JPH0498441A - Electronic data exchanging device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable operating in various dictionary structured transaction formats without changing any software by mapping the coordinate of an element applied to the related field of device components and translating data in one dictionary structured format into the different format to be used for the applied device component. CONSTITUTION: A processor 14 is operated corresponding to the instruction of an application program which is usually contained in a hard disk and inputted through a disk drive 18 to an internal storage device 28 of the processor by a conventional method. The application program contains various modules as shown in the figure. These modules are cyclically loaded by the processor 14 so that the request of a user to perform execution as instructed corresponding to the command inputted to a keyboard 20 can be achieved. Thus, the processor can be operated in various dictionary structured transaction formats without changing programming.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) This invention relates to a programmable mechanical device, and particularly to a programmable mechanical device that is used to format business transactions for the purpose of inputting, outputting, printing, and translating data that is constantly sent and received between business partners. The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditionally, business transactions of trading partners have been primarily documented on paper, which has created obvious problems with storing and communicating large numbers of physical documents. In order to overcome these problems, business partners should conduct various business
Electronic data interchange (ED1) for sending and receiving transactions
) tended to be used. Examples of such transactions include receipts, prepaid shipping documents, purchase orders, order receipts, requests for quotation, quotations, delivery notes, money orders, and the like. Thus, instead of these transactions on paper, data is transmitted electronically (by modem or digital data line connection as standard) between computer equipment operated by each trading partner. It may or may not include a third party service that receives, stores, and transmits these electronic business transactions.

In order to enable the translation and use of documents exchanged between computing devices, there is a need to establish some form of standard for the definition of transactions. Such standards that have been implemented include ANSI ASCX12 (American National Standards Institute), EDIACT (Electronic Data Interchange for Commerce and Trade Bureau), and TDCC (Transportation Data Coordination Committee) formats. These formats make use of element, segment, and transaction dictionaries. These dictionaries are extremely flexible in that they have only a few mandatory requirements and a variety of options. In this way, a particular trading partner can be tailored specifically to a business transaction such as a bill of exchange, but still within the confines of a standard format.

For purposes of this invention, a "dictionary type" transaction format refers to a format agreed upon by a standards organization comprising some trading parties, trade organizations, departments within the organization, etc. that use the concept of a three-column dictionary. The three columns are: l) The first column is the definition and identification of individual unit data items known as elements.

Examples of elements are dates, date modifiers, quantities, item numbers, etc. An element consists of data having a specified fixed data length or variable data length.

2) The second column is the definition of a record known as a segment that is uniquely identified and consists of a particular group of elements within a particular organization for the ultimate purpose of defining a portion of a transaction.

Although it is not necessary, it is desirable that elements in a particular segment have a certain logical relationship. Certain elements may be required, while other elements may be obsolete within a particular segment.

3) The third column is a complete and sufficient definition of the uniquely identified transaction. Transactions are defined by a specific order of their segments. Some segments may be required while others may be optional within a particular transaction definition. Groups and subgroups of segments within a transaction are further defined to indicate multiple repetitions of groups and/or subgroups (loops).

The flexibility provided by dictionary-defined transactions disadvantageously raises practical world problems.

In fact, the larger trading partners individualize the information required for each of their transactions, so while they conform to the dictionary-defined format, the completed transaction format chosen by each is completely It's different.

Thus, if one trading partner wishes to conduct EDI business with various other trading partners, at least one trading partner can meet all of the requirements specified by the other trading partners. must be able to configure and use the computer equipment as appropriate. For the purpose of this invention, "dictionary structured form"
Transaction formats are formats that meet or are similar to the guidelines of dictionary-defined formats, but are tailored individually by a given trading partner. thus,"
The "Dictionary Structured" transaction format may be the same as, different from, divergent from, a subset of, or a superset of the format specified by the "Dictionary Defined" format guidelines.

There are several software programs for use with electronic data interchange currently on the market.

