the client personal computer side based on the received receipt number. The client personal computer 30 or 35 acquires the stamp and stamp history information from the server side, and displays the stamp that has already been pressed in the stamp column of the stamp document. Since there are usually a plurality of stamp fields, if any of the plurality of stamp fields has not yet been set with an acceptance number, initial processing is performed in the same manner as in FIG. 10 to obtain initial information from the electronic seal authentication server (electronic At this time, the seal authentication server 10 returns the company information and the public key to the client personal computer). When someone of the user performs a stamping operation using the client personal computer, a stamping event occurs, and the client personal computer acquires the chip ID of the electronic seal stamp used for the stamping through the tablet. Using the public key acquired in the initial process, the electronic seal chip ID is encrypted and sent to the electronic seal authentication server 10 together with the function code and accompanying information. The electronic seal stamp authentication server 10 determines whether or not the user has the login authority based on the received chip ID (encrypted with the public key) and the function code. If the login process is successful, the receipt number, seal information, and stamp history information are returned to the client computer. The client personal computer acquires the seal impression information and the seal history information and displays the seal impression on the stamp document.

  FIG. 12 shows a process of logging in by an administrator who has been given authentication server management authority. The general user login and flowchart shown in FIG. 10 are almost the same, but there are differences in the contents of the function code and the supervisor function.

  FIG. 13 is a flow for executing the seal registration process in cooperation with the client personal computer 30 or 35 and the electronic seal stamp authentication server 10. The process is similar to the flow shown in FIG. 11 except that the process performed in the electronic seal authentication server 10 is a seal ID and seal registration process.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing how the client personal computer 30 or 35 cooperates with the electronic seal authentication server 10 and the document management server 20 via a computer network (Internet or intranet). Inside the client personal computer 30 or 35, there is a stamp document creating means 60, and the stamp document creating means 60 includes an editor and a writer. The editor has a function of creating a stamp field on the template. As will be described later, the stamp document creating means 60 also has a pseudo printer. The output of a typical word processor document or spreadsheet software is output on a pseudo printer and is used as a template (having a stamp column). And a writer function to create a single file (here, having an extension of bwb) and create an electronic seal document.

In order to create an electronic stamp document to be stamped by an electronic seal stamp, the user needs to use the client personal computer 30 or 35 in which the stamp document creating means 60 is installed. A user who only performs stamping may use the stamped document browsing unit 80 without using the stamped document creating unit 60. The stamp document browsing means 80 cannot correct the contents of the document. It is possible to add stamp history information or display a stamp on the stamp field. The stamp document creation means 60 can communicate with the electronic seal stamp authentication server 10 and the document management server 20 via the Internet communication network or the like. Then, the stamp document creating means 60 creates a stamp column template by an editor and freely pastes it on an existing electronic document (an electronic document created by a word processor or spreadsheet). A writer converts the document into a file (Bwb file) that cannot be altered. The document management server 20 is a server linked with the application database of the electronic seal stamp authentication server, and executes document storage management and database creation.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram displaying the three functions of the stamp document creation means 60. The three functions of the initial setting, the editor, and the writer are each realized by a computer program, and the functions that the CPU of the computer performs with other devices depending on the time are shown spatially for convenience. The stamp document creation means 60 provides a transparent layer, creates a stamp column, and overlays the existing electronic document to convert it into a file that cannot be modified. The user, authority, and workflow that can be stamped are set in the properties of the created stamp field.
In FIG. 15, the initial setting means that the electronic seal authentication server and document management server to be linked are defined by describing their URLs. When a stamp is placed in the stamp field of a stamped document, communication with each server defined here is performed, and authentication and document management are executed.
In FIG. 15, the editor opens a transparent layer by newly creating, forms a stamp field, and creates a stamp field template. Select the “Seal” menu from the menu bar, select the required number of stations from a series to five, and place them on the layer. You can also open the properties for each seal field and set the workflow. Although the name is assigned and saved, the name is common to the application database of the electronic seal authentication server and the application database of the document management server. Name of stamp field template becomes a match with the name of the folder in which to store the documents created using them, electronic documents created using the template, as a document file in the name folder of the document management server Saved. At this time, a frame for extracting text characters is set and arranged so as to surround a character string to be extracted from the electronic document.
In FIG. 15, a writer is software that superimposes a stamp field template created by an editor on an electronic document and converts it into a file (bwb file) that cannot be modified except for the stamp field. In the software that created the existing electronic document, the same operation as printing is performed, a pseudo / virtual printer called a BWB driver is selected instead of the actual printer, printing is performed, and an appropriate name (extension is bwb) Save the file with the file name. The file circulated for the stamp is this bwb file. This printing process can also be regarded as file conversion. If there is a text character extraction frame when performing this printing (conversion), the text character in this frame is taken out, attached to the bbw document for stamping, and sent to the document management server. It is stored in association with the search unit. Since this bbw file is converted into a format that cannot be modified except for the stamp field, it is not changed during circulation. Any file that can be printed by a printer (a general word processor or spreadsheet software document file) can be pasted into a stamped document. Since the application range is wide and the stamp field can be created easily, the stamp field can be pasted into an electronic document or form currently in use to create a stamp document. Can do.

  FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram displaying four functions of the document management server 20 shown in FIG. The document management database 210 is linked with the application database of the electronic seal stamp authentication server, creates a folder for each application, and stores and manages the document file created and transmitted from the client. A stamp document is managed in association with various information. The stamp status management means 220 is a part that always manages and manages the stamp status of the stamp column of the client side document. Manage how far the in-house workflow that should be stamped on a sealed document has progressed. The e-mail delivery means 230 is a means for automatically delivering a document to the next stamper by e-mail when the seal is authenticated in accordance with the workflow set in the property of the seal field. To the next person to be stamped, a stamped document is attached to the mail or sent, or a URL description indicating the location is sent by mail. The communication means 240 with the stamp document creation means or the electronic seal authentication server is a part having a function of communicating with another computer (such as a client computer or an electronic seal authentication server) via the Internet or an intranet. Every time there is progress in the stamping situation, a procedure to update the information is executed.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart when the stamping process is executed in the client personal computer 30 or 35. Printing begins at step 1700 and at step 1705. This printing means creating the bbw document described above and displaying it on the screen. As a result of the exchange with the electronic seal authentication server 10 (not shown) in step 1710, login processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step 1715 on the assumption that the user is authorized to have login authority. In step 1715, when the user desires to change the setting of the workflow or application phase of the stamped document, the application phase is acquired from the authentication server (step 1720), and setting change processing is performed on the workflow setting screen (step 1720). 1730). If the resulting stamped document becomes a new document (YES in step 1740), a serial number is generated (step 1745), information is transmitted to the document management server, and the document number is acquired ( Step 1750), data is written to the bbw file (Step 1760). If it is determined in step 1740 that the document is not a new document, information is transmitted to the document management server (step 1755), and data is written to the bbw file (step 1760). If the result is a new document or the final seal, a bbw file is transmitted to the document management server (step 1765) and the process is terminated (step 1775). If the document is neither a new document nor a final seal, the process is temporarily terminated, but the process from step 1700 is repeated by the next stamper.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which the server and the client personal computer are connected by the Internet or LAN. The document management server 20 and the electronic seal authentication server 10 are drawn on the left side, and the client personal computers 30 and 35 are drawn on the right side. The document management server 20 is a server that manages a stamped document. In addition to the document management function, the stamped document needs to be approved by a plurality of people and processed by a person. It has a function to manage communications. The electronic seal authentication server 10 is a server that performs electronic seal authentication, ID password authentication, master file management, document number issuance, and management. In this figure, two servers are depicted separately, but an embodiment in which both functions are combined on a single server computer is also possible. The client personal computer 30 is a computer having a sealed document creating means 60, and a sealed document is created using this function. The client personal computer 35 is a computer having a stamp document browsing means 80, which does not have a function of rewriting a stamp document, but is used by a user who should approve the stamp document to perform a stamp procedure using an electronic seal stamp. is there. As shown in FIG. 18, the server side and the client personal computer side use a web service or an HTTP protocol for data transmission, and are exchanged using a communication protocol such as a framework or soap (SOAP).

  FIG. 19 shows a login screen when a stamp document is created by the client personal computer 30. The person who creates the stamped document makes an inquiry to the electronic seal authentication server to confirm that he / she has the proper authority, confirms it by collation with the master file, etc., obtains document creation permission, and starts work. FIG. 20 shows a screen for making basic settings among the initial settings of a stamped document. Set paper size selection, cover page presence / absence, validity period, form format, and password settings as basic settings. The validity period is a numerical value that is set after predicting how long this stamped document will have to be approved by the final stamper. Cannot be stamped. In the form format, it is possible to select a normal slip or a copy slip. The ordinary slip is used, for example, when there are a plurality of invoices and it is necessary to obtain approval for them. The copy slip is used when the contents are the same and the ruled line color and title are different, such as an invoice, invoice, or receipt. The password is a function that is set when necessary, and is used to prevent this document from being shown to a stamper who does not know the password. When the contents of the basic settings are determined, press the OK button to confirm.

  FIG. 21 shows a server setting screen among the initial settings of a stamped document. By describing the URL of the electronic seal stamp authentication server, the document number of this stamped document is issued, the stamped electronic seal stamp is authenticated, the ID password is authenticated, and the server computer to which the master file is to be referenced is specified. If an administrator with the authority to supervise across multiple companies sees, the company name is selected by clicking the pull-down button. Normally, a stamped document is exchanged by only one company, so only this company can be selected by clicking this pull-down button. By clicking the pull-down button for the application name, you can select the type of in-house document that is regularly used in the company, such as a seal application, invoice, approval document, and business plan. By specifying the URL of the document management server, the server computer that should store the stamped document is specified. The document number is automatically assigned by clicking the automatic serial number check button. By clicking the check button for synchronization of stamps, the fact of stamps by other stampers is instantly reflected. The synchronization of the stamp is made with the document number as a reference. Since the document management server collects stamp information, when the document is opened on each client computer, the document stamp is used as the same stamp history information as the document management server. In this way, a process of writing a seal on the electronic stamp document on the client personal computer side is executed. The setting is confirmed by clicking the OK button on the server setting screen of FIG.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a state in which a document number is assigned to a sealed document. In the process of creating a stamped document, the document number is acquired by exchanging between the client personal computer 30 and the electronic seal authentication server 10, and is added to an appropriate position such as the upper right of the stamped document. The document management server 20 also builds a database based on this document number, and manages the document.

  FIG. 23 shows that when there are three persons to be stamped on a stamped document, a section manager, a section manager and a general manager, the three persons interact with the server when they press the seal, respectively, and the stamp authority is given by the electronic seal authentication server 10. It is a figure which shows rewriting the stamp log | history information in a collation stamped document, and preserve | saving in the document management server 20.

  FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an exchange between the document management server 20 and the electronic seal authentication server 10 when the stamper to be stamped tries to perform the stamping procedure using the client personal computer 35 (the stamped document browsing means 80). Here, it is assumed that the synchronization of the stamp is not selected in the initial setting of the stamped document. In that case, the stamp document browsing means 80 requests the document management server 20 for seal information. This is to reflect the procedure of the stamp document performed by another person in this stamp document. The document management server 20 returns the seal ID and the receipt number of the seal stamped in the stamp document stored therein to the client personal computer 35 in the CSV format. The client personal computer 35 writes a receipt code in the stamped document and requests the electronic seal stamp authentication server 10 for the imprint information of the corresponding electronic seal stamp. When the electronic seal stamp authentication server passes the corresponding imprint information to the client personal computer 35, the client personal computer obtains it and writes the imprint on the stamp document. As a result, the imprinted stamp is displayed on the screen of the client personal computer 35, so that the user-friendliness is equivalent to stamping on a paper document.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart in a case where a person who intends to make a seal using the client personal computer 35 changes the contents of the application. The contents (company code, application code, seal name, seal ID) whose settings are to be changed for the application are sent to the document management server 20. The document management server 20 writes the information in the application file.

  FIG. 26 shows a flowchart in the case where the stamper has just stamped using the stamped document browsing means 80. If the stamped document is the first document for which the document number has not yet been acquired, the document management server 20 is requested for the document number. The document management server 20 creates a new record in the stamped document database and returns the document number to the stamped document browsing means. The stamped document browsing means 80 acquires the document number and registers the document number in the stamped document. If the stamped document is not the first document, the document browsing means 80 transmits the stamped information to the document management server, and the document management server 20 writes the stamp information in the record of the document database.

  FIG. 27 is a screen showing the initial setting of the stamp document browsing means as in FIG. 20, but in this example, an example in which the company code and application code can also be set is shown.

