JP2007179204A - Slip output controller, slip output control method, program and computer-readable storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To output object data (field) by carrying out masking to the data, and overwriting the other data (field) for every output unit. <P>SOLUTION: For example, an output mask level 1253 of a designated printer 1254 is detected in the case of a print server 1251, and the field mask level of each field (1211 to 1213) configuring a slip file transmitted from a slip preparation server 1221 is detected, and the detected output mask level is compared with each detected field mask level, and a field to be output is selected, and the plotting processing of the selected field is operated, and slip data to be transmitted to the printer 1254 are generated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a form output control device, a form output control method, a form output control method, a program for causing a computer to execute the form output control method, and a program storing the program. The present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium.

  Conventionally, when designing a form in the form design module, by specifying a mask area so as to cover a predetermined field, the form creation module hides the field in the mask area specified at the time of output. Create a form file to be used. Then, in the form output module of the print server, the fields in the specified mask area are hidden from the form file distributed from the form creation server (this form file is also referred to as “preview save file”). Thus, form data is generated by overlaying, and storage processing and printing processing are performed.

  As described above, the conventional mask area designation is only used to hide the field designated at the time of output. For example, the mask designated area is not hidden, but differs depending on the output device. In order to display, it was not possible to overwrite different fields.

  As one of the masking techniques for the output form data, the following patent document 1 describes the non-output area specified in the acquired data when the acquired apparatus does not have the identifier of the own device. A data output device that performs printout after converting data into blank data is disclosed. In this data output device, as described in paragraphs [0031] to [0039] of the specification of Patent Document 1, a plurality of non-output areas can be obtained, and each non-output area It is possible to acquire a group that outputs data in the area.

JP 11-355545 A

  However, since the data output device described in Patent Document 1 performs “determining the presence or absence of data masking for each output device”, for each output device, the target data (field) Only two types of processing, i.e., output as it is or output as blank data, can be performed. That is, in the data output device described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to perform output for each output device by overwriting other data (field) on the target data (field).

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and not only masks target data (field) but also overwrites other data (field) for each output device. The purpose is to be able to output.

  The form output control apparatus of the present invention includes a first detection means for detecting an output mask level of a designated output apparatus, a second detection means for detecting a field mask level of each field constituting the form file, Selection means for comparing the output mask level detected by the first detection means with each field mask level detected by the second detection means, and selecting a field to be output based on the comparison result; Drawing means for drawing the fields selected by the selection means in the order based on the comparison result and generating form data to be transmitted to the output device.

  The form output control method of the present invention includes a first detection step of detecting an output mask level of a designated output device, a second detection step of detecting a field mask level of each field constituting the form file, A selection step of comparing the output mask level detected by the first detection step with each field mask level detected by the second detection step and selecting a field to be output based on the comparison result; A drawing step of drawing the fields selected in the selection step in an order based on the comparison result to generate form data to be transmitted to the output device.

  The program according to the present invention includes a first detection step of detecting an output mask level of a designated output device, a second detection step of detecting a field mask level of each field constituting the form file, and the first detection step. A selection step of comparing the output mask level detected in the detection step with each field mask level detected in the second detection step and selecting a field to be output based on the comparison result; and This is for causing a computer to execute a drawing step of drawing selected fields in the order based on the comparison result and generating form data to be transmitted to the output device.

  The computer-readable storage medium of the present invention stores the program in a computer-readable manner.

  According to the present invention, not only masking can be performed on target data (field), but also other data (field) can be overwritten and output can be performed for each output device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a form output control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the form output control system according to this embodiment includes a client PC 101 that designs an electronic form, a form creation server 102, a print server (form output control apparatus) 103, and a printer 105. These are configured to be communicable with each other via a network 106.

  The client PC 101 is a client terminal that includes a form design application and creates a form execution file by performing processing such as setting a field mask level indicating the output level of each field. The processing in the client PC 101 will be described later with reference to FIG. The field mask level described above can be set by storing various definition information in the form in the form execution file. The image of the form execution file will be described later with reference to FIG. The client PC 101 registers the form execution file created by the form design application in the form creation server 102 via the network 106.

