JP2007058519A - Server, control program and gathering system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gathering system for freely designing a format of a questionnaire, and for automatically gathering by use of a gathering program and an electronic pen for gathering information written in the questionnaire. <P>SOLUTION: In the gathering system 100, a designer uses a design terminal 50 to design the format of the questionnaire 3 and produce the questionnaire 3. Then, the design terminal 50 transmits layout information, function information and dot pattern information to a server 5, as form information, to store it in the server 5. Meanwhile, a user makes a prescribed entry into the questionnaire 3 by use of the electronic pen 10. The server 5 acquires the entered information from the electronic pen 10 via a terminal device 25, and extracts corresponding form information from a form information DB6. Then, the server 5 produces a coordinate table 111 and the gathering program 110 based on the extracted form information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for designing a questionnaire sheet and totaling information entered on the questionnaire sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods are known as a questionnaire sheet design method and a method of counting information entered on the questionnaire sheet (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Specifically, a predetermined application is used to freely design a questionnaire form format. However, in the case of the questionnaire paper designed in this way, it is necessary for a person to check each questionnaire paper and perform punch input or to fill in the punch input coding paper for tabulation. For this reason, a great amount of time and load are required, and human error is likely to occur.

  In order to solve this problem, the tabulation is automated by a questionnaire paper using OCR (Optical Character Reader). However, since such questionnaire sheets are standardized by OCR reading sheets, a new problem has arisen that the format cannot be designed freely.

  By the way, in recent years, pen-type input devices called “electronic pens”, “digital pens” and the like have appeared (hereinafter referred to as “electronic pens” in this specification). “Anoto pen” developed by the company is known. Anotopen is used in a pair with dedicated paper (hereinafter referred to as “dedicated paper”) on which a predetermined dot pattern is printed. In addition to the normal ink-type pen tip, the Anoto pen is equipped with a small camera for reading the dot pattern on the dedicated paper and a data communication unit. When a user writes characters on the special paper with an anotopen or checks an image that is designed on the special paper, the small camera detects the dot pattern on the special paper as the pen moves, and the user Entry data (also referred to as “stroke data”) such as written characters and images is acquired. The stroke data is transmitted from the Anotopen by a data communication unit to a terminal device such as a nearby personal computer or mobile phone. The system using this anotopen can be used as an input device in place of the keyboard, and is very easy to use for users who are reluctant to use the personal computer and keyboard described above.

  Therefore, it would be convenient if an electronic pen could be used to design a questionnaire in a free format and automate the counting of information entered on the questionnaire.

JP-A-6-124277 JP 2003-296502 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and freely designs the format of a questionnaire form, creates a totaling program for totaling information entered in the questionnaire form, It is an object of the present invention to provide a counting system capable of automatically counting with an electronic pen.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the electronic pen is connected to a design terminal that designs a questionnaire form printed with a dot pattern that can be recognized by the electronic pen via a network. Information from the design terminal, layout information regarding items and ruled lines constituting the questionnaire, functional information regarding the function of the item, and position on the dot pattern printed on the questionnaire Paper information acquisition means for acquiring dot pattern information relating to coordinates as paper information, paper information storage means for storing the acquired paper information, and entry for acquiring entry information entered on the questionnaire paper by the electronic pen Based on information acquisition means and position coordinates on the dot pattern included in the entry information A sheet information extracting unit for extracting corresponding sheet information from the sheet information storage unit, an item constituting the questionnaire sheet from the layout information and the dot pattern information included in the extracted sheet information, and the item Coordinate information creating means for creating coordinate information in association with the position coordinates on the dot pattern, and the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the extracted paper information. And a totaling program creating means for creating a totaling program for totaling the information entered on the questionnaire form.

  The server configured as described above is communicably connected to the design terminal via a network such as the Internet. Here, the design terminal is a terminal that is used by a designer and designs a questionnaire form format using an electronic form using a predetermined application. The designer designs the questionnaire form format using the design terminal. At this time, the design terminal acquires layout information and function information. Further, the designer creates a questionnaire sheet by printing the format on a dedicated paper on which a dot pattern is printed, using a design terminal. Note that it is assumed that only the dot pattern is printed on the dedicated paper used and no ruled line or the like is printed. At this time, the design terminal acquires dot pattern information. Then, the design terminal transmits layout information, function information, and dot pattern information to the server as paper information. The server stores the paper information acquired from the design terminal.

  On the other hand, the user makes a predetermined entry on the questionnaire sheet created by the designer by using the electronic pen. Specifically, since the questionnaire form is composed of a plurality of items, the user enters a check mark or the like in each item. At this time, the electronic pen reads the dot pattern on the questionnaire sheet along with the movement of the electronic pen, and acquires entry information regarding the check mark and the like entered by the user. Here, the entry information includes position coordinates on the dot pattern, stroke data of the entered check mark, and the like. For example, the server acquires the entry information from the electronic pen via a terminal device or the like. Here, the terminal device or the like is a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) that can transmit and receive data via a network. The server extracts the corresponding sheet information from the sheet information storage unit based on the acquired entry information. Then, the server creates coordinate information based on the layout information and the dot pattern information included in the extracted paper information. Further, the server creates a counting program for counting the information entered in the questionnaire sheet including the coordinate information from the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the extracted sheet information.

  Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to create a wide variety of questionnaire forms using an electronic form. Also, by acquiring final layout information, function information, and dot pattern information as paper information from the design terminal that created the questionnaire paper format, the server can select which questionnaire paper is printed on the dedicated paper. It is possible to automatically generate a tabulation program for determining whether to recognize an area when the area is filled with an electronic pen. Therefore, it is not necessary to develop a counting program, and it becomes possible to immediately fill out and totalize a questionnaire.

