JP2008027227A - Business form processing apparatus and business form processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically search and acquire a new business form format and business form data which meet user's purpose. <P>SOLUTION: A business form processing apparatus includes: a layout information acquisition means which acquires layout information on the basis of a name of layout information; a data acquisition definition information acquisition means which acquires data acquisition definition information on the basis of a name of data acquisition definition information; a user information storage means wherein layout information and data acquisition definition information available to the user are stored on the basis of user identification information identifying the user; a data acquisition means which acquires data in accordance with data acquisition indication information included in the data acquisition definition information; a data merging means which inserts the acquired data in accordance with data merge information of layout information to generate business form data; and a business form generation means which generates a business form on the basis of the business form data generated by the data merging means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a form processing apparatus and a form processing method.

  A system has been proposed in which a user searches for a form file by inputting a search condition from a client terminal and prints the form stored in the storage unit of the server (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Furthermore, a system has been proposed in which a search condition necessary for inputting a search condition is displayed and a user selects the search condition to search and print a stored form (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-84784 A JP 2005-122454 A

  However, the prior art has a problem that when a form is generated, it is not possible to automatically search for and acquire a new form format that meets the user's purpose and form data.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to automatically search for and acquire a new form format suitable for the purpose of a user and form data when a form is generated. .

  Therefore, the form processing apparatus of the present invention acquires the layout information based on the name of layout information composed of form format information and data merge information that defines where the acquired data is to be inserted. Layout information acquisition means, data acquisition definition information acquisition means for acquiring the data acquisition definition information based on the name of the data acquisition definition information in which a definition relating to data acquisition is described, and user identification for identifying a user Based on the information, user information storage means for storing layout information usable by the user and data acquisition definition information, and data acquisition instruction information included in the data acquisition definition information acquired by the data acquisition definition information acquisition means Data acquisition means for acquiring data, and the data according to the data merge information of the layout information. Performs insertion of the data obtained by the obtaining unit, for a data merge means for generating form data, and form generation means for generating a form based on the form data generated by the data merging unit, characterized in that it has a.

  With such a configuration, when a form is generated, a new form format and form data suitable for the user's purpose can be automatically searched and acquired.

  Here, the form processing apparatus corresponds to, for example, a multifunction machine described later.

  The present invention may be a form processing method and program.

  According to the present invention, when a form is generated, a new form format suitable for the user's purpose and form data can be automatically searched and acquired.

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

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a form processing system. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a multifunction peripheral (hereinafter referred to as MFP) having printing and network connection functions. A form generation unit 101 generates a form from layout information, data acquisition definition information, and form data. Reference numeral 102 denotes a layout information acquisition unit. Reference numeral 103 denotes a data acquisition definition information acquisition unit. Reference numeral 104 denotes a form data acquisition unit.

  Reference numeral 110 denotes a layout information database. Reference numeral 111 denotes a data acquisition definition information database. Reference numeral 112 denotes a form data database. Each database and MFP 100 are connected to each other via a network 120. Note that the layout information database 110, the data acquisition definition information database 111, and the form data database 112 may be stored in a storage area in the same server and MFP 100.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of MFP 100. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as a CPU) that controls the entire MFP 100. Reference numeral 202 denotes a read-only ROM for various operation programs. A RAM 203 temporarily stores data acquired from the database, values during program operation, and generated form data. Reference numeral 204 denotes a display device for displaying a user interface. Reference numeral 205 denotes an IC card device for inputting user identification information.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes an input device such as buttons for performing various operations. A flash ROM 207 is a non-volatile memory for storing various setting data files. Reference numeral 208 denotes a network I / F for connecting to an external device. The MFP 100 acquires data from the layout information database 110, the data acquisition definition information database 111, and the form data database 112 via the network I / F 208.

  A hard disk 209 stores a program for controlling the MFP 100, a program for generating a form, layout information and data acquisition definition information, and setting files thereof. A printing apparatus 210 performs printing. Reference numeral 211 denotes a bus that connects the devices.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining layout information and data acquisition definition information.
The layout information 301 is stored in, for example, the layout information database 110 connected via a network. The data acquisition definition information 313 is stored in, for example, the data acquisition definition information database 111 connected via a network.