They include: - EDI*PCTM (General Electric Company, Rockville, Maryland, USA) - INKTM (EDI Corporation, Hanover, Maryland, USA) - ETRO 1 Country, Roslyn, New York However, prior to the present invention, they appeared to have the following drawbacks: They lacked generalized formats and operator selection that encompassed a large number of trading partners. Attempts to create transactions unique to trading partners by combining inputs.

• They cannot create "other parts" that format to strict dictionary structured transaction formats and specific trading partner requirements as is done by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a dictionary structured business transaction format that provides the basis for the sequential entry and translation of business transactions that one trading partner communicates to and from a large number of other trading partners. can be determined. All of this can be accomplished without changing the user's programming to the machine.

A programmable machine in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an input device that defines a dictionary-structured transaction format having a plurality of elements in a particular organization. Certain equipment components, such as printers, screens, etc., are typically not well-suited to using dictionary structured formats to interface with human operators. The overlay generator generates an overlay that includes a second format to be associated with the selected device component. The second format includes elements or fields that are related to elements of the dictionary structured format. The overlay generator also generates a mapping between related elements of the two formats. The data entered in the second format is translated into dictionary structured format so that it can later be sent to trading partners in dictionary structured format. Also, data received from a trading partner in a dictionary structured format can be translated into a second format.

Various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the detailed description of the drawings below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a communication network for electronic data exchange between programmable mechanical devices of various business partners.

In order to simplify the description of the invention and to provide a brief description of the best mode of carrying out the invention, a specific example utilizing programmable mechanical device 12 will be described. However, it should first be understood that this invention may be used with different computer equipment and implemented in different software languages.

The machinery 10 belongs to a large customer and the machinery 12
Assume that the customer belongs to the seller of the customer. Customers often specify a dictionary structured transaction format that all of their sellers must use. One of its main features is that the present invention allows a seller's computer equipment to handle business transactions not only for one customer, but also for other customers that may and typically have different dictionary structured transaction format requirements.轡Being able to define, enter, and translate transaction data in order to communicate it.

The basic device configuration uses the MS-DOS operating system and can accommodate the following device component boards and devices: IBM XT%AT, PS/2
or an IBM microcomputer, such as any IBM compatible microcomputer. Processor 14 communicates with a 10 megabyte or larger fixed hard disk 16 along with a floppy disk drive 18. A terminal device including a keyboard 20 and display screen 22 provides a user interface with human/output capabilities. Printer 2 with parallel interface
4 is used to supply hard copies. Finally, modem 26 is used to provide two-way communication between the processors of the various trading partners.

Processor 14 receives application data, typically contained on a hard disk and input to the processor's internal storage 28 in a conventional manner via disk drive 18.
Operates according to program instructions. The application program of a particular embodiment of this invention is a C0BOL
C0BOLj and is compiled by a compiler sold under the trademark "Professional COBOLj" supplied by Mjcrofocus, Inc., 2463 E. Bashore Road, Pawardo, Calif., USA.

The application program includes various modules as shown in FIG.

These modules are periodically loaded into the processor 14 so that the user's commands entered on the keyboard 20 accomplish his desire to perform as instructed. FIG. 2 is a high level flow diagram illustrating the major steps performed by programmable opportunity device 12 in carrying out certain aspects of the invention. Only the direct basic relationships of the functionality of the stages are shown in FIG. More specifically, the alternating module calling order is illustrated; additional module functions are now illustrated; utility modules (such as view and print) are not illustrated; Indirect updates (such as an overlay selection that initializes default values for all overlay data) are not shown, and first-time updates (such as an overlay selection that initializes default values for all overlay data) are not shown. However, the use of such additional module functionality will become apparent from the other figures and the description below. The invention is particularly concerned with a module called an "overlay generator". The source code for the overlay generator can be effortlessly written by one skilled in the computer programming arts in EDI and related business transactions upon reading the present disclosure.
think.

Overlay generator modules are used for various purposes. Table 1 describes the method used to enter data via an overlay or keyboard 20 and then translate it into a dictionary structured transaction for communication to trading partners. Table 2 shows whether overlay or dictionary structured transaction data (e.g. modem 26
2 (received from a trading associate via a computer) into a printed form for use on printer 24. This ability helps provide data in a consistent, fixed format that can be more easily processed by other application programs.