  The form creation server 102 includes a form creation application, and creates a preview storage file (form file) by combining the actual data of the form based on the registered form execution file. The form creation server 102 distributes the created preview storage file to the print server 103 via the network 106.

  The print server 103 performs processing for saving the preview saving file distributed from the form creation server 102 and generating form data based on the preview saving file. At the time of print processing, the form data generated via the network 106 is output to the printer 105 designated at the time of the print request.

  By setting the output mask level in the printer 105 in the setting file of the print server 103, the print server 103 causes the field mask level of each field of the distributed preview storage file and the output mask level of the designated printer. And determine whether to perform output for each field. The processing in the print server 103 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The printer 105 prints the form data distributed from the print server 103 on paper.

  The network 106 connects the client PC 101, the form creation server 102, the print server 103, and the printer 105 so that they can communicate with each other. Examples of the form of the network 106 include a LAN (Local Area Network) and a WAN (Wide Area Network). Note that the configurations of various devices connected to the network in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and it is needless to say that there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration in each apparatus of the client PC 101, the form creation server 102, and the print server 103 shown in FIG.
The operations of the client PC 101, form creation server 102, and print server 103 shown in FIG. 1 are realized by loading corresponding programs into the storage device 203 and executing them by the central processing unit 202. Further, these programs and files and data relating to the form are stored in the external auxiliary storage device 205 such as a hard disk.

  The input device 201 is an input device provided to perform necessary operations on the own device, and generally indicates a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse. The central processing unit 202 corresponds to a CPU (Concentrated Processing Unit) that executes application processing. The storage device 203 corresponds to a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The display device 204 is for displaying an image, and generally indicates a CRT or a liquid crystal display device. The external auxiliary storage device 205 corresponds to a hard disk or the like. The IO_I / F device 206 is an interface device in I / O, and is used for communication connection with external devices such as the network 106 and the printer 105. The bus 207 is for connecting the above-described devices 201 to 206. Examples of the bus 207 include an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a setting screen when setting the field mask level in the form design application of the client PC 101. The field mask level is set for each field.

  In FIG. 3, when a check box 301 is checked, a field mask level can be set for the selected field. When a field mask level value is input to the input box 302, the input value is set as the field mask level in the field. When a printer for canceling masking is input to the input box 303, the field mask level by the input box 302 is invalidated in the printer.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a field mask level setting process in the form design application of the client PC 101. In detail, the processing of FIG. 4 is executed by the central processing unit 202 of the client PC 101.

  First, in step S401, the field attribute property of the designated field is opened. That is, the field mask level setting screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed for the designated field. Here, the field includes not only characters but also drawing objects such as graphics and so-called masks having no drawing objects such as characters and graphics.

  Subsequently, in step S402, when the check box 301 is checked, the value input in the input box 302 is determined as the field mask level of the field. At this time, if a mask release printer is designated in the input box 303, the mask level in the input box 302 is invalidated for the printer.

  Subsequently, in step S403, the field definition information of the form execution file includes, as field attributes, whether or not a field mask level is specified (for example, 1 if specified, 0 if not specified), a field mask level value ( For example, a value from 0 to 9) and the mask release printer is stored.

  Through the processing in steps S401 to S403, the field mask level setting processing by the client PC 101 is performed.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image of information held in the form execution file created by the client PC 101.
As shown in FIG. 5, the form execution file includes file header information 51 such as a file name and a form name, form definition information 52 that defines the form of the form, and fields (53a to 53c,...). Field definition information 53 is stored. The field definition information 53 in each field includes a field number 531, a field name 532, a field position 533, and a field attribute 534. The field attribute 534 holds information 534a related to the field mask level set in step S403.