  In one aspect of the server, the item is composed of one question and one or more answers, and the server uses the acquired entry information based on the coordinate information included in the aggregation program. , Item entry information extracting means for extracting item entry information entered in each item, identification means for identifying the question and the answer based on the extracted item entry information, and based on the identified question and answer, A totalizing unit that totals the information entered on the questionnaire form, and the item entry information extracting unit, the specifying unit, and the totaling unit are realized by executing the totaling program. According to this, the server can easily identify and totalize questions and answers based on a totaling program automatically created by the server. Therefore, the artificial and time load can be greatly reduced.

  In another aspect of the server, the coordinate information creating means includes an item constituting the questionnaire sheet, a function of the item, and the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the sheet information. The coordinate information is created by associating the position coordinates on the dot pattern of the item, and the server executes the aggregation program based on the aggregation program created by the aggregation program creating means. Further comprising error determination means for determining whether there is a problem by comparing the question and answer specified by the specifying means with the function of the item included in the coordinate information, Only when the error determination means determines that there is no problem, the information entered in the questionnaire is totaled.

  Based on the paper information, the server configured as described above creates coordinate information in which items, item functions, and item position coordinates are associated with each other. Here, the item function is a function of each item that can be freely set by the designer, and is a concept including selection types such as alternative selection and multiple selection. The server determines whether there is a problem by comparing the identified question and answer with the function of the item included in the coordinate information. Specifically, when there is a plurality of specified answers even though the alternative selection is set as the function of the item, the error determination means determines that there is a problem. The server performs aggregation only when the error determination unit determines that there is no problem. In other words, the server does not count when the error determination means determines that there is a problem. Thereby, since it can total only based on the question and answer specified without a problem, the accuracy of a total result can be improved.

  In another aspect of the present invention, it is connected via a network to a design terminal that designs a questionnaire paper for an electronic pen printed with a dot pattern that can be recognized by the electronic pen, and is filled in the questionnaire paper. A control program executed by a computer that counts the information, printed from the design terminal on layout information on items and ruled lines constituting the questionnaire, function information on the function of the items, and printed on the questionnaire Paper information acquisition means for acquiring, as paper information, dot pattern information relating to position coordinates on the dot pattern, paper information storage means for storing the acquired paper information, and entry information entered on the questionnaire paper by the electronic pen The entry information acquisition means for acquiring the entry information included in the entry information. Based on the position coordinates on the pattern, the questionnaire information is constituted from the paper information extraction means for extracting the corresponding paper information from the paper information storage means, the layout information and the dot pattern information included in the extracted paper information. Coordinate information creating means for creating coordinate information in which the item to be associated with the position coordinates on the dot pattern of the item, the layout information included in the extracted paper information, the function information, and the dot pattern information are created. The computer is caused to function as an aggregation program creating means for creating an aggregation program that includes the coordinate information and that aggregates information entered on the questionnaire form.

  By executing the above program by a computer, the above-described server can be realized. Moreover, each aspect of the above-described server can be realized in the same manner.

  In yet another aspect of the present invention, a design terminal for designing an electronic pen questionnaire sheet on which a dot pattern recognizable by an electronic pen is printed, and a server for creating an aggregation program that aggregates information entered in the questionnaire sheet Is a tally system connected so as to be communicable via a network, wherein the design terminal relates to layout information acquisition means for acquiring layout information about items constituting the questionnaire form and ruled lines, and functions of the items Function information acquisition means for acquiring function information, format generation means for generating the format of the questionnaire sheet based on the acquired layout information and function information, and the format of the prepared questionnaire sheet, the dot pattern is printed By printing on the electronic pen form. A questionnaire sheet creating means for creating a chart sheet, the layout information, the function information, and dot pattern information relating to the position coordinates on the dot pattern printed on the questionnaire sheet, as sheet information, to the server. Paper information transmission means, and the server uses the electronic pen to obtain the paper information acquisition means for acquiring the paper information from the design terminal, the paper information storage means for storing the acquired paper information, and the electronic pen. Paper information for extracting the paper information corresponding from the paper information storage means based on the position coordinates on the dot pattern included in the paper filling information and the paper filling information obtaining means for obtaining the paper filling information entered on the questionnaire paper From the extracting means and the layout information and the dot pattern information included in the extracted paper information, Coordinate information creating means for creating coordinate information in which the items constituting the print sheet and the position coordinates on the dot pattern of the items are associated, the layout information included in the extracted paper information, the function information, and the A totaling program creating means for creating a totaling program for totaling the information created from the dot pattern information, including the coordinate information, and entered in the questionnaire form.

  According to the tabulation system configured as described above, a wide variety of questionnaire forms can be created using an electronic form. Also, by acquiring final layout information, function information, and dot pattern information as paper information from the design terminal that created the questionnaire paper format, the server can select which questionnaire paper is printed on the dedicated paper. It is possible to automatically generate a tabulation program for determining whether to recognize an area when the area is filled with an electronic pen. Therefore, it is not necessary to develop a counting program, and it becomes possible to immediately fill out and totalize a questionnaire.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to freely design the format of a questionnaire form, create a totaling program for totaling information entered in the questionnaire form, and perform totaling automatically by the totaling program and the electronic pen Can do.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an outline of an electronic pen used as an input device in the system of the present invention will be described.

[Electronic pen]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing how the electronic pen is used, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the structure of the electronic pen. As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic pen 10 is used in combination with a dedicated paper 20 on which a dot pattern is printed. The electronic pen 10 includes a pen tip portion 17 similar to a normal ink pen, and a user writes characters on the dedicated paper 20 in the same manner as a normal ink pen.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic pen 10 includes a processor 11, a memory 12, a data communication unit 13, a battery 14, an LED 15, a camera 16, and a pressure sensor 18 therein. The electronic pen 10 includes an ink cartridge (not shown) as a component similar to a normal ink pen.

