JP2002083255A - System using electronic form - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system having the function of allowing a user to prepare an electronic document with an optimum layout in the formation of the electronic document electrically presentable via a network or the like through the use of an electric form. SOLUTION: The user gains necessary electronic forms and electronic form control programs from a server via the network in the preparation of the electronic document. When the user inputs a data to the electronic form, a script (program) embedded in the electronic form automatically forms an entry frame by the item selection by the user. The script embedded in the electronic form has the function of limiting the entry frame which has exceeded a regulated form, so that the user can prepare the electronic document having the optimum layout.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a system for using an electronic form via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, many documents have been managed and used as electronic data. Documents containing prescribed forms and descriptions, such as applications submitted to ministries and financial institutions, are stored as electronic data, and required items are entered and printed when necessary, and applications are submitted and reported. You can create a book.

[0003]

However, at present, such documents are still submitted by submitting paper documents. With the development of networks such as the Internet, it is desired that such documents can be submitted as electronic documents in the form of electronic data to ministries, financial institutions, and the like.

[0004] In addition, applications and reports to be submitted to ministries and financial institutions tend to be difficult for those who are unfamiliar with the items and methods of entry, and problems such as omissions and errors in the items are liable to occur. Therefore, a system that allows a user to easily and accurately input necessary items to create an electronic document is desired.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and is optimal when a user creates an electronic document that can be submitted electronically via a network or the like using an electronic form. An object of the present invention is to provide a system having a function of creating an electronic document in a layout.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic form utilizing system including a server and a terminal device connected via a network, wherein the server includes a plurality of types of servers. A database that stores an electronic form corresponding to a document, and a transmitting unit that acquires an electronic form specified by a user from the database in response to a user request, and transmits the electronic form to a terminal device via a network, The apparatus includes: a transmission unit configured to transmit a transmission request of an electronic form specified by a user to the server; a display unit configured to display data of the electronic form received from the server on a display device; Display control means for controlling the display of an entry frame that can be displayed in one page in accordance with the input; and input data from the user. Only take an electronic form using system characterized in that it comprises a synthesizing means for displaying on said display device by combining with the electronic form.

[0007] In the electronic form utilizing system of the first invention, an electronic form specified by the user using the terminal device is transmitted from the server to the terminal device. In the terminal device, the electronic form is displayed, and the user inputs necessary items. When the entry frame is enlarged in response to a user input, display of the entry frame that can be displayed in one page is controlled.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic form utilizing system including a server connected via a network, a first terminal device, and a second terminal device. A database that stores a corresponding electronic form, and an electronic form specified by a user in response to a user request is obtained from the database,
Transmitting means for transmitting to the terminal device via the network;
Wherein the first terminal device comprises: a transmitting unit configured to transmit a transmission request of an electronic form specified by a user to the server; a displaying unit configured to display an electronic form received from the server on a display device; Display control means for controlling the display of an entry frame that can be displayed on one page in response to an input to the electronic form; receiving input data from a user; An electronic form using system, comprising: synthesizing means for transmitting the input data; and transmitting means for transmitting the input data to a second terminal device determined by a type of a document corresponding to the input data.

In the electronic form utilizing system of the second invention, an electronic form specified by a user using the first terminal device is transmitted from the server to the first terminal device. First
In the terminal device, the electronic form is displayed, and the user inputs necessary items. When the entry frame is enlarged in response to a user input, display of the entry frame that can be displayed in one page is controlled. The input data of the user is transmitted from the first terminal device to the second terminal device to which a document corresponding to the input data is submitted.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a server of an electronic form utilizing system connected to a terminal device via a network, a database for storing electronic forms corresponding to a plurality of types of documents is provided. A server comprising: a designated electronic form; and a transmission unit that acquires, from the database, a control program for controlling display of an entry frame in response to a user input, and transmits the acquired program to a terminal device via a network. It is.

The server according to a third aspect of the present invention transmits, to the user terminal device, an electronic form specified by the user in response to a request from the user, and a control program for controlling display of an entry frame in response to the user input. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a terminal device of an electronic form utilizing system connected to a server via a network, transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request of an electronic form specified by a user to the server, and transmitting from the server. Receiving means for receiving the received electronic form and the control program, display means for displaying the received electronic form on a display device, and an entry frame that can be displayed on one page in response to a user's input to the electronic form. Display control means for controlling the display of, and receives input data from the user,
A synthesizing unit for synthesizing the electronic form and displaying the electronic form on the display device.