  As described above, the form execution file created by the client PC 101 is registered in the form creation server 102 via the network 106. Then, the form creation server 102 creates a preview saving file (form file) based on the registered form execution file. Then, the form creation server 102 distributes the preview storage file to the print server 103 via the network 106.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an image of a setting file set by the form output module of the print server 103. In the setting file shown in FIG. 6, the output mask level can be set for each printer. Here, the print server 103 sets the setting file based on the field mask level information 534a of the field definition information 53 in the received preview storage file.

  Reference numeral 601 in FIG. 6 indicates that the output mask level of the multi-function printer iR3250 is set to 5. 6 is set so that the output mask level of the laser beam printer LBP 2120 is set to 8, and the release period of the output mask level is set from December 30, 2005 to January 3, 2006. It shows that.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing overall processing in the form output module of the print server 103. In detail, the processing of FIG. 7 is executed by the central processing unit 202 of the print server 103.

  First, in step S701, a corresponding preview storage file (form file) is received from the form creation server 102 in response to an output request.

  In step S702, it is determined whether the designated output destination printer is set to save the form data based on the preview saving file. As a result of the determination, if the setting for saving the form data based on the preview saving file is set, the process proceeds to step S703. On the other hand, if the setting for saving the form data based on the preview saving file is not set, step S706 is performed. Proceed to

  In step S703, the output mask level in the designated output destination printer is detected. Details of the output mask level detection processing in step S703 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In step S704, form data is generated based on the output mask level detected in step S703 and the field definition information 53 of the preview storage file received in step S701. Details of the form data generation processing in step S704 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S705, the form data generated in step S704 is stored in a predetermined storage medium provided in the own apparatus (print server 103), for example, the external auxiliary storage device 205.

  In step S706, it is determined whether or not the designated output destination printer is set to print the form data based on the preview storage file. If it is determined that printing of form data based on the preview saving file is set, the process proceeds to step S707. On the other hand, if printing of form data based on the preview saving file is not set, the flowchart is executed. The process in is terminated.

  In step S707, an output mask level in the designated output destination printer is detected. The processing in step S707 is the same as the processing in step S703, and the details of the processing are also the same as in FIG.

  In step S708, form data is generated based on the output mask level detected in step S707 and the field definition information 53 of the preview storage file received in step S701. The processing in step S708 is the same as the processing in step S704, and the details of the processing are also the same as in FIG. 9 described later.

  Subsequently, in step S709, the form data generated in step S708 is temporarily stored in a predetermined storage medium provided in the own apparatus (print server 103), for example, the external auxiliary storage device 205, and then the form data is stored. Send to the printer driver of the specified output destination. Thereafter, the processing in the flowchart is terminated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing details of output mask level detection processing (steps S703 and S707) in the designated output destination printer.
First, in step S801, it is determined whether or not the preview saving file creation request is set to indicate a change in the output mask level in the designated output destination printer. Specifically, it is determined whether or not a value indicating the change of the output mask level (0 to 9 in this embodiment) is input to the input box 1402 shown in FIG. Here, when the output mask level is not changed, for example, “-” is input to the input box 1402.

  If it is determined in step S801 that the output mask level has been changed, the process advances to step S802, and the value set in the input box 1402 in FIG. 14 is set to the designated output destination printer. Is detected as an output mask level. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S801, if the setting indicating the change of the output mask level has not been made, the process proceeds to step S803.

  In step S803, it is determined whether an output mask level for the designated printer is set. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the output mask level set in the setting file 601 or 602 of the setting file shown in FIG. 6 is set. As a result of the determination, if the output mask level for the designated printer is set, the process proceeds to step S804. On the other hand, if the output mask level for the designated printer is not set, the process proceeds to step S806.

  In step S804, it is determined whether the designated printer is a mask release printer. Specifically, the determination is made based on the setting file shown in FIG. As a result of the determination, if the designated printer is a mask release printer, the process proceeds to step S806. On the other hand, if the designated printer is not a mask release printer, the process proceeds to step S805.

