JP2023117927A - Server device, communication device, control methods therefor, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce the cost for business operators required for computerization of procedure processing while suppressing an increase in the burden of procedures on users in the computerization of procedure processing.SOLUTION: A server device receives a generation request requesting generation of a code image related to a predetermined procedure from a first external device. The generation request includes information on a UI screen for inputting settings for the predetermined procedure. The server device generates, based on this generation request, a screen generation code for causing a second external device running a specific application to generate the UI screen, generates a code image representing the screen generation code, and outputs the generated code image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a server device, a communication device, their control method, and a program.

In order to expedite various application procedures, it is desired that the application procedures be digitized and made online. Generally, a code image (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)) has a URL, and a communication terminal that reads the code image accesses a dedicated application page according to the URL. Necessary procedure information is generated by the user of the communication terminal making necessary settings on the application page. In this way, by preparing the application page and the code image indicating the access destination for accessing the application page, the business operator can obtain the procedure information from the user and execute various procedures such as application. can. Such on-line (digitization) of procedures allows the user who owns the communication terminal and the business operator to proceed with the procedures non-face-to-face, which is efficient. Also, a user who wants to carry out a procedure can access the application page by reading the code image with the camera of the smartphone and accessing the URL described in the code image. As a result, the user is freed from the trouble of manually entering the URL character string.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 1, by reading multiple QR codes (registered trademark) on a map in chronological order, route information according to the order of point information described in each QR code (registered trademark) is sent to a server. An information acquisition system is described that can be acquired from.

JP 2016-085615 A

It costs a business operator to prepare an application page accessed by a communication terminal that reads a code image. In other words, it costs a business operator to prepare and manage a dedicated page for procedures. In particular, it is necessary to frequently add procedures to applications and web pages that carry out procedures. is in need of Therefore, if it is possible to obtain the procedure information including the content of the user's application settings only by providing the code image, the burden on the business operator can be reduced and the digitization of procedures can be further promoted.

In general, the application procedure requires the user to make several selections and settings. If a code image is prepared for each option based on the technology described in Patent Document 1 and the user reads the code image corresponding to the option, the business operator can prepare a page for application settings. You will be able to obtain the necessary procedural information without However, since the information obtained from one information code is fixed, it is necessary to prepare code images corresponding to the number of options. Therefore, if the number of options increases, the number of information codes to be published in pamphlets and the like increases. There is a limit to the number of information codes that can be printed on paper such as pamphlets, and the user has to specify the code image to be read from many code images, which increases the user's burden. Therefore, a method of preparing code images corresponding to options is not practical.

One aspect of the present invention provides a technology for reducing the cost to the business operator required for digitizing procedure processing while suppressing an increase in the burden on the user in the digitization of procedure processing.

A server device according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. i.e.
receiving means for receiving a generation request requesting generation of a code image related to a predetermined procedure from a first external device, the generation request including UI screen information for setting and inputting the predetermined procedure;
first generation means for generating a screen generation code for generating the UI screen by a second external device executing a specific application, based on the generation request;
a second generation means for generating a code image representing the screen generation code;
and output means for outputting the code image generated by the second generation means.

According to the present invention, in computerization of procedure processing, it is possible to reduce the cost to the business operator required for computerization of procedure processing, while suppressing an increase in the burden of procedures on the user.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the procedure system by embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the server apparatus by embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the functional structure with which a server apparatus is provided. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a user terminal when a specific application is executed; It is a flowchart which shows the generation|occurrence|production process of the information code by a provider's PC and a server apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of a code creation screen. It is a figure which shows an example of a code creation screen. (a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting field for a character input frame, (b) is a diagram showing an example of an instruction code, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of a UI component displayed on a UI screen. (a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting field for selection setting (text), (b) is a diagram showing an example of an instruction code, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of a UI component displayed on the UI screen. be. (a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting field for selection setting (table), (b) is a diagram showing an example of an instruction code, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of UI parts displayed on the UI screen. be. (a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting field for selection setting (multi-stage), (b) is a diagram showing an example of an instruction code, and (c) is a diagram showing an example of a UI component displayed on the UI screen. is. (a) shows an example of a setting field for selection setting (dynamic option), (b) shows an example of an instruction code, and (c) shows an example of a UI component displayed on the UI screen. It is a diagram. (a) is a diagram showing an example of a setting field for date selection, (b) is a diagram showing an example of an instruction code, (c) and (d) are diagrams showing examples of UI components displayed on the UI screen. is. (a) is a diagram showing a setting field for inputting an address, (b) is a diagram showing an instruction code, and (c) is a diagram showing UI components displayed on the UI screen. It is a flow chart explaining procedure processing by a user terminal and a server device. 6 is a flowchart for explaining UI screen generation processing in a user terminal;