  In FIG. 28, when the initial setting of a template for a stamped document is performed in the stamped document creating means 60, a template composed of three pages is created, and the settings for the ordinary slip are used by designating repetition of the third and subsequent sheets. It is explanatory drawing which showed the case. As will be described later, the stamp document creation means 60 has a text creation means and a figure creation means, and has a function of creating a template including ruled lines, a stamp field, and the like. The original document shown in the upper left of FIG. 28 is an estimate here, the first is the cover, the second is the description, and the third, fourth and fifth are the actual estimates (this estimate The book does not include ruled lines or stamp fields.) It is assumed that this document has been created by general word processing software or spreadsheet software, and the electronic file is also at hand. The stamp document creation means 60 electronically creates a template covering three pages as shown in the lower left of FIG. The first template is provided with a stamp field, and if necessary, the third template is also provided with a stamp field. By launching the program used to create the original document, selecting the print menu, and using the pseudo-printing means of the stamped document preparation means 60 as the output destination instead of the actual printer The template created here and the original document can be merged and saved as one file (stamped document). The stamped document stored in this way is an electronic file having an extension of bwb here, and the contents of the document cannot be rewritten, and only information related to the stamp (stamping history information) can be rewritten. If repeat is specified for the third and subsequent sheets in the normal slip setting, in the electronic seal document created as shown on the right side of FIG. 28, the third and subsequent pages are the designs for the third and subsequent pages of the template. Created by applying.

  FIG. 29 creates a three-page billing delivery note composed of an invoice, delivery note, and receipt based on a document consisting of only one page in which the delivery destination, product name, quantity, amount, etc. are input. It is a figure explaining the case where a copy slip is selected and 3 copy is designated. In this case, the template is composed of three pages, each of which follows the same design, and only the titles and ruled lines have different colors. With this setting, an electronic stamp document created when a template is applied to an original document consisting of one page is created as a document in which a delivery destination, a product name, a quantity, and an amount of money are read into each of three billed delivery documents.

  FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining a case where a cover page is attached to a document such as a design drawing. The original document is only a blueprint, but the template consists of a cover page and one template page, and the right side of FIG. 30 is specified by specifying “with cover page”, “ordinary slip”, and “repeating first and subsequent sheets”. An electronic seal document as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 31 shows an initial screen displayed when the stamp document creating means 60 is activated to create a template. As shown in FIG. 31, in addition to a function for creating a normal drawing such as a graphic creation function and a text editing function, a means for creating a stamp field for pressing a seal and a means for setting a workflow corresponding thereto are included. . When a new template is to be created, it is displayed in a white state where no template has been created yet, as shown in FIG. 31, but when an existing template file is opened, it is created on the screen shown in FIG. The completed template is displayed.

  FIG. 32 shows a save screen when the template is saved alone without being merged with the original document. Here, a case where the name is a billing invoice stored in a folder named “template” is shown, and the extension is mgt. Templates stored in this way are highly versatile and may be used in different departments within the company. It may also be used for a long time.

  FIG. 33 shows a pseudo printer (here, a virtual printer created by selecting a print menu in a program for creating a document (a word processor document or a spreadsheet sheet) as a base when creating an electronic seal document, instead of an actual printer. Then, it is a screen showing an operation to be output to B2winB Driver / C). In particular, in this figure, it is a print output screen of spreadsheet software. By this operation, the print image of the original document can be taken into the electronic stamp document creation means in a form independent of the program that created the document. FIG. 34 is a property setting screen of this pseudo printer. Here, the output is selected in the A4 horizontal size. If the user presses the OK button to return to the print screen and presses the OK button on the print screen, FIG. 35 is displayed. FIG. 35 is a template selection screen. The template stored in the template folder described above can be selected, and “Billing Invoice” can now be selected. When this is selected and the selection button is clicked, the screen of FIG. 36 is displayed. FIG. 36 shows a password input screen. This screen is displayed when the currently selected template requests a password. When the correct password is input and the OK button is pressed, the original document and the template are merged on the computer, and an electronically stamped document file having the extension bwb is created. FIG. 37 shows a save screen for the bbw file that can be obtained in this way. In FIG. 37, the file name is a sample image of a billing delivery note.

  As described above, the stamp document creation means 60 includes a drawing creation means, a text creation means, and a stamp field creation means. In addition to being able to read and edit a template (extension mgt) file, It is also possible to read and edit a file of a stamped document (extension is bwb). The editing result can be saved as a template or saved as a stamped document. When saved as a template, it is separated from the original document created by word processing software or spreadsheet software and saved as a template independently. When trying to create a template from scratch, trial and error is required to determine the layout, etc., so in FIG. 37, “Invoice invoice sample image” is used to indicate that it is in progress. is there.

  FIG. 38 shows a screen in which a stamp document (bwb file) named “Billing delivery sample image” is opened by the stamp document creation means 60. Here, there is no ruled line and no stamp column because the template is not yet created and is an empty template. Therefore, the document image created by word processing software or spreadsheet software is displayed as it is. However, since it is only displayed as an image regardless of the program that created the original document, its contents cannot be edited.

  The bbw file of FIG. 38 is once closed and then opened to edit and complete a template file named “Billing Invoice”. FIG. 39 is a screen on which the stamp document creation means 60 opens a template file. FIG. 40 is a screen for opening a bbw file called “Billing Invoice Sample Image” created earlier with the template file opened. The stamp document creating means 60 can further open and display the bbw file with the template file opened in this manner (FIG. 41). This makes it possible to create a template having an appropriate layout for an original document created by a word processor or spreadsheet.

  FIG. 42 is a diagram showing how a template is edited using the graphic creation means and text creation means described above with reference to a sample image. FIG. 43 is a diagram showing a state in which a stamp frame is created. Here, three stamp frames are created: a department manager, a section manager, and a section chief. The overall design can be adjusted using the layout function and the enlargement / reduction function. When the first page of the template is completed, the second page, cover page, etc. are created as necessary. FIG. 44 shows file information of the template file. The file name, creation date / time, and update date / time are automatically entered. If necessary for management reasons, information for identifying the template, contents to explain, etc. can be entered in the title and comment fields. FIG. 45 is a preview display screen of the completed template file. After confirming the completion, you can print if necessary. If you are satisfied with the completion, save the completed template. At this time, if the template is saved without worrying about the sample image, only the template is saved separately from the sample image.

  FIG. 46 is a diagram for explaining a seal menu that the stamp document creation means 60 has. Usually, three or five stamping frames are provided in series. Therefore, menus such as triple, quadruple, and five are prepared. For example, by selecting a triple menu and dropping the mouse cursor to the upper left of the space to be stamped and dragging it to the lower right of the space to be stamped. Three stamp frames are automatically created. In the center of each stamp frame, a character “seal” is displayed. The display of the character “stamp” means that the stamper should stamp at that position. Once made, readjustment is also possible.