  In step S805, it is determined whether an output mask level release period 602 as shown in 602 of FIG. 6 is set for the designated printer, and the present is the output mask level release period. If the result of this determination is that the current output mask level release period is not in effect, the process advances to step S802 to set the value set in the setting file shown in FIG. 6 to the output mask level in the designated output destination printer. Detect as. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S805 that the present is the cancellation period of the output mask level, the process proceeds to step S806.

  If it is determined in step S803 that the output mask level for the specified printer is not set, if the printer specified in step S804 is determined to be an unmasked printer, or if the current output is determined in step S805. If it is determined that it is the mask level release period, then in step S806, a preset default value is detected as an output mask level in the designated output destination printer. Specifically, in this embodiment, 9 is set as the default value, that is, the maximum value is set. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG.

  Through the processing in steps S801 to S806, the detection processing of the output mask level in the designated output destination printer shown in step S703 or S707 is performed.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the form data generation processing (steps S704 and S708).
First, in step S901, the preview saving file distributed from the form creation server 102 is opened.

  In step S902, output field list creation processing is started. The output field list is a list for specifying and selecting a field that needs to be output as a result of the comparison of mask levels. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image of the output field list.

  In step S903, one field is extracted from the preview storage file. Each field holds information 534a relating to the field mask level in the field attribute 534 of FIG.

  Subsequently, in step S904, the field mask level of the field is detected by referring to the information 534a regarding the field mask level in the field extracted in step S903.

  Subsequently, in step S905, the field mask level detected in step S904 is compared with the output mask level in the designated output destination printer detected in step S703 or S708, and the field mask level is equal to or lower than the output mask level. Judge whether there is.

  If it is determined in step S905 that the field mask level is equal to or lower than the output mask level, then in step S906, the field extracted in step S903 is selected as a field to be output, and the field number and field of the field are selected. The mask level is added to the output field list 1001 and 1002 shown in FIG.

  When the processing in step S906 is completed, or when it is determined in step S905 that the field mask level is not lower than the output mask level, in step S907, extraction of all the fields constituting the preview storage file is completed. If the field extraction has not been completed, the process returns to step S902. If all the fields have been extracted, the process proceeds to step S908.

  In step S908, on the basis of the generated output field list, drawing processing is performed from the field with the lowest field mask level in order, and form data to be transmitted to the designated output destination printer is generated. Details of the processing in step S908 will be described later with reference to FIG. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG. 9 ends.

  Through the processing in steps S901 to S908, the form data generation processing shown in step S704 or S708 is performed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing details of the processing in step S908.
First, in step S1101, a drawing process is started which is performed with the field mask level starting from the bottom in order of the field mask level. At this time, in the present embodiment, the process starts from the field mask level “i = 0” and ends up to “i = 9 (the maximum value of the field mask level)”.

  In step S1102, a field whose field mask level is “i” in the output field list is acquired.

  In step S1103, the field acquired in step S1102 is drawn at a predetermined position based on the field position 533 of the field definition information 53. Here, if the position already overlaps with the already drawn field, it is overwritten.

  In step S1104, “i = i + 1” is set. Subsequently, in step S1105, it is determined whether or not all the field mask level processes have been completed. If the field mask level process has not been completed, the process returns to step S1101, and all the field mask level processes are performed. If completed, the process shown in FIG. 11 ends.

  By passing through the processing of step S1101 to step S1105, the drawing processing for making the back side in order from the field with the lowest field mask level shown in step S908 is performed.

Next, examples of the present invention will be described below.
As an example of the present invention, “A sales office introducing a real estate (Chiba) handles properties managed by the sales office and properties managed by the real estate company of the parent company (Tokyo). Consider the case where the company name and contact information of the parent company listed are changed to the company's information when introducing the floor plan of the property to the customer.