[0013] An electronic form and a control program designated by a user using the terminal device are transmitted from the server to the terminal device of the fourth invention. In the terminal device, the electronic form is displayed, and the user inputs necessary items. When the entry frame is enlarged in response to a user input, the display of the entry frame that can be displayed on one page is controlled.

[0014]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an electronic form utilization system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This electronic form using system is used when a user who makes a predetermined application or the like obtains an electronic form of the application, creates an electronic application document, and submits it to a government office or the like. In the present specification, the “electronic form” refers to data corresponding to a portion such as a frame of a normal document (a blank document) (also referred to as “design data” as described later). Data such as necessary items input by the user is referred to as “input data”. Data obtained by combining an electronic form and input data is called an “electronic document”.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present system, a server system 10 and a plurality of clients 2 and 5 (only two are shown in FIG. 1 for convenience of explanation) are connected via a network 1 such as the Internet. Be composed. The server system 10 is a server operated by a company that provides a service of providing electronic form data for a fee or free of charge according to a user's request.
And an electronic form library 13. The electronic form library 13 stores electronic forms such as various application forms and notification forms. The navigation system 12 receives the request from the user, accesses the electronic form library 13, reads out the electronic form specified by the user, and transmits the electronic form to the user's client 2. Also, at this time, processing of the funds is performed as needed.

In this example, the client 2 is a terminal of a general end user, and has an electronic form system 3.
The electronic form system 3 allows the user to use the server system 1
0 is used to obtain a predetermined electronic form, fill in necessary items to create an electronic document, and transmit it to a predetermined destination. Client 2
Has a database 4 for storing input data created by the user. Note that the client 2 is usually a personal computer or the like installed at the home or office of the user, and functions as the electronic form system 3 by executing a predetermined program. In that case, the database 4 can be a predetermined holder created on the hard disk of the personal computer.

In this embodiment, the client 5 is a terminal to which an electronic document created by a user is submitted, and may be, for example, a terminal of a ministry or a financial institution. The client 5 also has an electronic form system 6 and a database 7. The database 7 stores electronic form data unique to ministries and financial institutions. That is, an electronic form in a format different from the electronic form in the electronic form library 13 of the server system 10 is stored. This will be further described later. The electronic form system 6 receives input data of a predetermined application transmitted by the user of the client 2, reads out an electronic form corresponding to the input data from the database 7, and synthesizes the read out electronic form.
Create electronic documents.

Next, the data structure of the electronic form according to the present invention will be described. In the following example, it is assumed that a user using the client 2 applies for a registration application form to a branch office of the local legal affairs bureau.

According to the present invention, the electronic document is composed of an electronic form (design data) including a frame, necessary characters, decorations, and input fields for necessary items, and input data indicating items input by the user. Be composed. The design data corresponds to an unfilled document in an ordinary paper application form, and the input data corresponds to a handwritten entry by the user. Then, the electronic document obtained by synthesizing the design data and the input data corresponds to the application document after the user has filled in the necessary items.

FIG. 2A conceptually shows the data structure of the design data. The design data 14 is described in a markup language with a tag, and includes frame data 16 including decorations such as ruled lines, characters, and shaded images of the document;
It includes field data 17 indicating an input position (input field) of an item to be input by the user, and invisible field data 18 including management information of the electronic form. Both the frame data 16 and the field data are visible data (data that can be seen by the user in use), and by combining them, data in the form of a document is created.
Displayed to the user.

FIG. 2B conceptually shows an example of field data. The field data 17 is configured by associating the tag 30 with the input field 19 for each input item in the electronic form. That is, a tag is prepared for each necessary input item such as a name tag ({name}) and an address tag ({address}).

The invisible field data 18 includes management information of the electronic form, for example, a version number of the electronic form, a creation date, and a form I for specifying the form.
D, attribute information, transmission destination information, and the like. The transmission destination information refers to a submission destination of a document corresponding to the electronic form.
In this example, the branch office of the District Legal Affairs Bureau to which the registration application is submitted corresponds. Invisible field data 1 for destination information
8, the system can be configured so that the input data of the created electronic document is automatically transmitted to the transmission destination without the user having to specify the transmission destination. On the other hand, the destination information can also be included in the field data 17 as visible data (see the parentheses in the field data in FIG. 2). In this case, the user can confirm the transmission destination information. When there are a plurality of submission destinations of the document, the user can select a desired submission destination and transmit the input data of the electronic document.