  The layout information 301 includes form information indicated by 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, and 307, merge information indicating how to merge data indicated by 308, 309, 310, 311 and 312; It is composed of

  The description of the merge information 308, 309, 310, 311, 312 is to extract each “name” element, “tel” element, and “address” element constituting the data list “dataList” and merge it with the layout. It is description which shows.

  The data acquisition definition information 313 includes a database address indicated by 314 and data allocation information indicated by 315.

  The description of the data acquisition definition information 313 illustrated in FIG. 3 indicates that form data is acquired as a data list having a “name” element, a “tel” element, and an “address” element from a server “database.com”. It is a description.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a layout information management table for managing layout information that can be used by a user who has logged into MFP 100, and a data acquisition definition information management table for managing data acquisition definition information. These management tables are stored in the hard disk 209 of the MFP 100.

  The layout information management table 400 that manages layout information manages layout information 402 that can be used by each user account 401 (user indicated by the user account).

  The layout information 402 manages the layout information name 403, the layout group 404 to which the layout information belongs, and the server address 405 where the layout information is stored. A layout group 404 is defined for each layout, and a plurality of pieces of layout information can be registered for one group.

  The data acquisition definition information management table 420 for managing data acquisition definition information manages the data acquisition definition information 422 that can be used by each user account 421 (the user indicated by the user account).

  The data acquisition definition information 422 manages the data acquisition definition information name 423 and the server address 424 where the data acquisition definition information is stored.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the flow of processing until a form is output in the form processing system of FIG.

  In step S <b> 501, the MFP 100 performs login processing such as user authentication based on user authentication information and the like input by the user reading the IC card into the IC card device 205, for example. Note that the MFP 100 may perform login processing such as user authentication based on a user account, a password, and the like input by the user using the input device 206. The MFP 100 identifies the user account of the logged-in user through this login process.

  In step S502, the MFP 100 determines whether there is layout information that can be used by the user authenticated in step S501. The MFP 100 performs the determination process using the layout information management table 400 of FIG. For example, when the logged-in user is the head office sales manager 410, the available layout information is the sales list corporation A411, the sales list corporation A412 and the departmental balance 413.

  If there is layout information that can be used, in step S503, the MFP 100 displays a list (layout information list) including layout information that can be used by the logged-in user on the display device 204. In the case of the head office sales manager 410, the screen 600 of FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device 204. FIG. 6 is a view (No. 1) showing a screen displayed on the display device 204 of the MFP 100. If there is no layout information that can be used, the MFP 100 ends the process shown in FIG.

  In step S504, the MFP 100 determines whether there is one layout information included in the displayed layout information list. If it is determined that the number of layout information included in the displayed layout information list is not one, the MFP 100 selects the layout information selected by the user in step S505. Note that the user uses the display device 204 or the input device 206 to select layout information from the layout information list, for example.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is one layout information included in the displayed layout information list, MFP 100 selects the layout information.

  In step S506, the MFP 100 acquires the name (layout information name), layout group (layout group name), and server address of the selected layout information from the layout information management table 400. First, the MFP 100 connects to the server using the acquired server address. Then, the layout information acquisition unit 102 of the MFP 100 acquires layout information used in the form from the layout information database 110 based on the acquired layout information name. For example, in the case of the sales list corporation A411, the MFP 100 connects to the server address “layout.com” 416 and acquires layout information whose layout information name is “sales list corporation A” 414.

  Here, when the user selects the details of the layout information on the screen 600 shown in FIG. 6, the MFP 100 acquires the layout information related to the selected details and displays a preview from the format information. For example, when the details of 602 are selected by the user, the MFP 100 displays a screen 610 on the display device 204. When the details of 604 are selected by the user, the MFP 100 displays the screen 611 on the display device 204. When the details of 606 are selected by the user, the MFP 100 displays the screen of 612 on the display device 204.

