JP2001242977A - Method of switching screen, device and system therffor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prepare a definition of screen information data efficiently in a system which displays an on-line screen in a client by HTML and the like. SOLUTION: At the time of displaying screen in each client, a server switches displaying matter according to screen discriminating information discriminating every screen. At the time of a request comes from a client, the server decides the displaying matters according to the screen discriminating information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a system in which at least a client and a server are constituted by a network, and more particularly to a screen switching method, apparatus and system for switching contents displayed on a screen on a client based on screen identification information. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an online terminal display method for displaying a screen directly from a host computer to a client, a system that uses a wrapping technique or the like to relay a server and display the image on the client in HTML or Java on the Web includes: It is necessary to prepare in advance on the server the screen information data definitions for the total number of screens that define the conversion rules for online input / output screens and Web screens to be displayed on the client. Each time, the screen information data definition that defines the conversion rule for converting the screen is changed.

As a method of defining a conversion rule of contents to be displayed on a client, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-212
No. 914, but without defining a conversion rule for the content to be displayed on the client, without changing the content such as the display and position of the online screen, the HTM
No consideration has been given to the display method of the straight conversion that is converted to L or the like and displayed on the client.

[0004]

In the above prior art, when an input is made from an input screen of a client and a processing request is made to a server, the processing request is sent to a CGI (Common G).
ateway Interface) When displaying the result processed on the same server or another server or host computer on the client via an application program started from the Web server such as a program, a plurality of processed by the host computer. When integrating an online screen into one web screen or extending one online screen and displaying it on a client, screen information that defines the online screen and conversion rules such as HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Language) It is necessary to prepare the screen information data definition because it corresponds by preparing the data definition, and it is necessary to change the screen information data definition on the server side every time the display contents etc. of the host computer are changed, There is a problem that development efficiency and maintainability are poor.

[0005] In the case of a straight conversion in which the online screen is converted into HTML or the like and displayed on the client without changing the display content or the content such as the position, the online screen is displayed on the server. Since it is not necessary to create a screen information data definition that describes conversion rules such as HTML, it is excellent in maintainability. On the contrary, it is possible to expand the display contents of the online screen and convert it to an HTML screen,
There is another problem that a plurality of online screens cannot be integrated into one HTML screen.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by integrating a plurality of online screens into one Web screen, or by expanding the online screen and displaying it on a client (customized screen) group. And a group of screens that display online screens straight (straight conversion screens) in a system that displays online screens on a client using HTML or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a screen switching method, device and system for improving the efficiency of the screen.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, at least a client and a server are configured via a network, and the server uses screen identification information for identifying each screen when displaying each client. The method includes a step of switching display contents based on the information, and a step of determining contents to be displayed on the client according to screen identification information when requested by the client.

Further, in a system in which at least a client and a server are configured via a network, the server switches display contents based on screen identification information for identifying each screen when displaying each client. And means for determining the content to be displayed on the client in accordance with the screen identification information when requested by the client.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied, in which a plurality of clients 1 are connected to a server 2 and a host computer 4 via a network 3.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, client 1
Has a WWW browser 11 that functions to display screen information to an operator, input data, and display a result screen. In the server 2, the WWW browser 1 of the client 1
The data is processed by the input processing function 21 in response to a request or instruction from 1 and when there is a processing request such as online screen writing to the host computer 4, a message is transmitted to the host computer 4 as online screen writing information. . The host computer 4 receives the message from the server 2 and performs data processing with the online business program 41. The result processed by the online business program 41 is transmitted to the server 2. The server 2 performs a process of reading the response from the host computer 4 as an online screen, and receives a response message. Here, the reading process or the writing process as the online screen means that the data to be displayed on the terminal is regarded as one screen represented by fixed vertical and horizontal coordinates, and each item to be communicated is represented by the position and length of the coordinates. It is configured as a screen with a field to be written, and in communication, it is expressed as if writing or reading into a field at an arbitrary position on the screen.

Next, the received online screen is identified by the condition determination processing function 22, and the screen information data definition 2 is identified.
5 is read.

When the screen information data definition 25 needs to be read, the screen information data definition 25 is read and
Conversion rule described there (second conversion rule)
Further, conversion processing is performed according to the straight conversion rule 24 (first conversion rule) for customizing the online screen and displaying it on the WWW browser 11 based on the extended information. The extended information here refers to the host computer 4
The data received from the server can be displayed in a tabular format or displayed position, etc., and the input items can be changed to HTML (Hyper-Text Markup Lan).
guage) An operation that improves operability using buttons, menus, and the like that can be expressed in a document, and that is divided into a plurality of HTML screens using frames, layers, and the like to improve operability. When integrating a plurality of online screens into one Web screen and customizing the same, the output processing function 23 temporarily stores the read screen.
Then, the output processing function 23 performs a response output process to the client 1 and transmits a response to the WWW browser 11 of the client 1. Such a process is referred to as a customization process.

