JP6121126B2 - Form output device, form output method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a form output device, a form output method, and a program.

  Conventionally, techniques for setting and maintaining a business processing system, editing a form, and the like have been developed.

  For example, in order to make a form correspond to multiple languages, multiple language expressions can be set for each display field of the form by replacing the template specified in the corresponding form definition use template with the definition contents of the form definition. The technique of making is known (refer patent document 1).

  Also, the attribute information of the total row is extracted, a setting screen for setting attribute information different from the extracted attribute information is displayed, and the attribute information set on the setting screen is reflected in the form data. A technique for generating form data that can be output is known (see Patent Document 2). In addition, with the dynamic attribute function of SVFX-Designer (manufactured by Wing Arc Co., Ltd.), a technique for displaying / hiding items and dynamically changing attribute values such as item size and color according to the values is known. ing.

JP 2006-331356 A JP 2007-328670 A

  However, in the conventional technology, when it is desired to support a plurality of languages or when customization is desired according to the user, a corresponding definition body must be created each time, which is costly and time consuming. It had the problem that.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a form output device, a form output method, and a program capable of reducing the cost and time required for resetting a form definition body and improving efficiency. The purpose is to do.

  In order to achieve such an object, the form output device of the present invention is a form output device including at least a storage unit and a control unit, wherein the storage unit is a form definition body that defines at least attributes of form items, and An item attribute switching definition file that defines an attribute to be switched in the form item of the form definition body, and the control unit, based on the item attribute switching definition file, stores the attribute of the form item in the form definition body. Attribute switching means for switching the form, and the form output for controlling the form having the form item whose attribute has been switched by the attribute switching means based on the form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file, and the input data And a control means.

  Further, the form output method of the present invention is a form output method executed in a form output apparatus including at least a storage unit and a control unit, and the storage unit includes a form definition body that defines at least attributes of form items. An item attribute switching definition file that defines an attribute to be switched in the form item of the form definition body, and is executed in the control unit, based on the item attribute switching definition file, the above in the form definition body An attribute switching step for switching the attribute of the form item, a form having the form item whose attribute has been switched by the attribute switching means based on the form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file, and input data. A form output control step for output control.

  The program of the present invention is a program for causing a form output device including at least a storage unit and a control unit to execute the program, wherein the storage unit includes a form definition body that defines at least attributes of form items, and the form An item attribute switching definition file that defines an attribute to be switched in the form item of the definition body is stored, and the control unit determines the attribute of the form item in the form definition body based on the item attribute switching definition file. An attribute switching step for switching, and a form output control for controlling output of the form having the form item whose attribute is switched by the attribute switching means based on the form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file, and the input data And executing the step.

  According to the present invention, a form definition body that defines at least attributes of form items and an item attribute switching definition file that defines attributes to be switched in the form items of the form definition body are stored, and based on the item attribute switching definition file The attribute of the form item in the form definition body is switched, and the form having the form item whose attribute is switched is controlled based on the form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file, and the input data. As a result, the present invention switches and outputs the item attribute switching information defined in an independent file different from the form definition body and input data when outputting the form, so that the work that has been performed manually becomes unnecessary. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost and time required for the design and setting change of the form definition body, and to improve efficiency. More specifically, it is not necessary to create a corresponding form definition body each time multilingual development or system maintenance is performed in a system that outputs a form, so the man-hour for creating and modifying the form definition body can be reduced. Therefore, the design of the form definition body can be made more efficient. In addition, the independent item attribute switching definition file defines the attributes before and after switching, so you can directly edit the item attribute switching definition file with a text editor etc. without learning how to use the tool to modify the form definition body. Thus, the output result of the form can be changed regardless of the skill of the tool for correcting the form definition body, and the operability and work efficiency are improved.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the form output device 100. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an output example of a form defined by a form definition body. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the item attribute switching definition file 106b. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of input data. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the form switching output process of the form output apparatus 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the item attribute switching definition file 106b used for switching the form from Japanese to English. 7 shows an example of the output result of the English-compatible form generated based on the form definition body exemplified in FIG. 2, the input data exemplified in FIG. 4, and the item attribute switching definition file exemplified in FIG. FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correspondence relationship between a form definition body and an item attribute switching definition file. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the item attribute switching definition file 106b and the form data generated by the attribute switching unit 102a and temporarily stored in the storage unit 106. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a form output system construction process executed by the form output apparatus 100. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed by the attribute information extraction unit 102c. FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the item attribute switching definition information before and after editing. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a form defined in a basic form definition body, and a form output based on the form definition body, item attribute switching definition information, and input data. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a form output process. FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating a data flow executed by the attribute switching unit 102a.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a form output device, form output method, and program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[Configuration of form output device]
First, an example of the configuration of the form output device 100 according to the present embodiment will be described, and then an example of the form output device 100 will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the form output device 100, and conceptually shows only the portion related to the present invention in the configuration.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the form output device 100 of this embodiment is generally connected to a control unit 102 such as a CPU, an input unit 112, and an output unit 114 that control the entire form output device 100 in an integrated manner. And an input / output control interface unit 108 and a storage unit 106 for storing various data and tables. These units are communicably connected via an arbitrary communication path.