  The electronic pen 10 does not convert the locus of the ink drawn on the dedicated paper 20 by the pen tip unit 17 but converts the locus coordinates of the movement of the electronic pen 10 on the dedicated paper 20 into data. While the LED 15 illuminates the vicinity of the pen tip 17 on the dedicated paper 20, the camera 16 reads the dot pattern printed on the dedicated paper 20 and converts it into data. That is, the electronic pen 10 can acquire, as image data or vector data, a stroke generated when the user moves the electronic pen 10 on the dedicated paper 20.

  The pressure sensor 18 detects the pressure applied to the pen tip portion 17 when the user writes characters on the dedicated paper with the electronic pen 10, that is, the writing pressure, and supplies the detected pressure to the processor 11. The processor 11 switches on / off the LED 15 and the camera 16 based on the writing pressure data provided from the pressure sensor 18. That is, when the user writes characters or the like on the dedicated paper 20 with the electronic pen 10, writing pressure is applied to the pen tip portion 17. Therefore, when the writing pressure exceeding the predetermined value is detected, it is determined that the user has started the description, and the LED 15 and the camera 16 are operated.

  The camera 16 reads the dot pattern on the dedicated paper 20 and supplies the pattern data to the processor 11. The processor 11 calculates X / Y coordinates on the dedicated paper 20 from the supplied dot pattern.

  The processor 11 acquires the writing pressure array data and the X / Y coordinate data while the description of the user is performed, and stores them in the memory 12 in association with the time stamp (time information). Therefore, data corresponding to the description content of the user is stored in the memory 12 in time series. The capacity of the memory 12 can be about 1 Mbyte, for example.

  All the acquired data is held in the memory 12 until a transmission instruction is given by the user. When the user gives a transmission instruction, the data communication unit 13 transmits the data in the memory 12 to the terminal device 25 within a predetermined distance from the electronic pen 10. Basically, once a transmission instruction is given, the electronic pen 10 transmits all data stored in the memory 12 to the terminal device 25, and thus the memory 12 is cleared. Therefore, when it is desired to transmit the same information to the terminal device 25 again after transmission, the user needs to write the description on the dedicated paper 20 again. In this case, the user can trace characters written on the dedicated paper 20 with an ink pen.

  The electronic pen 10 itself does not include a function button such as a transmission button, and a transmission instruction and other instructions are made by a user checking the dedicated box provided at a predetermined position on the dedicated paper 20 with the electronic pen 10. Executed. A transmission instruction is associated with the position coordinates of the dedicated box in advance, and when the processor 11 receives the position coordinates of the dedicated box, the processor 11 supplies the data in the memory 12 to the data communication unit 13 and transmits it to the terminal device 25. To do. The electronic pen 10 can indicate completion of data transmission by vibration of the electronic pen.

  The battery 14 is for supplying power to each element in the electronic pen 10, and the electronic pen 10 itself can be turned on / off by a cap (not shown) of the electronic pen, for example.

  As described above, the electronic pen 10 has a function of acquiring coordinate data and writing pressure data corresponding to characters and the like described on the dedicated paper 20 by the user and transmitting them to the nearby terminal device 25. Since the pen tip portion 17 is a normal ink pen, the content described on the dedicated paper 20 remains as an original original. That is, at the same time as describing the original paper, its contents can be digitized in the form of coordinate data in real time.

  According to the standard function of the electronic pen 10, data obtained by the electronic pen 10 is in principle in the form of coordinate data or vector data, and is not text data. However, as a standard function, the electronic pen 10 has a function of converting text into alphanumeric characters by describing it in a dedicated area provided on the dedicated paper 20.

  Also, the electronic pen 10 can hold property information (pen information and pen owner information) regarding the pen itself and its owner, and can be referenced from the application. As the pen information, a battery level, a pen ID, a pen manufacturer number, a pen software version, a subscription provider ID, and the like can be held. The pen owner information can hold nationality, language, time zone, email address, free memory capacity, name, address, fax / phone number, mobile phone number, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, stroke data, property information, time information, and the like are collectively referred to as entry information.

  In the data communication unit 13 in the above example, the electronic pen 10 is connected to the terminal device 25 by various methods such as wireless transmission using Bluetooth (registered trademark), wired transmission using a USB cable, and data transmission by contact with a terminal. It is conceivable to perform data transmission.

  Next, a method for acquiring X / Y coordinate data of contents described by the user with the electronic pen will be described. As described above, a predetermined dot pattern is printed on the dedicated paper 20. The camera 16 of the electronic pen 10 does not read the locus of ink described on the dedicated paper 20 by the user, but reads the dot pattern on the dedicated paper 20. Actually, as shown in FIG. 1, the illumination area by the LED 15 and the shooting area of the camera 16 (located in the illumination area) are deviated from the position where the pen tip portion 17 contacts the dedicated paper 20.

  The dot pattern is printed with a special ink containing carbon, and the camera 16 can recognize only the pattern with the special ink. Even if a ruled line or a frame is printed on the dedicated paper with an ink other than the dedicated ink (not including carbon), the electronic pen does not recognize them. Therefore, when creating forms such as various application forms using dedicated paper, input frames, ruled lines, cautions, etc. are printed with ink other than dedicated ink.

  In the dot pattern, the position of each dot is associated with data, as illustrated in FIG. In the example of FIG. 3, the 2-bit information 0 to 3 is displayed by shifting the dot position vertically and horizontally from the reference position of the lattice (intersection of the vertical and horizontal lines). The position coordinates on the dedicated paper are determined by the combination of information expressed in this way. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, 36 dots are arranged in a grid within a range of 2 mm in length and width, and the data array (FIG. 4B) indicated by these dots is displayed on the dedicated paper. Are associated with the position coordinates. Therefore, when the camera 16 of the electronic pen 10 captures a dot pattern as shown in FIG. 4A, the processor 11 changes the data array shown in FIG. 4B based on the dot pattern data input from the camera 16. The position coordinates on the dedicated paper (that is, where the dot pattern is located on the dedicated paper) corresponding to the acquired position are calculated in real time. The minimum unit for recognizing a dot pattern is 2 mm × 2 mm, and the camera 16 takes about 100 shots per second.

