JP2002366468A - Device for automatically sorting and distributing electronic slip - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for automatically sorting and distributing electronic slips capable of efficiently and smoothly distributing electronic slips prepared by a prescribed program by narrowing those electronic slips down to the part to be automatically distributed without changing any program. SOLUTION: In this device 10 for automatically sorting and distributing an electronic slips, a sorting means 13 reads slips 12 prepared by using a prescribed program 11 so that slip contents information can be sorted by each destination, and a distributing means 14 for transmission with an editing function compiles the sorted slip contents information to each destination as the already sorted slips and distributes the sorted slips to each transmitting means such as an FAX, electronic mail, FTP and folder by each destination. Also, each destination in the already sorted slips is converted into an identifier which can be exclusively distributed to each transmitting means by using a destination management table 15 prepared by a destination management table preparing tool 16 in which different identifiers are preliminarily correlated to each destination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention mainly relates to a method of automatically sorting electronic forms created by a predetermined program into necessary parts for each destination without changing the program, for each of transmission means such as facsimile and electronic mail. The present invention relates to an electronic form automatic sorting / distributing apparatus for distribution.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a well-known technique related to general form sorting, there is, for example, a form sorting method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-72062. This form sorting method, when sorting multiple forms for each distribution destination,
A sorting database file that forms and sorts the form sorting information into a database, and a center printer output unit that sorts and outputs the form for each distribution destination using the sorting database file according to the distribution destination key is provided. The information is guided to the corresponding online printer terminal.

In addition, in the method and apparatus for automatically sending an electronic document disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-273633, a technique for automatically sending an electronic document whose destination is determined in advance to a necessary destination is provided. According to the automatic electronic document file generation and electronic mail transmission method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-3381, a laser beam printer is used to output a document, and the output list is separated for each destination. A technology to automatically output a series of processes of mailing each document to each destination after packing it in a bag, and automatically sending the output file to each destination by e-mail automatically In the electronic shipping system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-7843, the business system outputs a form to be notified to the outside and sends it out. Eliminate paper form output of the time that has proposed a technique to avoid the work burden and shipping costs associated with the shipping business of the output document.

[0004] However, in each of these techniques, an electronic form created by a predetermined program is sorted and collected by narrowing down to a portion to be distributed without changing the program, and then the FA is formed.
It is not possible to realize automation in the case of using X, e-mail or the like to distribute by necessary transmission means. In such a case, usually, an electronic form created is once printed out on a paper or the like by a printer or the like. Thereafter, a necessary part (form content information) is manually extracted from the space or the like, and is collected by destination, and distributed according to transmission means such as FAX and electronic mail.

[0005]

In the case where the electronic form created by the above-mentioned predetermined program is sorted out and sorted into portions to be distributed without changing the program, and then distributed by transmitting means, the created electronic form is Must be printed out on paper with a printer, etc., and a lot of manual work is required in the procedure to collectively distribute the form content information sorted for each destination, requiring a great deal of manpower and time. At present, there is a problem that automatic processing in such a case is difficult.

Further, if the program is changed, it is possible to narrow down the output of the electronic form for each destination and to output the electronic form. However, such a change of the program generally requires a great deal of manpower and time. However, techniques involving program changes are not preferred.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its technical problem is to narrow down an electronic form created by a predetermined program to a part which is to be automatically distributed without changing the program. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic assortment / distribution apparatus for electronic forms that can be efficiently and smoothly distributed by transmission means after being summarized.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a plurality of different destinations are read from an electronic form created based on a predetermined program and including form content information corresponding to each of the plurality of different destinations. A sorting unit that sorts the form content information for each destination, a storage unit that stores the form content information for each destination sorted by the sorting unit, and collectively edits the form content information for each destination that is stored by the storage unit. As a result, an automatic assortment / distribution apparatus for an electronic form including transmission means with an editing function for distributing the transmission means corresponding to each destination can be obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned automatic assortment / distribution apparatus for electronic forms, a plurality of different destinations in the form content information for each destination sorted by the sorting means are converted into different identifiers which can be uniquely delivered for each transmission means. A destination management table that performs destination management by conversion, and a destination management table creation tool that enables a destination management table to be created by previously associating a different identifier with each of a plurality of different destinations; Can obtain an electronic document automatic sorting / distribution apparatus that distributes a set of form content information for each destination according to different identifiers for each transmission unit.