  In FIG. 1, various data and tables (form definition body file 106a, item attribute switching definition file 106b, and data file 106c) stored in the storage unit 106 are storage means such as a fixed disk device, and various types of processing. Stores various programs, tables, files, databases, etc. used in

  Among these components of the storage unit 106, the form definition file 106a is a form definition storage unit that stores a form definition that defines at least the attributes of the form items. The form definition file 106a may store one or a plurality of form definition bodies. Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an output example of the form defined by the form definition body. As shown in FIG. 2, in the form definition body, form items (form name, company name, product name, unit price, quantity, etc.) are defined, but input data has not yet been entered in the data items. As an example, the form definition body includes definition body information (paper size, delimited edit characters, etc.), item information table (item name, item length, number of decimal part digits, decimal point output, decimal part editing format, etc.), font Name table (font name, etc.), extended edit format table (date edit character string, etc.), fixed character string table (character string, etc.), label character string table (label, etc.), item attribute information table, and currency symbol character table (Currency symbol etc.) etc. may be comprised. As an example, the form definition file 106a may hold the information of the form definition as binary data. Note that the information of the form definition body may define arrangement information that defines the order and position of the data items, the layout of the data items displayed in the electronic document of the form, and the like.

  The item attribute switching definition file 106b is an item attribute switching definition file that defines attributes to be switched in the form item of the form definition body. In FIG. 1, one item attribute switching definition file 106 b is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of item attribute switching definition files 106 b may be stored in the storage unit 106. That is, the item attribute switching definition file 106b stores data defining the switching source attribute information and switching destination attribute information of the form item of the form definition body. Preferably, the item attribute switching definition file 106b is stored in a text data format that can be edited by a text editor or the like. As an example, the item attribute switching definition file 106b may store the item name of the form definition body, the switching source attribute value, and the switching destination attribute value in association with each other. The attribute value may be a character string or a symbol, or may be empty data that has not been input. Further, when replacing the attribute value of the switching source in the entire form, the item name of the form definition body need not be specified. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the item attribute switching definition file 106b. Each line in FIG. 3 defines switching from the left attribute value “◯◯◯” (before change) to the right attribute value “ΔΔΔ” (after change).

  As shown in the 2nd to 3rd lines of Fig. 3, when the form is output, if you want to change all the character string "XXX" before the change to the character string "△△△" after the change, specify the form item You may define without. On the other hand, as shown in the 5th to 7th lines in FIG. 3, at the time of outputting the form, in the desired form item, the attribute value “XXX” before the change is switched to the attribute value “ΔΔΔ” after the change. In this case, a form item may be defined by specifying a form name and an item name such as “Form1, Item1”. In addition, it is not restricted to switching a character string, As shown to the 6th line and the 7th line, it is also possible to change the position of a decimal point, a symbol, etc.

  The data file 106c is an input data storage unit that stores input data generated by executing a user application. Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of input data. The input data stored in the data file 106c is data in which character strings in units of data items of a form are listed in order as shown in FIG. The input data is not limited to such CSV (Comma Separated Values) format, and may be configured in any form.

  In addition, the storage unit 106 may function as a memory that stores data that is temporarily output as a form. In this case, the storage unit 106 stores a data area on the memory for holding input data of each item based on attribute information (data length, font information, etc.) of each item of the form output format defined by the form definition body. And holds the item information generated by extracting the character string data of the corresponding data item from the input data.

  In FIG. 1, the input / output control interface unit 108 controls the input unit 112 and the output unit 114. Here, as the output unit 114, in addition to a monitor (including a home television), a printer, an external storage device, or the like can be used (hereinafter, the output unit 114 may be described as a monitor). . As the input unit 112, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, and the like can be used.

  In FIG. 1, the control unit 102 has a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program defining various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing required data. Information processing for executing various processes is performed. The control unit 102 is functionally conceptually configured to include an attribute switching unit 102a, a form output control unit 102b, an attribute information extraction unit 102c, a character string translation unit 102d, an item attribute editing unit 102f, and an application unit 102g. Yes.