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the scope of claims. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an electronic procedure system according to this embodiment. The electronic procedure system includes a server device 101, business PCs 102a to 102c, which are examples of information processing devices on the business side, user terminals 103a to 103d, which are examples of information processing devices on the user side, and various procedures. has a procedure server 105 that executes Server device 101 , multiple business PCs 102 a - 102 c , multiple user terminals 103 a - 103 d , and procedure server 105 are connected via network 104 . The numbers of the server device 101, the business PCs 102a to 102c, the user terminals 103a to 103d, and the procedure server 105 are not limited to those illustrated. Also, an example of the network 104 may be the Internet. Hereinafter, when an operator's PC among a plurality of operator's PCs is indicated, it will be referred to as an operator's PC 102 . Similarly, when indicating an arbitrary user terminal among a plurality of user terminals, it is described as a user terminal 103 . Although a personal computer is assumed for the provider PC 102, it may be another information processing device such as a tablet or a smart phone. Examples of the user terminal 103 include smart phones, tablets, and personal computers.

The server device 101 provides a code creation screen to the business PC 102, generates a code image based on information input via the code creation screen in the business PC 102, and issues the code image. For example, a QR code (registered trademark) can be used as the code image, but it is of course not limited to this. The code image issued by the server device 101 includes screen generation information for the user terminal 103 executing a specific application to generate and display a UI screen for accepting setting input from the user. That is, the user terminal 103 executing this specific application generates a UI screen for inputting various settings required for the procedure based on the screen generation information described in the read code image, indicate. Information set by the user via the UI screen is transmitted to the server device 101 as procedure information. The server device 101 transmits the procedure information received from the user terminal 103 to the procedure server 105 . The procedure server 105 performs procedure processing to be performed by the operator based on the received procedure information, such as subscription procedures, settlement, billing, etc., and notifies the operator of the occurrence of procedures, completion of settlement, and the like.

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the server apparatus 101. As shown in FIG. The CPU 151 implements various functions by executing programs stored in the ROM 152 or RAM 153 . ROM 152 is a read-only memory. A RAM 153 is a readable and writable memory in which programs executed by the CPU 151 are developed. Also, the RAM 153 provides a work area when the CPU 151 executes various processes. The secondary storage device 154 comprises, for example, a hard disk and provides a mass storage area. The input unit 155 receives operation input by the user under the control of the CPU 151 . The output unit 156 performs display output, audio output, etc. under the control of the CPU 151 . The I/F 157 is an interface for connecting with the network 104, for example. A bus 158 connects the units described above.

The provider PC 102 and the user terminal 103 also have similar hardware configurations. For example, the provider PC 102 can be implemented by a general personal computer, and can have a keyboard or pointing device as the input unit 155 and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display as the output unit 156 . Further, for example, in the case of the user terminal 103, the output unit 156 may include a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, and the input unit 155 may include a camera and a touch panel arranged on the liquid crystal display.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the server apparatus 101. As shown in FIG. Each functional unit shown in FIG. 2 can be realized by CPU 151 of server device 101 executing a program stored in ROM 152 or secondary storage device 154 . Note that each functional unit may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or may be implemented by cooperation between dedicated hardware and the CPU 151 .

The code generation unit 201 provides a code creation screen to the operator's PC 102, which is an external device. Also, the code generation unit 201 receives a code image generation request including information (code image generation information) and procedure identification information (hereinafter referred to as procedure ID) input using the code generation screen on the provider PC 102 . The procedure ID is an ID given to the procedure process by the procedure server 105 . The code generation unit 201 generates a screen generation code based on the generation request received from the provider's PC 102, and generates a code image including the screen generation code and the procedure ID. A screen generation code is information for generating and displaying a UI screen in the user terminal 103 executing a specific application. Also, the code generation unit 201 transmits a code image representing the generated screen generation code to the provider's PC 102 .

The application processing unit 202 communicates with the user terminal 103, which is an external device, to exchange various information. For example, the application processing unit 202 distributes to the user terminal 103 a specific dedicated application for reading and processing the code image generated by the code generation unit 201 . The user terminal 103 executing this specific application optically reads the code image generated by the code generation unit 201, generates a UI screen based on the screen generation code included in the code image, indicate. The content set by the user through the UI screen is transmitted from the user terminal 103 as procedure information together with the procedure ID included in the code image, and the application processing unit 202 receives the procedure information.

The procedure processing unit 203 transmits the procedure information (procedure ID and contents set by the user) received by the application processing unit 202 to the procedure server 105 . The procedure server 105 executes procedure processing based on the procedure information, and notifies the operator PC 102 that the procedure (and settlement) has occurred. Although procedure server 105 is an external device, the functions of procedure server 105 may be included in server device 101 .