  Conventionally, in order to change the parent company information described to the company information, it is difficult to output by overwriting the parent company information field with another field (company information field). As a result, the parent company's information was concealed, a copy was taken, the company's information was written in the space, and the customer was introduced. In this case, there is a problem that the cost of rewriting information (copying fee and paper fee), time and labor are required, work efficiency is poor, and the appearance of the material shown to the customer is also deteriorated.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a form output control system according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving this problem.
The client PC 1210 has a form design application, sets a field mask level in each field, creates a form execution file, and registers it in the form creation server 1221 provided in the data center 1220.

  In the client PC 1210 according to the present embodiment, the field mask level of the character string “Tokyo” field 1211 is set to 4, the field mask level of the mask field 1212 is set to 6, and the field 1213 of the character string “Yokohama” is set. The field mask level is set to 8.

  The data center 1220 in FIG. 12 includes a form creation server 1221. The form creation server 1221 creates a preview storage file from the form execution file registered from the client PC 1210 in response to a form creation request transmitted from the client PC 1260 included in each of the sales offices 1230, 1240, and 1250 via the network 1261. To do. This preview saving file holds the field mask level.

  The Tokyo head office 1230, the Chiba sales office 1240, and the Yokohama sales office 1250 are provided with print servers 1231, 1241, and 1251, respectively, and each print server is provided with a form output module 1232, 1242, and 1252, respectively.

  In the setting file 1233 in the form output module 1232 of the Tokyo head office 1230, the output mask level of the output destination printer 1234 is set to 5. In the setting file 1243 of the form output module 1242 of the Chiba Sales Office 1240, the output mask level of the output destination printer 1244 is set to 7. In the setting file 1253 of the form output module 1252 of the Yokohama sales office 1250, the output mask level of the output destination printer 1255 is set to 9.

  The client PC 1260 is a PC that can be used to transmit a form creation request provided in each sales office. The network 1261 is, for example, a WAN, and a form creation request is transmitted to each form output module via the network. Needless to say, the hardware of each device is connected via a network.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a field mask level setting process in the form design application of the client PC 1210 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows an image of field arrangement in each step on the right side of the flowchart. Here, the setting of the field mask level is performed based on the input of the setting screen shown in FIG.

  In step S1301, the field mask level of the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo” is set to 4.

  In step S1302, the field mask level of the mask field 1212 is set to 6. Further, the range of the mask field 1212 is made larger than the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo”, and is arranged so as to cover the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo”. At this time, if you click the overlapping field, another dialog opens and the field overlap is visualized in three dimensions.

  In step S1303, the field mask level of the field 1213 of the character string “Yokohama” is set to 8. Further, the field 1213 of the character string “Yokohama” is arranged so as to be superimposed on the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo” and the field 1212 of the mask. Again, clicking on the overlapping fields opens another dialog that allows you to visualize the field overlap in three dimensions.

FIG. 14 is an image diagram of a Web site when a form creation request is transmitted via a servlet.
An output destination designation input box 1401 is used to select which printer the form data is output to. An input box 1402 for designating output mask level change designates an output mask level limited to the form creation request. When this output mask level change is designated, it is used as the highest priority value regardless of the setting of the setting file shown in FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing print processing in the form output module 1232 of the print server 1231 in the Tokyo head office 1230.

  First, in step S1501, a preview storage file (form file) is received from the form creation server 1221 provided in the data center 1220.

  In step S1502, the output mask level of the designated output destination printer 1234 is detected. Specifically, the output mask level set in the setting file 1233 is detected. In this embodiment, the output mask level is detected as 5. The details of the output mask level detection process are shown in FIG.

  In step S1503, an output field list shown in FIG. 10 is created. The details of the output field list creation processing are the processing shown in steps S902 to S907 in FIG. In the case of this Tokyo head office 1230, since the output mask level of the designated output destination printer 1234 is 5, only the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo” having a field mask level of 5 or less is listed in the output field list. Is done.

  In step S1504, a drawing process is performed based on the created output field list. Details of the processing in step S1504 are the processing shown in FIG. By this drawing processing, form data in the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo” is generated.

