JP2005309806A - Information processor and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily design a database capable of easily and properly performing an input work by an input worker without requiring special programming or the like. <P>SOLUTION: In a control table input processing 43, a control table 30, to which data items to be input to a master table 20 or a limit condition between items are set, is generated by use of input forms such as an abstract item name registration screen 51 to an optional section candidate registration screen 53 or the like. In master table input processing 42 of inputting data to the master table 20, an input form for master table input is presented on a data input screen 60, on the basis of the items or the limit condition set in the control table 30, to perform input. Even if the input specification of a database configured in the master table 20 is changed, rewrite of the set content of the control table 30 suffices therefor, and a complicated work such as independent development of a data input program can be dispensed with. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a program, and more particularly to a technique that is effective when applied to a data input operation to a database.

In constructing a database, it is indispensable to perform various data input operations accurately and efficiently from the viewpoint of improving the reliability of the database and improving operational efficiency and convenience.
For this reason, conventionally, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, an input form for inputting record data to a database table is provided. When data of each item is input on the input form, an input target is input. A technique for facilitating input work by displaying a list of input candidates corresponding to an item and selecting them is known.

Further, as in Patent Document 2, a technique for displaying input candidates according to the contents of data input to other items is also known.
However, knowledge of programming is required to design a database having such an input form. That is, in the control of displaying a list of input candidates based on the relationship between the input items, it is necessary to modify the input program itself when changing the control method. Further, even in a plurality of applications with slightly different control methods, it is necessary to individually create an input program for each application, and there is a technical problem that preparation work for data input becomes extremely complicated.
JP-A-11-126128 JP-A-9-34619

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of performing a database design work by a simple input work using an input form similar to an operator without performing special programming.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of efficiently and appropriately performing a database design work in which relationships between input items are various.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus having an input form for inputting record data to a master table in a database,
Restrictions for narrowing down the input candidate data of the item according to the input candidate data corresponding to the item, the related item related to the item, and the input data of the related item for each item in the master table A control table that can arbitrarily set information,
A designation means for arbitrarily designating an item to be input on the input form;
An acquisition unit that acquires, from the control table, related items for the item specified by the specifying unit, and input candidate data corresponding to data that has already been input to the related item;
A list of input candidate data acquired by the acquisition means on the input form, and input means for inputting data selected from the input candidates displayed in the list as data of the specified item; Provided is an information processing apparatus.

A second aspect of the present invention is a program for controlling an information processing apparatus having an input form for inputting record data to a master table in a database,
Restrictions for narrowing down the input candidate data of the item according to the input candidate data corresponding to the item, the related item related to the item, and the input data of the related item for each item in the master table A function to set a control table that can arbitrarily set information,
A designation function for arbitrarily designating an input target item on the input form;
An acquisition function for acquiring, from the control table, a related item for the item specified by the specifying function, and input candidate data corresponding to data already input to the related item;
A list of input candidate data acquired by the acquisition function on the input form, and an input function for inputting data selected from the input candidates displayed in the list as data of the specified item;
Is provided for causing the information processing apparatus to realize the above.

  According to the present invention described above, since the information for supporting the operator's input operation for the master table of the database is set / used as the control table, the database designer can operate the operator without any special programming. By simply setting various information in the control table by a simple input operation using the same input form, it is possible to perform an input operation to the database.

  Also, by using a common control table for multiple master tables with various input item relationships, input work can be done without the need for complicated preparation work such as developing a control program for each master table. It is possible to easily design various databases that are easy and appropriate for the user's input work.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus capable of performing a database design work by a simple input work using an input form similar to an operator without performing special programming.

  In addition, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus that can efficiently and appropriately perform a database design work with various relationships between input items.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the operation of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of its configuration.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a central processing unit 11, a main memory 12 in which a program and data executed by the central processing unit 11 are stored, and the program has permanent data. An external storage device 13, a display 14 for visualizing information to the user, an input device 15 for the user to input data and commands, and a bus 16 as an information transmission path to which these units are connected. I have.

  The external storage device 13 stores a master table 20 constituting a database and a control table 30 used when data is input to the master table 20. The control table 30 includes a summary item name table 31, an arbitrary category candidate control table 32, and an arbitrary category candidate table 33.