  In step S507, the MFP 100 searches the data acquisition definition information using the layout information name and the layout group as search conditions. Here, the data acquisition definition information exists in the data acquisition definition information database 111.

  When searching for data acquisition definition information, the MFP 100 first searches the data acquisition definition information database 111 for data acquisition definition information in which the same layout group as the layout group of the search condition is set. Subsequently, the MFP 100 searches the data acquisition definition information acquired by the search for data acquisition definition information in which the same layout information name as the layout information name of the search condition is set.

  For example, a case where a search is performed using the layout information name “sales list corporation A” 414 and the layout group, sales ”415 as search conditions will be described as an example.The data acquisition definition information group shown in FIG. First, the MFP 100 searches for and acquires data acquisition definition information in which “<layout group>” of the data acquisition definition information is “sales”. Sales data A 700 and sales data B 710. “<ln>” is set to “Sales list-corporate B” in sales data B, so the search condition does not apply. The data acquisition definition information that satisfies the condition is obtained, and the MFP 100 acquires the data acquisition definition information, where FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a group.

  In step S508, the MFP 100 determines whether there is data acquisition definition information that meets the search condition. If it is determined that there is no data acquisition definition information that meets the search conditions, the MFP 100 proceeds to step S509. If it is determined that there is data acquisition definition information that meets the search conditions, the MFP 100 proceeds to step S510.

  In step S509, the MFP 100 displays an error message. Then, the MFP 100 ends the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, in step S510, the MFP 100 acquires the data acquisition definition information name of the data acquisition definition information that matches the search condition.

  In step S511, the MFP 100 refers to the data acquisition definition information management table 420 based on the user account identified in the login process, and determines whether there is data acquisition definition information that can be used by the user of the user account. . If it is determined that there is no data acquisition definition information that can be used by the user of the user account, the MFP 100 proceeds to step S509. If it is determined that there is data acquisition definition information that can be used by the user of the user account, the MFP 100 proceeds to step S512. .

  In step S509, as described above, MFP 100 displays an error message. Then, the MFP 100 ends the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, in step S512, the data acquisition definition information acquisition unit 103 of the MFP 100 acquires corresponding data acquisition definition information from the data acquisition definition information database 111 based on the data acquisition definition information name acquired in step S509. If there are a plurality of pieces of data acquisition definition information that meet the conditions, the MFP 100 notifies the user and acquires the data acquisition definition information selected by the user.

  In step S513, the form generation unit 101 of the MFP 100 acquires data based on the data acquisition definition information, inserts the data according to the merge information included in the acquired layout information, and generates a form. In step S514, the printing apparatus 210 of the MFP 100 outputs the form generated in step S513.

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the example in which the user first selects layout information and generates a form has been described. In the second embodiment, a mode in which the user selects data acquisition definition information and generates a form will be described.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the flow of processing until a form is output in the form processing system of FIG.
In step S <b> 801, the MFP 100 performs login processing such as user authentication based on, for example, user authentication information input by the user by reading the IC card into the IC card device 205. Note that the MFP 100 may perform login processing such as user authentication based on a user account, a password, and the like input by the user using the input device 206. The MFP 100 identifies the user account of the logged-in user through this login process.

  In step S802, the MFP 100 determines whether there is data acquisition definition information that can be used by the user authenticated in step S801. The MFP 100 performs the determination process using the data acquisition definition information management table 420 of FIG. For example, when the logged-in user is the head office sales department manager 430, usable data acquisition definition information is sales data A431, sales data B432, and departmental balance data 433.

  If there is data acquisition definition information that can be used, in step S803, the MFP 100 displays a list (data acquisition definition information list) including data acquisition definition information that can be used by the logged-in user on the display device 204. In the case of the head office sales manager 430, the screen 900 of FIG. 9 is displayed. FIG. 9 is a second diagram illustrating a screen displayed on display device 204 of MFP 100. If there is no data acquisition definition information that can be used, the MFP 100 ends the processing shown in FIG.