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of functional configuration provided by a specific application executed on the user terminal 103. As shown in FIG. That is, the user terminal 103 executes each function of FIG. 3 by executing a specific application. That is, each functional unit shown in FIG. 3 can be realized by executing a specific application program stored in the secondary storage device 154 by the CPU 151 of the user terminal 103 .

The code reading unit 301 captures a code image using the camera of the user terminal 103 and acquires image data. The code reading unit 301 analyzes the acquired image data and acquires a procedure ID and a screen generation code. The UI control unit 302 generates a UI screen for selection input by the user based on the screen generation code acquired by the information code reading unit 301 . The UI control unit 302 performs display control to display the generated UI screen on the liquid crystal display of the user terminal 103 . The procedure information generation unit 303 generates procedure information including the content set by the user via the UI screen and the procedure ID, and transmits the procedure information to the server device 101 (application processing unit 202) which is an external device.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing generation processing of a screen generation code and a code image by the provider's PC 102 and the server device 101 . In S<b>401 , the provider's PC 102 connects to the network 104 to which the server device 101 is connected, and transmits a login request for logging into the code generator 201 of the server device 101 . For example, when the user of the provider's PC 102 inputs information required for login on a web page provided by the server device 101 (code generation unit 201 ), a login request is sent to the server device 101 . In S421, upon receiving the login request from the provider's PC 102, the code generation unit 201 of the server apparatus 101 performs user authentication based on the received login request. User authentication is performed based on, for example, the identification information and password included in the login request and the identification information and password managed by the server device 101 . If the user authentication succeeds, the code generator 201 transmits login permission to the provider PC 102 . On the other hand, if the user authentication fails, the code generator 201 notifies the provider PC 102 that login has failed. If the login fails, the processing of the provider PC 102 and the processing of the server device 101 shown in FIG. 4 are terminated.

When the login is successful, in S402, the provider PC 102 requests the server device 101 to display a code creation screen in response to the user's predetermined operation on the web page. Upon receiving a request for a code creation screen from the provider PC 102 in S422, the code generation unit 201 provides the code creation screen (web page) to the provider PC 102 in S423. In S403, the provider's PC 102 displays the provided code creation screen (web page) on the display and accepts user input for creating a code image.

FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a code creation screen provided by the code generation unit 201. As shown in FIG. The code creation screen is displayed on the provider's PC 102 and accepts user input for information code creation. In the business name 501, the name of the business that logged in is automatically displayed. A procedure ID field 502 accepts input of a procedure ID by the user. The procedure ID is the ID of the procedure assigned by procedure server 105 . The procedure ID is notified from the procedure server 105, for example, when the procedure server 105 is requested to process. The allowable number of codes field 503 accepts input of an upper limit value (numerical value) for the number of generated code images. The clause confirmation unit 504 sets whether or not to allow the user to confirm the clause regarding procedures. When the user selects "yes" for confirmation, the user writes the file name of the text file in which the clause is described in box 504a. A component selection unit 505 displays a pull-down list and allows the user to select a UI component displayed on the UI screen.

FIG. 5B shows how the “character input frame” is selected in the pull-down list 506 after setting the procedure ID, the allowable number of information codes, and the clause confirmation. FIG. 5B shows that the procedure ID field 502 contains the text “aaabbbbccdddeeeffggg” representing the procedure ID. Also, in FIG. 5B, "2" is set in the allowable number of codes field 503, indicating that the upper limit of the number of code images is two. The allowable number of codes will be described later. Furthermore, FIG. 5B shows a state in which "Yes" is selected in the clause confirmation section 504 and a text file describing the clause is specified. FIG. 5B also shows how a setting field 510 for a character input frame is displayed by selecting “character input frame” in the pull-down list of the component selection portion 505 . The settings field 510 is detailed in FIG. 5C. Also, in FIG. 5B, when a new UI component is selected from the component selection section 505, a setting field corresponding to the selected component is additionally displayed. When the send button 507 is pressed, the information set on the code creation screen is sent to the server device 101 (code generation unit 201) as code image creation information.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating a setting field for setting the character input frame. FIG. 5C(a) shows a setting field 510 for setting the character input frame. Heading field 511 allows text entry of a headline to be displayed in relation to the character input frame. In the selection section 512, the character limit of the character input frame can be selected, and the illustration shows that "within 100 characters" is selected. A cancel button 590 is a button for deleting the setting input frame.

(b) of FIG. 5C shows an example of an instruction code generated by the setting contents of (a). The instruction code of the character input box consists of [Instruction ID] and [Heading]. In the illustrated example, [instruction ID (id)] is "aa001", indicating a character input box with a character limit of 100 characters. Also, [header] is a character string input in the header field 511 ("Please enter your past history" in this example). (c) of FIG. 5C is a screen display example of a UI component (character input frame) displayed when the user terminal 103 executing a specific application executes the instruction code shown in (b). . In the user terminal 103, the user can freely input characters in the character input frame within the limit of the number of characters.