  Among these, the attribute switching unit 102a is attribute switching means for switching the attribute of the form item in the form definition body of the form definition body file 106a based on the item attribute switching definition file 106b. For example, the attribute switching unit 102a, based on the item attribute switching definition file 106b in which the item name and the attribute information before and after the switching are associated with each other, changes the attribute information of the form item of the form definition body corresponding to the item name to the switching destination. It may be replaced with attribute information. Further, the attribute switching unit 102a performs the switching process by associating the attributes to be switched by matching the corresponding tables in the form definition body based on the item attribute switching definition file 106b. Good. As a result, table matching is performed at the time of attribute switching, so that an item attribute to be changed can be extracted by matching and a form with the item attribute changed can be automatically created. Further, when a form item such as an item name is not designated, the attribute switching unit 102a searches the attribute information of the switching source based on the item attribute switching definition file 106b, and matches the matching attribute information with the attribute of the switching destination. Information may be substituted. As a result, when the attribute is switched, the matched attribute is replaced. Therefore, even if the form item is not specified, the search is performed for the attribute such as the character string defined in the form definition body, and the matched attribute is automatically replaced. Can be created. The attribute switching unit 102a may rewrite the form definition in the form definition file 106a in accordance with the switching process, and the form item whose attribute has been switched without rewriting the form definition in the form definition file 106a. The forms that the user has may be stored in the storage unit 106.

  Also, the form output control unit 102b uses the attribute switching unit 102a to set the attribute based on the form definition stored in the form definition file 106a, the item attribute switching definition file 106b, and the input data stored in the data file 106c. Is a form output control means for controlling the output of the form having the form item switched. For example, the form output control unit 102b is created by inputting the input data stored in the data file 106c into the form having the form item whose attribute is switched temporarily stored in the storage unit 106 by the attribute switching unit 102a. A form may be output to the output unit 114. As an example, the form output control unit 102b may display the form on the output unit 114 as a monitor, print out the form on the output unit 114 as a printer, or output the form to the output unit 114 as an external storage device. A form may be written out. The form output control unit 102b may be a function realized by executing a form output application used by the user. As an example, by specifying the item attribute switching definition file 106b in the form output application used by the user, the form output control unit 102b reads the item attribute switching definition file 106b specified by the user, thereby changing the attribute switching unit. It is possible to switch the attribute information to 102a and output the designated form.

  The attribute information extraction unit 102c is attribute information extraction means for extracting the attribute information of the form item from the form definition body stored in the form definition file 106a. For example, the attribute information extraction unit 102c extracts the item name and attribute information in association with each other from the form definition stored in the form definition file 106a, and creates the item attribute switching definition file 106b. As described above, since the attribute information of the form item is extracted from the form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file 106b can be automatically created from the form definition body, and the cost and time required for design and setting change can be reduced. be able to. More specifically, it has been necessary to directly modify a plurality of form definition bodies that average 200 to 300 at the time of multilingual development or system maintenance in a system that outputs forms. According to the form, it is not necessary to directly correct the form definition body, and the possibility of occurrence of human error such as omission of extraction of correction parts, correction errors, and correction errors can be reduced. Note that the attribute information extraction unit 102c extracts attribute information without specifying an item for batch switching of the attribute values when there are a plurality of the same attribute values (such as unique character strings) in the form definition body. Thus, the item attribute switching definition file 106b may be created.

  Further, the character string translation unit 102d translates the character string attribute information (including character strings and symbols) of the switching source of the item attribute switching definition file 106b into the specified language and designates it as the attribute of the switching destination. It is a character string translation means. For example, the character string translation unit 102d refers to a dictionary database (not shown) stored in the storage unit 106, acquires a translation character string corresponding to the character string to be switched, and stores the item attribute switching definition file 106b. You may store as attribute information of a switching destination. In this way, the character string attribute information of the switching source in the item attribute switching definition file 106b is translated into the specified language and specified as the switching destination attribute, so the character string attribute information of the extracted item is automatically specified. The result of translation into the selected language can be output as a file, and human error can be reduced and translation costs can be reduced. In particular, in a system that outputs a form, it has been necessary to extract and translate a character string that needs to be translated from a form definition body at the time of multilingual development. In this embodiment, a character string that requires translation is required. Translation flow can be reduced by realizing the flow from extraction to machine translation in a program.

  The item attribute editing unit 102f is item attribute editing means for controlling editable attribute information in the item attribute switching definition file 106b. For example, the item attribute editing unit 102f is a text editor or the like, displays text on the output unit 114 based on the item attribute switching definition file 106b, and allows the user to input or edit attribute information or the like via the input unit 112. The input attribute information is stored and updated in the item attribute switching definition file 106b. In this way, since the attribute information to be switched is controlled to be editable in the item attribute switching definition file 106b, unlike the complicated form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file 106b in which the attribute to be switched is defined can be easily used. Can be customized.