  In step S1505, the form data in the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo” is transmitted to the driver of the designated output destination printer 1234. As a result, the printer 1234 of the Tokyo head office 1230 outputs the printing paper 1235 on which “Tokyo” is printed at the processing target location.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing print processing in the form output module 1242 of the print server 1241 of the Chiba Sales Office 1240.

  First, in step S1601, a preview storage file (form file) is received from the form creation server 1221 provided in the data center 1220.

  In step S1602, the output mask level of the designated output destination printer 1244 is detected. Specifically, the output mask level set in the setting file 1243 is detected. In this embodiment, the output mask level is detected as 7. The details of the output mask level detection process are shown in FIG.

  In step S1603, an output field list shown in FIG. 10 is created. The details of the output field list creation processing are the processing shown in steps S902 to S907 in FIG. In the case of this Chiba sales office 1240, the output mask level of the designated output destination printer 1244 is 7, so that the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo” and the field 1212 of the mask, which are fields having a field mask level of 7 or less, are included. Listed in the output field list.

  In step S1604, drawing processing is performed based on the created output field list. The details of the processing in step S1604 are the processing shown in FIG. In this drawing process, the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo” having a low field mask level is first drawn, and then the mask field 1212 is drawn so as to cover the field 1211. That is, the form data in the mask field 1212 is generated.

  In step S1605, the form data in the mask field 1212 is transmitted to the driver of the designated output destination printer 1244. As a result, the printer 1244 of the Chiba sales office 1240 outputs the printing paper 1245 whose margin is the processing target.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing print processing in the form output module 1252 of the print server 1251 of the Yokohama sales office 1250.

  First, in step S1701, a preview storage file (form file) is received from the form creation server 1221 provided in the data center 1220.

  In step S1702, the output mask level of the designated output destination printer 1254 is detected. Specifically, the output mask level set in the setting file 1253 is detected, and in this embodiment, the output mask level is detected as 9. The details of the output mask level detection process are shown in FIG.

  In step S1703, the output field list shown in FIG. 10 is created. The details of the output field list creation processing are the processing shown in steps S902 to S907 in FIG. In the case of this Yokohama sales office 1250, the output mask level of the designated output destination printer 1254 is 9, so that the field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo”, which is a field mask level of 9 or less, the field 1212 of the mask, A field 1213 of the character string “Yokohama” is listed in the output field list.

  In step S1704, drawing processing is performed based on the created output field list. Details of the processing in step S1704 are the processing shown in FIG. In this drawing process, first, a field 1211 of a character string “Tokyo” having a low field mask level is drawn, and then a field 1212 of a mask having the second lowest field mask level is a field 1211 of the character string “Tokyo”. Then, the drawing process is performed so that the field 1213 of the character string “Yokohama” having the first highest field mask level covers the field 1212 of the mask. That is, the form data in the field 1213 of the character string “Yokohama” is generated.

  In step S1705, the form data in the field 1213 of the character string “Yokohama” is transmitted to the driver of the designated printer 1254 at the output destination. As a result, the printing paper 1255 on which “Yokohama” is printed at the processing target location is output from the printer 1254 of the Yokohama sales office 1250.

  As described above, in the print server according to the embodiment and the example of the present invention, the output mask level of the designated printer is detected, and the field mask level of each field constituting the preview storage file (form file) is set. The detected output mask level is compared with each detected field mask level to select a field to be output, and the selected field is drawn in the order based on the comparison result and transmitted to the designated printer. The form data to be generated is generated. As a result, not only masking can be performed on the target data (field), but also other data (field) can be overwritten and output can be performed for each printer. In addition, because the target data (field) can be overwritten with other data (field), the cost of copying, paper, and labor costs can be reduced, and the appearance of the materials shown to the customer can be improved. It can also be improved.

  Each means constituting the form output control system according to this embodiment (this example) and each step showing the form output control method are executed by the operation of a program stored in a RAM or ROM of a computer. realizable. This program and a computer-readable storage medium storing the program are included in the present invention.