FIG. 5D shows a setting field 520 displayed on the code creation screen when “selection setting (text)” is selected in the component selection section 505 . In (a) of FIG. 5D, the text to be displayed as the heading of the selection setting is entered in the heading field 521 . The number of choices field 522 indicates the number of choices in the selection setting. For example, if "5" is set in the number of options field 522, five options will be created. Choice field 523 contains the text of each choice. Choice field 523 is presented by the number set in number-of-choice field 522 .

In FIG. 5D, (b) shows an example of an instruction code generated by the settings shown in (a). The instruction code of the selection setting (text) is composed of [instruction ID], [heading], [number of options], and [options]. In the illustrated example, the [instruction ID (id)] "ba001" indicates that the part selection is selection setting (text). [header] is a character string entered in the header field 521 (in this example, "Please select desired content"). Also, [number of items] is set to the value set in the number of options field 522 (5 in this example). Further, the character string input in the option field 523 is described in [Option].

(c) of FIG. 5D is a screen display example of the UI component of the selection setting displayed when the user terminal 103 executing the specific application executes the instruction code shown in (b). Here, the user interface for selecting the option specified by [option] from the pull-down list is shown, but it is not limited to this. good. Also, the user may be allowed to select either the pull-down format or the radio button format on the code creation screen.

FIG. 5E is a diagram illustrating a setting field 530 displayed on the code creation screen when the selection setting (table/level 1) is selected in the component selection section 505 . (a) of FIG. 5E shows the settings field 530 . The table name field 531 is an identification name that identifies the data table describing the list of options. Multiple options can be expressed only by specifying the data table, so it is effective when the number of options is large.

(b) of FIG. 5E shows an example of an instruction code generated by the setting shown in (a). The instruction code of the selection setting (table/step 1) is composed of [instruction ID] and [table name]. In the illustrated example, "bb001", which is the [instruction ID (id)], indicates that the component is selected and set (table, level 1). [Table name] indicates a data table used when generating a selection setting (table, stage 1) screen. In the example of (b), RE008 is specified. Although the data table 532 of RE008 is uploaded from the provider's PC 102 to the server device 101, only the table name is described in the code image, and the contents are not included in the code image. Therefore, even when UI components having many options are used, the number of characters included in the code image can be reduced. In the data table 532, a headline character string is recorded in the first row, and options are recorded in the second and subsequent rows.

(c) of FIG. 5E is a screen display example of a UI component (selection setting) displayed when the user terminal 103 executing a specific application executes the instruction code shown in (b). When the user terminal 103 executes the instruction code including the instruction ID=bb001, the user terminal 103 first acquires from the server device 101 the data table of the table name included in the instruction code. Then, the user terminal 103 extracts and displays the headline character string from the top row of the data table, and displays the parts using the pull-down list using the options on the second and subsequent rows. In the above example, the first row of the data table is the character string of the header, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, setting field 530 may be provided with a field for entering the text of the heading. In this case, it is not necessary to use the top row of the data table as a heading.

FIG. 5F is a diagram for explaining setting fields displayed on the code creation screen when selection setting (table/multi-level) is selected in the component selection section 505 . In the selection setting (table/multi-stage), a plurality of hierarchically prepared options can be used to allow the user to make a multi-stage selection. FIG. 5F(a) shows a setting field 540 for selection setting (table/multi-stage). The configuration of the setting field 540 is similar to that of the setting field 530, and a table name is entered in the table name field 541. FIG.

(b) of FIG. 5F shows an example of an instruction code generated by the setting shown in (a). The instruction code of the selection setting (table/multi-level) is composed of [instruction ID] and [table name]. In the illustrated example, "bc001", which is the [instruction ID (id)], indicates that the component is a selection setting (table/multilevel). [Table name] indicates a data table used when generating a selection setting (table/multilevel) screen. In the example of (b), RE009 is specified. Although the data table 542 of RE009 is uploaded from the provider's PC 102 to the server device 101, only the table name is described in the code image, and the contents are not included in the code image. In the data table 542, the column of selection item (1) is the option of the first hierarchy, and the column of selection item (2) is the option of the second hierarchy. A character string of each heading is recorded in the first row of the column recording the options of each hierarchy, and the options are recorded in the second and subsequent rows.