The first half of Table 3 describes how the fixed field, fixed length records contained in such files are translated into dictionary structured transaction format for communication to trading partners or for other purposes. There is. This table 1 to 3
, shown at the end of the detailed description of the invention. The foregoing task is to create one specific overlay on the hard disk 16.
2 is a description of the method used to input data stored in the . Once the data is stored in dictionary channel format using the overlay, it can be used in a variety of ways, such as those described in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6 above.

Furthermore, it is transmitted via modem 26 to the trading partner. Similarly, while transaction information received via modem 26 from a trading partner is stored on hard disk 16, an overlay generator module maps data entry to the appropriate pixel locations or fields on display screen 22. It can be translated into a more user-friendly form such as Thus, while the foregoing description applies to specific examples, it will be appreciated that the present invention has much wider applicability.

Hard disk 16 is primarily used to store computer applications and data records and files that are retrieved by processor 14 . The stored data includes a dictionary corresponding to a column 1, column 2, and column 3 structure for dictionary-defined transactions as described above. FIG. 4 shows the conceptual relationship of information in the transaction, segment and element dictionaries. The most basic element dictionary includes identification code (e.g. 354), title (e.g. "Number of Line Items"), data type (e.g. "Nφ"), and minimum and maximum data field lengths (e.g. "Number of Line Items"), and minimum and maximum data field lengths (e.g.
1” and “4”). The segment dictionary includes an identification code and one or more functionally related elements placed in a defined order. In this way, the identification code CTT in FIG. 4 defines a segment that uses element numbers 354, 347, etc. in that order. Also included is a symbol (M or 0) indicating whether the element is required (imperative) or optional in this segment. The dictionary stored on disk 16 includes an identification code for each transaction (eg, r850 J to indicate an order transaction) and one or more functionally related segments in a defined order. Also included is a symbol indicating whether the segment is required (imperative) or optional for this transaction.

The transaction dictionary contains both instruction and option segments for each transaction.

In practice, trading partners typically determine the information needed for a particular transaction and provide each of their trading partners with a manual (implementation guide) that explains the chosen dictionary format. Thus, the first task is to configure the trading partner's device 12 to meet the requirements specified by others for performing electronic data exchange with the trading partner's device 12.
It is important to configure the system appropriately.

When the device is started, screen 22 displays the main menu set illustrated in FIG. By selecting the option labeled "Maintain System and Security e-Files," the menu of FIG. 5 is displayed.

The present invention allows each selected device component (sometimes "
An overlay is first created for the other parts (also referred to as "other parts").

An equipment component is any device (e.g., printer, screen, disk, etc.) in which information is preferably communicated in a user-friendly or application-friendly format, preferably more than a dictionary format. . In FIG. 5, an overlay is created by entering any one of options 6-9.

Option 6 is combined with a display screen 22 and keyboard 20 for data entry purposes. Option 7 is combined with printer 24, but option 8
and 9 cause other equipment components to perform the desired transformation of the data list.

The data entry overlay used subsequently to enter data into hard disk 16 via keyboard 20 and display screen 22 is configured to be highly specific and to minimize keyboard input. It selects only the required segments and elements; uses reserved words to call data (e.g. addresses) from other files and defines data editing; specifies element values as constants, formulas, or default values; This is accomplished by changing the length of the element; changing the element name; and placing the data field represented by that element on display screen 22.

The first step in this process is to enter option 6 (Figure 5), followed by defining the overlay by entering the overlay code and transaction type code in the margins of the screen in Figure 7A. The transaction type code is normally that of the corresponding dictionary-defined type transaction. An example of an ANSIASCX12 transaction type code is: Delivery note-810, P
,0. -850. Overlay codes always designate a particular trading partner. Thus, the screen of FIG. 7A shows that an order (relating to a trading partner DUI) has been entered.

Segments are now added to or removed from each overlay using the operational capabilities of the overlay generator module.