  Specifically, the program is recorded in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, or provided to a computer via various transmission media. As a storage medium for recording the program, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, a nonvolatile memory card, and the like can be used in addition to the CD-ROM. On the other hand, as the transmission medium of the program, a communication medium (wired line such as an optical fiber, etc.) in a computer network (LAN, WAN such as the Internet, wireless communication network, etc.) system for propagating and supplying program information as a carrier wave A wireless line or the like.

  Further, not only the form output control system according to the present embodiment (the present embodiment) is realized by executing the program supplied by the computer, but also the OS (operating system) or When the function of the form output control system according to this embodiment (this example) is realized in cooperation with other application software, etc., or all or part of the processing of the supplied program is a function expansion board of a computer Such a program is also included in the present invention even when the function of the form output control system according to the present embodiment (the present example) is realized by a function expansion unit.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the form output control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration in each apparatus of the client PC, form creation server, and print server shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows the setting screen at the time of setting a field mask level in the form design application of a client PC. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the field mask level in the form design application of a client PC. It is a figure which shows the image of the information which the form execution file produced with client PC has. It is a figure which shows the image of the setting file set with the form output module of a print server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating overall processing in a form output module of a print server. 10 is a flowchart showing details of output mask level detection processing (steps S703 and S707) in a designated output destination printer. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the production | generation process (step S704, S708) of form data. It is a figure which shows the image of an output field list. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process in step S908. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the form output control system which concerns on the Example of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of the field mask level in the form design application of the client PC concerning the Example of this invention. It is an image diagram of a Web site when a form creation request is transmitted via a servlet. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process in the form output module of the print server of the Tokyo head office. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process in the form output module of the print server of Chiba branch office. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process in the form output module of the print server of Yokohama sales office.

Explanation of symbols

101 Client PC
102 Form creation server 103 Print server (form output control device)
105 Printer 106 Network 201 Input Device 202 Central Processing Unit 203 Storage Device 204 Display Device 205 External Auxiliary Storage Device 206 IO_I / F Device 207 Bus

Claims (8)

First detecting means for detecting an output mask level of a designated output device;
A second detecting means for detecting a field mask level of each field constituting the form file;
A selection means for comparing the output mask level detected by the first detection means with each field mask level detected by the second detection means, and selecting a field to be output based on the comparison result;
A form output control device comprising: a drawing means for drawing a field selected by the selection means in an order based on the comparison result and generating form data to be transmitted to the output device. Based on the field selected by the selection means, further comprising a list creation means for creating an output field list according to the field number and the field mask level;
2. The form output control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing unit performs drawing processing in order from the field having the lowest field mask level based on the output field list created by the list creating unit. Further comprising setting changing means for changing the setting of the output mask level;
The first detection means detects the output mask level changed by the setting change means, and the selection means compares the output mask level with each field mask level detected by the second detection means. The form output control device according to claim 1, wherein a field for output is selected.   The form output control device according to claim 1, wherein the first detection unit detects a preset default value as the output mask level when a predetermined condition is satisfied. .   The predetermined condition is either when the output mask level is not set, when the output mask level is canceled, or when the output mask level is set within a predetermined period. The form output control device according to claim 4. A first detection step of detecting an output mask level of the designated output device;
A second detection step of detecting a field mask level of each field constituting the form file;
A selection step of comparing the output mask level detected by the first detection step with each field mask level detected by the second detection step and selecting a field to be output based on the comparison result;
A form output control method comprising: a drawing step of drawing the fields selected in the selection step in an order based on the comparison result to generate form data to be transmitted to the output device. A first detection step of detecting an output mask level of the designated output device;
A second detection step of detecting a field mask level of each field constituting the form file;
A selection step of comparing the output mask level detected by the first detection step with each field mask level detected by the second detection step and selecting a field to be output based on the comparison result;
A program for causing a computer to execute a drawing step of drawing the fields selected in the selection step in an order based on the comparison result and generating form data to be transmitted to the output device.   A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the program according to claim 7 is stored in a computer-readable manner.

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