  The application unit 102g functions as a user application such as a business application is executed, and is an application unit that generates form input data and outputs it to the data file 106c. For example, the application unit 102g may have functions such as management of storage, search, browsing, and the like of electronic documents by executing a user application.

  The above is the outline of the configuration of the form output device. Here, the form output device 100 may be configured to be communicably connected to an external device 200 that provides an external database or the like such as an external database related to a form or a form management application via the network 300.

  In this case, the form output device 100 is configured to further include a communication control interface unit 104 connected to a communication device (not shown) such as a router connected to a communication line or the like. The network 300 is communicably connected via a wired or wireless communication line. That is, in FIG. 1, the communication control interface unit 104 performs communication control between the form output device 100 and the network 300 (or a communication device such as a router), and communicates data with other terminals via a communication line. It has a function. Here, the network 300 has a function of connecting the form output device 100 and the external device 200 to each other, such as the Internet.

  In FIG. 1, an external device 200 is connected to the form output device 100 via a network 300, and has a function of providing an external program such as an external database related to a form or a form management application to a user. Have.

  Here, the external device 200 may be configured as a WEB server, an ASP server, or the like, and the hardware configuration thereof is configured by an information processing device such as a commercially available workstation or a personal computer and an accessory device thereof. May be. Each function of the external device 200 is realized by a CPU, a disk device, a memory device, an input device, an output device, a communication control device, and the like in the hardware configuration of the external device 200 and a program for controlling them.

[Processing of form output device]
Next, an example of processing performed by the form output device 100 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[Form switching output processing]
First, details of the form switching output process executed by the form output apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the form switching output process of the form output apparatus 100 according to this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the attribute switching unit 102a first switches the attribute of the form item in the form definition file 106a based on the item attribute switching definition file 106b (step SA-1). For example, the attribute switching unit 102a, based on the item attribute switching definition file 106b in which the item name and the attribute information before and after the switching are associated with each other, changes the attribute information of the form item of the form definition body corresponding to the item name to the switching destination. It may be replaced with attribute information. Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the item attribute switching definition file 106b used for switching the form from Japanese to English.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when switching to an English-compatible form at the time of multilingual development, the item translation switching definition file 106b in which the translation result is automatically stored as a changed attribute value by the character string translation unit 102d. Based on this, the attribute of the form item may be switched. More specifically, as shown in each row of FIG. 6, a form item designated by a form name and an item name such as “Form1, Static1” is read from the form definition file 106a, and Switch the attribute value before the change to the attribute value after the change. Note that the position and unit of the decimal point may be switched without being limited to switching the character string. Note that, when a form item such as an item name is not specified, the attribute switching unit 102a may search the switching source attribute information and replace the matched attribute information with the switching destination attribute information. In the present embodiment, the attribute switching unit 102a may store the form having the form item whose attribute has been switched in the storage unit 106 separately from the form definition body of the form definition file 106a according to the switching process.

  Returning to FIG. 5 again, the form output control unit 102b switches the attribute based on the form definition stored in the form definition file 106a, the item attribute switching definition file 106b, and the input data stored in the data file 106c. The output control is performed for the form having the form item whose attribute is switched by the unit 102a (step SA-2). More specifically, the form output control unit 102b inputs the input data stored in the data file 106c into the form having the form item whose attribute has been switched temporarily stored in the storage unit 106 by the attribute switching unit 102a. The generated form may be output to the output unit 114. Here, FIG. 7 shows the output of the form corresponding to English generated based on the form definition body exemplified in FIG. 2, the input data exemplified in FIG. 4, and the item attribute switching definition file 106b exemplified in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a result.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the form output control unit 102b uses the form switching unit 102a to execute each form based on the item attribute switching definition file 106b for switching from Japanese to English as illustrated in FIG. An English-compatible form in which items are switched may be output. As an example of the output form, the form output control unit 102b may display the form on the output unit 114 as a monitor, print out the form on the output unit 114 as a printer, or as an external storage device. A form may be written to the output unit 114. Further, the form output control unit 102b may be a function realized by executing a form output application used by the user. Then, by specifying the item attribute switching definition file 106b in the form output application used by the user, the form output control unit 102b reads the item attribute switching definition file 106b specified by the user to read the attribute switching unit 102a. The attribute information may be switched and output may be performed using a designated form.

  This completes the form switching output process.

[Matching process]
Here, an example of a table matching process between the form definition body and the item attribute switching definition file 106b, which is executed by the attribute switching unit 102a in step SA-1 described above, will be described with reference to FIGS. . FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the correspondence between the form definition body and the item attribute switching definition file 106b.