FIG. 3A conceptually shows the data structure of input data. The input data 26 is data corresponding to an input item input by the user while viewing the design data, and includes character data 27 and attribute data 28. Character data 2
7 is also described in a tagged markup language. An example of the character data 27 is conceptually shown in FIG. Character data 27 includes tags 30 corresponding to each input item.
And input character data 32. The items entered by the user are the corresponding tags 30
Is managed as the character data 27 in a state where the character data 27 is associated. The attribute data 28 includes management information of the input data 26 and the like, and includes, for example, an electronic form ID corresponding to the input data 26 and a position (for example, a folder name or the like) in the terminal device or database where the input data is stored. .

Next, the synthesis of the design data and the character data will be described. When the user acquires an electronic form (design data) specified from the electronic form library 13 of the server system 10, the electronic form system 3 of the client 2 transmits the frame data 1 in the design data 14.
6 and the field data 17 are combined to display an image as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4A, a field indicating a required item input field is inserted and displayed in the frame data 16 of the electronic form.

Although tags are shown in parentheses in the figure, the tags corresponding to the fields are shown for convenience of explanation, and are not displayed on the display screen of the client 2. However, when the user creates an electronic form, a notice or the like serving as a guide is displayed as shown in []. Note that when the user clicks a box to enter the input box, the display of the note disappears.

FIG. 5A shows an example of a display screen when the user inputs necessary items on this display screen. When the user clicks the save button in this state, only the input items are stored as input data 26 in the folder designated by the user in the client 2. Then, when the user clicks the application button, the input data 26 is transmitted to the client 5 via the network 1.

Next, an electronic form using process according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that FIGS. 5 to 7
Will be described as appropriate. In the following example, the user obtains the electronic form of the registration application form, and
△ It is assumed that an application is made to a branch office. First, the user of the client 2 activates the electronic form system 3, connects to the server system 10 via the network 1, and requests an electronic form of a registration application (step S).
2). This can be performed by connecting to the server system 10 and specifying or selecting the electronic form of the application form from a displayed menu screen or the like.

The navigation system 12 of the server system 10 receives this request, acquires a corresponding electronic form (design data) from the electronic form library 13 (Step S4), and transmits it to the requesting client 2 (Step S6). At this time, a script (program) for performing screen input control described later is also transmitted at the same time as the electronic form. Various electronic forms are stored in the electronic form library 13 in association with the form ID, and the navigation system 12 stores the form ID of the electronic form specified by the user.
The corresponding electronic form is acquired from the electronic form library 13 by using. When transmitting the electronic form to the client 2, the navigation system 12 can also conspire for the electronic form providing service.

Electronic form system 3 of client 2
Combines the frame data 16 of the received electronic form (design data) with the field data 17 and displays it on the display screen. This display example is shown in FIG. The user inputs necessary items according to the display screen and creates an electronic application form (step S8). The electronic form shown in FIG. 4A has a button for inputting the presence or absence of an agent.
If you have an agent, a box will be inserted. In this case, when the entry frame exceeds the specified frame, the layout of the electronic form is changed by the display size restriction function. Details of this will be described later with reference to FIGS.

When the input is completed, the display screen is as shown in FIG. Here, the user clicks the save button and instructs to save (step S10). By this process, the items input by the user are stored in a predetermined folder of the client 2 as input data 26 in the form shown in FIG. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4A, a tag is associated with each item to be input by the user, and items input by the user are associated with each tag as shown in FIG. 3B. And stored as input data 26.

It should be noted that items to be entered in the registration application form, such as "object of registration" and "attached documents", may be displayed by selecting some options. As a result, an input error by the user can be prevented, and an accurate electronic document can be created.

When the user clicks the save button, only the input data input by the user is stored, and the electronic form data (design data) received from the server system 10 is not stored in the client 2 itself.

Next, when the user clicks the application button, the electronic form system 3 of the client 2 refers to the destination information in the invisible field data 18 of the design data received from the server system 10 and converts the input data 26 into the network 1. (Step S12).

As described with reference to FIG. 2, when the transmission destination information is included in the visible field data 17, the transmission destination is indicated on the display screen of FIG. Further, when the user can select one of the plurality of destinations, a plurality of destination options are displayed on the display screen of FIG. 4A, and the input data is transmitted to the one destination selected by the user. Will be done.