(c) of FIG. 5F is a screen display example of a UI component (selection setting) displayed when the user terminal 103 executing a specific application executes the instruction code shown in (b). When the user terminal 103 executes the instruction code including the instruction ID=bc001, first, the data in the first layer column of the data table 542 specified by the table name (RE009) included in the instruction code is read. is acquired from the server device 101 . The column of the first hierarchy is the column of selection item (1) in the data table 542 . The user terminal 103 extracts and displays the headline character string from the top row of the column of the first layer of the data table 542, and displays the selected part using the pull-down list using the options on the second and subsequent rows. . When one option is selected for the first hierarchy from the pull-down list, the user terminal 103 provides UI components using the columns of the second hierarchy of the data table 542 . That is, the user terminal 103 extracts and displays the headline character string from the top row of the column of the selection item (2) in the data table 542, and acquires the options belonging to the lower level of the option selected for the first layer. to display the selected parts using the pull-down list. In this way, according to the selection setting (table/multi-step), a UI component that performs multi-step selection is provided by an instruction code that specifies a table.

FIG. 5G is a diagram illustrating setting fields displayed on the code creation screen when selection setting (table/dynamic option) is selected in the component selection unit 505 . Selection settings (table/dynamic options) allow users to make multi-level selections using multiple hierarchically prepared options, and display the remaining number of selectable parts that can be accepted. be able to. FIG. 5G(a) shows a settings field 550 for selection settings (table/dynamic options). The configuration of the setting field 550 is the same as that of the setting field 530, and a table name is entered in the table name field 551. FIG.

(b) of FIG. 5G shows an example of an instruction code generated by the setting contents shown in (a). The instruction code of the selection setting (table/dynamic option) is composed of [instruction ID] and [table name]. In the illustrated example, "bd001", which is the [instruction ID (id)], indicates that the component is a selection setting (table/multilevel). [Table name] indicates the data table 552 used when generating the selection setting (table/dynamic option) screen. In the example of (b), RE010 is specified. The multilevel item selection mechanism is the same as the selection setting (table/multilevel) shown in FIG. 5F. In the data table 552, each row is assigned a frame ID, and each frame ID records the number of frames that can be accepted (the number of frames). The server device 101 (application processing unit 202) generates and holds a reception table 553 in which the ID of the user who received the setting and the frame ID are linked. In addition, the server device 101 (application processing unit 202) totalizes the number of receptions of settings for each frame ID (number of receptions) based on the reception table 553, and records the frame ID and the number of receptions in association with a totals table 554. is generated and held. When the user terminal 103 requests the option of the selection item (3) of the data table 552, the server apparatus 101 calculates the reception number of the total table 554 from the number of frames recorded in the data table 552 for the options to be transmitted. is subtracted (remaining frames). The server device 101 provides the user terminal 103 with the calculated value (remaining number of slots) along with the options for the selection item (3).

(c) of FIG. 5G is a screen display example of a UI component (selection setting) displayed when the user terminal 103 executing a specific application executes the instruction code shown in (b). When the user terminal 103 executes the instruction code including the instruction ID=bd001, the data table 552 specified by the table name (RE010) included in the instruction code is sent to the server as the first hierarchical column data. Acquired from the device 101 . When one item is selected for the first hierarchy, the user terminal 103 acquires options belonging to the subordinate options of the selected first hierarchy from the second hierarchy column of the data table 552. Displays selected parts using a pull-down list. When one option is selected for the second layer, the user terminal 103 acquires options belonging to the lower level of the option selected for the second layer from the column of the third layer in the data table 552. Displays selected parts using a pull-down list. At this time, each option is displayed together with the remaining number of acceptable options. In this way, according to the selection setting (table/dynamic options), a UI component is provided that enables multistage selection while referring to the number of remaining frames.

FIG. 5H is a diagram illustrating setting fields displayed on the code generation screen when date selection is selected in the component selection section 505. FIG. In the date selection, it is possible to set UI components for performing date selection. FIG. 5H(a) shows a setting field 560 for date selection. In the setting field 560, a headline character string is set in a headline field 561. FIG. The setting field 560 also shows a selection portion 562 for selecting a UI component for specifying a date from a calendar and a selection portion 563 for selecting a UI component for specifying a date from a pull-down list. When designation from the calendar (selection section 563) is selected, one can be selected from "no designation (day of the week)", "selectable only on weekdays", and "selectable only on Saturdays and Sundays". The setting unit 564 sets a set value range indicating the range of dates that can be set, and a default value indicating the date when the UI component is first displayed on the screen.

(b) of FIG. 5H shows an example of an instruction code generated by the setting shown in (a). The instruction code for date selection is composed of [instruction ID], [heading], [default value], and [set value range]. In the illustrated example, the [command ID (id)] "ca001" indicates that the UI component is date selection using a calendar. [header] is the string entered in the header field 561 (in this example, "Select your desired date"). Also, the [default value] is September 1, 2021, and the [range value] is from September 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.

(c) of FIG. 5H is a UI component displayed on the user terminal 103 by the instruction code shown in (b). First, the calendar of the year and month specified by default is displayed. A triangular mark 565 is an operation component for switching the display to the previous month and the next month, thereby enabling the calendar to be switched within the range of dates set in the set value range. In response to the calendar switching, the server device 101 provides the calendar for the month after the switching. FIG. 5H (d) is a UI component displayed on the user terminal 103 when a UI component for selecting a date is selected from the pull-down list. The date initially displayed in the pull-down list is the year, month, and day set by default, and the range of dates that can be selected from the pull-down list is the range set in the set value range.