  Next, the dedicated paper will be described. An example of the structure of the dedicated paper is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the dedicated paper 20 has a dot pattern 32 printed on a mount 30 and a design 34 such as a ruled line printed thereon. The mount 30 is usually paper, and the dot pattern 32 is printed with dedicated ink containing carbon as described above. Also, the design 34 is printed with normal ink or the like. The dot pattern and the design may be printed at the same time, or one of them may be printed first.

  An example of the design 34 is shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example of a certain application form 36 in which a plurality of entry fields 38 and a transmission box 39 are printed. Although it is not clearly shown in FIG. 6 and will be described in detail later, a dot pattern is actually printed on the entire surface of the application form 36, and an entry box 38 and a transmission box 39 are formed on the entire surface using ordinary ink. It is printed. The user may fill out the necessary items in the entry fields 38 of the application form 36 using the electronic pen 10 in the same manner as a conventional application form without being aware of the dot pattern.

  The area on the dedicated paper 20 can be roughly divided into two types. One is an entry area, in which the content described by the electronic pen 10 is handled as information as it is. In the example of FIG. 6, a plurality of entry fields 38 correspond to this. The other is a functional element. When a corresponding area is checked with the electronic pen 10, actions, instructions, and the like defined for the area are executed in advance. The transmission box 39 in the example of FIG. 6 corresponds to this.

  The transmission box 39 is used when giving an instruction to transmit data stored in the electronic pen 10 to the nearby terminal device 25 as described above. When the user checks the transmission box 39 with the electronic pen 10, the electronic pen 10 reads the dot pattern in the transmission box. The pattern is associated with a transmission instruction, and the processor 11 in the electronic pen 10 issues a command to transmit data stored in the memory 12 to the data communication unit 13.

  The assignment of dot patterns is usually performed for each application (paper type). That is, the dot patterns in a certain application form do not overlap in one sheet, but the same dot pattern is printed on the same application form. Therefore, when the user inputs necessary items with the electronic pen 10, it can be specified from the coordinate data on the application form which item of the application form the input item is for.

  As described above, by printing a predetermined design on the dedicated paper on which the dot pattern is printed, various application forms using the dedicated paper can be created. If the user uses the electronic pen 10 and fills in necessary items in a normal manner, the electronic data is automatically acquired.

  In the above example, the dot pattern is printed on the dedicated paper with carbon-containing ink. However, it is also possible to print the dot pattern on ordinary paper using a printer and carbon-containing ink. Furthermore, the design on the dedicated paper can also be formed by a printer instead of printing. When dot patterns are formed on paper by a printer, different dot patterns can be formed on each sheet. Therefore, each of the sheets can be identified and distinguished by the difference in the formed dot pattern.

  In the present specification, the term “print” is a concept including not only normal printing but also printing by a printer.

  Next, transmission processing of data acquired by the electronic pen will be described with reference to FIG. The data acquired by the electronic pen 10 is mainly data of items input by the user, but usually does not include information on where the service server that is the transmission destination of the data is. Instead, information specifying the application or service related to the dedicated paper is included in the dot pattern on the dedicated paper, and the information is acquired from the dedicated paper during the user's input operation. Therefore, the terminal device 25 that has received the entry information from the electronic pen 10 first makes an inquiry to the inquiry server 26 to which service server 27 the data input to the dedicated paper should be transmitted. The inquiry server 26 has information on a corresponding service server for each dedicated paper, and in response to an inquiry from the terminal device 25, information (such as a URL) of the service server 27 that performs a service related to the dedicated paper. Answer to the terminal device 25. Then, the terminal device 25 transmits the entry information acquired from the electronic pen to the service server 27.

  In the above example, the terminal device 25, the inquiry server 26, and the service server 27 are separately configured. However, some or all of them may be configured as one device. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a server described later also serves as the inquiry server 26 and the service server 27.

[Aggregation system]
Next, the aggregation system of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of the counting system 100. The tabulation system 100 shown in FIG. 7 is a system in which a designer freely designs a questionnaire form format using an electronic form, and creates an electronic pen questionnaire form (hereinafter referred to as “questionnaire form”) 3. It is. Further, the totaling system 100 creates a totaling program for totaling information entered in the questionnaire sheet 3 and automatically performs totaling by the totaling program and the electronic pen 10. In this embodiment, the designer is a person who designs the questionnaire form 3 using the design terminal 50 and creates the questionnaire form 3. On the other hand, the user is a person who fills in the questionnaire sheet 3 created by the designer using the electronic pen 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the tabulation system 100 is configured by connecting the design terminal 50, the terminal device 25, and the server 5 through the network 2. Here, one suitable example of the network 2 is the Internet. The design terminal 50 is a terminal such as a PC (Personal Computer) used by the designer and designed for the format of the questionnaire sheet 3. The design terminal 50 is connected to the printer 51, and can create the questionnaire sheet 3 by printing the format of the designed questionnaire sheet 3 on a dedicated paper. On the other hand, the terminal device 25 is a terminal such as a PC or PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) that acquires entry information from the electronic pen 10 and transmits it to the server 5. The server 5 is connected to the paper information DB 6 and the tabulation result DB 7.

  In FIG. 7, the tabulation system 100 includes one terminal device 25, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may include a plurality of terminal devices 25.

  First, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the outline of the design method and creation method of the questionnaire form 3 in this system will be described. FIG. 8A is a display screen example of the design terminal 50 when the format of the questionnaire sheet 3 is designed. FIG. 8B is an example of the questionnaire sheet 3. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing question IDs and answer IDs which are identification information of the questions and answers constituting the questionnaire sheet 3.