  FIG. 47 is a setting frame (seal dialog box) for a stamp frame. In the present invention, the stamp frame not only simply stamps a stamp, but also includes stamp history information (information on stamp date and time, location, etc.) and workflow (circulation and stamp order) information. Select a stamp frame and then select a property or double-click the stamp frame to display a seal dialog box. In the “Entire tab”, the font of the character of the stamper name, the color of the line of the stamp frame, and the line type of the stamp frame are designated for the entire stamp frame to be created. There are as many seal tabs as the number of stamp frames, and since there are three in this case, three tabs of seal 1, seal 2, and seal 3 are prepared. FIG. 48 shows a seal tab setting screen. Settings such as the name of the stamper and the caption displayed in the stamp field. Here, the caption in the stamp column is a character displayed in the stamp frame. For example, if the stamper can be stamped in the workflow, it is displayed as “stamp”, and the stampers in the order before the approval route are still If it is not stamped and cannot be stamped in this stamp field, “unapproved” is displayed, and the character string to be displayed can be set on this seal tab setting screen. Therefore, if “Please press the mark” is displayed in the “Seal” area displayed in FIG. 48 and “It cannot be pressed yet” in the “Unapproved” area, it will be displayed as it is in the seal frame of the electronic seal document. Will be. Workflow settings can also be made on this screen. The route A, route B, etc. are set, which will be described later with reference to another drawing.

  FIG. 49 is a partial view for designating a workflow in the seal tab of the seal dialog box. As shown in FIG. 49, there are two columns, a column for selecting alphabets A to Z by a pull-down button and a column for inputting numerical values. The designation of the alphabet is designation of the approval route group, and it is divided into A group, B group, C group, etc. depending on the difference in departments in the company. The numerical value is specified by a numerical value starting from zero for the approval order within the same approval route group. Within the same approval route group, approval is performed in the order specified by the approval order. If the approval order is not stamped by the previous person, the person in the later order cannot be stamped. If there are multiple approval route groups, these approval route groups operate in parallel. In other words, when there are three ABC groups, approval is performed separately for each approval route.

  FIG. 50 is a diagram illustrating an approval route group and an approval order when the stamping order may not be specified from any of a plurality of stampers. Here, all the approval route groups belong to A, and the approval order is all zero. Correspondingly, all of the five stamps are displayed with the letters “seal”. This is because the caption for the seal is designated as the character display of “seal”. FIG. 51 is a diagram illustrating an approval route group and an approval order when a stamping order is designated among a plurality of stampers. Since the stamping order is designated in the order of section manager, section manager, and section manager, the approval order is 2 for the section manager, 1 for the section manager, and 0 for the section manager. If the chief is not impressed, the section manager cannot be imprinted. The character displayed in the stamp frame is “stamped” only in the chief's stamp frame when no one has yet stamped, and “unapproved” is displayed in the other frames. All approval route groups are the same A group. Next, a case where a plurality of approval routes are provided will be described with reference to FIGS. 52 and 53. The sales department has 1 section and 2 sections, and there are sales department manager, 1 section manager, 2 section manager, 1 section manager, 2 section manager, 1 section manager, 2 section manager. If you want to approve in 1st and 2nd in parallel, as shown in Fig. 53, the 1st approval route group is A group, 2nd approval route group is B group, and the approval rank is 0. The section manager is 1, the section manager is 2, the section manager is 3, and the approval route group of the section manager is A for convenience. Thereby, approval is performed in the order of the person in charge, the section manager, and the section manager in parallel with each of the sales section 1 and the sales section 2, and the sales manager is approved after both sections 1 and 2 have approved the section manager. In the initial stage, only the person in charge of the first section and the person in charge of the second section are displayed as “stamped” in the stamped frame, and “unapproved” is displayed in the other stamped frames.

  FIG. 54 is a diagram showing an expectation that the size of the stamp frame is once changed and then the size thereof is changed. When the stamp frame is selected by clicking with the mouse, a handle (small square) that can be grasped by the mouse is displayed at the middle of the four corners and sides. The size can be adjusted by dragging it.

  FIG. 55 is a layout adjustment screen. The created figure can be selected and changed by clicking on the figure or text to be adjusted or a stamp frame. If you want to change the attribute instead of the appearance, you can change the color, width, character pitch, etc. by selecting the property. FIG. 56 is a property screen for changing the attribute of a figure. After entering all the changes, press the Apply button to save and complete the template. Save the resulting template in the template folder with an appropriate name.

  FIG. 57 shows a screen in which the original document is created by the spreadsheet software in order to create a new stamp document. When the original document is completed, the print menu is selected on the spreadsheet software. FIG. 58 is a print menu screen of spreadsheet software. The printer is selected by clicking a pull-down button, and a preinstalled pseudo printer (virtual printer driver prepared by the electronic stamp document creating means) is selected. When the property button next to the printer selection column is clicked, the property screen of the pseudo printer is displayed (FIG. 59). Set the paper size, portrait or landscape. When property setting is completed, the OK button is pressed to return to the print menu, and when OK is clicked there, a template selection screen appears (FIG. 60). The template saved in the template folder is displayed in the form name column. Select the required form from the list and click the select button. When a password is set for the selected template, a password input screen shown in FIG. 61 appears. When the correct password is input and the OK button is clicked, the original document and the template are merged. The electronic seal document thus created is named and saved (FIG. 62). The file name is automatically generated by adding the date and time after the template name. You can change this file name if necessary. The extension of this file is bwb.

  FIG. 63 shows the display of the stamp column of the completed electronic stamp document (bwb file). In this example, the section manager and the section manager cannot be stamped unless the section chief is imprinted, so the section manager and section fields are displayed as “Unapproved”, and the section manager section is expected to be stamped. For the purpose of illustration, characters of “stamp” and “ID” and “PASS” are displayed. When this bbw file is closed, an icon as shown in FIG. 64 is displayed. After the chief officer performs the stamping procedure, the stamping column is displayed as shown in FIG. A seal stamp is displayed in the section of the chief of chief, and the characters “stamp” and “ID” and “PASS” are displayed in the section of the section manager. Since the general manager cannot be impressed unless the section manager is imprinted, “unapproved” is displayed.