  In FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 described above as the data configuration example of the item attribute switching definition file 106b, “LITERAL_STRING”, “NUM_DECIMAL_PLACES”, and the like are used to identify the type of attribute values such as character strings and numbers defined thereafter It is an attribute identifier. As an example, the attribute switching unit 102a performs matching with each table of the form definition body using the attribute identifier. For example, “NUM_DECIMAL_FORMAT” designates a delimiter edit character on the definition information, as shown by the double arrows in FIG. “NUM_DECIMAL_PLACES”, “NUM_DECIMAL_PLACES_SUPPRESS”, and “NUM_DECIMAL_PLACES_FORMAT” specify the number of decimal part digits, whether or not to output a decimal point, and the decimal part editing format, respectively. “FONT_JAPANESE” and “FONT_ENGLISH” designate font names on the font name table. “DATE_FORMAT_STRING” designates a date edit character string on the extended edit format table. “LITERAL_STRING” designates a character string on the fixed character string table. “LITERAL_LABEL” designates a label on the label character string table. “CURRENT_SYMBOL” designates a currency symbol on the currency symbol character table. As described above, in the item attribute switching definition file 106b, one line is stored for each attribute to be switched at the time of outputting the form in association with the form name, the item name, and the attribute identifier.

  As an example, the attribute switching unit 102a identifies the item attribute type based on the attribute identifier stored in the item attribute switching definition file 106b, and outputs the attribute of the form item of the corresponding form definition body according to the attribute type. Change to the hour attribute. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the item attribute switching definition file 106b and the form data generated by the attribute switching unit 102a and temporarily stored in the storage unit 106.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in accordance with “,, FONT_ENGLISH, Mincho, Mincho” in the first line of the item attribute switching definition, the attribute switching unit 102a converts the English fonts of the font name table to all items (Item 1, Item 2). ,..., “Mincho” is changed to “Mincho”. Further, according to “, LITERAL_STRING,“ character string ”,“ data ”in the second line of the item attribute switching definition, the attribute switching unit 102a performs the unique character string table of all items (Item 1, 2,...). “Character string” is searched from the character string of “” and the matched “character string” is changed to “data.” Also, according to “Form1, Item2, NUM_DECIMAL_PLACES, 0, 2” on the third line of the item attribute switching definition The attribute switching unit 102a changes the number of decimal part digits from 0 to 2 in the item of the form name Form1, item name Item 2. Also, “Form1, Item2, CURRENCY_SYMBOL_PLACES,” on the fourth line of the item attribute switching definition. According to “Yen”, “¥” ”, the attribute switching unit 102a determines the form name Form1, item. In the Item 2 item, the currency symbol is changed from “Yen” to “¥.” In this way, the attribute switching unit 102 a creates a form having a form item whose attribute has been switched, and stores the form data in the storage unit 106. Temporary storage.

[Form output system construction process]
Next, an example of a form output system construction process executed by the form output apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. Here, FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a form output system construction process executed by the form output apparatus 100.

  The purpose of this form output system construction processing is to construct a system for outputting a form by confirming the form definition body to confirming the form output before the actual operation of outputting the form.

  As shown in FIG. 10, first, the control unit 102 of the form output device 100 creates and / or edits a basic form definition body (step SB-1). For example, the control unit 102 causes the system builder to select a form definition body suitable for the purpose from a plurality of form definition bodies stored in the form definition file 106a, via the input unit 112. A form definition body may be created. Further, the control unit 102 may edit the form by causing the system builder to change the layout or the like of the basic form definition body via the input unit 112.

  Then, the attribute information extraction unit 102c extracts the attribute information of the form item from the form definition stored in the form definition file 106a, and creates and / or edits the item attribute switching definition file 106b (step SB-2). . For example, the attribute information extraction unit 102c may display a setting screen that allows selection of an extraction target, translation presence / absence, and the like for creating the item attribute switching definition file 106b. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting screen displayed by the attribute information extraction unit 102c. In this example, the item attribute switching definition file 106b serving as a template before inputting the attribute information of the switching destination is referred to as a template file.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the setting screen displayed by the attribute information extraction unit 102c outputs a template file format designation screen MA-1, an output item attribute designation screen MA-2, and multilingual switching information. Screen MA-3. Here, when a check is made by clicking a check box for outputting a form name / item name on the template file format designation screen MA-1, the attribute information extraction unit 102c assigns an item attribute for each form / item. A template file (item attribute switching definition file 106b) is created by extraction.