FIG. 5I is a diagram for explaining setting fields displayed on the code generation screen when address input is selected in the component selection section 505. FIG. Address input provides a UI component for inputting an address. FIG. 5I(a) shows a setting field 570 for entering an address. In the setting field 570, a headline character string is set in a headline field 571. FIG. FIG. 5I(b) shows an example of an instruction code generated by the settings shown in (a). The instruction code for address input is composed of [instruction ID] and [heading]. In the illustrated example, the [command ID (id)] "da001" indicates that the UI component is address input. [header] is the string entered in the header field 571 ("Please enter your shipping address" in this example).

(c) of FIG. 5I is an example of an address input screen displayed when the user terminal 103 executing a specific application executes the instruction code shown in (b). When the user terminal 103 executes the instruction code including the instruction ID=da001, the character string described in the headline (in this example, "Please enter the address of the delivery destination") and the UI component for entering the address. indicate. In address input, when a postal code is entered, the user terminal 103 transmits the entered postal code to the server device 101 . When the server device 101 receives the postal code, it returns the corresponding address (prefecture + municipality) to the user terminal 103 . The user terminal 103 displays the address received from the server device 101, and prompts the user to enter the following address and building name.

As described above, when the user completes the input to the code creation screen on the provider PC 102 and presses the send button 507 shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in S404 of FIG. 101 to send a code creation request. The code creation request includes setting information and procedure ID set by the user on the code creation screen described above. In S<b>424 , the code generation unit 201 of the server device 101 receives the code generation request from the provider's PC 102 . In S425, the code generation unit 201 generates screen generation code for causing a specific application to generate a screen including the setting frame as described above, based on the setting information included in the code generation request.

In S426, the code generation unit 201 determines whether or not the number of code images required to represent the information obtained as a result of data compression is equal to or less than the number (allowable number) set in the allowable number of codes field 503. judge. If the number of required information codes is equal to or less than the allowable number (YES in S426), in S427 the code generation unit 201 generates a code image representing the procedure ID and the screen generation code. Note that the code generation unit 201 may generate a code image using compressed data obtained by compressing the screen generation code and the procedure ID. On the other hand, if the required number of code images is greater than the allowable number (NO in S427), in S428 the code generation unit 201 generates a code image indicating the code ID that identifies the screen generation code generated in S425. . At this time, the screen generation code may be stored in the code image within the allowable number of code images. By including the screen generation code in the code image as much as possible, the amount of the screen generation code acquired from the server device 101 when the user terminal 103 generates the UI screen can be reduced.

In S429, the code generation unit 201 associates the procedure ID, the code image generated in S427 or S428, the screen generation code generated in S425, and the code ID (when S428 is executed) into a storage unit (for example, two It is saved in the next storage device 154). Also, the code generation unit 201 transmits the code image generated in S427 or S428 to the provider's PC 102 which is the source of the code generation request. Alternatively, the server device 101 may transmit the code image generated in S427 or S428 in response to a download request from the provider's PC 102 .

Next, processing for performing procedures using the procedure system by the user terminal 103 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow chart for explaining procedure processing by the user terminal and the server device. It should be noted that, prior to the start of the processing described below, a specific application is installed in the user terminal 103, and a storage unit (for example, the secondary storage device 154) of the server device 101 stores information (user information) shall be recorded. The registration of the user terminal 103 may be performed by inputting necessary user information from a specific application, or may be performed by another application. It is also assumed that a specific application is downloaded from the application processing unit 202 to the user terminal 103 .

When a specific application is activated in the user terminal 103, the code reading unit 301 logs in to the server device 101 (application processing unit 202) in S601. For example, the code reading unit 301 transmits a login request including user identification information and a password to the server device 101 . In S621, the application processing unit 202 permits login based on the identification information and password included in the login request and the identification information and password stored in the storage unit (eg, secondary storage device 154). determine whether or not to

When login is permitted and the user captures a code image using the camera of the user terminal 103, in S602 the code reading unit 301 analyzes the captured image of the code image and acquires a procedure ID and a screen generation code. . In S603, the UI control unit 302 generates a UI screen according to the screen generation code and displays it on the display.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the UI screen generation processing in S603. In S701, the UI control unit 302 analyzes the captured image of the code image and acquires the screen generation code and procedure ID. In step S<b>702 , the UI control unit 302 determines whether it is necessary to download the screen generation code from the server device 101 . In this example, when a code image including a code ID is generated (S428), it is determined that the screen generation code needs to be downloaded. If it is determined that download is necessary (YES in S702), in S703 the UI control unit 302 downloads the screen generation code associated with the code ID from the server device 101 (application processing unit 202). Specifically, the UI control unit 302 sends a download request including the ID of the screen generation code to the server device 101 . Upon receiving this download request, the application processing unit 202 of the server device 101 acquires the screen generation code corresponding to the ID included in the download request from the storage unit (for example, the secondary storage device 154), and stores it in the user terminal. 103 (S622 in FIG. 6). On the other hand, if it is determined that download is unnecessary (NO in S702), the process proceeds to S704.