  An operating system 41 that is basic software is loaded from the external storage device 13 and resides in the main memory 12 to control the entire information processing apparatus 10. In the case of the present embodiment, the main memory 12 stores programs such as a master table input process 42 and a control table input process 43 that run on the operating system 41, and these programs are stored in the central processing unit 11. Is executed, a process for constructing the control table 30 and a process for inputting data to the master table 20 using the control table 30 are realized.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the control table input process 43 includes a summary item name registration screen 51, an arbitrary category candidate control registration screen 52, an arbitrary category candidate registration screen 53, and the like exemplified in FIGS. The control table 30 is constructed using the input form exemplified in FIG. 15, and the master table input processing 42 performs data input to the master table 20 using this control table 30 and the data entry screen 60 exemplified in FIG. .

  In this case, even when there are a plurality of master tables 20 (master tables A to C), by using the common control table 30, data input processing can be performed on different master tables 20 with a common operation or user interface. be able to.

Next, details of each table constituting the control table 30 will be described.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the summary item name table 31 includes items of an item division 31a, a character numerical value division 31b, an item number 31c, an item name 31d, a master calendar division 31e, and a related arbitrary division number 31f. Yes. The outline of the data type, number of digits, and meaning of each item is as shown on the right side of each item. This summary item name table 31 defines the basic attributes of each item whose data is input to the master table 20. That is, an arbitrary category name set by the user, an arbitrary category number related to input control, and the like are registered.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the arbitrary category candidate control table 32 includes items of an item category 32a, an item number 32b, a related category candidate number 32c, a category candidate number 32d, an initial value category 32e, and a display category 32f. Yes. The outline of the data type, number of digits, and meaning of each item is as shown on the right side of each item.

  This optional category candidate control table 32 is used to control which candidates are displayed according to the values of other related optional categories when displaying a list of optional category candidates. It also controls the initial value candidates and display restrictions.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the arbitrary category candidate table 33 includes items of an item category 33a, a character numerical value category 33b, an item number 33c, a category candidate number 33d, and a category candidate name 33e. The outline of the data type, number of digits, and meaning of each item is as shown on the right side of each item.

  In the optional category candidate table 33, candidate contents finally input through the control of the optional category candidate control table 32 are stored in each input item defined in the summary item name table 31. That is, the candidate number of an arbitrary category and its name are registered.

  These control tables 30 are input using screens such as those shown in FIGS. That is, the summary item name table 31 and the optional category candidate table 33 are set using the common summary item name registration screen 51 and the optional category candidate registration screen 53 shown in FIG. It is input using the arbitrary category candidate control registration screen 52 of FIG.

  That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, in the input work of the summary item name table 31 and the optional category candidate table 33, the summary item name registration screen 51 and the optional category candidate registration screen 53 (input form) are displayed on the display 14. (Step 101), the input device 15 is used to input each item of the input form (Step 102), and the input contents are the item category 31a to the related arbitrary category number 31f and the arbitrary category candidate table of the summary item name table 31. It is set to each item of 33 item classification 33a to classification candidate name 33e (step 103). Each input part of the input form of the summary item name registration screen 51 and the arbitrary category candidate registration screen 53 is given a corresponding input item code.

  Similarly, in the case of the arbitrary category candidate control table 32, the arbitrary category candidate control registration screen 52 (input form) is displayed on the display 14 (step 104), and various information is input on the input form (step 105). The input information is set in each of the item category 32a to the display category 32f (step 106). Each input part of the input form of the arbitrary category candidate control registration screen 52 is given a corresponding input item code.

  After such setting work of the control table 30, the master table input process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is performed. In FIG. 12, general data input processing according to the present embodiment is generally described, and specific input processing is described with reference to FIGS.

  That is, the master table 20 to be input is selected (step 201), the item category to be input is specified (step 202), and defined in the arbitrary category candidate table 33 corresponding to the specified item category. The obtained plurality of items and the current input value are acquired (step 203). Then, the input form is opened and the names of the items are displayed (step 204).

Thereafter, the input value check process 300 (FIG. 13) is executed (step 205), and the current input value of each item is displayed (updated) on the input form (step 206).
Then, a change in focus (specified state by the mouse cursor or the like of the input device 15) for each item is monitored (step 207), and if the focus changes, a selection form (subwindow) for the focused item is selected as an arbitrary category candidate. Display from the table 33 according to the restriction conditions of the arbitrary category candidate control table 32 (step 208), execute the selection candidate search process 400 (FIG. 14) (step 209), and display a list of candidates searched for in the selection form (step) 210).