  The procedure for actually using the stamped document creating unit 60 has been described above. Hereinafter, the procedure will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of the electronic stamped document creating unit 60. FIG. 66 is a functional block diagram of the stamp document creation means 60. The stamp document creation unit 60 includes a template creation unit 610, a template storage unit 617, a pseudo printing unit 616, a communication unit 650 with an electronic seal authentication server or a document management server, and a workflow setting unit 615. The template creation unit 610 is a unit that creates ruled lines, titles, and stamp frames, and includes a text creation unit 611, a graphic creation unit 612, a stamp column creation unit 613, a layout adjustment unit 614, and the like. The text creation means 611 is a means for inputting and editing text such as a document title. The graphic creation means 612 has a drawing function such as a polygon, circle, ellipse, straight line, etc., and can also create ruled lines. The stamp field creation unit 613 not only creates a stamp frame as a figure, but also works with the workflow setting unit 615 to set an approval route, a stamp order, and the like, and to manage the information of the stamp frame property. Create information as well. The workflow setting unit 615 refers to server-side information (user master, application master) via the communication unit 650 with the electronic seal stamp authentication server or the document management server as necessary in setting the stamping authority and the stamping sequence. Generate information about. The layout adjustment unit 614 is a unit that adjusts the layout of graphics such as text, graphics, and stamp frames.

  The template storage unit 617 is a unit that stores the template (including ruled lines and stamped frames) created by the stamp document creation unit 60 as an independent electronic file separated from the original document. As described above, the template is stored here as a tmg file (file with an extension of tmg). A stamp document is created by superimposing this template on electronic data created by word processing software or spreadsheet software, and is stored as a bwb file (file with the extension bwb). The pseudo printing means 616 plays an important role in the superimposing process. The pseudo printing unit 616 is a program installed in the computer as a printer driver. It is a virtual printer, not a printer that actually prints on paper. When a spreadsheet or word processor software is activated to enter a print menu with a necessary document read, and when this pseudo-printing means 616 is selected as a printer and printing is performed, this stamped document creating means 60 is activated to select a template. Prompt. Therefore, when the stamped document creator selects a template, the stamped document creating means 60 performs a process of combining the original document and the template. Then, the document is stored through the communication means 650 with the electronic seal authentication server or the document management server.

  Since the stamped document stored in this way has information regarding the workflow as a property of the stamped frame, the document management server 20 performs stamping by means such as attaching a file to an e-mail to a user who should be stamped according to the workflow. Prompt processing. Thereafter, as described above, the stamping procedure proceeds in cooperation with the client personal computer side, the electronic seal authentication server 10 and the document management server 20.

  FIG. 67 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the stamp document display means 820. As shown in FIG. It is not necessary to install the stamp document creating means 60 in the client personal computer used by the person who does not create a stamp document by himself / herself and only performs the stamp procedure. It is only necessary to install a stamped document browsing unit 80 which is a unit for browsing a document and processing a stamping procedure. The stamp document browsing unit 80 includes a stamp document display unit 820, a stamp event acquisition unit 830, a seal impression display unit 840, and a communication unit 850 with an electronic seal stamp authentication server. The stamp document display means 820 is a means for displaying a document that requires a stamp. The stamp event acquisition unit 830 is a unit that acquires an event of pressing an electronic seal stamp on a tablet connected to the client personal computer 35. The seal impression display means 840 is a means for acquiring the seal stamp information possessed by the electronic seal stamp authentication server 10 and displaying the seal stamp on the stamped document on the client personal computer side based on the acquired seal stamp information. The communication means 850 with the electronic seal stamp authentication server is means for exchanging electronic seal stamp IDs using a public key and exchanging them, and exchanging stamp history information and seal impression information between the client personal computer and the server side.

  The present embodiment aims to efficiently search a document database of stamped documents. A conventional document database can store and search documents according to classification, extract documents, and the like, but there is no database that can store electronic documents with stamps as they are and use them for search and extraction. In particular, a business document is different from a general document in that responsibility is clarified by imprinting a document, so a database capable of retrieving a document associated with a stamper is required. In other words, not only the document title, date and time, and document contents, but also a database that can be searched in association with the stamper and the stamper is required, but there is no system that can perform stamping and save it as a database simply by performing a stamping operation. Especially in terms of management control, it is a great advantage to be able to search and browse documents that specify the sealant together with the title, etc. However, if it is done with conventional technology, the document with the seal stamp read with a scanner etc. After the incidental information such as the name of the stamp is input, it is necessary to save the information in the database, which is complicated. Above all, the problem is that secondary work is required to register the completed document in the database. In order to solve the problem, in this embodiment, a function for extracting text from an existing electronic document is added to a template as a function for a database. The extracted text is converted to CSV, attached to a bbw file, transmitted to the document management server 20, and stored. As a result, the business electronic document is stored 20 in the document management server for each text character extracted together with the completion of the seal, and can be used as a database that can be searched by text characters in addition to the search for each stamper. No secondary work is necessary.

  Add the character extraction function to the editor with the above-mentioned stamped document creation means, display a sample image of the electronic document when creating a template, select "Character Extraction" from the upper menu (pull-down menu), and select the character you want to extract By enclosing with a frame, the extracted text characters are stored in association with the stamped document, which is useful for document retrieval. A plurality of extraction frames can be set, and the order of the frames can be determined numerically by properties. FIG. 68 is a display screen showing a state in which a character extraction menu is selected by the editor of the stamped document creating means, an extraction frame setting is selected, and two character strings representing them are selected in order from an existing document. It is. A setting of “full text extraction” is also possible. Set the stamp field and save as a template. When the electronic document and the template are selected and the writer prints, the text inside the frame is first extracted. If there are a plurality of frames, the frame number is added and the text is converted into CSV for each frame number. Thereafter, the electronic document is converted into a bwb file with a stamp field. The CSV data including the created extracted text is attached to the bbw conversion file (FIG. 69).

  FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing the roles of the editor and writer in character extraction of the electronic stamp document creating means. As described above, the editor has a template creation function and a stamp frame creation function. In addition, this embodiment has a character extraction frame setting function. The writer performs the process of superimposing the template (including the stamped frame) created by this editor and the existing electronic document. At that time, if there is a character extraction frame, the writer first extracts characters according to the frame setting order. Then, CSV conversion is performed for each frame. Then, after converting the electronic document and the stamp field into a bwb file, the CSV data generated earlier is attached to the converted bwb file. In this way, a part of the text characters of the existing electronic document is extracted to create a stamped document that is held as a search target.

  Next, a description will be given according to a state in which the stamp process is advanced using this stamp document. When the first stamper opens the stamped document that has arrived at the personal computer and stamps it, the electronic seal authentication server 10 starts authentication determination. If it is permitted, a confirmation message will appear asking whether to register. If “Yes” is pressed in FIG. 71, document management is started from this point. An imprint is displayed on the stamped document, and is written in the stamped document together with the authentication history. Next, the document number is received from the document management server, displayed on the stamped document, and written. Next, the stamped document together with the text attached in the CSV format is transmitted to the document management server 20 and stored in the document management database. The stamped document and the text attached in the CSV format are associated and stored separately. As determined by the workflow, the document management database distributes the stamped document as an attached file to the next stamper. The file to be transmitted to the second and subsequent stampers is only the stamped document, and the CSV converted text is not sent. In this way, when the final stamp is completed, the final document is transmitted to the document management server and overwritten and saved.

