JP2006343976A - Method for providing electronic form and electronic form server device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To browse, retrieve and extract electronic forms with high reliability while securing convenience in a variety of modes or situations regarding use and operation. <P>SOLUTION: A unique-format-form browsing process part 21 converts the formats of original information in a variety of file formats into electronic forms of a first unified format, and stores the forms. A general-format-form browsing process part 22 converts the file formats of the original information into electronic forms of a second unified format and stores the forms. The stored electronic forms are browsed, retrieved and extracted. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is an electronic form providing method, an electronic form server apparatus that can be used for browsing, searching, and extracting electronic forms with high reliability while ensuring convenience in various forms and situations of use and operation, The present invention relates to a computer program related to these methods and apparatuses.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-151561 discloses a technique related to search and browsing of electronic forms. In Patent Document 1, for each electronic form file, attribute information related to the file and attribute information related to the processing content are stored. Further, by retrieving these attribute information, other electronic forms related to the form processing are quickly read, and the processing efficiency is improved by smoothly performing the processing and comparison.

  Next, in Patent Documents 2 and 3, when displaying / printing data of different form files as an electronic form, the form data is converted into an HTML file and can be browsed by installing only a general-purpose Web browser on the client side. The client side is generalized and the load is reduced.

  For example, the legal book is managed and stored by a COM (Computer Output Microfilm) film. Furthermore, if the system and database can be linked to ensure “readability” and backups can be taken reliably, and meet the requirements stipulated by the law (Electronic Bookkeeping Act and others), the electronic form shall be a legal book. be able to. In addition, the electronic form including such a thing is stored in a server device and viewed by a person concerned via the network, so that the information distribution efficiency in the organization is improved. The electronic form in the present invention is not limited to the legal book as described above, text documents, and the like. It may be an image file or an audio file.

JP 2001-175794 A JP 2003-006556 A JP 2003-058811 A

  Conventionally, an electronic form server device and a client device connected to the electronic form server device have various restrictions such as using a dedicated device. Even when a general-purpose electronic form server device or client device is used, it is necessary to install or download an application program for using this.

  In order to solve this problem, Patent Documents 2 and 3 convert form data into an HTML file so that it can be viewed with a Web browser which is a general-purpose application. However, this method can be used only when viewing and printing a form, and is not suitable for performing information processing linked with other application data by requesting the client to search and extract necessary form data. .

  On the other hand, in order to link the form data with other application data on the client side, the electronic form is stored in a specific electronic form server device, and will be browsed, searched, or extracted from now on. Tend to be less flexible in terms of usage. For example, transition to an improved version of an application program that causes the electronic form server device to function may have a significant impact on the user or make the transition work difficult.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. In various forms and situations of use and operation, the present invention is not only required to browse electronic forms with high reliability while ensuring convenience, but also necessary. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic form providing method and an electronic form server apparatus that can be used for data search, extraction, and cooperation.

  First, according to the electronic form providing method of the first invention of the present application, in response to a request from the client apparatus, the electronic form stored on the server apparatus side is transmitted by transmitting information according to the request to the client apparatus. In the electronic form providing method for browsing, searching, and extracting, the computer apparatus on the server side can convert the original information of various file formats into a first unified electronic form and save it. The computer apparatus converts the file format of the source information into a second unified format electronic form so that the electronic form can be saved, and at least one of the saved electronic forms is browsed, searched, and extracted. By solving this problem, the above-mentioned problems are solved. The hardware used for storage in the present invention is not particularly limited. For example, a magnetic disk device or a semiconductor storage device may be used.

  In the electronic form providing method, the first unified format is adapted for browsing, searching, extracting, and linking, and the second unified format is a general-purpose format. The problem is solved.