Further, according to the present invention, in any of the above electronic form automatic sorting / distribution apparatuses, the storage means stores the form contents information for each destination distributed by the transmission means with editing function. A log for storing until the distribution is normally performed, and also storing a distribution result for each of the report contents information for each of the destinations provided for the distribution. Can obtain an electronic form automatic sorting / distributing apparatus that collects the form content information for each destination and deletes the end of distribution from the log.

In addition, according to the present invention, the above-mentioned automatic assortment / distribution apparatus for electronic forms is provided with a log viewer which reads out and displays a distribution result for each set of form contents information for each destination stored in a log. Thus, an automatic sorting and distribution device for electronic forms can be obtained.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned automatic sorting / distributing apparatus for electronic forms, the log viewer is stored in the log as a distribution result when the distribution is not normally performed by the transmission distribution unit with the editing function. The undelivered portion of the form content information for each destination that has been collected is read out and delivered to the sending distribution means with editing function, and the transmitting delivery means with editing function reads the form content information for each destination delivered by the log viewer. As a result, an automatic assortment / distribution apparatus for electronic forms is provided which redistributes the undelivered portion of the collected data by transmission means.

On the other hand, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned automatic assortment / delivery device for electronic forms, the log is composed of the undelivered result of the undelivered form contents obtained by compiling the form contents information for each destination by the transmitting means for transmission with editing function. The distribution completion result is saved, the log viewer displays the re-delivery result and the distribution completion result saved by the log, and the transmission means for transmission with the edit function collects the form content information for each destination, and When the redistribution is completed, an automatic assortment / distribution apparatus for an electronic form that completes the distribution by compiling the form content information for each destination but deleting the redistribution end corresponding to the undelivered part from the log is obtained.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration of an electronic form automatic sorting and distribution apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This electronic form automatic sorting and distribution device 10
Is automatically executed without changing the program 11 for an electronic form (hereinafter simply referred to as a form) 12 created based on a predetermined program 11 and including form content information corresponding to each of a plurality of different destinations. And has a function of sorting the necessary parts for each destination and distributing them by transmission means such as FAX, e-mail, FTP, folder, etc. Specifically, a plurality of different destinations are read from the form 12 and the form is read for each destination. Sorting means 13 for sorting the content information, storage means for storing the form content information for each destination sorted by the sorting means 13, and for each destination after collectively editing the form content information for each destination stored by the storage means A distribution unit for transmission 14 with an editing function for distributing by transmission unit corresponding to
A destination management table 15 that performs destination management by converting a plurality of different destinations in the form content information for each destination sorted by the sorting unit 13 into different identifiers that can be uniquely distributed for each transmission unit; And a destination management table creation tool 16 that can create a destination management table 15 by associating different identifiers with the destination management table 15.

In the storage means, the electronic form automatic sorting / distribution apparatus 10 collects the form contents information for each destination distributed by the transmission function with transmission function 14 with the editing function until the distribution is normally performed. It is a log 17 provided for storing and also storing the distribution result of each of the report contents information for each destination provided for distribution,
Further, a log viewer 18 for reading out and displaying a distribution result for each set of form content information for each destination stored in the log 17 in the electronic form automatic sorting and distribution apparatus 10.
Is provided.

Further, the transmitting distribution means 14 with the editing function comprises:
In addition to having a function of distributing a set of form content information for each destination according to different identifiers delivered from the destination management table 15 via the sorting means 13 for each transmission unit, the distribution end of the form content information for each destination is collected. Log 17
It has a function to delete from. In addition, Log Viewer 1
8 is a transmission means for transmission 14 with an editing function as a distribution result.
In the case where the distribution is not performed normally, there is a function of reading out the undelivered part of the form contents information for each destination stored in the log 17 and delivering the undelivered part to the transmitting means for transmission with editing function 14. Along with this, the transmission means for transmission with editing function 14 has a function of re-distributing the undelivered portion of the form content information for each destination delivered by the log viewer 18 for each transmission means, and the form for each destination. When the redistribution of the undelivered content is completed, the redistribution end corresponding to the undelivered data of the undelivered report contents is collected from the log 17 when the redistribution of the undelivered content is completed. Have. Accordingly, the log 17 has the function of storing the re-distribution result and the distribution completion result of the undelivered one, which is a summary of the form content information for each destination by the transmission delivery means 14 with the editing function. Log 1
7 has a function of displaying the re-distribution result and the distribution completion result stored by the server 7.