  FIG. 70 displays the document management screen of the document management server. In the application column, a list of saved application folders is displayed, and this time, “Minutes” is selected. Next to that, on the screen for selecting the display method of “files that have been stamped”, “unfinished files”, and “all files”, this time select “all”. Below that, all the files in the minutes folder are displayed. “Document number”, “Title”, “Creation date”, “Completed (displayed when all stamp fields are stamped)”, “Character extraction (If there is a character extraction operation in the stamped document, ○ Display) ”is displayed. Next, in the seal display field for the person in charge, the section manager, and the general manager, if each stamper has stamped, “X” is displayed if the stamp has not yet been stamped. Since the document contains the stamped person and the authentication history such as date / time, the extracted text characters are saved together with the stamped person and the authentication history simply by stamping with the business document. And it is automatically saved as a database that can be searched by text characters. Since it is managed by the document management server in this way, it is possible to search for a necessary document by utilizing the document number, title, creation date, text included in the document, stamped person, stamped date and time, etc. as search terms.

  This system is particularly effective for managers. In other words, no matter how a business document is, management does not grasp and approve all documents issued in-house. Of course, reports that affect management from the point of delegation of authority arrive, but other documents and details are usually not reported. Once a serious problem occurs, management decisions are made based on as much and detailed information as possible. However, searching for paper-based documents is impossible and takes a lot of time. When searching for a document of a specific stamper or a document with a specific title, it is difficult to find it without omission. In case of an emergency, it may be impossible to respond. There are also problems with storage space and costs. In this respect, this system can be searched in a short time without omission, so that it is possible to make a judgment with all information even for a serious problem that affects management. In addition, this system can be used conveniently as a tool for internal control that has never existed, because management can also browse the documents in a timely manner by searching documents with a specific purpose (such as a stamped document of a specific sealant). .

  It can be applied not only to business documents but also to general electronic documents and electronic data. If full text extraction is selected as a template, it can be operated as a database in which all text characters are searched. In addition, since a seal field that could not be created in the past can be added, it is possible to add a value such that it is possible to perform a work management and the like because it is possible to perform a seal for a database worker or an approver.

  Thus, according to the present invention, by setting a text extraction frame in a template for creating a stamp field for a business electronic document accompanied by a stamp, the completion of the stamp becomes an event and is automatically saved in the document management server. You can create a database that can be searched based on text included in stamps and documents. Unlike the conventional case, there is no need to perform a secondary operation for creating a database, and it is possible to achieve complete paper-less and work efficiency using an electronic seal stamp.

It is a login screen when logging in to the electronic seal authentication system with administrator authority. It is a menu screen of an electronic seal stamp authentication system. It is a screen of the user master. It is a screen of an imprint registration process. This is the application master screen. It is a figure which shows the basic protocol of an electronic seal stamp authentication server and a client personal computer. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of an electronic seal stamp authentication system. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of an electronic seal stamp authentication server. It is the figure explaining the electronic seal stamp 50 in detail. It is a figure which shows the flow at the time of a client personal computer performing the login process by an electronic seal stamp by cooperation with an electronic seal authentication server. It is a figure which shows the flow at the time of a client personal computer performing the stamp process by an electronic seal stamp in cooperation with an electronic seal authentication server. It is a figure which shows the process which the administrator who was given the authentication server management authority logs in. It is a flowchart which performs a seal imprint registration process by cooperation with a client personal computer and an electronic seal stamp authentication server. It is the figure which showed a mode that the client personal computer cooperates with an electronic seal stamp authentication server and a document management server via a computer network (Internet or intranet). It is a functional block diagram which displayed three functions which a stamp document preparation means has. It is a functional block diagram which displayed four functions which a document management server has. It is a flowchart at the time of performing a stamp process in a client personal computer. It is the figure which showed a mode that the server and the client personal computer were connected by the internet or LAN. It is a login screen when creating a stamp document on a client personal computer. It is a figure which shows the screen which performs a basic setting among the initial settings of a stamped document. It is the figure which showed the screen of a server setting among the initial settings of a stamped document. It is the figure which showed a mode that a document number was attached | subjected to a stamped document. When there are three persons to be imprinted on the stamped document, the chief, section manager, or general manager, the three persons interact with the server when they press the stamp, respectively, and the stamping authority is verified on the electronic stamp authentication server. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing rewriting of the stamp history information and storing it in the document management server. It is a figure which shows the exchange with the document management server and electronic seal stamp authentication server at the time of the stamper who should be stamped trying to perform a stamping procedure using a client personal computer. It is a flowchart in case the person who is going to stamp using a client personal computer tries to change the content of an application. It is a flowchart when a stamper just stamps using a stamp document browsing means. It is a figure which shows the initial setting of a stamp document browsing means. An explanation showing a case in which a template composed of three pages is created as a template when initial setting of a template of a stamped document is performed in the stamped document creating means, and the setting of the ordinary slip is used by designating repetition of the third and subsequent sheets FIG. Copying slips when creating a three-page billing invoice consisting of an invoice, invoice, and receipt based on a single-page document that includes the delivery address, name, quantity, amount, etc. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where three is selected and 3 copies are designated. It is a figure explaining the case where a cover page is attached to original documents, such as a design drawing. It is an initial screen displayed when the stamp document creating means 60 is activated to create a template. This is a save screen for saving a template alone without combining it with the original document. FIG. 10 is a screen showing an operation of selecting a print menu in a program that creates a document to be a base when creating an electronic stamp document and outputting it to a virtual printer that is virtually created as a printer instead of an actual printer. It is a property setting screen of a pseudo printer. It is a template selection screen. It is a password input screen. It is a save screen of a bwb file. This is a screen in which a stamped document named “Billing Delivery Note Sample Image” is opened by a stamped document creating means. This is a screen for opening a template file by the stamp document creation means. It is a screen for opening a bbw file called “Billing Invoice Sample Image” that was created earlier with the template file opened. It is the figure which opened the bwb file in the state which opened the template file, and displayed it superimposed. It is the figure which showed a mode that a template was edited using the above-mentioned figure creation means and text creation means, referring a sample image. It is the figure which showed a mode that a stamp frame was created. It is a display screen of file information of a template file. It is a preview display screen of the completed template file. It is a figure explaining the seal menu which a stamp document preparation means has. It is a setting frame of a stamp frame. It is a setting screen of a seal tab. FIG. 10 is a partial view for specifying a workflow on a seal tab of a seal dialog box. It is a figure which shows the approval route group and approval order in case stamping order is not designated from any of a plurality of stampers. It is a figure which shows the approval route group and approval order in the case of designating a stamping order between several stampers. It is a figure which shows the stamp frame in the case of providing a some approval route. It is a figure which shows the approval route group and approval order in the case of providing a some approval route. It is the figure which showed the prediction which changes the magnitude | size after once creating a stamping frame. This is a layout adjustment screen. It is a property screen for changing the attribute of a figure. This is a screen in which the original document is created by the spreadsheet software in order to create a new stamped document. It is a print menu screen of spreadsheet software. It is a property screen of a pseudo printer. It is a template selection screen. It is a password input screen. It is a preservation | save screen of an electronic seal document. It is a figure which shows the stamp column of the completed electronic stamp document. It is a figure which shows the icon of a bwb file. It is a figure which shows the seal | sticker column after the chief of staff performs the seal | sticker procedure. It is a functional block diagram of the stamp document creation means 60. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the stamp document display means 820. FIG. It is a display screen showing a state in which a character extraction menu is selected by an editor of a stamped document creating means, an extraction frame setting is selected, and two character strings representing them are selected in order from an existing document. It is a flowchart which shows the role of the editor and writer in the character extraction of an electronic stamp document preparation means. It is a figure which shows a comment list display screen. It is a screen of a confirmation message displayed when the seal stamp is authenticated and permitted when the first stamper stamps the stamp frame.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic seal stamp authentication server 20 Document management server 30, 35 PC 40 Tablet 50 Electronic seal stamp 51 Built-in IC chip 52 Stamp button 53 Stamp surface 60 Stamp document creation means 80 Stamp document browsing means 90 Internet 100 Database section 110 User master 120 Application master 170 Server setting management unit 180 Electronic seal registration management unit 190 Electronic seal authentication unit 210 Document management database 220 Sealing status management unit 230 Email distribution unit 240 Sealed document creation unit or communication unit with electronic seal authentication server 610 Template creation unit 611 Text creation Means 612 Graphic creation means 613 Stamp field creation means 614 Layout adjustment means 615 Workflow setting means 616 Pseudo printing means 617 Template storage means 820 Stamp document display 830 depression event of the acquisition means 840 seal image display means 850 means of communication with the electronic seal authentication server