  In step S804, the MFP 100 determines whether there is one data acquisition definition information included in the displayed data acquisition definition information list. If it is determined that there is not one data acquisition definition information included in the displayed data acquisition definition information list, the MFP 100 selects the data acquisition definition information selected by the user in step S805. The user selects data acquisition definition information from the data acquisition definition information list using the display device 204 or the input device 206, for example.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is one data acquisition definition information included in the displayed data acquisition definition information list, the MFP 100 selects the data acquisition definition information.

  In step S806, the MFP 100 acquires the name of the selected data acquisition definition information (data acquisition definition information name) and the server address from the data acquisition definition information management table 420. First, the MFP 100 connects to the server using the acquired server address. Then, the data acquisition definition information acquisition unit 103 of the MFP 100 acquires data acquisition definition information used in the form from the data acquisition definition information database 111 based on the acquired data acquisition definition information name. For example, in the case of sales data A 431, the MFP 100 connects to the server address “datat.com” 435 and acquires data acquisition definition information whose data acquisition definition information name is “sales data A” 434.

  Here, when the user selects details of the data acquisition definition information on the screen 900 shown in FIG. 9, the MFP 100 acquires the selected data acquisition definition information, and server address information defined therein, Detailed information is displayed from the data information. For example, when the details 902 are selected, the MFP 100 displays a screen 910 on the display device 204. When the details of 904 are selected by the user, the MFP 100 displays a screen 911 on the display device 204. When the details of 906 are selected by the user, the MFP 100 displays a screen 912 on the display device 204.

  In step S807, the MFP 100 searches for layout information based on the selected data acquisition definition information. Here, the layout information exists in the layout information database 110.

  In searching for layout information, the MFP 100 first acquires a layout group (layout group) defined in the data acquisition definition information, and acquires layout information in which the layout group is set. When a layout name (layout name) is set in the data acquisition definition information, the MFP 100 acquires only layout information for which the layout is set.

  For example, a case where sales data A901 is selected as the data acquisition definition information will be described as an example. Then, the value of “<layout group>” 702 of the sales data A is set to “sales”. Therefore, the MFP 100 acquires layout information in which the layout group is set to “business” from the layout group 1000 stored in the layout information database 110. The layout information acquired here is a sales list corporation A 1001, a sales list corporation B 1002, and a sales list individual 1003.

  On the other hand, a case where sales data B903 is selected will be described as an example. Then, the value of “<layout group>” 712 of sales data B is set to “sales list corporation B”. Therefore, the MFP 100 acquires layout information in which the layout group is set to “sales list corporation B” from the layout group 1000 stored in the layout information database 110. The layout information acquired here is the sales list corporation B1002.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a layout group.

  In step S808, the MFP 100 determines whether there is layout information that meets the search condition. If it is determined that there is no layout information that meets the search condition, the MFP 100 proceeds to step S809. If it is determined that layout information that meets the search condition exists, the MFP 100 proceeds to step S810.

  In step S809, the MFP 100 displays an error message. Then, the MFP 100 ends the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, in step S808, the layout information acquisition unit 102 of the MFP 100 acquires the layout information name of the layout information that matches the search condition.

  In step S811, the MFP 100 refers to the layout information management table 400 based on the user account identified in the login process, and determines whether there is layout information that can be used by the user of the user account. If it is determined that there is no layout information that can be used by the user of the user account, the MFP 100 proceeds to step S809. If it is determined that there is layout information that can be used by the user of the user account, the MFP 100 proceeds to step S812.

  In step S809, as described above, MFP 100 displays an error message. Then, the MFP 100 ends the process shown in FIG. On the other hand, in step S812, the layout information acquisition unit 102 of the MFP 100 acquires corresponding layout information from the layout information database 110 based on the layout information name acquired in step S809. If there are a plurality of layout information items that meet the conditions, MFP 100 notifies the user of the fact and acquires the layout information selected by the user.