If it is not necessary to read the screen information data definition 25, the output processing function 23 converts the online screen received from the host computer 4 straight to the client according to the straight conversion rule 24 (first conversion rule). The response is converted into a displayable form, and a response is transmitted to the WWW browser 11 of the client 1 via the communication control function 21. Such a process is called a straight conversion process.

When transferring a Web page, the input processing function 21 performs communication between the client 1 and the server 2 according to an HTTP (Hyper-Text Transfer Pro) defined on the Internet.
(tocol) protocol. Input processing function 21 and output processing function 23
Converts the data transmitted and received between the client 1 and the server 2 into a language called HTML, which is a common computer language defined on the Internet, and converts C and C defined as an application started from an HTTP server.
It also includes the functions of the GI (Common Gateway Interface) program. Therefore, the input processing function 21 and the output processing function 23 may be integrated as one processing program.

As an application started from the input processing function 21, for example, an interface for calling an external program from a Web server may be used, or a Web server may be used to extend an HTML document.
A programming language described on page b may be used.

In the communication between the server 2 and the host computer 4, messages are transmitted and received using a communication protocol defined as screen interface communication between the host computer 4 and an online terminal (not shown).

The condition determination processing function 22 describes a conversion rule for a customized screen which is integrated in advance and integrates a plurality of online screens into one HTML or the like, and which expands display contents and displays the contents on a client. Based on the screen identification information of each online screen corresponding to the screen information data definition 25, the screen identification of the online screen received from the host computer 4 is performed, and it is determined whether the screen information data definition 25 needs to be read. When it is necessary to read the screen information data definition 25, the output processing function 23 reads the screen information data definition 25 and integrates, processes, and edits the online screen based on the conversion rules and extended information described. Customization, and the straight conversion rule 24
Thus, a conversion process for enabling display on the WWW browser 11 is performed.

If the screen information data definition 25 does not need to be read as a result of the identification of the online screen by the condition determination processing function 22, the output processing function 23 directly converts the online screen received from the host computer 4 into a client Straight conversion rule 2 that can be displayed
4 is converted.

If there is an item that can be converted into a straight form or can be converted in a fixed manner or in common, a straight conversion rule 24 can be added as an additional function. For example, if it is possible to check whether or not a specific input item to be transmitted to the host computer 4 is an alphanumeric character, the check is performed at the time of straight conversion using that as a fixed rule.

On the server 2, screen identification information for identifying each online screen is defined in advance. However, a plurality of online screens are defined by one HT.
A screen information data definition 25 describing the conversion rules is created for only the customized screen that is integrated with the ML or the like or the display content is extended to be displayed on the client. The screen information data definition 25 is not created for the straight conversion screen displayed in (1). Also, a customization screen and a screen information data definition 2 describing the conversion rule.
5 is associated.

When an online screen is received from the host computer 4, it is determined whether or not there is a screen information data definition 25 corresponding to screen identification information for identifying each screen. If it exists, according to the screen information data definition 25 and the straight conversion rule 24,
A customized screen is created and displayed on the screen of the client 1. If there is no customized screen, the online screen is directly displayed on the screen of the client 1 according to the straight conversion rule 24 as it is.

Next, an operation example of the system to which the present embodiment is applied will be described.

Referring to FIG. 3, a series of operation examples of the server 2 from when the server 2 receives data from the client 1 to when a response is returned to the client 1 will be described.

First, the operator operates the client 1
The server 2 issues a processing request or instruction from the WW browser 11, and passes the received request data to the input processing function 21 (311). The input processing function 21 decodes the received request data and determines whether there is a processing request to the host computer 4 (312). If there is a processing request, the contents of the processing request from the client 1 are transmitted to the host computer 4 as write information of the online screen (313). If there is no processing request, the program does not transmit to the host computer 4 but performs the program processing of the server 2 as necessary and transmits a response to the client 1 together with the result (321).

Next, the server 2 receives a response message to the processing result from the host computer 4 as an online screen (314).

The condition determination processing function 22 identifies the screen of the received online screen based on the screen identification information, and determines whether it is necessary to read the screen information data definition 25 (315, 316).

FIG. 4 shows an example of screen identification of an online screen.

If there is a screen information data definition 25,
The corresponding screen information data definition 25 is read (31
7). Then, the screen is customized and edited according to the conversion rules and extended information of the read screen information data definition 25 (318). Then, according to the straight conversion rule 24, conversion or generation into a format such as HTML that can be displayed on the WWW browser 11 of the client 1 is performed (3.
19), and transmits a response message to the client 1 (321).