When the transmission of the input data is completed in response to the click of the application button, the electronic form system 3 deletes the electronic form data and the electronic form control program received from the server system 10 from the working memory of the client 2 or the like. Therefore, the user can save the input data 26 input by himself, but cannot save the electronic form data itself obtained from the server system 10. Thereby, the server system 10
In the case where the electronic form data is provided for a fee, illegal and repeated use by the user can be prevented.

In the client 5, the electronic form system 6 receives the input data transmitted from the client 2 (Step S14). Then, as shown in FIG. 3A, reference is made to the corresponding form ID of the attribute data 28 in the input data 26, the design data corresponding to the ID is read from the database 7, and displayed on the display device ( Step S16). FIG. 4 shows an example of the display screen at this time.
It is shown in (B). Also in FIG. 4B, tag data in parentheses is shown for convenience of explanation, and is not actually displayed.

Next, the electronic form system 6 combines the received input data 26 with the design data and displays it (step S18). As shown in FIG. 4B, a tag is associated with this design data for each input field. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the input data 26 transmitted from the client 2, a tag is associated with each input item. Therefore, the electronic form system 6 uses each tag to associate an input item in the input data with a field in the design data, and inserts each input item into a corresponding location. FIG. 5B shows a display example of the electronic document thus synthesized. Looking at this screen, the person in charge of the XX Local Legal Affairs Bureau △△ the bureau examines the adequacy of the application content and performs the application acceptance processing.

As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 4A and 4B, the electronic form 45 prepared in the electronic form library 13 of the server system 10 and the database 7 of the client 5 (legal bureau) are prepared. Although the electronic form 47 is an electronic form of the same registration application form, its contents are different. Since the electronic form in the server system 10 is used by the user who is the applicant at the time of creating the application form, the explanation of the input items is added or the options are provided, so that the user can easily omit the electronic form. It is designed so that necessary items can be entered without error. On the other hand, the electronic form provided by the Legal Affairs Bureau is used by the Legal Affairs Bureau's staff to judge the suitability of the application, so if it is clear that the necessary items have been entered correctly, good. Therefore, there is no need to explain the input method or the like, and it is sufficient that necessary items are simply displayed.

Thus, the applicant can easily input, and the person in charge of the Legal Affairs Bureau can quickly perform the reception processing and the like. However, as a matter of course, the input items included in both are common. In this way, by preparing a plurality of electronic forms for the same document with common input items for each purpose, the electronic form can be used in an optimal state according to a person who uses the electronic document and a purpose of use. Will be able to

In the above example, the destination information of the input data created by the user is included in the electronic form data (design data). Instead, if the electronic form system used by the user has a table indicating the correspondence between each electronic form and its destination in advance, the electronic form system refers to the table and refers to the corresponding destination. Can automatically send input data to In this case, the destination information may not be included in the design data.

In the above example, the electronic form system 6 of the client 5 (Ministry of Justice) reads out the design data from the database 7 in the client 5.
Without providing the database 7 in the client 5, the electronic form system 6 may be configured to acquire design data from the electronic form library 13 in the server system 10 via the network 1.

Next, referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, when a user creates an electronic application form (step S8), a new entry frame is inserted, and it functions when the entry frame exceeds a prescribed frame. ,
The display size restriction function will be described.

The client 2, which is the user's terminal, acquires an electronic form for creating a registration application, and the electronic form system 3 displays an image of the electronic form 61 as shown in FIG. The user follows the instructions and enters each item,
Alternatively, the user inputs the contents while selecting the corresponding contents from several options. ,

"Presence of an agent" to select the presence or absence of an agent 6
In a state in which the button □ of No. 3 is not clicked, in FIG. 6, two items of frames 65 and 67 can be input as “real estate display”.

When the user clicks the button □ of “Proxy” 63, as shown in FIG.
, A frame 74 for newly entering “agent” is added. With the addition of the new frame, “real estate display” is limited to one frame 75 on this display screen.
As described above, when the entry frame exceeds the specified range, the display layout of the electronic form 71 is changed, and the display size is limited.

The display size restriction function is activated by a script (program) provided in the electronic form 61 itself when the user clicks the button □ of “with agent” 63. If the second “real estate display” frame 67 is required, for example, it is moved to the next page and laid out.

That is, in the present embodiment, if the user clicks on "agent present" 63 or the like, and the entry frame is newly created automatically, but cannot be displayed on one page,
Make sure that the boxes that do not meet the specified range are displayed on the page.