The screen format shown in Figure 7B is based on a given overlay (D
This is the format for UI:850). The software automatically retrieves these imperative segments from the stored dictionary for a given transaction and displays them on the screen. The user is then given the opportunity to change this basic set of segments. The segments that make up a dictionary-structured transaction are identified by the segment ID in FIG. 7B that is the same as the segment ID specified in the corresponding dictionary-defined transaction. The user can edit this screen as desired to select segments and "occurrence" and "loop". Certain segments are repeated many times at their unique location in the transaction. "occurrence"
is the maximum number of times a segment can appear in that position. Certain groups of logically related segments occur repeatedly within a transaction. A group of repetitions is called a "loop."

The attributes of each segment can be changed to the desired dictionary structure using the overlay generator's ability to manipulate using the screen format shown in Figure 7C by entering the appropriate line number in Figure 7B to be combined with the segment you wish to change. The shape of the transaction can be changed up to the exact requirements. These additional attributes are: Segment Name Fee request code for the specific segment name.

0 - Optional. segment There is no need to use .

M-command. This segment is used in transactions There must be.

F-floating maximum usage Maximum allowed number of this segment is in the transaction Can it be used in this position? Standard use Wear. The number in parentheses is Dictionary definitions allowed for maximum use Although it is a number of shapes, it is a limiting element. do not have.

This applies to this segment. Elements that Appears as a table on the screen This is the number of times that should be used. This fi "Maximum use" is 1 for the field. Relevant only if the dog is a domestic dog. Yes, all elements are on one line on the clean It fits perfectly.

Position of segment ending loop If this segment is the first segment of a loop, this field indicates the last segment in the loop. This value must be zero if this segment does not start a loop.

maximum length maximum loop minimum length This segment is the first segment in the loop. If it is one segment, This is the maximum that can complete the loop. This is a large number of times. this feel If there is no loop, the numbers in the code are must be zero.

abbreviation code Must contain an element Minimum number of missing characters. Niremen The model number is rNJ or rRJ If this count includes the sign and decimal point do not have.

Must contain an element Maximum number of missing characters. Niremen The model number is rNJ or rRJ If this count includes the sign and decimal point do not have.

A blank “default value” is not used. Not possible.

D Omitted. data person scum clean is used ``default value'' field when The content of the yield is is not turned on or overdriven. displayed so that Ru.

constant. element o and its associated values are Ta-in Ka screen not displayed above.

Once the data is sent This element What kind of information is “saved”? in the “Default value” field. Sent even if indicated.

If the request code is rCFJ or “C P”, then This element element (rC F” then the next elm ment, rCPJ Element in front of the mule) only if exists Sent.

F Official. Default value field Formula in yield Use. This elm ment is data entry appear on the screen Not possible.

Direction Up to 3 lines of title for this element. This is how elements are displayed on the data entry screen.

Dash AY or N switch indicating whether to display a single line of dashes between the title line and this element's data.

The user uses the manipulation capabilities until all of the element attributes are defined as desired. Clearly, the present invention allows a user to define precisely what information is included in a particular transaction. Unlike prior art methods of "hard-coding" a set format for one particular trading partner or group of trading partners, the present invention allows the user to define unique transactions for more than one trading partner; Store it and define completely different transaction formats for different trading partners using the same equipment without further program changes. Once the transaction format has been defined by the steps just described, the user returns to the screen of FIG. 7B.

In addition to these very specific parameters already mentioned, the user can set certain full transaction parameters for mapping to data entry screens. For this purpose, the screen in Figure 7G
Accessed by the user by entering option rTJ on the screen in Figure B. The screen of FIG. 7G includes various fields in which the user can enter information that creates the default attributes of the data entry screen. These attributes are described below: Column width This field indicates the data entry screen in vertical columns Minimum gap between fields Input reverse video (Y/N) Default line spacing field Command character I can do it.

This is the data entry screen The space between each element above indicates the minimum number of

Y - one element is data Filled on the Tamka screen. When filled, it is white has a dark background and the characters are It becomes black.