  The designer uses the design terminal 50 to design the format of the questionnaire form 3 as shown in FIG. Specifically, the designer designs with an electronic form using a predetermined application. At this time, the designer can freely determine the question contents of the questionnaire sheet 3, the contents and number of options, the selection type indicating whether the selection is a single selection or multiple selections. Through the design by the designer, the design terminal 50 acquires layout information related to items and ruled lines constituting the questionnaire form 3 and functional information related to the functions of the items. Here, the function information is information regarding the above-described function elements and information regarding selection types. Specifically, the information on the functional elements is information on actions, instructions, and the like that are defined in advance for the area when the corresponding item or the like is entered with the electronic pen 10. On the other hand, the information on the selection type is information indicating whether single selection or multiple selection is set for each corresponding item.

  The design terminal 50 creates the format of the questionnaire sheet 3 based on the acquired layout information and function information. Furthermore, the design terminal 50 creates a questionnaire sheet 3 as shown in FIG. 8B by printing the created format on dedicated paper using the printer 51. Here, the dedicated paper is a paper medium on which only a dot pattern is printed, and a ruled line or the like is not printed. At this time, the design terminal 50 acquires dot pattern information related to position coordinates on the dot pattern printed on the created questionnaire sheet 3. In this way, the counting system 100 designs and creates the questionnaire sheet 3.

  In this embodiment, the server 5 uses the printer 51 to create the questionnaire sheet 3 and then acquires the dot pattern information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the questionnaire sheet 3 It is good also as acquiring with layout information and function information before producing. In this case, the dot pattern information is information of a dot pattern printed on a dedicated paper scheduled to be printed in format.

  Although details will be described later, the questionnaire sheet 3 has a plurality of items. Specifically, it has an item composed of questions and answers and an item that functions as a transmission box. As shown in FIG. 9, question IDs such as “Q1” and “Q2” are assigned to the questions constituting the item. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, answer IDs such as “A1” and “A2” are assigned to each answer constituting the item. As shown in the figure, it is assumed that one or more answers constitute one item.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 10, an outline of a totaling program creation method in this system will be described. FIG. 10 is an example of the questionnaire sheet 3 after entry.

  The design terminal 50 transmits sheet information including layout information, function information, and dot pattern information to the server 5 via the network 2. The server 5 stores the acquired paper information in the paper information DB 6 using the questionnaire ID for identifying the type of the questionnaire paper 3 as a key.

  On the other hand, the user fills in the questionnaire sheet 3 created by the designer with the electronic pen 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a check mark is entered in the answer corresponding to each question. At this time, the electronic pen 10 stores information regarding check marks entered on the questionnaire sheet 3 as entry information. When the user enters a check mark in a transmission box provided on the questionnaire sheet 3, the entry information is transmitted to the server 5 via the terminal device 25.

  The server 5 extracts corresponding paper information from the paper information DB 6 based on the acquired entry information. Specifically, the positional coordinates on the dot pattern included in the entry information are compared with the positional coordinates on the dot pattern included in the dot pattern information constituting the paper information, and the paper information including the same positional coordinates is compared with the paper. Extracted from the information DB 6. The server 5, as will be described in detail later, from the layout information, function information, and dot pattern information included in the extracted paper information, the items constituting the questionnaire paper 3, the function of the item, and the dot pattern of the item A coordinate table that associates position coordinates is created. Furthermore, the server 5 creates a counting program for counting the information entered in the questionnaire sheet 3 based on the layout information, function information, and dot pattern information included in the extracted sheet information. Note that the aggregation program includes the created coordinate table.

  Then, the server 5 sums up information entered in the questionnaire sheet 3 based on the created summing program. Specifically, the server 5 extracts item entry information entered in each item from the entry information based on the coordinate table. Furthermore, the server 5 identifies the question and the answer in which the user has entered the check mark based on the coordinate table and the item entry information. Then, the server 5 compares the identified question and answer with the coordinate table to determine whether there is a problem. Specifically, the case where there is a problem is a case where an answer cannot be specified, or a case where a check mark is entered in a plurality of answers regardless of selection choices. When it is determined that there is no problem in the error determination, the server 5 performs aggregation based on the identified question and answer. Specifically, the server 5 stores the question and the number of answers in advance in the total result DB 7 and adds the corresponding number of answers based on the specified question and answer. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a problem in the error determination, the server 5 does not perform aggregation based on the identified question and answer. The server 5 performs totalization by performing the above-described processing based on all item entry information. According to this, all the total results are stored in the total result DB 7.

  If necessary, the server 5 can also extract the aggregation results stored in the aggregation result DB 7 as CSV data. In this embodiment, a totaling program for performing control / aggregation processing described later is created. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a parameter for performing control / aggregation processing is created. It is good to do.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the format of the questionnaire sheet 3 can be freely designed using an electronic form, and the questionnaire sheet 3 printed on the dedicated paper and the totaling program dedicated to the questionnaire sheet 3 can be used. Can be created. Furthermore, by filling in the created questionnaire sheet 3 using the electronic pen 10, the data acquired by the electronic pen 10 is processed by a dedicated counting program, and the counting result can be automatically generated.

[questionnaire]
As shown in FIG. 9, the questionnaire sheet 3 is composed of a plurality of items. Each item is composed of one question and a plurality of answers. The user reads the question and enters a check mark in the corresponding answer in the same item as shown in FIG. Each question and each answer constituting the item are assigned a question ID and an answer ID, which are information for identifying each item. The questionnaire sheet 3 has the transmission box described above.

  In the system of the present invention, the questionnaire sheet 3 as shown in FIG. 8B is created as the dedicated paper described above. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a dot pattern 32 is printed on the mount 30, and a design such as a predetermined ruled line is printed thereon. As described above, the dot pattern 32 is printed with ink containing carbon so that the electronic pen 10 can recognize it. On the other hand, the design 34 such as ruled lines is printed with normal (not including carbon) ink, and thus the electronic pen 10 does not recognize it.