  Next, in response to a request from the client device, the electronic form server device according to the second invention of the present application transmits information according to the request to the client device, thereby storing the electronic form stored on the server device side. In the electronic form server device for browsing, searching and extracting, the format of the original information in various file formats is converted into the first unified form of electronic form adapted for browsing, searching and extracting A first form conversion unit for saving, a second form conversion unit for converting and saving the file format of the source information into an electronic form of a second unified format which is a general-purpose format, By providing a browsing processing device for browsing at least one of the electronic forms, and a format conversion processing unit that performs mutual format conversion processing of the first unified format and the second unified format, Solve It is intended.

  Subsequently, the computer program of the third invention of the present application provides a computer program for implementing the electronic form providing method of the first invention or the electronic form server device of the second invention. Thus, the problem is solved.

  The operation of the present invention will be briefly described below.

  In the present invention, the source information in various file formats is converted into a first unified electronic form and stored. At the same time, the file format of the primitive information is converted into a second unified electronic form and stored. Then, these stored electronic forms are used for browsing.

  In this way, on the basis of the two types of unified forms of electronic forms, in response to a request from the client device, the information in accordance with the request is transmitted to the client device, whereby the electronic device stored on the server device side Use the form for viewing. Therefore, it is possible to deal with various forms and situations of use and operation.

  For example, if the second unified format is a general-purpose format, the application program to be installed or downloaded can be reduced or eliminated, and a wide range of electronic form server devices and client devices can be used. . Also in this case, complicated use such as a special form form or special search can be handled by using the first unified format.

  In addition, since the electronic form is provided for browsing based on two types of unified forms, hardware and software can be duplicated, and the reliability of the system can be improved. In addition, it is possible to change the system one by one, and the shift to the improved version of the application program can reduce the influence on the user. In addition, the other system can be used during the migration operation. For example, the system being migrated can be verified while using the other system.

  The present invention does not specifically limit the original file format to be converted and the first and second unified formats after conversion. For example, a certain general format may be converted to another general format. Further, when the above-described conversion is not necessary, a general-purpose file or the like may be directly taken in without conversion.

  In addition, the present invention does not specifically limit the browsing, search, and extraction processing for the first unified format and the second unified format. For example, in one of the first unified format and the second unified format, the system development period can be shortened by limiting at least a part of browsing, searching, and extracting, or the function of one of them. In addition, in the embodiment described later, these browsing, searching, and extracting processes are referred to as a unique format document browsing processing device 37 and a general-purpose format document browsing processing device 47, and these can be configured using, for example, a web server device. It is said. For example, when configured using a web server device, browsing, searching, and extraction processing may be performed by another application program. Note that format conversion can be performed by such an application program. For example, format conversion from an XML (extensible markup language) format to a CSV (Comma Separated Value) format is also possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic form providing method and an electronic form that can be used for browsing, searching, and extracting electronic forms with high reliability while ensuring convenience in various forms and situations of use and operation. A form server device can be provided.

  According to the present invention, it is also easy to provide information such as browsing electronic forms in the form of the forms in a general-purpose format and a unique format. Each of the general-purpose format and the unique format has characteristics that are not found in the other. For example, in the case of an electronic form of a unique format, there is a case where the client side receiving information on the form cannot use the information linked with other applications or it is difficult. On the other hand, if information is provided for a general-purpose electronic form, the use of information through the cooperation becomes possible or facilitated.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall hardware configuration of an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of hardware used for each device of the present embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, the electronic form server device 10 may be provided in the network 1 or the network 3 as shown in FIG. The electronic form server device 10 is accessed by a client device 5 arranged in a related department. The client device 5 and the electronic form server device 10 are directly connected to the network 1 or can be connected to the network 1 through the network 3 or the gateway 7 as appropriate, and such access connection is possible. ing. The access connection makes it possible to search for information to which the present invention is applied.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of hardware used for each device of the present embodiment.

  FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of a certain type of computer device that can be used as each device of the electronic form server device 10 and the client device 5. However, each device is not limited to such a device.