  When the item attribute classification (all selections, font, literal, numerical value, currency, date, etc.) is checked on the item attribute designation screen MA-2 to be output, the attribute information extraction unit 102c A template file (item attribute switching definition file 106b) is created by extracting the attribute of the item attribute classification from the form definition body according to the attribute identifier or the like.

  In addition, in the screen MA-3 for outputting switching information related to multilinguals, when the checkbox “Translate literal” is checked, the character string translation unit 102d translates the extracted attribute, and the translation result Is specified as the attribute value of the switching destination to create the item attribute switching definition file 106b. As shown in FIG. 11, in this example, since the character string translation unit 102d performs translation using a designated translation application, the screen MA-3 includes a translation application setting screen MA-4. When machine translation is not performed, the item attribute editing unit 102f edits the item attribute switching definition file 106b by causing the user to input the attribute information of the switching destination via the input unit 112 for the extracted attribute. May be performed. Here, FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing item attribute switching definition information before and after editing.

  When the literal is checked on the item attribute designation screen MA-2 to be output as described above, the item attribute switching definition file 106b displays the attribute value (character Only the column etc.) is stored, and the attribute value of the switching destination is not input. Therefore, the item attribute editing unit 102f displays the data in the text format stored in the item attribute switching definition file 106b using a text editor function or the like, and notifies the system builder of the switching destination via the input unit 112. Editing processing may be performed by controlling the input of attribute values. In this example, as shown by the rectangle on the side of the arrow in FIG. 12, by inputting “△△ Corporation” after “XX Corporation”, “XX Corporation” on the form is collectively displayed as “ Editing to specify to replace “△△ Corporation”.

  Returning to FIG. 10 again, the form output control unit 102b creates and / or creates the form definition file 106a created and / or edited in step SB-1 and / or step SB-2 in order to make the system builder check. Based on the edited item attribute switching definition file 106b, a form with no input data is displayed as a preview on the output unit 112 (step SB-3). That is, the item attribute switching definition file 106b is designated as a parameter at the time of preview.

  Then, the item attribute editing unit 102f causes the system builder to select whether or not the item attribute switching definition file 106b has a setting error and needs to be corrected via the input unit 112 (step SB-4). For example, the item attribute editing unit 102f may display a YES / NO button on the output unit 114 together with a sentence “Do you want to re-edit the switching content?”.

  When the system builder designates that the switching content needs to be corrected (Yes in step SB-4), the item attribute editing unit 102f returns the process to step SB-2 and performs the above-described step SB-2. And the process of SB-3 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when it is specified by the system builder that correction of switching contents is not necessary (step SB-4, No), the control unit 102 inputs to the system builder whether or not the layout of the form definition body needs to be corrected. The selection is made via the unit 112 (step SB-5). For example, the control unit 102 may display a YES / NO button on the output unit 114 together with a sentence “Do you want to change the layout?”.

  When the system builder designates that the layout needs to be corrected (step SB-5, Yes), the process returns to the control unit 102 and step SB-1, and the above-described steps SB-1 to SB-4 are performed. Repeat the process.

  On the other hand, when it is designated by the system builder that no layout correction is necessary (step SB-5, No), the control unit 102 develops a form output application (step SB-6). More specifically, the system developer creates a form output application so as to include interface selection and the function of the form output control unit 102b. Note that the item attribute switching definition file 106b created and / or edited in step SB-2 is designated as a parameter of the form output application. Thus, by specifying the item attribute switching definition file as a parameter in the form output application used by the user, the target form can be automatically and variously created from the basic form definition body.

  The form output control unit 102b, which functions by executing the created form output application, is specified by the item attribute switching definition file 106b specified as a parameter in the form output application and the item attribute switching definition information. Based on the form definition stored in the form definition file 106a and the input data stored in the data file 106c, output control is performed for a form having a form item whose attribute is switched by the attribute switching unit 102a as an operation test. (Step SB-7). That is, in this operation test, unlike the preview described above in step SB-3, the input data is output in an actual form output mode. Here, FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a form defined in a basic form definition body, and a form output based on the form definition body, item attribute switching definition information, and input data. . Note that the form defined in the form definition body based on the arrowhead side rectangle in FIG. 13 and the form output as an operation test are shown on the arrowhead side rectangle.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in this example, as shown in FIG. 12 as the item attribute switching definition information, it is defined so that “XX Corporation” on the form is collectively replaced with “△△ Corporation”. Therefore, a form having a form item whose attribute is switched by the attribute switching unit 102a is created, and the form output control unit 102b further inputs the input data and is displayed in an actual operation situation. Outputs with.