  As described above, the dot pattern 32 is printed on the questionnaire sheet 3, and the questionnaire sheet 3 includes a plurality of items and questions and answers constituting the items. Therefore, the server 5 can easily identify the question and the answer from the information entered by the user based on the coordinate table in which the question ID and the answer ID are associated with the position coordinates on the dot pattern. .

[server]
Next, the server 5 will be described in detail. FIG. 11 shows the internal configuration of the server 5 in the counting system 100 in particular. As illustrated, the server 5 includes a control program 101, a paper information acquisition function 102, a paper information storage function 103, an entry information acquisition function 104, and a totaling program creation function 105. The server 5 also has a totaling program 110 created by the totaling program creation function 105, a coordinate table 111, an item entry information extraction function 112, a question specifying function 113, an answer specifying function 114, an error determination function 115, and a totaling function 116. ing.

  Each function is realized by the CPU included in the server 5 executing a program prepared in advance.

  The control program 101 acquires paper information from the design terminal 50, stores it in association with the questionnaire ID, and creates a dedicated program for each questionnaire paper 3 based on the entry information acquired from the terminal device 25 and the stored paper information. This is a program to be created.

  The paper information acquisition function 102 is a function for acquiring paper information composed of layout information, function information, and dot pattern information from the design terminal 50 by executing the control program 101.

  The paper information storage function 103 is a function for storing the paper information acquired by the paper information acquisition function 102 in the paper information DB 6 using a questionnaire ID for identifying the type of the questionnaire paper 3 corresponding to the paper information as a key. Here, the sheet information DB 6 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the data structure of the paper information DB 6. As shown in the figure, the paper information DB is composed of a questionnaire ID, layout information, function information, and dot pattern information. The questionnaire ID is information for identifying the type of the questionnaire sheet 3 corresponding to each sheet information. The layout information, function information, and dot pattern information are information that constitutes paper information. Specifically, coordinate data indicating the position coordinates of the dot pattern printed on the corresponding questionnaire sheet 3 is stored in the dot pattern information.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the same dot pattern is printed on the same type of questionnaire sheet 3.

  The entry information acquisition function 104 is a function for acquiring entry information entered on the questionnaire form 3 by the user using the electronic pen 10 by executing the control program 101.

  The tabulation program creation function 105 further has a paper information extraction function and a coordinate table creation function. The paper information extraction function is a function for comparing the position coordinates of the stroke included in the entry information with the position coordinates included in the dot pattern information of the paper information DB 6 and extracting the paper information including the position coordinates of the entry information. . The coordinate table creation function includes items constituting the questionnaire sheet 3, the function of the item, and the position of the item on the dot pattern from the layout information, function information, and dot pattern information included in the sheet information extracted by the sheet information extraction function. This is a function for creating a coordinate table 111 in which coordinates are associated.

  Here, the coordinate table 111 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating the data structure of the coordinate table 111. As shown in the figure, the coordinate table 111 includes a question ID, a selection type, an answer ID, and coordinate data. Question ID is information which identifies the question which constitutes an item. The selection type is information indicating whether the selection of an answer is an alternative selection or a multiple selection. The answer ID is information that constitutes an item and identifies an answer to a question in the same item. The coordinate data is coordinate data indicating the arrangement of each item on the dot pattern printed on the questionnaire sheet 3. Specifically, since it is an answer that is entered by the electronic pen 10, coordinate data indicating the arrangement of each answer is provided. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the selection type is printed on each item. Thus, the user can make an entry after recognizing the selection type.

  The tabulation program creation function 105 is a function for creating the tabulation program 110 including the coordinate table created by the coordinate table creation unit from the layout information, function information, and dot pattern information included in the sheet information extracted by the sheet information extraction unit. . Thus, the created aggregation program 110 is a program for aggregating information entered in each questionnaire sheet 3.

  The item entry information extraction function 112 is a function for extracting item entry information entered in each item from the entry information acquired by the entry information acquisition function 104 based on the tabulation program 110.

  The question specifying function 113 is a function for specifying the question of the corresponding item by referring to the coordinate table 111 based on the item entry information extracted by the item entry information extracting function 112. Specifically, the question specifying function 113 compares the position coordinates of the stroke included in the item entry information with the coordinate data in the coordinate table 111 to thereby obtain the question corresponding to the coordinate data including the position coordinates of the item entry information. By specifying the ID, the question of the corresponding item is specified.

  The answer specifying function 114 is a function for specifying an answer with a check mark entered by referring to the coordinate table 111 based on the item entry information extracted by the item entry information extracting function 112. Specifically, the answer specifying function 114 compares the position coordinates of the stroke included in the item entry information with the coordinate data in the coordinate table 111, thereby responding to the coordinate data including the position coordinates of the item entry information. By specifying the ID, an answer with a check mark is specified.

  The error determination function 115 is a function for determining whether or not there is a problem with the question specified by the question specifying function 113 and the answer specified by the answer specifying function 114. Specifically, when no check mark is entered in all answers constituting one item, the answer determination function 115 determines that there is a problem because the answer cannot be specified. The error determination function 115 is a function for comparing the question specified by the question specifying function 113 and the answer specified by the answer specifying function 114 with the selection type included in the coordinate table 111 to determine whether there is a problem. It is. Specifically, when a plurality of answers constituting the item are specified even though the selection type is an alternative selection item, it cannot be said that the answer is a valid answer. Determines that there is a problem.