If there is no screen information data definition 25,
The output processing function 23 reads the online screen received from the host computer 4 and executes the straight conversion rule 2
4 and converted to a form that can be displayed on the client (3
20, 319), WWW browser 11 of client 1
A response message is transmitted to (321).

The screen identification information for uniquely identifying each screen may be, for example, a screen ID or a screen title. When the screen information is identified by the screen ID, the screen ID of each screen is defined as the screen information data definition 25 with all or part of the name, so that it is possible to identify whether the screen information data definition 25 exists or not. Can be easily realized. In the online screen, transmission and reception of data are represented as input and output with respect to the screen of the client, and each screen has a fixed vertical and horizontal size, and each item of the screen is represented by a coordinate axis, a length, and an attribute.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a straight conversion screen in which the online screen received from the host computer 4 is displayed straight on the client 1.

For example, for the output data (8101) and the input data (8102) displayed on the online screen, attributes such as the position and color of each item displayed on the client 1 are changed by the straight conversion rule 24. Instead, they are taken over as they are and displayed on the client 1 as output data and input data. Furthermore, WW
A transmission button and a clear button for transmitting input data from the W browser 11 to the server 2 are additionally displayed on the screen of the client 1.

FIG. 4 shows a relationship between a screen identifier as screen identification information, a coordinate position where the identifier exists, and a corresponding screen information data definition 25 for each online screen. Here, the screen identifier for the online screen “XXX” is “HMXXX”, and the screen identifier exists at the coordinate position of X rows, Y columns, and the number of characters N (XXX is 000 to 999). Up to the screen number). The procedure of determining whether there is the screen information data definition 25 will be described with reference to FIG. In step 315 of FIG. 3, a screen identifier is read according to the coordinate position of the identifier. In step 316, it is determined whether or not there is a screen information data definition 25 corresponding to the read screen identifier. If there is a screen information data definition 25, the corresponding screen information data definition 25 is read (3
17). Then, the screen is customized and edited according to the read screen information data definition 25 (31).
8).

FIG. 5 shows the screen information data definition 25 described.
5 is a flowchart showing an example of a conversion rule for integrating a plurality of online screens.

In FIG. 5, first, the online processing is read and stored by the output processing function 23 (531). In order to obtain the next screen, information for requesting the next screen is written on the online screen (532), and data is transmitted to the host computer 4 (533). The next online screen to be displayed is received from the host computer 4 (534). Store the received online screen (5
35). The first online screen acquired and stored and the second online screen acquired and stored next are read, and the two screens are integrated as one screen information (53).
6). As a method of merging screens, the method of simply adding and adding the next screen after the first screen has been described, but any item on each screen can be added to any position on one screen. There is also a method of rearranging.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen information data definition 25 describing a conversion rule for displaying an online screen on a WWW browser.

The screen identifier of the online screen is HM001
, The screen information data definition 25 of FIG. 6 includes the screen information data “HM001” that is the same as the screen identifier (6100), so the online screen customization processing is performed. The online screen is displayed on the screen MAP information [M
AP011] (6111), and reads data from the host computer 4 and stores it in the screen buffer (6101). Screen MAP information [MAP011]
(6111) is represented by a data item name, a row and a column of the data item, and a coordinate position based on the number of characters.
113). Next, an operation for calling the next screen is performed to acquire the next screen data (6102). When the next screen is displayed, screen MAP information [MAP012] (6114)
Is stored in another screen buffer (610).
3). Screen MAP information [MAP012] (6114)
Is represented by the data item name, the row and column of the data item, and the coordinate position from the number of characters (6115, 6116), and integrates the two screen buffer data as one screen data (6104).

FIG. 7 shows an example of an extension of a screen displayed on the WWW browser 11 of the client 1 with extension information for further extending the screen data based on the conversion rule of FIG.

In FIG. 7, <ta> is described as the description of the HTML document.
ble> to </ table>, expanded as a table and WW
It is displayed on the W browser 11 (7101).

In the client 1, the HT from the server 2
When the ML data is received, the WWW browser 11 displays this. At this time, the client 1 does not need to be aware of whether the screen is the straight conversion screen or the customization screen, and only needs to display the data transmitted from the server 2 as it is.

Thereafter, when there is a continuing job, the operator inputs data to the displayed HTML file and transmits the data to the server 2. If there is no process to continue, the process of the client 1 ends. At this time, the operation of the server 2 repeats the processing from step 311 to step 321 similarly.

In the present embodiment, the straight conversion rule 24 is used in the customization processing. However, in a server that does not need the straight conversion rule 24, the straight conversion rule 24 is not used, and the screen information data definition is not used. Only 25 may be used.