  Then, the candidates displayed in a list are selected / confirmed (step 211), the confirmed candidates are set as input values for the item (step 212), and the current input value of the item is displayed (updated) on the input form (step 212). Step 213).

If the focus does not change in step 207 described above, steps 208 to 213 are not executed.
Then, it is determined by the user instruction from the input device 15 whether or not one record has been input (step 214). If not completed, the process starts again from step 205. If completed, the master table 20 selected in step 210 is determined. After the input record is added (step 215), the end of the input process for the master table 20 is determined (step 216). If there is an uninput record, the next record should be input (step 217). Step 202 and the subsequent steps are repeated, and in the case of termination, the input process for the master table 20 is terminated.

  As illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 13, in the input value check process 300 described above, one item is selected (step 301), the selection candidate search process 400 is executed (step 302), and the current input of the item is performed. The value is compared with the selected selection candidate (step 303), and it is determined whether it can be selected (step 304). If the selection is not possible, an error message is displayed on the display 14, and the input value of the item is corrected to the initial value. (Step 306). If selection is possible in step 304, steps 305 and 306 are not executed.

Then, the presence / absence of other items is determined (step 307). If there are other items, step 301 and subsequent steps are repeated.
As illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the selection candidate search process 400 acquires a related item for the item from the arbitrary category candidate control table 32 from the related arbitrary category number 31 f of the summary item name table 31 of the control table 30 ( Step 401), the current input value of the related item is acquired (Step 402), and the selection value of the item according to the current input value of the related item is acquired from the arbitrary category candidate table 33 (Step 403).

  FIG. 6 shows an actual setting example of the summary item name table 31 to the arbitrary category candidate table 33. In this case, the case where data of building materials is input as “product arbitrary classification” is shown. In the summary item name table 31, “wood building material category”, “log product category”, and “amount calculation category” are defined in the item name 31 d corresponding to each of the item numbers 31 to 01 c, and the related arbitrary category numbers Since “01” is set in 31f, it is indicated that items whose item numbers 31c are “02” and “03” depend on the set contents of “01”.

In the arbitrary category candidate table 33, possible values: name (division candidate name 33e) of each item (item number 33c) defined in the summary item name table 31 are defined, and each value: name has a category candidate number. 33d is given.
In the arbitrary category candidate control table 32, each of 01 to 03 defined in the summary item name table 31 is set in accordance with the setting state of other items.

  In the arbitrary category candidate control table 32 in FIG. 6, for convenience of explanation, a case number for distinguishing the restriction condition is described at the left end, and the left side (item) of the related category candidate number 32c (item field β). In the column α), the contents of the related arbitrary category number 31 f of the summary item name table 31 are described, but the items are not present in the actual arbitrary category candidate control table 32 file.

  That is, the “log product category” with the item number 31c “02” is limited by the setting content of the “wood building material category” of “01”, and the category candidate number 33d that is the setting content of the “wood building material category” is “ In the case of “wood” of “01”, the classification candidate number 33d can be set to “01”: “log” and “02”: “other than log” (when the case number is 3 to 4). In the case of “building material” with the classification candidate number 33d as the setting content of “wood building material classification” being “02”, only the classification candidate number 33d can be set to “02”: “other than log” (case number) (If is 5)).

  Similarly, when the item number 31c is “03”: “amount calculation category”, the category candidate number which is limited by the setting content of the “wood building material category” of “01” and is the setting content of the “wood building material category” In the case of “wood” with 33d being “01”, all of the calculation formulas whose category candidate numbers 33d are “01” to “03” can be selected (when the case numbers are 6 to 8). In the case of “building material” whose classification candidate number 33d is “02”, which is the setting content of “building material classification”, the classification candidate number 33d is “01”: “number of pieces × number × unit price” and “02”: “number of pieces ×”. A restriction is added so that only “unit price” can be set (when the case number is 9 to 10).

  In the above description, the case where the amount calculation category is input as an input item is exemplified. However, in the slip input application or the like, the amount calculation formula is changed according to the amount calculation category registered in advance when calculating the amount. There is a need.

  Therefore, if you register a formula to calculate the quantity or amount when registering an optional category and automatically use that formula in a slip input application that is a back-end process, it will be calculated separately for multiple applications. It is no longer necessary to set the, and the calculation formula can be centrally managed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the optional category candidate table 33 is expanded so that it is possible to register whether or not the optional category to be registered in the summary item name registration is used as a quantity or amount calculation category, When used as a calculation category, a calculation formula for the calculation category can also be registered.