FIG. 2 is an image diagram schematically illustrating the contents of a form 12 to be sorted by the electronic form automatic sorting and distribution apparatus 10. Here, the form 12 created from the program 11 is configured by designating any one of the development department, the sales department, and the purchasing department as the destination of the transmission destination for each page.
More specifically, in the case of a total of five pages, the development department is designated on the first and third pages, the sales department is designated on the second and fifth pages, and the purchasing department is designated on the fourth page. .

FIG. 3 shows a sorting function for the form 12 by the sorting means 13 provided in the electronic form automatic sorting / distributing apparatus 10, and a transmitting delivery means 1 with an editing function.
4 is an image diagram schematically illustrating an operation process of an edit distribution function regarding sorted forms 21, 22, and 23 corresponding to form contents information for each destination sorted by No. 4; FIG. Here, the sorting means 13 reads the development department, sales department, and purchasing department, which are a plurality of different destinations divided for each page from the form 12, sorts and edits the form content information according to each destination specified for each page. The transmitting means with function 14 collectively distributes the form contents information in which the destination of the first and third pages in the sorted form 12 is the development section as the sorted form 21 to the development section. The form content information whose page address is the sales department is collected and distributed to the sales department as the sorted form 22, and the form content information whose page address is the purchase department is distributed to the purchasing department as the sorted form 23. It is shown that.

That is, the form 12 sorted on a page-by-page basis based on the destination is combined with the form content information for each destination, so that the first page and the form 12 of the form 12 sorted for the development department are collected. The third page is combined into one as a sorted form 21 having form content information for two pages, and the second and fifth pages of the form 12 sorted for the sales department are 2 pages.
The fourth page in the form 12 sorted for the purchasing department is sorted as a sorted form 23 having form content information for one page, and is treated as a sorted form 23 having form content information for one page. As a result, it is possible to sort the form 12 by narrowing it down to a necessary portion for each destination, and to distribute the form 12 for transmission.

FIG. 4 is an image diagram schematically exemplifying the contents of the destination management table 15 provided in the electronic form automatic sorting and distribution apparatus 10. Here, it is assumed that the destination management table 15 is configured by associating the FAX number of the FAX distribution destination, the E-mail address of the E-mail distribution destination, and the like, which are unique identifiers for the destination of the distribution destination and the transmission means of the distribution destination. Is shown. By using the destination management table 15, a plurality of different destinations in the form content information (sorted forms 21, 22, and 23) for each destination are converted into different identifiers that can be uniquely distributed for each transmission unit, and then edited. The attached forms 21, 22, and 23 can be distributed by the transmitting means by the transmitting means 14 with attached data based on the identifier. However, instead of directly writing the FAX number, e-mail address, etc., which are unique identifiers for each transmission means of the transmission destination, on the sorted forms 21, 22, 23, as separate identifiers, for example, the sorted forms 21,
Since any character string or the like in 22, 22 can be specified, as the identifier, as described above, FAX, e-mail, FTP, folder, etc. as the transmission means, the sorted forms 21, 22, 23 are used. Any form that can be delivered to the designated destination can be used.

The basic operation of the electronic form automatic sorting and distribution apparatus 10 will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. In this electronic form automatic sorting and distribution device 10,
Sorting is performed on a form 12 created by the program 11, that is, a form in which destinations (development department, sales department, purchasing department) of destinations are specified for each page and form information corresponding to each destination are included. The means 13 reads and sorts the form content information in accordance with each destination specified on each page, and the sending distribution means with editing function 14 has already sorted the form content information whose destination in the sorted form 12 is the development department. The form content information whose destination is the sales department is summarized as the sorted form 22, the form content information whose destination is the purchasing department is the sorted form 23, and the sorted form The form content information is temporarily stored in the log 17, and the electronic form automatic sorting / distribution apparatus 10 sends the fax, e-mail, and FT to the destination.
P, folders, etc., are distributed by means of transmission, but sorted forms 21, 22, in which form content information is compiled for each destination
The destination management table 15 converts different destinations in the form content information for each destination into different identifiers such as a FAX number and an e-mail address that can be uniquely distributed for each transmission means.