Also, an example has been described in which the communication between the client 1 and the server 2 is performed according to the HTTP protocol defined on the Internet, and the display format of the client 1 is expressed in a language called HTML.
A program created in Java language for the display processing part of the client 1 is created as a Java applet which is a specification designed to operate on a Web page, and the Java applet is downloaded as required at the request of the client 1 Alternatively, the client 1 may operate.

Further, the input processing function 21 and the output processing function 23 of the server 2 are added to the Web server which enables Java code to be directly described in HTML, and the input processing function 21 and the output processing function 23 are output. Processing function 23,
It may be operated on a Web server.

With this configuration, for example, when the total number of online screens is 100, the number of customized screens is 10, and the remaining 90 screens are straight screens, the screen information data for 10 screens is actually obtained. It is only necessary to create the definition 25, and it is not necessary to create the remaining 90 screens at all, so that the development work can be made more efficient and simpler.

Alternatively, it is possible to construct an efficient system in which a system is initially constructed as a straight conversion screen, and a customized screen is gradually developed and increased.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
By determining whether or not the screen information data definition 25 corresponding to the screen identification information for identifying each screen exists, a customized screen group for expanding the online screen and displaying it on the client, It is easy to mix straight conversion screen groups to be displayed straight, and even if the display content of the online screen of the host computer 4 is changed, it is not necessary to change the screen information data definition 25 or the HTML screen file. Therefore, the development and maintenance efficiency of the screen information data definition 25 can be made more efficient and simplified.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since it is easy to mix the customized screen group and the straight conversion screen group, it is easy to integrate multiple online screens or create only those online screens that you want to expand without creating screen information data definitions for all online screens. It is only necessary to create an information data definition, and there is an effect that the development efficiency and maintainability of the screen information data definition can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a client, a server, and a host computer via a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a server.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a screen identification relationship of an online screen.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an operation example of screen information data definition.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of screen information data definition.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of extended information for extending a screen.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a straight conversion screen.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Client 2 ... Server 3 ... Network 4 ... Host computer 11 ... WWW browser 21 ... Input processing function 22 ... Condition judgment processing function 23 ... Output processing function 24 ... Straight conversion rule 25 ... Screen information data definition 41 ... Online business program

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 5B082 GA02 GC06 5B085 BE07 BG07 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB04 HA01 JA32 JB03 KA01 KA04 KC27 KC37 KC53 5E501 AA02 AC15 AC34 BA05 EB05 FA14 FB34

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A screen switching method for switching a screen including screen information representing screen display contents and screen identification information for specifying the screen display contents to another screen, wherein the screen identification information includes predetermined identification information. If the screen information is a screen of another predetermined identification information, the screen information of the screen is replaced with screen information prepared in advance corresponding to the screen. A screen switching method comprising converting information based on a predetermined rule. 2. A screen switching method for switching a screen including screen information representing screen display contents and screen identification information for specifying the screen display contents to another screen, wherein the screen identification information includes a first predetermined screen identification information. If the screen information is the screen of the identification information, the screen information of the screen is converted based on the first conversion rule, and if the screen identification information is the screen of the predetermined second identification information, the screen information is converted. A screen switching method, wherein screen information of a screen is converted based on the first conversion rule and the second conversion rule. 3. A system in which a client and a server are constituted by a network, and wherein the server has screen information to be displayed on the client, wherein the server displays the screen information when displaying the screen information to the client. Switching screen display contents based on screen identification information for specifying screen information to be performed, and upon a screen display request from the client, the server determines contents to be displayed on the client based on the screen identification information. A screen switching method, comprising the step of: 4. The screen identification information according to claim 3, wherein
A screen switching method, wherein the screen switching method is at least a part of a name of a screen information data definition describing screen information to be displayed on the client. 5. A screen switching system having a screen switching method for switching a screen including screen information representing screen display contents and screen identification information for specifying the screen display contents to another screen, wherein the screen identification information is A means for replacing the screen information of the screen with screen information prepared in advance corresponding to the screen, if the screen has predetermined identification information;
When the screen identification information is a screen of another predetermined identification information, a screen switching system comprising means for converting the screen information based on a predetermined rule. 6. A screen switching system having a screen switching method for switching a screen including screen information representing screen display contents and screen identification information for specifying the screen display contents to another screen, wherein the screen identification information is The first predetermined
Means for converting the screen information of the screen based on the first conversion rule if the screen identification information is a screen of the second identification information; And a means for converting screen information of the screen based on the first conversion rule and the second conversion rule. 7. A system comprising a client and a network,
A server having screen information for displaying on the client, when displaying the screen information to the client, based on screen identification information identifying the screen information to be displayed, means for switching the screen display content, A server comprising: means for determining contents to be displayed to the client based on the screen identification information when a screen display request is issued from the client.