N - black spine with white letters View.

element and the next element below. between the first direction of the element Number of blank lines.

segments and elements When the deviation is also imperative, the - Tamka keys on the screen appears immediately in front of the area character. (This field is (may be left blank).

Dash (Y/N) The dash is the dotted line just below the direction. The dash indicates the elend's maximum size.

A Y-dash appears.

N-dash does not appear.

Dash is field Reverse video also showing size If you are using - Requires little input.

There are typically two or more segments. used on and all segments fits one line on the screen If it matches, this segment About elements of A table is created on the lean. Communicating Continuation characters are each character in the table after the first row. consecutive characters the first element in the row appear in front of. should be displayed Characters are the same data many times. Indicate table input (without changing direction) ).

Overlay Description This is where the identity of the trading partner and the transaction are specified in the overlay.

The next step, leaving screen 7G and going back to screen 7B, is to select "B" (build) option to complete the device's first attempt at mapping the dictionary structured data to the data entry screen. Upon exiting this screen (Figure 7B), we now have an operating screen as shown in Figure 7H.

FIG. 7H shows the actual configuration of the data entry screen, as well as the software that provided the spatial adjustment of the displayed fields and the title of the data field for each element designated to receive keyed-in input. If the user wishes to further refine the display screen, the user can use this screen (Figure 7H) to change the mapping by physically moving the displayed fields to other areas of the screen, or Allows you to add, delete or change the title of any of the aforementioned screens.

When the fields on the data entry screen are rearranged,
The overlay generator module coordinates the formatting of the data entry screen and the mapping between data entry fields and elements of the dictionary format. At this point, transaction format information is stored on the hard disk 16.
is stored in the file. This file contains a set of elements in an order appropriate to the transaction format. This file also contains identification information for each element, ie its location and length. This file also contains coordinates that are combined with relevant fields of other device components or "other parts" being described.

A simplified representation of the overlay file is shown in FIG. 8, where overlays for three different transactions are illustrated.

Transaction Format DUI: 850 O, <-ray consists of sequential segments BEG, Nl, etc. and their combined elements. The elements are in a prescribed order and each element has the following information: its dictionary definition identifier, its position within the segment, its field length, and its mapping coordinates. For example, the third element in segment BEG has code number 32
4, and the adjacent identifier (03) indicates that this is the third position of the segment. The standard number for its length is 1
It is 0. The mapping coordinates (X5, Y2) define where the fields of that element will appear on the data entry screen. The definition of the location of each field is explained in terms of "creating" the screen. The overlay generator module operates in a manner similar to creating the other overlays illustrated in FIG.

Assume that during the screen manufacturing process, the user places fields in the character positions shown in FIG. 9, which represents a simplified data entry screen. The overlay generator is
During the mapping process, place the character positions of the first element in the transaction form file and insert these mapping coordinates (X5, Y2) into the appropriate fields of the data entry overlay. Similarly, other elements contain respective mapping coordinates. If the user decides to recreate a new screen, the elements in the transaction form file remain in their same order, but the mapping coordinates change to correspond to their new position on the screen. Overlays of other device components (e.g. printers) are arranged in the same manner, but
Contains mapping coordinates to be associated with a specific device.

The flowchart of FIG. 3 further details how the machine creates the data input overlay.

Table 1 details how this overlay can now be used to enter and translate data to be communicated to trading partners. Simply stated, a given element (
Data (e.g. price) to be combined with e.g. The data is combined with mapping coordinates for each associated element. Prior to the time it actually sends the data, the software module directs the CPU 1 to read each element from the associated overlay along with its associated mapping coordinates (see Figure 10).
Command 4.

The software uses the mapping coordinates as a pointer to the intermediate file, which retrieves the data with the corresponding mapping coordinates. In this way, the data D2 is combined with the sixth element E323 of the dictionary groove format and is therefore placed in the sixth position. (See Figure 8)
. This reordering sequence continues until the data is all arranged in the proper order. They are then sent to trading partners in dictionary format.