Claims (4)

An electronic seal stamp, a tablet that reads the electronic seal stamp, an existing document creation device that includes a client computer to which the tablet is connected and creates an existing document, and an existing document created by the existing document creation device A client computer having an electronic file and an imprinted document creating means for taking in the existing document and creating an electronic imprinted document, and a client computer connected to the tablet and approving the imprinted document created by the imprinted document creating means A client computer having a stamp document browsing means used by a person who performs it, an electronic seal authentication server connected to the client computer and the both client computers via a computer network, and a seal for authenticating whether or not the seal is used by the electronic seal authentication server Document And a document management server connected to said computer network in order to, a stamping document creation management system to create and manage the electronic seal documents,
The stamp document creating means includes:
Login means for inquiring of the electronic seal authentication server to obtain permission to create a stamp document;
After obtaining permission to create a stamped document by the login means, basic settings for paper size selection, cover page presence / absence, validity period, form format, password setting, server computer identification, company name, application name, automatic sampling Initial setting means for executing server settings relating to synchronization of number / seal,
Text creation means for entering / editing text of document titles and item names, figure creation means for drawing figures including polygons, circles, ellipses, and straight lines, creating stamp frames as figures, and approval routes and stamping orders Stamp field creation means that also creates property information of a stamp frame that is set and manages that information, layout adjustment means that adjusts the layout of text, graphics, and stamp frames, and characters that extract some text characters of the existing electronic document A transparent layer comprising character extraction frame setting means for setting an extraction frame, and a template composed of a title, a ruled line, a stamp frame, and a character extraction frame spread over the existing electronic document displayed on the existing document creation device A template creation means created above;
Workflow setting means for generating information relating to a workflow with reference to the information of the electronic seal authentication server / document management server and setting property information of the stamp frame in cooperation with the stamp column creating means;
A template storage unit that stores a template including ruled lines, stamp frames, and character extraction frames created by the template creation unit as an independent electronic file separated from the original existing electronic document;
Installed as a virtual printer to superimpose the template creation unit and the existing document of spreadsheet software / word processor software, and designated as a print destination from the print menu of the existing electronic document by the existing document creation device Selecting a template file stored in the template storage unit as a superposition target and outputting it as a stamped document file;
When the pseudo-printing means outputs a stamped document file, if the template file selected as the superimposition target has a character extraction frame, characters are extracted according to the setting order of the character extraction frame. CSV conversion means for CSV-converting the extracted characters and attaching to the stamped document file; and means for communicating with the electronic seal authentication server / document management server;
Among the client computers, a client computer used by a person who approves the stamped document is:
A sealed document display means for displaying a document that requires a seal;
A stamp event acquisition means for acquiring an event of clicking a stamp button of the electronic seal stamp on the tablet connected to the client computer;
Imprint display means for acquiring the imprint information possessed by the electronic seal authentication server and displaying the imprint on the stamped document of the client computer based on the acquired imprint information;
The electronic seal stamp ID is encrypted using a public key and exchanged, and a seal means comprising a communication means with an electronic seal authentication server for exchanging seal history information / imprint information between the client computer and the electronic seal authentication server Have document browsing means,
The electronic seal authentication server is
Among the users who use this system, the user master who registers the master information including company name, department, name, title, telephone, e-mail address, expiration date, and password of those belonging to his organization, and information / organization related to stamping authority A database unit comprising an application master for registering information on a workflow and information on a circulation order, which is a flow of circulation and sealing according to a predetermined procedure
A server setting management unit, which is a part that can be accessed and set only by a person having authority to access the server;
An electronic seal registration management unit for registering and managing an electronic seal ID number and seal information;
The electronic seal ID number received from the client computer is compared with the electronic seal ID number and master information registered in the server. If they match, the company code, the user code, the server number, and the company An electronic history stamp authenticating unit that writes an authentication history, which is information including a name, a user name, an authentication type, an acceptance date, and an acceptance time, to the server, grants a seal permission to the client computer, and transmits a registered seal.
The document management server
A document management database for managing a stamped document in association with various information;
A stamping status management means for managing how far the internal workflow to be stamped on a stamped document has progressed;
An e-mail delivery means for sending a stamped document attached to an e-mail to the next person to be sealed;
Communication means for communicating with other computers via an intranet or the Internet,
The stamped document browsing means sends the stamped document to the document management server as an event that the first stamper stamps, and the document management server stores the stamped document in the CSV data attached thereto. A stamped document creation and management system characterized in that it is registered in the document management database in association with the character data. An electronic seal stamp, a tablet that reads the electronic seal stamp, an existing document creation device that includes a client computer to which the tablet is connected and creates an existing document, and an existing document created by the existing document creation device A client computer having an electronic file and an imprinted document creating means for taking in the existing document and creating an electronic imprinted document, and a client computer connected to the tablet and approving the imprinted document created by the imprinted document creating means A client computer having a stamp document browsing means used by a person who performs it, an electronic seal authentication server connected to the client computer and the both client computers via a computer network, and a seal for authenticating whether or not the seal is used by the electronic seal authentication server Document And a document management server connected to said computer network in order to, a stamping document creation management system to create and manage the electronic seal documents,
The stamp document creating means includes:
Login means for inquiring of the electronic seal authentication server to obtain permission to create a stamp document;