As described above, when the number of entry frames increases due to the addition button, the display size of the entry frames is limited by the script provided in the electronic form 61 itself, and a document having an optimal layout can be created. Therefore, by using this function, a flexible electronic document can be created. That is, even if the electronic forms are the same, the format and layout of the created electronic document are changed by the user's input item selection.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, the electronic form using system can be widely used for forms other than the registration application.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The user can obtain an electronic form required for a predetermined application or notification via a network, and input necessary items to create an electronic document and transmit it to a predetermined destination. Therefore, a series of application procedures can be completed online.

The data to be transmitted to the submission destination is only the data of the necessary items input by the user at the time of creating the electronic document. At the transmission destination, the data is different from the electronic form used at the time of the creation of the electronic document by the user. Used in combination with That is, the electronic form used by the user when creating an electronic document is designed so that the user can easily create the document. It was considered. In this way, by combining and displaying common input data with different electronic forms and using the same, it is possible to efficiently use the electronic form according to the purpose of use.

Further, the format and layout of the created electronic document are automatically adjusted by the user selecting input items by the function of the script embedded in the electronic form. That is, one electronic form can cover a plurality of types of electronic forms, and there is an economic effect on the electronic form providing side. Further, there is an effect that an optimal layout is automatically performed for a created electronic document.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an electronic form using system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the contents of design data constituting an electronic document.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating contents of input data constituting an electronic document.

FIG. 4 shows a display example of design data.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of design data in a state where a user has input necessary items.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display example of design data when the number of entry frames does not increase;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a display example of design data when the number of entry frames increases.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an electronic form use process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Network 2, 5 ... Client 3, 6 ... Electronic form system 4, 7 ... Database 10 ... Server system 12 ... Navigation system 13 ... Electronic form library 14 ... Design data 17 ... Field data 26 ... Input data 27 ... Character data 28 ... Attribute data 30 ... Tags 32 ... Character data 45, 47, 61, 71 ... Electronic forms 55, 57 ... Electronic documents

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electronic form utilizing system comprising a server and a terminal device connected via a network, wherein the server comprises: a database for storing electronic forms corresponding to a plurality of types of documents; Transmitting means for acquiring an electronic form specified by a user from the database and transmitting the electronic form to a terminal device via a network, wherein the terminal device transmits a transmission request for the electronic form specified by the user to the server. Transmission means; display means for displaying data of the electronic form received from the server on a display device; and controlling display of an entry frame which can be displayed on one page in response to a user input to the electronic form. Display control means, receiving input data from a user, synthesizing with the electronic form, and displaying on the display device Electronic forms utilization system, characterized by comprising, a synthesizing unit that presents. 2. The control program according to claim 1, wherein a control program is sent from said server to said terminal device together with an electronic form, and said display control means controls display of an entry frame according to said control program. Electronic form utilization system. 3. An electronic form utilizing system comprising a server connected via a network, a first terminal device, and a second terminal device, wherein the server comprises: an electronic form corresponding to a plurality of types of documents; And a transmission means for acquiring an electronic form specified by the user in response to a request from the user from the database and transmitting the electronic form to a terminal device via a network, wherein the first terminal device comprises a user Transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request for an electronic form specified by the server to the server; display means for displaying an electronic form received from the server on a display device; Display control means for controlling the display of an entry frame that can be displayed in a page; receiving input data from a user; And a transmitting means for transmitting the input data to a second terminal device determined by a type of a document corresponding to the input data. Electronic form utilization system. 4. The server according to claim 3, wherein a control program is sent together with the electronic form from the server to the terminal device, and the display control means controls display of the entry frame by the control program. Electronic form utilization system. 5. A server of an electronic form utilizing system connected to a terminal device via a network, wherein a database storing electronic forms corresponding to a plurality of types of documents, an electronic form designated by a user in response to a user request And a transmission unit that acquires a control program for performing display control of an entry frame in response to a user input from the database and transmits the control program to a terminal device via a network. 6. A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the server according to claim 5 is recorded. 7. A terminal device of an electronic form utilizing system connected to a server via a network, wherein: a transmitting means for transmitting a transmission request of an electronic form designated by a user to the server; and an electronic form transmitted from the server. Receiving means for receiving a control program; display means for displaying the received electronic form on a display device; and controlling display of an entry frame which can be displayed on one page in response to a user input to the electronic form. A terminal device comprising: a display control unit that performs input processing; and a combining unit that receives input data from a user, combines the data with the electronic form, and displays the combined data on the display device. 8. A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to function as the terminal device according to claim 7 is recorded.