For example, in the case shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the destination of the sorted form 21 is the development unit. Therefore, the destination management table 15 indicates that the fax delivery destination “111- 2222 "and the electronic mail distribution destination" abc@bb.xx.jp ". Similarly, since the destination of the sorted form 22 is the sales department, the destination management table 15 indicates that the fax delivery destination “11” which is a different identifier corresponding to the sales department of the destination is stored.
1-3333 ”, the e-mail distribution destination“ xyz@bc.x ”
x. jp ”, and the sorted form 23 has the destination of the purchasing department. Therefore, according to the destination management table 15, the fax delivery destination“ 112-2222 ”and the e-mail destination“ sss ＠
cd. xx. jp ”.

The destination management table 15 has a function to sort the form 12 by the sorting means 13 as described above, and to edit and distribute the form content information in the sorted form 12 by the transmitting distribution means 14 having an editing function. Prior to the introduction of, a destination management table creation tool 16 is used in advance to create a different identifier corresponding to each destination. That is, when the destination management table 15 having the contents shown in FIG. 4 is created, taking the development section as an example, the development section is specified as the destination, and “111-2222” is set as the FAX distribution destination, and “abc” is set as the e-mail distribution destination. ＠
bb. xx. jp ”may be specified and registered.

In this manner, when the sorting by the sorting means 13 and the edit distribution of the form content information in the sorted forms 12 by the sending distribution means with editing function 14 are completed, the form content information compiled for each destination is deleted. The sorted forms 21, 22, and 23 are distributed to designated destinations, and are arbitrarily transmitted by facsimile, electronic mail, or the like as their transmission means. In the case of the example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sorted form 21 is “111-222” in the facsimile.
2 "and" abc@bb.xx.jp "to the e-mail. Similarly, the sorted form 22
Is distributed as “111-3333” to FAX and “xyz@bc.xx.jp” to E-mail, respectively, and the sorted form 23 is transmitted to FAX as “112-222”.
2 "and" sss@cd.xx.jp "in the e-mail.

By the way, the distributed form 2 to be distributed
The logs 1, 2, and 23 are stored in the log 17 until the transmission unit 14 with the editing function successfully distributes them. The distribution result is also stored in the log 17 together, and the log viewer 18 reads out and displays the distribution result stored by the log 17.

Here, for example, sorted forms 21, 21
Assuming that only the sorted form 22 is not normally delivered among the forms 2 and 23, the sending delivery means 14 with the editing function stores in the log 17 the sorted forms 21 and 23 that are the delivery end. Form 22 that has been deleted and sorted
Is saved, and as a result of distribution, the sorted form 2
The distribution completion of 1 and 23 and the distribution failure of the sorted form 22 are stored.

In this case, the log viewer 18 displays the end of distribution of the sorted forms 21 and 23 and the failure of distribution of the sorted form 22.

In the case where the distribution is not normally performed by the transmission distribution means with editing function 14 as a distribution result, the log viewer 18 reads the undistributed sorted form 22 stored in the log 17. The delivery unit 14 with the editing function transfers the undelivered sorted form 22 to the delivery unit 14 with the editing function. Transmission distribution means 14 with editing function
When the re-distribution of the undelivered sorted forms 22 ends normally, the sorted forms 22 are deleted from the log 17 and the distribution is completed, and the log viewer 18 displays the sorted forms 2
The case where the re-delivery of 2 is completed is displayed as distribution completion.
That is, since the log 17 also stores the re-distribution result and the distribution completion result of the undistributed assorted form 22 by the transmission unit with editing function 14, the log viewer 18 stores the log 17 stored in the log 17. The distribution result and the distribution completion result are also displayed. With this operation, a series of automatic form assortment and distribution processing ends.

In the automatic assortment / distribution apparatus 10 for electronic forms according to the above-described embodiment, the sorting means 13 serves as a storage means.
In addition, the log 17 is a collection of form content information for each destination distributed by the transmission distribution unit 14 with the editing function via the transmission distribution unit 14 with the editing function (the sorted form 21,
22 and 23) are stored and saved, and the delivery results (including the undelivered re-delivery results) are stored and saved. In this configuration, for example, the sorting unit 13 temporarily stores and saves the entire form 12 and then sorts it. The form content information for each destination sorted by the sending distribution unit 14 with the editing function is collected (sorting). Of the completed forms 21, 22, 23) (including undelivered results), and in the log 17, only the delivery results (including undelivered redelivery results) are stored and saved. It is also possible to use a different form, for example, by judging the case of non-distribution from the viewer 18 and making the distribution function for transmission to the transmission means 14 with the editing function notify the fact. Automatic sorting delivery device is not limited to the configuration disclosed in an embodiment.