  The computer apparatus of FIG. 2 may be a general PC (Personal Computer) apparatus in which Windows (registered trademark) of US Microsoft Corporation is installed as an example of the OS (Operating System), and is not particularly limited. . Alternatively, hardware other than the PC device may be used, and hardware such as a so-called workstation such as EWS (Engineering Work Station) may be used. In this figure, the hardware configuration is partially abstracted for the sake of explanation.

  In this figure, a computer device includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 311, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 312, a LAN-I / F (Inter Face) 313, a MODEM (modulator). -demodulator) 314 and various I / Fs 320 to 322. These are interconnected by a bus 301.

  Further, a screen display device 330 is connected to the bus 301 via the I / F 320. A keyboard 331, a mouse 332, and a printer device 333 that are interconnected by the bus 303 are connected to the bus 301 via the I / F 321.

  Further, an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) device 340, a CD (Compact Disc) drive device 341, and an FDD (Floppy (registered trademark) Disc Drive) device 342 are connected to the bus 301 via the I / F 322. Has been. These are interconnected by a bus 302.

  In the hardware configuration as described above, the storage means and storage devices are RAM 311, ROM 312, HDD device 340, CD drive device 341, FDD device 342, and the like. In such storage means and storage devices, various programs executed by the CPU 310, databases and various files and data accessed in the present embodiment are stored, and can be accessed electronically. For example, an OS, a database, a program for providing an environment that uses software resources such as JAVA (registered trademark) and JSP, an application program according to the present embodiment, and a web browser program are stored in the HDD device 340. The data is stored and read into the RAM 311 and executed by the CPU 310 at the time of execution. Note that the LAN-I / F 313 is used for connection to the network 3 or the network 1, and the application program executed by the CPU 310 is a JAVA (acquired via the network 1 in the client device 5). (Registered trademark) applet is also included.

  Further, when executing an OS, an application program, or the like, an operator performs character input and various operations with the keyboard 331 while referring to information displayed and output on the screen display device 330, and coordinate input and various operations with the mouse 332. Or input. Further, necessary information can be printed out from the printer device 333 as appropriate. Needless to say, these outputs and inputs are performed electronically by a program executed by the CPU 310.

  The CD drive device 341 and the FDD device 342 are used for application program installation and other offline information exchange when the present invention is applied.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration according to the electronic form server device 10 of the present embodiment.

  In this figure, as illustrated by a dashed line, the electronic form server device 10 includes an original format form browsing processing unit 21, a general-purpose format form browsing processing unit 22, a format conversion processing unit 24, and a PDF format report browsing. And a processing unit 26.

  First, the original form document browsing processing unit 21 handles a form of an original form adapted to the browsing, searching, and extraction of the form performed in this embodiment, and browses, searches, and extracts the form in the original form. is there. In the present embodiment, the forms to be browsed, searched and extracted are business forms for banking business including legal books. In addition, the form of browsing, searching, and extracting such a form is also for banking business. Therefore, the unique format is adapted to such a reading form and a provision form.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to such a thing. In other words, the application target is not limited to banking and other financial businesses. The original format is not particularly limited as long as it is adapted to the viewing form and the provision form.

  Next, the general-purpose form browsing processing unit 22 handles a general-purpose form, and browses, searches, and extracts the form in the general-purpose form. The general-purpose format is not particularly limited, but the XML format is adopted in the present embodiment. According to the XML format, it is easy to handle business forms for banking business including legal books. Further, in the XML format, it becomes easy to perform search processing and extraction processing.

  The format conversion processing unit 24 performs mutual format conversion processing of the above-described original format and the above-described XML format, and format conversion processing from the original format and the XML format to the PDF (Portable Document Format) format.

  The PDF format document browsing processing unit 26 handles one of the general-purpose formats, the PDF format, and browses the document in the PDF format. At the time of the browsing, the PDF format form browsing processing unit 26 uses the form converted by the format conversion processing unit 24, and when providing the form to the client device 5, the general-purpose format form browsing processing unit 22 The format form browsing processing device 47 is used.