  The added calculation section 33f is a flag indicating whether or not the calculation section 33f is used as a quantity or amount calculation section, and the calculation formula 33g describes a calculation formula to be used. By expanding the above arbitrary category candidate table 33, calculation category flags and calculation formulas for quantities and amounts can be set. FIG. 8 shows a setting example of the expanded arbitrary category candidate table 33.

  As a method of using the calculation category and the calculation formula, it is conceivable to replace the calculation formula for the quantity and the amount with the contents of the arbitrary category candidate table 33 when the application to be used is customized by the customization tool. At this time, it is replaced with a conditional calculation formula that uses the value of the calculation category as a condition.

  In this way, the calculation category flag and the calculation formula can be registered in the optional category candidate table 33 when registering the optional category, and the set calculation formula is automatically set when customizing the application. It is not necessary to set for each application, and there is an effect that it can be managed centrally.

Next, the data input process of the master table 20 in the setting example of the control table 30 as shown in FIG. 6 will be illustrated more specifically.
The data input screen 60 of FIG. 15 includes an item classification display area 61, an item value input field 62, a candidate display area 63, and a command button area 64 for performing a selection operation confirmation instruction. Then, on the data input screen 60, when the wood building material classification in the item classification display area 61 is focused, if the value in the item value input field 62 is empty, a sub window 70 as a classification selection screen is displayed as shown in FIG. Display automatically. The sub-window 70 includes a segment candidate number 71, a segment candidate name 72, a command button region 73 for performing a selection operation confirmation instruction, and the like.

  In this sub-window 70, when “wood” is selected as the timber building material classification in the classification candidate number 71 (classification candidate number 33 d) and the classification candidate name 72 (classification candidate name 33 e), in the value change processing of the timber building material classification, It is checked whether the value of the category is a value that can be set. If the value cannot be set, the value is initialized with a value of “1” in the initial value category of the optional category candidate control table 32.

Since the item value input field 62 for the log product category and the price calculation category is empty and cannot be set, it is initialized to “log” and “number of pieces × number × unit price”, respectively.
The log product category is controlled by the wood building material category (by setting the related arbitrary category number 31f in the summary item name table 31 of FIG. 6). When the wood building material classification is “wood”, either “log” or “other than log” can be selected (see sub-window 70 in FIG. 17).

  The amount calculation category is controlled by the wood building material category (by setting the related arbitrary category number 31f in the summary item name table 31 of FIG. 6). 18, when the wood building material classification is “wood”, one of “input quantity × number × unit price”, “number × unit price”, and “material volume × unit price” can be selected (see subwindow 70 in FIG. 18). .

When “building material” is selected as the wood building material category, the log product category is “log” and cannot be set as shown in the data input screen 60 of FIG. 19, and is initialized to “other than log”.
When the log product category is “Building material”, only “Other than log” can be selected (by the setting of the optional category candidate control table 32 in FIG. 6), and a message is displayed indicating that an attempt is made to focus. , You can not change.

  When the wood building material classification is “building material”, either “incidence × number × unit price” or “number × unit price” can be selected as the sub-window 70 in FIG. 19 (arbitrary classification candidate in FIG. 6). Depending on the setting of the control table 32).

  As described above, the input control of an arbitrary section in the master table 20 is performed based on the information registered in the control table 30, so that the master table 20 is not modified without modifying the program itself such as the master table input process 42. Thus, it is possible to easily set / change the input control method in an arbitrary category for a database having various specifications. Similarly, input of arbitrary categories and display restrictions can be changed without modification of a program such as the master table input process 42 by registering information in the control table 30.

  Furthermore, by applying the control table 30 having specific setting contents in common to the input processing of a plurality of types of master tables 20, complicated processing such as preparing a program for data input processing for each master table 20 is performed. There is an advantage that a database can be constructed with a common specification without need.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, the information for supporting the operator's input work on the master table is set / used as the control table 30, so that the database designer can perform without special programming. Various information in the control table 30 can be accurately set by a simple input operation using the same input form as the operator, and a common control table can be used by a plurality of master tables. It is possible to easily design a database that is easy and appropriate for input work by the input worker.