In S704, the UI control unit 302 generates images of UI components based on the screen generation code acquired in S701 or the screen generation code downloaded from the server device 101 in S703. In step S<b>705 , the UI control unit 302 determines whether the screen generation code includes a specification for downloading data from the server device 101 . If the screen generation code requests data (YES in S705), the UI control unit 302 acquires data specified by the screen generation code from the application processing unit 202 of the server device 101 in S706. That is, the UI control unit 302 requests the application processing unit 202 for information necessary for generating UI components, and the application processing unit 202 provides the information to the UI control unit 302 in response to this request (S622). By this process, for example, the data table used for the selection setting UI component shown in FIGS. 5E to 5G and the calendar data used for the date selection UI component shown in FIG. 5H are obtained.

In step S707, the UI control unit 302 determines whether generation of a UI screen including all setting frames represented by the acquired screen generation code has been completed. If not completed (NO in S707), the process returns to S704 and the above processes are repeated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the generation of the UI screen including all setting frames has been completed (YES in S707), this process ends.

Returning to FIG. 6, in S604, the UI control unit 302 displays the UI screen generated in S603 and accepts user input to the UI screen. The user, for example, inputs a character string in the input frame of the UI component displayed as shown in FIG. 5C(c), or selects a desired option from the pull-down list displayed as shown in FIG. 5D(c). do. In S605, the UI control unit 302 updates the UI screen according to the user input received in S604. For example, the UI control unit 302 displays the selection setting (text) in FIG. 5D so that the user can grasp the option selected by the user from a plurality of options. Also, when text is input to the character input frame as shown in FIG. 5C, the UI control unit 302 displays the input text within the character area frame. In the case of hierarchical options as described in FIG. 5F and the like, the UI control unit 302 acquires the entire data table 542 from the server device 101 in S603 (S706). The UI control unit 302 refers to the data table 542 whose entirety has been acquired in advance, acquires options of the lower hierarchy from the data table 542 in response to selection of one of the options of the upper hierarchy, and updates the UI screen. .

Note that in the above description, all the information necessary for generating and updating the UI screen is obtained in S603, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in the case of the selection setting (table/multilevel) shown in FIG. 5F, in S603, the UI control unit 302 acquires options of the first layer from the data table 542. FIG. After that, in S605, the UI control unit 302 notifies the server device 101 of the selected option in response to the selection of one of the options (selection item (1)) in the higher hierarchy. The server device 101 acquires options in the lower hierarchy of the notified options from the data table 542 and transmits them to the UI control unit 302 . The UI control unit 302 updates the UI screen using the options of the solution hierarchy transmitted from the server device 101 (S622). Further, for example, in the address input as shown in FIG. 5I, in response to the input of the postal code, the UI control unit 302 notifies the server device 101 of the input postal code, and sends the corresponding address data to the server device. Received from 101 and displayed on the UI screen. In addition, in the display of the dynamic options on the UI screen as shown in FIG. 5G, the UI control unit 302 checks that the date selection is performed on the UI screen in order to display the number of remaining slots as up to date as possible. Accordingly, the time selection items and the number of remaining slots may be obtained from the server device 101 .

The reception of the input operation to the UI component and the update of the UI screen as described above are performed until a transmission instruction is given on the UI screen (while it is determined as NO in S606). A transmission instruction on the UI screen is made, for example, by pressing a transmission button (not shown) provided on the UI screen. When transmission is instructed from the UI screen (YES in S606), in S607 the procedure information generation unit 303 generates procedure information including the content set by the user on the UI screen and the procedure ID obtained from the code image. do. In S608, the procedure information generation unit 303 transmits the procedure information generated in S607 to the logged-in server device 101. FIG.