  The configuration of each of the processing units 21, 22, 24, and 26 will be described. First, the unique form view browsing processing unit 21 includes a form input data storage device 31, a form conversion processing device 32, and a unique format form storage device. 33, an information provision management processing device 35, a unique format browsing form storage device 36, and a unique format form browsing processing device 37.

  The general format form browsing processing unit 22 includes a host input data storage device 41, a general data conversion processing device 42, an XML format form storage device 43, an information provision management processing device 45, and an XML format browsing form storage device 46. And a general-purpose form document browsing processing device 47.

  The format conversion processing unit 24 includes a unique format / PDF conversion processing device 51, a unique format / XML conversion processing device 52, an XML / proprietary format conversion processing device 53, and an XML / PDF conversion processing device 54. .

  The PDF format form browsing processing unit 26 has a PDF format browsing form storage device 60 and uses the general-purpose format form browsing processing unit 47 of the general-purpose format form browsing processing unit 22.

  Since the general-purpose form browsing processing device 47 performs processing for browsing the general-purpose form, the general-purpose web server can be used to improve development efficiency or to be multi-functional. . On the other hand, the need for using such a general-purpose web server is low for the original form document browsing processing device 37. The unique format document browsing processing device 37 may support a general client / server system without using a general-purpose web server.

  In the present embodiment, the form input data storage device 31, the unique format form storage device 33, the unique format browsing form storage device 36, the host input data storage device 41, the XML format form storage device 43, and the XML format viewing form storage. The device 46 and the PDF format browsing form storage device 60 are not specifically limited. For example, a magnetic disk device or a semiconductor storage device may be used as these storage devices.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the operation will be described with a focus on the unique form document browsing processing unit 21 side.

  Primitive information of various file formats and data formats is temporarily stored in the form input data storage device 31 first. The source information covers not only page-format forms but also various files such as tabular files. The form conversion processing device 32 converts the original information of the temporary storage device into a file of the form format in the above-described original format, and stores and stores the converted information in the unique format form storage device 33. . In the present embodiment, a unique form document used for browsing, searching, and extraction is stored in the unique form document storage device 33.

  The information provision management processing device 35 manages a request from a user of the client device 5 and manages a database related to the unique format form storage device 33. The information provision management processing device 35 handles processing related to editing of an operation log of the user, editing, saving, deleting, and searching of a unique form received from the client device 5.

  When receiving a request for browsing a form in the original format stored in the original form storage device 33 from the client device 5, the information provision management processing device 35 determines whether it is appropriate for the user to make the request. , A log of the input operation related to the request is recorded. If the request is appropriate, the information provision management processing device 35 reads the form from the original form form storage device 33 and performs the following processing relating to the browsing.

  In other words, in response to the request, the information provision management processing device 35 first browses the form as it is if the request from the client device 5 requires transmission of the form in its own form. While temporarily storing in the form storage device 36, the original form browsing processing device 37 transmits the request to the requesting client device 5 via the networks 1 and 3. Alternatively, if the request from the client device 5 requests transmission of a form converted into a general-purpose XML format, the form is converted into the XML format by the original format / XML conversion processing device 52, and the conversion is performed. The latter is temporarily stored in the XML format browsing form storage device 46 and transmitted from the general format form browsing processing device 47 to the requesting client device 5 via the networks 1 and 3. Alternatively, if the request from the client apparatus 5 requests transmission of a form converted into a general-purpose PDF format, the form is converted into the PDF format by the original format / PDF conversion processing device 51, and the conversion is performed. The latter is temporarily stored in the PDF format browsing form storage device 60 and transmitted from the general-purpose form browsing processing device 47 to the requesting client device 5 via the networks 1 and 3.