  Then, the item attribute editing unit 102f causes the system builder to select whether or not the item attribute switching definition file 106b has a setting error and needs to be corrected via the input unit 112 (step SB-8). As described above, the item attribute editing unit 102f may cause the output unit 114 to display the YES / NO button together with the sentence “Do you want to re-edit the switching content?”.

  When the system builder designates that the switching content needs to be corrected (step SB-8, Yes), the item attribute editing unit 102f returns the process to step SB-2 and performs the above-described step SB-2. Repeat the process of SB-7.

  On the other hand, when it is specified by the system builder that correction of the switching content is not necessary (step SB-8, No), the control unit 102 inputs to the system builder whether or not the layout of the form definition body needs to be corrected. The selection is made via the unit 112 (step SB-9). As described above, the control unit 102 may display the YES / NO button on the output unit 114 together with the sentence “Do you want to change the layout?”.

  When the system builder designates that the layout needs to be corrected (step SB-9, Yes), the control unit 102 returns the process to step SB-1 and performs the above-described steps SB-1 to SB-. The process of 8 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the system builder designates that layout correction is not necessary and the operation test is passed (step SB-9, No), the form output system construction process ends, and the construction of the system for outputting the form is completed. . Thereby, the created form output system can be put into operation.

[Form output processing]
Next, an example of a form output process executed according to the form output system constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a form output process.

  First, as shown in FIG. 14, the form output control unit 102b that functions by executing the developed form output application reads the specified form definition body with reference to the form definition file 106a (step SC-1). ).

  Then, the form output control unit 102b determines whether or not the item attribute switching definition file 106b is designated as a parameter in the form output application (step SC-2). When the item attribute switching definition file 106b is not specified (step SC-2, No), the form output control unit 102b converts the form item and the input data without switching the form item based on the item attribute switching definition information. In order to output a form based on this, the process proceeds to step SC-5.

  On the other hand, when the item attribute switching definition file 106b is specified as a parameter of the form output application (step SC-2, Yes), the form output control unit 102b performs the corresponding item attribute switching definition by the processing of the attribute switching unit 102a. The item attribute switching definition information is read from the file 106b (step SC-3).

  Then, the form output control unit 102b overwrites the item attribute of the form definition body read in Step SC-1 with the attribute information specified in the item attribute switching definition file 106b by the processing of the attribute switching unit 102a (Step S1). SC-4). In the present embodiment, the form output control unit 102b does not overwrite the form definition file 106a, but overwrites the attribute information on the form data temporarily stored in the memory of the storage unit 106. . Here, FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically showing a data flow executed by the attribute switching unit 102a.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the item attribute switching definition file 106b, the form name and the item name are stored as the specific information of the item to be changed, and the attribute type (attribute identifier, etc.) is stored as the specific information of the item attribute type. The data before change (attribute value etc.) defined in the form definition body is stored as the specific information to be changed. Based on these data stored in the item attribute switching definition file 106b, the attribute switching unit 102a matches the form definition body and extracts the item attribute to be changed. Then, by replacing the extracted data before the change of the item attribute to be changed with the data to be changed, it is possible to output a form in which the attributes of the form item are switched.

  Returning to FIG. 14 again, the form output control unit 102b inputs the input data acquired from the data file 106c in the form having the form item whose attribute is switched by the attribute switching unit 102a, and is defined by the form definition body. An output form form is generated by superimposing the layout (step SC-5).

  Finally, the form output control unit 102b performs control so that the generated form is output (step SC-6). For example, the form output control unit 102b may display the form on the output unit 114 as a monitor, print the form on the output unit 114 as a printer, or output the form to the output unit 114 as an external storage device. Data may be output to a file.

  This is the end of the description of the present embodiment.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be applied to various different embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. It may be implemented.

  For example, the form output device 100 is a server or the like connected via a network, and performs processing in response to a request from a client terminal in a separate housing from the form output device 100, and the processing result is transmitted to the client terminal. You may make it return to.

  In addition, among the processes described in the embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method.

  In addition, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including registration data for each processing, parameters such as search conditions, screen examples, and database configurations shown in the above documents and drawings Can be changed arbitrarily.

  In addition, regarding the form output device 100, each illustrated component is functionally conceptual and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated.

  For example, the processing functions provided in each device of the form output device 100, in particular, the processing functions performed by the control unit 102, all or any part thereof are interpreted and executed by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the CPU. It may be realized by a program to be executed, or may be realized as hardware by wired logic. The program is recorded on a non-temporary computer-readable recording medium including a programmed instruction for causing a computer to execute the method according to the present invention, which will be described later, and a form output device as necessary. 100 mechanically read. That is, in the storage unit 106 such as a ROM or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a computer program for giving instructions to the CPU and performing various processes in cooperation with the OS (Operating System) is recorded. This computer program is executed by being loaded into the RAM, and constitutes a control unit in cooperation with the CPU.