In view of the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides the user with incredible flexibility without the need to change software. Thus, there is no need to rewrite the software each time a new trading partner specifies a different dictionary structured transaction format. Various other advantages of the invention are described herein:
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the drawings and claims.

Table 1 Data Person Car Process-Main Run input-loop until all transactions have been input.

Place the first transaction in the list against the format.

Format - to end of input transaction list
Run the loop.

Stop execution.

Input - Loop If the transaction requires a different overlay, load the dictionary structured transaction overlay.

Loads the screen image created during the build process for the current overlay.

Initialize intermediate work files.

Displays the screen image loaded from the screen image file part of the overlay.

Field-Input-Step.

If the currently displayed screen is not the screen indicated by the current element, display the screen image indicated by the current element.

Place the correct fields on the screen using the element rows/columns calculated during the build process.

Checks the intermediate work file for data values corresponding to the current element.

If the value is in the intermediate work file, Move the intermediate value to the input value area Otherwise Move the space to the input value area.

Set the error condition to true.

Run the receive-loop until the error condition is false.

Write input values to intermediate work files.

Refers to the next element in a dictionary structured transaction.

Receive ~ loop.

Receives input from the console at the specified cursor position.

If the input field is blank, edit the input value according to the data format and spare word specified in the element definition in the overlay proceeding to the end of the receive loop, which displays an error message if the element is imperative.

If the input value can be received set error condition to false Otherwise Display error message.

Format-Loop Initializes a formula that performs a new-overlay process if a different overlay is required.

Open the data input intermediate file for input.

Move space to the segment work area.

Place it in the first element of the overlay.

Execute the form-process until the end of the transaction.

Close - Execute the process.

Get the next transaction in the list for the format.

Format-Process.

Locates the current segment of an overlay based on the current element.

If the element is constant Move a constant value to an intermediate element value.

Otherwise If the element is formal Move the calculated formula value to the intermediate element value.

If the current segment is not a segment in the segment work area, calculate any formula with the values in this segment.

Execute a write segment.

Places an element separator at the current position of the segment work area that formats intermediate element values with data type, minimum length, and maximum length, and increments the current position of the segment work area.

Places an intermediate element value in the segment work area starting at the current position and increments the current position to a point just past the end of the data placed in the segment work area.

See the next element in the overlay.

New-overlay-process.

If the X12 format transaction file is open, close it - perform the steps, open the X12 format file for output, write the X12 exchange, group, and transaction header.

Load dictionary structured transaction overlay.

Closed-process.

Execute a write segment.

Writes X12 transactions, groups, and exchange trailers.

Close the X12 format file.

Write one segment.

Peel any trailing element separators from the end of the segment work area and decrement the current position for each element separator just peeled.

Places the segment terminator in the current position of the segment work area.

Write the segment work area to an X12 format data file.

Move space to segment work area.

Move the current segment name to the segment work area.

Sets the current position of the segment work area to the position immediately following the segment name.

Table 2 X12-Print-Format-Load Main Dictionary Structured Transaction Overlay.

Loads the flat file image created during the current overlay's build process.

Initialize the flat file image work file.

Set the first line to 99 and the last line to 0.

Open an X12 data file for input.

Move to the first segment in the X12 data file.

Executes a segment loop until the end of the transaction.

Perform the print-image-process.

Close the file.

Stop execution.

Segment-Loop (by use of segment name or type rKJ element) to place a segment in the overlay.

Get the first element in the segment if the segment is defined in an overlay Get the next element in the input X12 transaction Perform element-loop-element-loop-out until all elements in the segment are processed .

Element - loop If element or blank, element -
Loop - Find the correct element description for the Go to Output overlay.

If the element has an abbreviation code of "S" then use this element to set the modifier/qualified relationship for printing.Use the row and column positions contained in the overlay description to proceed to the element-louboo output.
Find out where to put the current element data.

If this element is a value already loaded into the print-image work file, place the element data in the print-image work file at the position of the line indicated by the overlay element description that performs the print-image-process.

If the current specified row is less than the first row, Move the current line to the first line.