  The general-purpose form browsing processing device 47 has an ASP (Active Server Page) function for providing a service to the client device 5 via the network. With this function, JAVA (registered trademark) and JSP (Java (registered trademark) Server Page) can be used, control of the screen displayed on the client device 5, search of XML file and processing of data extraction, from XML format Conversion to CSV (Comma Separated Value) format is performed. In the present embodiment, the general-purpose form browsing processing device 47 converts the data in the PDF format browsing form storage device 60 and the XML format browsing form storage device 46 into an HTML (hypertext markup language) format to generate a network. The data is transmitted to the client device 5 via 1 or 3 and displayed on the client device 5 or printed out.

  Next, the operation will be described focusing on the general-purpose form document browsing processing unit 22 side.

  Primitive information of various file formats and data formats is first temporarily stored in the host input data storage device 41. The source information covers not only page-format forms but also various files such as tabular files. The general-purpose data conversion processing device 42 converts the primitive information in the temporary storage device into a file in the form format in the XML format, and stores the converted information in the XML format form storage device 43 for storage. In the present embodiment, an XML format form for browsing is stored in the XML format form storage device 43.

  The information provision management processing device 45 manages a request from a user of the client device 5 and manages a database related to the XML format form storage device 43. The information provision management processing device 45 handles the operation log recording of the user and processing related to editing, storage, deletion, and retrieval of the XML format document received from the client device 5.

  When receiving a request for browsing an XML-format form stored in the XML-form form storage device 43 from the client device 5, the information provision management processing device 45 determines whether it is appropriate for the user to make the request. , A log of the input operation related to the request is recorded. If the request is appropriate, the information provision management processing device 45 reads the form from the XML form form storage device 43 and performs the following processing relating to the browsing.

  That is, in response to the request, the information provision management processing device 45 first, if the request from the client device 5 requests transmission of the form in the XML format as it is, the information is sent to the XML format as it is. While temporarily storing in the form storage device 46, it is transmitted via the networks 1 and 3 from the general-purpose form browsing device 47 to the requesting client device 5. Alternatively, if the request from the client device 5 requests transmission of a form converted into a unique format, the form is converted into a unique format by the XML / proprietary format conversion processing device 53, and the post-conversion While the document is temporarily stored in the original format browsing form storage device 36, the original form browsing processing device 37 transmits the request to the requesting client device 5 via the networks 1 and 3. Alternatively, if the request from the client apparatus 5 requires transmission of a form converted into a general-purpose PDF format, the form is converted into the PDF format by the XML / PDF conversion processing unit 54, and the post-conversion Are temporarily stored in the PDF format browsing form storage device 60 and transmitted from the general-purpose format form browsing processing device 47 to the requesting client device 5 via the networks 1 and 3.

  Although the invention of the present application is not limited to this, on the general-purpose format form browsing processing unit 22 side, the form display and printout in the client apparatus 5 are provided in the PDF format. Data extraction and retrieval in the client device 5 is provided in the XML format (if necessary, the client device 5 is converted to the HTML format and then transmitted). The page format screen display and printout are preferably in PDF format compared to XML format and HTML format. On the other hand, the information search process and extraction process are preferably in the XML format as compared to the PDF format and the HTML format.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the present invention can be effectively applied.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the first comparative example for the embodiment described above. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second comparative example.

  The first comparative example shown in FIG. 4 is configured only with the unique format form browsing processing unit 21 of the above-described embodiment. The second comparative example in FIG. 5 comprises only the general-purpose form browsing process unit 22 of the embodiment.

  First, in the first comparative example, by using a unique format, it is possible to deal with form contents such as a special layout in the form provided for browsing from the electronic form server apparatus 10 to the client apparatus 5. However, there are many application programs to be developed, and the client device 5 may become special in some cases.

  In the second comparative example, by using a general-purpose format such as the XML format, the use of general-purpose software can be expanded, and the amount of application programs to be developed can be suppressed. However, there is a limit to the forms provided for browsing, which may not be able to deal with the form contents such as a special layout, and the operation may be complicated.