  When the error determination function 115 determines that there is no problem, the counting function 116 counts the information entered in the questionnaire form 3 based on the question specified by the question specifying function 113 and the answer specified by the answer specifying function 114. It is a function to perform. Specifically, the counting function 116 stores the number of answers of each answer corresponding to the question in the counting result DB 7. Here, the summary result DB 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram schematically illustrating the data structure of the tabulation result DB 7. As illustrated, the tabulation result DB 7 includes a question ID, an answer ID, and the number of answers. The tabulation function 116 performs tabulation by adding the number of responses in the tabulation result DB 7 as illustrated based on the identified question and answer.

[Control and aggregation processing]
Next, control / aggregation processing executed by the aggregation system 100 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the control / aggregation process.

  First, the designer uses the design terminal 50 to design the format of the questionnaire form 3. Then, the designer uses the printer 51 to create the questionnaire sheet 3 by printing the designed format on a dedicated paper. At this time, the design terminal 50 transmits the layout information, function information, and dot pattern information of the created questionnaire sheet 3 to the server 5 as sheet information.

  The server 5 acquires paper information from the design terminal 50 via the network 2 (step S1). Then, the server 5 stores the paper information acquired using the questionnaire ID as a key in the paper information DB 6 (step S2).

  On the other hand, the user fills in the questionnaire sheet 3 created by the designer using the electronic pen 10. When the entry is completed, the user sends the check information in the transmission box to send the entry information stored in the electronic pen 10 to the server 5 via the terminal device 25.

  The server 5 acquires entry information from the terminal device 25 (step S3). Further, the server 5 extracts corresponding paper information from the paper information DB 6 based on the acquired entry information (step S4). Then, the server 5 creates the coordinate table 111 based on the layout information, function information, and dot pattern information that constitute the extracted paper information. Further, the server 5 creates a tabulation program 110 including the coordinate table 111 from the layout information, function information, and dot pattern information constituting the extracted paper information (step S5).

  Based on the created aggregation program 110, the server 5 refers to the coordinate table 111 to extract item entry information from the entry information (step S6). Then, the server 5 identifies the corresponding question based on the item entry information and the coordinate table 111 (step S7). Further, the server 5 specifies the answer in which the check mark is entered based on the item entry information and the coordinate table 111 (step S8). Furthermore, the server 5 determines whether or not there is a problem based on the identified question and answer and the coordinate table 111 (step S9). If it is determined that there is a problem (step S9; Yes), the server 5 ends the control / aggregation process without performing aggregation. On the other hand, when it determines with there being no problem (step S9; No), the server 5 totals based on the specified question and answer (step S10). Then, the server 5 completes the control / aggregation process by storing the aggregation result in the aggregation result DB 7. Note that the processing in steps S7 to S10 is performed based on all item entry information extracted from entry information.

  In the present embodiment, the server 5 creates the aggregation program after acquiring the entry information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the aggregation program is created in advance before acquiring the entry information. It is good to keep it.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to freely determine the question content, the content and number of options, the selection type, and the like of the questionnaire sheet 3 using an electronic form. Therefore, it is possible to create a wide variety of questionnaire sheets 3. Further, by acquiring final layout information, function information, and dot pattern information as paper information from the design terminal 50 that created the format of the questionnaire paper 3, the server 5 adds the questionnaire paper 3 printed on the dedicated paper to the questionnaire paper 3. On the other hand, it is possible to automatically generate a tabulation program for determining which area is recognized as being filled with the electronic pen 10. As described above, the tabulation system 100 of the present invention creates the questionnaire sheet 3 using the design terminal 50 that designs the format, and automatically generates the tabulation program based on the sheet information by the server 5. A questionnaire survey can be conducted immediately after the design. In other words, it is not necessary to develop a counting program, and it is possible to immediately fill in and totalize a questionnaire.

  In addition, by filling in the questionnaire sheet 3 with the electronic pen 10 and processing the data acquired by the electronic pen 10 with a dedicated aggregation program, the aggregation result of the questionnaire sheet 3 can be converted into electronic data. In other words, the electronic pen 10 can be used to fill in the questionnaire form 3 and the entry information obtained by the electronic pen 10 can be processed by the counting program in one action such as checking the transmission box. Data work can be done easily and quickly. This eliminates the need for punch input and the like in the conversion of electronic data into the counting results, and can significantly reduce the manpower and time burden compared to the conventional counting method.

  The present invention is designed to automatically design a format and automatically calculate a program for a questionnaire in general, other checklists, check sheets, and the like that are frequently changed, and that requires immediate conversion to data and tabulation. Can be used as a counting system that can create and count.

It is a figure which shows the usage pattern of an electronic pen typically. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of an electronic pen. It is a figure explaining the expression method of the information by the dot pattern printed on the exclusive paper. It is an example of a dot pattern and the information corresponding to it. The structure of a form composed of dedicated paper is shown. An example of an application form is shown. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a totaling system. It is the example of a display screen of a design terminal, and an example of a questionnaire form. It is a figure which shows question ID and answer ID in a questionnaire paper. It is an example of the questionnaire form after filling in. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a server included in the aggregation system shown in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of paper information DB. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of a coordinate table. It is a figure which shows typically the data structure of tabulation result DB. It is a flowchart of control and totalization processing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Network 10 ... Electronic pen 11 ... Processor 12 ... Memory 13 ... Data communication unit 14 ... Battery 25 ... Terminal device 26 ... Inquiry server 27 ... Service server 100 ... Total system

Claims (9)