As a result, it is possible to construct a highly reliable database with good operability such as input processing in the master table 20 with little effort.
In the above-described embodiment, the control target is arbitrarily classified as an example. However, the candidate number may be expanded to include a character item value to be an arbitrary character item.

  It is needless to say that the configuration of the information processing apparatus described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and various changes can be made.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of operation | movement of the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a structure of the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a structure of the summary item name table used with the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a structure of the arbitrary division | segmentation candidate control table used with the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of a structure of the arbitrary division | segmentation candidate table used with the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of an actual setting of the control table used with the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of an expansion of the control table used with the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the example of a setting of the control table of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the input form (screen) used for the input process of the control table used with the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the input form (screen) used for the input process of the control table used with the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the input process of the control table used with the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the input process of the master table in the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the input process of the master table in the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the input process of the master table in the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the input form (screen) used for the input process of the master table in the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the input form (screen) used for the input process of the master table in the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the input form (screen) used for the input process of the master table in the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the input form (screen) used for the input process of the master table in the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the input form (screen) used for the input process of the master table in the information processing apparatus which is one embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Information processing apparatus 11 Central processing unit 12 Main memory 13 External storage device 14 Display 15 Input device (designating means)
16 Bus 20 Master table 30 Control table 31 Summary item name table 31a Item category 31b Character value category 31c Item number 31d Item name 31e Master calendar category 31f Related arbitrary category number 32 Optional category candidate control table 32a Item category 32b Item number 32c Related category Candidate number 32d Category candidate number 32e Initial value category 32f Display category 33 Arbitrary category candidate table 33a Item category 33b Character / numeric value category 33c Item number 33d Category candidate number 33e Category candidate name 33f Calculation category 33g Calculation formula 41 Operating system 42 Master table input process (Acquisition means, input means)
43 Control table input processing (item addition means)
51 Summary item name registration screen 52 Arbitrary category candidate control registration screen 53 Arbitrary category candidate registration screen 60 Data entry screen 61 Item category display area 62 Item value input field 63 Candidate display area 64 Command button area 70 Sub window 71 Category candidate number 72 Category candidate Name 73 Command button area

Claims (10)

An information processing apparatus having an input form for inputting record data to a master table in a database,
Restrictions for narrowing down the input candidate data of the item according to the input candidate data corresponding to the item, the related item related to the item, and the input data of the related item for each item in the master table A control table that can arbitrarily set information,
A designation means for arbitrarily designating an item to be input on the input form;
An acquisition unit that acquires, from the control table, related items for the item specified by the specifying unit, and input candidate data corresponding to data that has already been input to the related item;
A list of input candidate data acquired by the acquisition means on the input form, and an input means for inputting data selected from the input candidates displayed in the list as data of the designated item;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   Furthermore, it comprises an item addition means for arbitrarily adding the input candidate data and the restriction information for the added item to the control table, as well as adding an arbitrary item to the master table. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input form for input to the control table.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set control table is used in common for displaying input forms of a plurality of master tables.   Further, the master table can input a calculation formula, and includes an item whose value is a value calculated according to the calculation formula. The control table can set input candidate data and the restriction information related to the calculation formula. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: A program for controlling an information processing apparatus having an input form for inputting record data to a master table in a database,
Restrictions for narrowing down the input candidate data of the item according to the input candidate data corresponding to the item, the related item related to the item, and the input data of the related item for each item in the master table A function to set a control table that can arbitrarily set information,
A designation function for arbitrarily designating an input target item on the input form;
An acquisition function for acquiring, from the control table, a related item for the item specified by the specifying function, and input candidate data corresponding to data already input to the related item;
A list of input candidate data acquired by the acquisition function on the input form, and an input function for inputting data selected from the input candidates displayed in the list as data of the specified item;
A program for causing the information processing apparatus to realize   Further, the information processing apparatus has an item addition function for adding an arbitrary item to the master table and arbitrarily adding the input candidate data and the restriction information to the added item to the control table. The program according to claim 6, wherein the program is realized.   The program according to claim 6, further causing the information processing apparatus to realize a function of displaying an input form for input to the control table.   The program according to claim 6, further causing the information processing apparatus to realize a function of using the set control table in common in the input form display of the plurality of master tables.   Further, the master table can input a calculation formula, and includes an item whose value is a value calculated according to the calculation formula. The control table can set input candidate data and the restriction information related to the calculation formula. The program according to claim 6, wherein there is a program.