  Compared with these comparative examples, this embodiment can improve the disadvantages of the above comparative examples, although the amount of application programs is increased. In this embodiment, since the original format and the general-purpose format can be used, the migration to the improved version of the application program can suppress the influence on the user and the migration work. Development of application programs, such as one of which can use the other for maintenance, or can use the other for verification of the operation in the original form browsing processing unit 21 and the general-purpose form browsing processing unit 22 There are many advantages, and development efficiency is improved. Therefore, even if the amount of application programs increases, it is possible to suppress an increase in time and effort for creating and maintaining the application programs, and in some cases, the time can be reduced. Furthermore, in addition to maintenance, the system is duplexed by a unique format and a general-purpose format, and the reliability of the system can be improved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in various forms and situations of use and operation, an electronic form providing method capable of browsing, searching, and extracting electronic forms with high reliability while ensuring convenience and An electronic form server device can be provided.

The block diagram which shows the whole hardware constitutions of embodiment with which this invention was applied The block diagram which shows the structure of the hardware used for each apparatus of the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure which concerns on the electronic form server apparatus of the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the 1st comparative example with respect to the said embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the 2nd comparative example with respect to the said embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 3 ... Network 5 ... Client apparatus 7 ... Gateway 10 ... Electronic form server apparatus 21 ... Original format form browsing process part 22 ... General-purpose form form view process part 24 ... Format conversion process part 26 ... PDF form form view process part 31 ... Form input data storage device 32 ... Form conversion processing device 33 ... Uniform format form storage device 35, 45 ... Information provision management processing device 36 ... Original format view form storage device 37 ... Original format form view processing device 41 ... Host input data storage Device 42 ... General-purpose data conversion processing device 43 ... XML format document storage device 46 ... XML format browsing form storage device 47 ... General-purpose format document browsing processing device 51 ... Unique format / PDF conversion processing device 52 ... Unique format / XML conversion processing device 53 ... XML / proprietary format conversion processing device 54 ... XML / PDF conversion processing device 60 ... PD Format for browsing the document storage device 301 - 303 ... 310 ... CPU bus
311 ... RAM
312 ... ROM
313 ... LAN-I / F
314 ... MODEM
320 to 322 ... I / F
330 ... Screen display device 331 ... Keyboard 332 ... Mouse 333 ... Printer device 340 ... HDD device 341 ... CD drive device 342 ... FDD device

Claims (4)

In an electronic form providing method for browsing, searching, and extracting an electronic form stored on the server apparatus side by transmitting information according to the request to the client apparatus in response to a request from the client apparatus.
The computer device on the server device side converts the format of the source information in various file formats into an electronic form of the first unified format so that it can be saved,
The computer device converts the file format of the primitive information into an electronic form of a second unified format so that it can be saved,
An electronic form providing method, wherein at least one of the stored electronic forms is used for the browsing, searching, and extraction. In the electronic form provision method of Claim 1,
The first unified format is adapted for browsing, searching, extracting,
The electronic form providing method, wherein the second unified format is a general-purpose format. In response to a request from the client device, by transmitting information according to the request to the client device, the electronic form server device for browsing, searching, and extracting the electronic form stored on the server device side,
A first form conversion unit for converting the original form of various file formats into an electronic form of the first unified form adapted for browsing, searching and extracting, and storing the electronic form;
A second form conversion unit for converting the file format of the source information into an electronic form of a second unified format, which is a general-purpose format, and storing the electronic form;
A browsing processing device that provides at least one of these stored electronic forms for browsing, and
A format conversion processing unit that performs mutual format conversion processing of the first unified format and the second unified format;
An electronic form server device comprising:   A computer program for executing any one of the electronic form providing method according to claim 1 and the electronic form server apparatus according to claim 3.

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