  In step S813, the form generation unit 101 of the MFP 100 acquires data based on the data acquisition definition information, inserts the data according to the merge information included in the acquired layout information, and generates a form. In step S814, the printing apparatus 210 of the MFP 100 outputs the form generated in step S813.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiments, when a form is generated, a new form format and form data suitable for the user's purpose can be automatically searched and acquired.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.・ Change is possible.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a form processing system. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of MFP 100. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating layout information and data acquisition definition information. 6 is a diagram showing a layout information management table for managing layout information that can be used by a user who has logged into MFP 100, and a data acquisition definition information management table for managing data acquisition definition information. FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating a flow of processing until a form is output in the form processing system of FIG. 6 is a first diagram illustrating a screen displayed on display device 204 of MFP 100. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a data acquisition definition information group. FIG. 3 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating a flow of processing until a form is output in the form processing system of FIG. 1. FIG. 10 is a second diagram illustrating a screen displayed on display device 204 of MFP 100. It is a figure which shows an example of a layout group.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP
101 Form generation unit 102 Layout information acquisition unit 103 Data acquisition definition information acquisition unit 104 Form data acquisition unit 110 Layout information database 111 Data acquisition definition information database 112 Form data database

Claims (11)

Layout information acquisition means for acquiring the layout information based on the name of the layout information composed of the format information of the form and the data merge information defining where the acquired data is inserted in the form;
Data acquisition definition information acquisition means for acquiring the data acquisition definition information based on the name of the data acquisition definition information in which a definition related to data acquisition is described;
User information storage means for storing layout information available to the user and data acquisition definition information based on the user identification information for identifying the user;
Data acquisition means for acquiring data in accordance with data acquisition instruction information included in the data acquisition definition information acquired by the data acquisition definition information acquisition means;
Inserting data acquired by the data acquisition means according to the data merge information of the layout information, data merge means for generating form data;
Form generating means for generating a form based on the form data generated by the data merging means;
A form processing apparatus characterized by comprising: A layout information name obtaining unit for obtaining a name of the layout information;
The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the layout information acquisition unit acquires the layout information based on a name of the layout information acquired by the layout information name acquisition unit. A data acquisition definition name acquisition means for acquiring a name of the data acquisition definition information;
The data acquisition definition information acquisition unit acquires the data acquisition definition information based on the name of the data acquisition definition information acquired by the data acquisition definition name acquisition unit. Form processing equipment. It further has user identification information input means for inputting user identification information,
The user information storage unit stores layout information usable by a user and data acquisition definition information based on the user identification information input by the user identification information input unit. 4. The form processing apparatus according to any one of 3 above.   5. The form processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a form output unit that outputs the form generated by the form generation unit. A layout information acquisition step for acquiring the layout information based on the name of the layout information composed of the format information of the form and the data merge information defining where the acquired data is to be inserted;
A data acquisition definition information acquisition step for acquiring the data acquisition definition information based on the name of the data acquisition definition information in which a definition related to data acquisition is described;
A user information storage step for storing layout information available to the user and data acquisition definition information based on the user identification information for identifying the user;
In accordance with data acquisition instruction information included in the data acquisition definition information acquired in the data acquisition definition information acquisition step, a data acquisition step of acquiring data,
Inserting the data acquired in the data acquisition step according to the data merge information of the layout information, a data merge step of generating form data;
A form generation step for generating a form based on the form data generated in the data merge step;
A form processing method characterized by comprising: A layout information name obtaining step for obtaining a name of the layout information;
The form processing method according to claim 6, wherein the layout information acquisition step acquires the layout information based on the name of the layout information acquired in the layout information name acquisition step. A data acquisition definition name acquisition step for acquiring a name of the data acquisition definition information;
The data acquisition definition information acquisition step acquires the data acquisition definition information based on the name of the data acquisition definition information acquired in the data acquisition definition name acquisition step. Form processing method. A user identification information input step for inputting user identification information;
7. The user information storing step stores layout information usable by a user and data acquisition definition information based on the user identification information input in the user identification information input step. 9. The form processing method according to any one of items 8.   The form processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a form output step of outputting the form generated in the form generation step.   A program for causing a computer to execute the form processing method according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

Images