  The computer program may be stored in an application program server connected to the form output device 100 via an arbitrary network, and may be downloaded in whole or in part as necessary. is there.

  In addition, the program according to the present invention may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, and may be configured as a program product. Here, the “recording medium” is any memory card, USB memory, SD card, flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, etc. Of “portable physical media”.

  The “program” is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. The “program” is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, but is distributed in the form of a plurality of modules and libraries, or in cooperation with a separate program represented by an OS (Operating System). Including those that achieve the function. Note that a well-known configuration and procedure can be used for a specific configuration for reading a recording medium, a reading procedure, an installation procedure after reading, and the like in each device described in the embodiment.

  Various databases and the like (form definition file 106a and item attribute switching definition file 106b) stored in the storage unit 106 are a memory device such as RAM and ROM, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, and an optical disk. And stores various programs, tables, databases, web page files, and the like used for various processes and website provision.

  The form output apparatus 100 may be configured as an information processing apparatus such as a known personal computer or workstation, or may be configured by connecting an arbitrary peripheral device to the information processing apparatus. Further, the form output apparatus 100 may be realized by installing software (including programs, data, and the like) that enables the information processing apparatus to implement the method of the present invention.

  Furthermore, the specific form of distribution / integration of the devices is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or a part of them may be functional or physical in arbitrary units according to various additions or according to functional loads. Can be distributed and integrated. That is, the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined and may be selectively implemented.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a form output device, a form output method, and a program capable of reducing the cost and time required for the design and setting change of the form definition body and improving efficiency. Therefore, it can be used in various fields such as information terminals related to form output and information communication fields.

100 form output device
102 Control unit
102a Attribute switching unit
102b Form output control unit
102c Attribute information extraction unit
102d Character string translation part
102f Item attribute editing section
102g application part
106 Storage unit
106a Form definition file
106b Item attribute switching definition file
106c Data file
104 Communication control interface unit
108 Input / output control interface
112 Input section
114 Output unit 300 Network 200 External device

Claims (8)

In a form output device having at least a storage unit and a control unit,
The storage unit
A form definition body that defines at least the attributes of the form item;
An item attribute switching definition file that defines attributes to be switched in the form item of the form definition body,
Remember
The control unit
If the form item is not specified at the time of attribute switching, the attribute of the switching source is searched based on the item attribute switching definition file, and the attribute of the form item in the matched form definition body is switched to Attribute switching means for switching to the attribute of
Based on the form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file, and the input data stored in the data file, a form having the form item whose attribute is switched by the attribute switching means is created and the input Form output control means for displaying the form in which data is input ;
A form output device characterized by comprising: In the form output device according to claim 1,
The control unit
A form output device further comprising attribute information extraction means for extracting attribute information of the form item from the form definition body. The form output device according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit
A form output apparatus, further comprising: character string translation means for translating the character string attribute information of the switching source of the item attribute switching definition file into a specified language and designating it as the attribute of the switching destination. In the form output device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control unit
A form output device, further comprising: item attribute editing means for controlling editable attribute information in the item attribute switching definition file. In the form output device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A form output apparatus characterized in that the item attribute switching definition file is specified by a form output application used by a user. In the form output device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The attribute switching means is
A form output device for matching tables when the attribute is switched. A form output method executed in a form output apparatus having at least a storage unit and a control unit,
The storage unit
A form definition body that defines at least the attributes of the form item;
An item attribute switching definition file that defines attributes to be switched in the form item of the form definition body,
Remember
Executed in the control unit,
If the form item is not specified at the time of attribute switching, the attribute of the switching source is searched based on the item attribute switching definition file, and the attribute of the form item in the matched form definition body is switched to An attribute switching step for switching to the attribute of
Based on the form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file, and the input data stored in the data file, create a form having the form item whose attributes are switched in the attribute switching step , and A form output control step for displaying the form in which the input data is input ;
A form output method characterized by including: A program for causing a form output device including at least a storage unit and a control unit to execute the program,
The storage unit
A form definition body that defines at least the attributes of the form item;
An item attribute switching definition file that defines attributes to be switched in the form item of the form definition body,
Remember
In the control unit,
If the form item is not specified at the time of attribute switching, the attribute of the switching source is searched based on the item attribute switching definition file, and the attribute of the form item in the matched form definition body is switched to An attribute switching step for switching to the attribute of
Based on the form definition body, the item attribute switching definition file, and the input data stored in the data file, create a form having the form item whose attributes are switched in the attribute switching step , and A form output control step for displaying the form in which the input data is input ;
A program for running

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