A server that can communicate via a network with a design terminal that designs a questionnaire for an electronic pen printed with a dot pattern that can be recognized by an electronic pen, and that aggregates information entered in the questionnaire,
From the design terminal, the layout information regarding the items and ruled lines constituting the questionnaire sheet, the function information regarding the function of the item, and the dot pattern information regarding the position coordinates on the dot pattern printed on the questionnaire sheet as the sheet information Paper information acquisition means to acquire;
Paper information storage means for storing the acquired paper information;
Filling information acquisition means for acquiring filling information entered in the questionnaire form by the electronic pen;
Paper information extraction means for extracting corresponding paper information from the paper information storage means based on the position coordinates on the dot pattern included in the entry information;
Coordinate information creation means for creating coordinate information in which the items constituting the questionnaire paper and the position coordinates on the dot pattern of the items are associated from the layout information and the dot pattern information included in the extracted paper information ,
An aggregation program creating means for creating an aggregation program created from the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the extracted sheet information, including the coordinate information, and totaling information entered on the questionnaire sheet A server comprising: The item is composed of one question and one or more answers,
The server
Item entry information extraction means for extracting item entry information entered in each item from the obtained entry information based on the coordinate information included in the aggregation program;
Based on the extracted item entry information, a specifying means for specifying the question and the answer;
And a counting means for counting the information entered in the questionnaire based on the identified question and answer,
The server according to claim 1, wherein the item entry information extracting unit, the specifying unit, and the totaling unit are realized by executing the totaling program. The coordinate information creating means includes, from the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the paper information, items constituting the questionnaire paper, functions of the items, and positions of the items on the dot pattern. It creates coordinate information that associates coordinates,
The server
Error determination means that is realized by executing the aggregation program and determines whether there is a problem by comparing the question and answer specified by the specifying means with the function of the item included in the coordinate information. In addition,
3. The server according to claim 2, wherein the aggregation unit aggregates information entered on the questionnaire only when the error determination unit determines that there is no problem. A control program that is communicable via a network with a design terminal for designing an electronic pen questionnaire sheet printed with a dot pattern that can be recognized by the electronic pen, and that is executed by a computer that aggregates information entered on the questionnaire sheet Because
From the design terminal, the layout information regarding the items and ruled lines constituting the questionnaire sheet, the function information regarding the function of the item, and the dot pattern information regarding the position coordinates on the dot pattern printed on the questionnaire sheet as the sheet information Paper information acquisition means to acquire,
Paper information storage means for storing the acquired paper information;
Filling information acquisition means for acquiring filling information entered on the questionnaire form by the electronic pen,
Paper information extraction means for extracting corresponding paper information from the paper information storage means based on position coordinates on the dot pattern included in the entry information;
Coordinate information creating means for creating coordinate information in which the items constituting the questionnaire paper and the position coordinates on the dot pattern of the items are associated from the layout information and the dot pattern information included in the extracted paper information,
An aggregation program creating means for creating an aggregation program created from the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the extracted sheet information, including the coordinate information, and totaling information entered on the questionnaire sheet A control program for causing the computer to function as. The item is composed of one question and one or more answers,
The aggregation program is
Item entry information extraction means for extracting item entry information entered in each item from the obtained entry information based on the coordinate information included in the aggregation program;
A specifying means for specifying the question and the answer based on the extracted item entry information;
5. The control program according to claim 4, further causing the computer to function as a totaling unit configured to total the information entered in the questionnaire form based on the identified question and answer. The coordinate information creating means includes, from the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the paper information, items constituting the questionnaire paper, functions of the items, and positions of the items on the dot pattern. It creates coordinate information that associates coordinates,
The aggregation program is
The computer further functions as an error determination unit that determines whether there is a problem by comparing the question and answer specified by the specifying unit and the function of the item included in the coordinate information,
6. The control program according to claim 5, wherein the totaling unit totals the information entered in the questionnaire form only when the error determination unit determines that there is no problem. It is composed of a design terminal and a server for designing an electronic pen questionnaire sheet on which a dot pattern recognizable by an electronic pen is printed, and is a counting system for counting information entered in the questionnaire sheet,
The design terminal is
Layout information acquisition means for acquiring layout information related to items and ruled lines constituting the questionnaire form;
Function information acquisition means for acquiring function information related to the function of the item;
A format creating means for creating a format of the questionnaire based on the acquired layout information and function information;
A questionnaire paper creating means for creating the questionnaire paper by printing the created questionnaire paper format on an electronic pen form printed with the dot pattern;
Paper information transmission means for transmitting the layout information, the function information, and dot pattern information related to position coordinates on the dot pattern printed on the questionnaire paper to the server as paper information;
The server
Paper information acquisition means for acquiring the paper information from the design terminal;
Paper information storage means for storing the acquired paper information;
Filling information acquisition means for acquiring filling information entered in the questionnaire form by the electronic pen;
Paper information extraction means for extracting corresponding paper information from the paper information storage means based on the position coordinates on the dot pattern included in the entry information;
Coordinate information creation means for creating coordinate information in which the items constituting the questionnaire paper and the position coordinates on the dot pattern of the items are associated from the layout information and the dot pattern information included in the extracted paper information ,
An aggregation program creating means for creating an aggregation program created from the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the extracted sheet information, including the coordinate information, and totaling information entered on the questionnaire sheet And a totaling system characterized by comprising: The item is composed of one question and one or more answers,
The server
Item entry information extraction means for extracting item entry information entered in each item from the obtained entry information based on the coordinate information included in the aggregation program;
Based on the extracted item entry information, a specifying means for specifying the question and the answer;
And a counting means for counting the information entered in the questionnaire based on the identified question and answer,
8. The tabulation system according to claim 7, wherein the item entry information extraction unit, the specifying unit, and the tabulation unit are realized by executing the tabulation program. The coordinate information creating means includes, from the layout information, the function information, and the dot pattern information included in the paper information, items constituting the questionnaire paper, functions of the items, and positions of the items on the dot pattern. It creates coordinate information that associates coordinates,
The server
Error determination means that is realized by executing the aggregation program and determines whether there is a problem by comparing the question and answer specified by the specifying means with the function of the item included in the coordinate information. In addition,
9. The tabulation system according to claim 8, wherein the tabulation unit tabulates information entered on the questionnaire only when the error determination unit determines that there is no problem.

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