[0031]

As described above, according to the automatic sorting and distribution apparatus for electronic forms of the present invention, the sorting means reads a form created by a predetermined program, sorts form contents information from the form for each destination, The transmission means for transmission with the editing function collects the form content information for each destination in the sorted form as a sorted form and distributes it for each transmission means such as FAX, e-mail, FTP, folder, etc. for each destination, and for each different destination in advance. The destination management table created by the destination management table creation tool that associates different identifiers with each other converts each destination in the sorted form into an identifier that can be uniquely distributed for each transmission means,
A function can be obtained in which electronic forms can be automatically distributed to a portion that the user wants to distribute automatically without changing the program, which has not been realized in the related art, and the distribution can be performed efficiently and smoothly by transmission means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration of an automatic sorting / delivery apparatus for electronic forms according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an image diagram schematically illustrating the contents of a form to be sorted by the electronic form automatic sorting and distribution apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 relates to a sorting function for a form by a sorting unit provided in the electronic form automatic sorting and distribution apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and a form area corresponding to form content information for each destination sorted by a sending distribution unit with an editing function. It is the image figure which illustrated operation processing of the edit distribution function typically.

4 is an image diagram schematically illustrating the contents of a destination management table provided in the electronic form automatic sorting and distribution apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic sort delivery apparatus for electronic forms 11 Program 12 Form 13 Sorting means 14 Transmission means with edit function 15 Destination management table 16 Destination management table creation tool 17 Log 18 Log viewer 21, 22, 23 Sorted form

Claims (6)

[Claims] An assortment that reads a plurality of different destinations from an electronic form created based on a predetermined program and includes form content information corresponding to each of a plurality of different destinations and sorts the form content information for each of the destinations. Means, storage means for storing the form content information for each destination sorted by the sorting means, and corresponding to each destination after collectively editing the form content information for each destination stored by the storage means An automatic assortment / distribution device for electronic forms, comprising: a transmission distribution unit with an editing function for distributing for each transmission unit. 2. The automatic assorting / distributing apparatus for electronic forms according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of different destinations in the form content information for each destination sorted by the sorting means can be uniquely distributed for each of the transmitting means. A destination management table for performing destination management by converting to an identifier, and a destination management table creation tool for enabling the destination management table to be created by previously associating the different identifiers with each of the plurality of different destinations. The automatic form distribution device for electronic forms, wherein the distribution means for transmission with functions distributes, based on the different identifiers, a summary of the form contents information for each destination for each of the transmission means. 3. The automatic assorting / distributing apparatus for electronic forms according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit summarizes the form contents information for each of the destinations distributed by the transmitting distribution unit with editing function. Is a log that stores until the distribution is normally performed, and also stores a distribution result of each of the report contents information for each of the destinations provided for the distribution. An electronic form automatic sorting / distribution apparatus, wherein the distribution unit deletes the distribution end of the form content information for each destination from the log. 4. The automatic assorting / distributing apparatus for electronic forms according to claim 3, further comprising a log viewer for reading and displaying a distribution result of each of the form contents information for each of the destinations stored in the log. An automatic sorting and distribution device for electronic forms. 5. The automatic assortment and distribution device for electronic forms according to claim 4, wherein the log viewer is configured to execute the log when the distribution is not performed normally by the distribution unit for transmission with the editing function as the distribution result. The undelivered portion of the form content information for each destination saved in the destination is read out and delivered to the transmitting unit with editing function, and the transmitting unit with editing function is delivered by the log viewer. An automatic assortment / distribution apparatus for electronic forms, wherein an undistributed part of the form contents information for each of the destinations is redistributed by the transmission means. 6. The automatic assortment / distribution device for electronic forms according to claim 5, wherein the log is an undelivered part of the form contents information for each destination collected by the transmission distribution means with editing function. The log viewer displays the re-distribution result and the distribution completion result stored by the log, and the transmission means for transmission with editing function stores the form contents for each destination. At the point in time when the redistribution of the undelivered information has been completed and the undelivered data has been completed, the redelivery end corresponding to the undelivered data of the report content information for each destination has been deleted from the log and the distribution has been completed. An automatic sorting and distribution device for electronic forms.