In S<b>623 , the application processing unit 202 of the server device 101 receives the procedure information transmitted from the procedure information generating unit 303 of the user terminal 103 . When the procedure information is received, the procedure processing unit 203 transmits the received procedure information and the information of the logged-in user (user information) to the procedure server 105 in S624. The procedure server 105 processes the procedure specified by the procedure ID based on the information sent from the procedure processing unit 203 . When the procedure is completed, the procedure server 105 sends a procedure completion notice to the server device 101 . Upon receiving the completion notification from the procedure server 105 , the application processing unit 202 of the server device 101 transmits this to the user terminal 103 . In S609, when the procedure information generation unit 303 receives the notification of completion, it displays a notification to that effect to the user. In addition, in the above processing, user information registered in advance in the server apparatus 101 is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the user terminal 103 includes personal information obtained by reading a two-dimensional code printed on a My Number card in the procedure information, and the server device 101 uses the personal information included in the procedure information as user information. may

In the above embodiment, a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) is used as the code image, but the code image is not limited to this. good. Also, the information contained in the code image may be encrypted. In that case, the specific application decrypts the encrypted information using a predetermined decryption key to obtain a code for UI screen generation.

As described above, according to the procedure system of the embodiment, it is possible to prepare several types of input forms for inquiries in advance as parts and call them with a simple code. Furthermore, by converting this simple code into a code image such as a QR code (registered trademark), procedures can be easily added without modifying the system. Since there is no need to modify the system, the test environment that normally needs to be prepared is not required, and it is possible to create a code image, test it on the spot, and release it as it is. Eliminating the cost and time required for testing will bring enormous benefits to both the business operator adding the procedure and the system operator.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the claims are appended to make public the scope of the invention.

101: Server device, 102: Provider's PC, 103: User terminal, 104: Network, 105: Procedure server, 201: Code generation unit, 202: Application processing unit, 203: Procedure processing unit, 301: Code reading unit, 302: UI control unit, 303: procedure information generation unit

Claims (15)

receiving means for receiving a generation request requesting generation of a code image related to a predetermined procedure from a first external device, the generation request including UI screen information for setting and inputting the predetermined procedure;
first generation means for generating a screen generation code for generating the UI screen by a second external device executing a specific application, based on the generation request;
a second generation means for generating a code image representing the screen generation code;
and output means for outputting the code image generated by the second generation means. 2. The server device according to claim 1, wherein said output means transmits data of said code image to said first external device. 3. The server apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said code image includes identification information for identifying said predetermined procedure. 4. The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising transmitting means for transmitting a screen for user input for generating said generation request to said first external device. . The generation request includes an upper limit of the number of code images, and storage means for storing a screen generation code that does not fit in the number of code images of the upper limit among the screen generation codes,
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first generation means generates a code image including information for acquiring the screen generation code stored in said storage means from said server device. Server equipment as described. Information set from the second external device executing the specific application via the UI screen generated according to the screen generation code represented by the code image, and identification information identifying the predetermined procedure. a receiving means for receiving procedural information including
6. The server apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising control means for controlling execution of said predetermined procedure based on said procedure information. Data necessary to generate the UI screen according to a screen generation code represented by the code image, or update the UI screen, in response to a notification from the second external device executing the specific application. 6. The server device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising providing means for providing data necessary for performing the processing. holding means for holding a table describing hierarchical options corresponding to multistage selections made through the UI screen based on the generation request;
8. The server device according to claim 7, wherein said providing means provides said entire table to said second external device in response to notification from said second external device. holding means for holding a table describing hierarchical options corresponding to multistage selections made through the UI screen based on the generation request;
The providing means acquires options necessary for selecting the next step from the table and provides them to the second external device, in response to notification of selection for each step from the second external device. 8. The server device according to claim 7. holding means for holding a table describing a plurality of options corresponding to the selection made via the UI screen based on the generation request and a number of each of the plurality of options that can be accepted;
further comprising counting means for counting the number of acceptances for each of the plurality of options;
8. The server device according to claim 7, wherein said providing means provides said plurality of options to said second external device by subtracting said counted number from said acceptable number in said table. . reading means for reading the code image;
generation means for generating a UI screen based on a screen generation code extracted from the code image read by the reading means;
display control means for displaying the UI screen on a display unit;
receiving means for receiving user input via the UI screen;
A communication device, comprising: transmission means for transmitting setting information received via the UI screen and procedure identification information extracted from the code image to a predetermined external device. The code image includes identification information specifying data to be acquired from an external device,
12. The communication apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said generating means acquires data identified by said identification information from said predetermined external device and uses it for generating said UI screen. a receiving step of receiving a generation request requesting generation of a code image related to a predetermined procedure from a first external device, the generation request including UI screen information for setting and inputting the predetermined procedure;
a first generation step of generating a screen generation code for generating the UI screen by a second external device executing a specific application, based on the generation request;
a second generation step of generating a code image representing the screen generation code;
and an outputting step of outputting the code image generated in the second generating step. a reading step of reading the code image;
a generation step of generating a UI screen based on a screen generation code extracted from the code image read in the reading step;
a display control step of displaying the UI screen on a display unit;
a receiving step of receiving user input via the UI screen;
A control method for a communication device, comprising: a transmission step of transmitting setting information received via the UI screen and procedure identification information extracted from the code image to a predetermined external device. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 13 or 14.

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