After obtaining permission to create a stamped document by the login means, basic settings for paper size selection, cover page presence / absence, validity period, form format, password setting, server computer identification, company name, application name, automatic sampling Initial setting means for executing server settings relating to synchronization of number / seal,
Text creation means for entering / editing text of document titles and item names, figure creation means for drawing figures including polygons, circles, ellipses, and straight lines, creating stamp frames as figures, and approval routes and stamping orders Stamp field creation means that also creates property information of a stamp frame that is set and manages that information, layout adjustment means that adjusts the layout of text, graphics, and stamp frames, and characters that extract some text characters of the existing electronic document A transparent layer comprising character extraction frame setting means for setting an extraction frame, and a template composed of a title, a ruled line, a stamp frame, and a character extraction frame spread over the existing electronic document displayed on the existing document creation device A template creation means created above;
Workflow setting means for generating information relating to a workflow with reference to the information of the electronic seal authentication server / document management server and setting property information of the stamp frame in cooperation with the stamp column creating means;
A template storage unit that stores a template including ruled lines, stamp frames, and character extraction frames created by the template creation unit as an independent electronic file separated from the original existing electronic document;
Installed as a virtual printer to superimpose the template creation unit and the existing document of spreadsheet software / word processor software, and designated as a print destination from the print menu of the existing electronic document by the existing document creation device Selecting a template file stored in the template storage unit as a superposition target and outputting it as a stamped document file;
When the pseudo-printing means outputs a stamped document file, if the template file selected as the superimposition target has a character extraction frame, characters are extracted according to the setting order of the character extraction frame. CSV conversion means for CSV-converting the extracted characters and attaching to the stamped document file; and means for communicating with the electronic seal authentication server / document management server;
Among the client computers, a client computer used by a person who approves the stamped document is:
A sealed document display means for displaying a document that requires a seal;
A stamp event acquisition means for acquiring an event of clicking a stamp button of the electronic seal stamp on the tablet connected to the client computer;
Imprint display means for acquiring the imprint information possessed by the electronic seal authentication server and displaying the imprint on the stamped document of the client computer based on the acquired imprint information;
The electronic seal stamp ID is encrypted using a public key and exchanged, and a seal means comprising a communication means with an electronic seal authentication server for exchanging seal history information / imprint information between the client computer and the electronic seal authentication server Have document browsing means,
The electronic seal authentication server is
Among the users who use this system, the user master who registers the master information including company name, department, name, title, telephone, e-mail address, expiration date, and password of those belonging to his organization, and information / organization related to stamping authority A database unit comprising an application master for registering information on a workflow and information on a circulation order, which is a flow of circulation and sealing according to a predetermined procedure
A server setting management unit, which is a part that can be accessed and set only by a person having authority to access the server;
An electronic seal registration management unit for registering and managing an electronic seal ID number and seal information;
The electronic seal ID number received from the client computer is compared with the electronic seal ID number and master information registered in the server. If they match, the company code, the user code, the server number, and the company An electronic history stamp authenticating unit that writes an authentication history, which is information including a name, a user name, an authentication type, an acceptance date, and an acceptance time, to the server, grants a seal permission to the client computer, and transmits a registered seal.
The document management server
A document management database for managing a stamped document in association with various information;
A stamping status management means for managing how far the internal workflow to be stamped on a stamped document has progressed;
An e-mail delivery means for sending a stamped document attached to an e-mail to the next person to be sealed;
Communication means for communicating with other computers via an intranet or the Internet,
The stamped document browsing means sends the stamped document to the document management server as an event that the first stamper stamps, and the document management server stores the stamped document in the CSV data attached thereto. A method for creating and managing a stamped document in a stamped document creation and management system, characterized in that it is registered in the document management database in association with the character data,
An existing electronic document display step of displaying the existing electronic document on the display screen by the existing electronic document creation device;
A transparent layer display step for displaying a transparent layer over the existing electronic document displayed in the existing electronic document display step;
A template creation step for creating a template having a stamp field and a character extraction frame on the transparent layer displayed in the transparent layer display step;
A template storage step for storing the template created in the template creation step as a file independent of the existing electronic document;
A printing destination designating step of designating a printing destination as the pseudo printing means in a printing menu of the existing electronic document creation device;
As an overlay target of the pseudo-printing means, an overlay target selection step for selecting the template file stored in the template storage step;
A character information extraction step of extracting character information on the existing electronic document corresponding to a character extraction frame in a template stored in the template file selected in the overlay target selection step;
A stamped document file creating step of creating a stamped document file by superimposing the print output of the existing electronic document creating device with the template selected in the overlay target selecting step;
CSV data attaching step for attaching the character information extracted in the character information extracting step as CSV data to the stamped document file created in the stamped document file creating step;
A stamped document file creation and management method comprising: a stamped document file transmitting step of transmitting a stamped document file to which the CSV data is attached in the CSV data attaching step to the document management server.   3. The method for creating and managing a stamped document according to claim 2, wherein the transmission to the document management server in the stamped document file transmission step is performed immediately after the first stamp is made on the stamped document. To create and manage stamped documents.   4. The stamp document creation and management method according to claim 2, wherein the document management server that has received the stamp document file through the stamp document file transmission step receives the CSV data attached to the stamp document file. And a database construction step of constructing a database using the character information as a search keyword.

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