Get the next element in the segment.

Element-Loop-Output.

Output.

Print-image-process.

Print the print image work file from the first line to the last line.

Initialize the print image work file from the first line to the last line.

Set the first line to 99 and the last line to 0.

Table 3 Flat File - X12 - Format - Main Flat
Move to the first transaction in the file.

Executes a format-loop until the end of the flat file.

Close - Execute the process Stop execution.

Format-Loop If a different overlay is required, perform the new-overlay-step.

Initialize the formula.

Move space to segment work area.

Place it in the first element of the overlay.

Run form-step to form-step-output until a new header record is obtained or the end of the flat file.

Format-Process.

Finds the current segment in the overlay based on the current element.

If the element is a constant, move the constant value to the flat element value, or if the element is a formula, move the calculated formula value to the flat element value, otherwise move the element from the flat file. If a header record is obtained in the flat file, or if the flat file is at the end, proceed to Format-Process-Output.

If the current segment is not a segment that is within the segment work area, then the value of this segment calculates any formula.Write-segment data format, minimum length, and maximum length format element values flatter. become

Places an element separator at the current position of the segment work area and increments the current position of the segment work area.

Place the intermediate element value into the segment work area starting at the current position and increment the current position to the point of the character just placed within the segment work area t: just past the end of the data.

Refer to the next element in the overlay.

Format - Process - Output Output.

New-overlay-process.

If the X12 format transaction file is open, close--open the X12 format file for output performing the steps to write the X12 exchange, group, and transaction header.

Load dictionary structured transaction overlay.

Closed-process.

Execute a write segment.

Writes X12 transactions, groups, and exchange trailers.

Close the X12 format file.

Write one segment.

Peel any trailing element separators from the end of the segment work area and decrement the current position of each element separator peeled.

Places a segment terminator at the current position of the segment work area.

Writes the segment work area to an X12 format data file.

Move space to segment work area.

Move the current segment salt to the segment work area.

Sets the current position of the segment work area to the position immediately following the segment salt.

Load the X12-Flat-Format-Main Dictionary Structural Transaction Overlay.

Loads the flat file image created during the current overlay's build process.

Initialize the flat file image file.

Set the first recording format to 99 and the final recording format to 0.

Open an X12 data file for input.

Open a flat file for output.

Move to the first segment of the X12 data file.

Executes a segment loop until the end of the transcussion.

Perform a flat-image-process.

Close the file.

Stop execution.

Segment-Loop (by use of segment salts or type rKJ elements) Finds segments in the overlay.

If the segment is defined in an overlay, get the first element in the segment. Perform Element-Loop to Element-Loop Out until all elements in the segment have been processed.

Get the next segment in the input X12 transaction.

Element - Loop.

If the element is blank, get the next element in the segment. Element - Look for the appropriate element description in the overlay that goes to Louvu output.

If an element has an abbreviation code of "S", this element is used to define a modifier/modifier relationship for printing.

Go to Element-Louvoo output.

Find where to place the current element data using the record format and location contained in the overlay element description.

If this element overlays a value already loaded into a flat-image work file, perform a flat-image-operation.

Places element data in the flat image file at the location in the record indicated by the overlay description.

If the current defined line is greater than the last-record-type, move the current line to the last-record-type.

Get next element in segment Element-loop output.

Output.

Flat-Image-Process Writing the flat-image work file from the first-record format to the final recording format.

Initializing the flat image work file from the first-record-format to the final-record-format.

Set the first recording format to 99 and the final recording format to 0.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating programmable machinery of two trading partners utilizing the present invention; FIG. Figures 3A and 3B are both flowcharts showing how the device creates a specific overlay and its mapping. segment, transaction)
FIG. 5 is a diagram of a submenu showing how the overlay generator is called and how the three-level dictionary of dictionary definition type transactions is called;
Figure 6 is an illustration of the main menu showing how data entry and file translations that require overlays are invoked; Figure 7A is an illustration of the screen used to identify data entry overlays; and Figure 7B is an illustration of the screen used to identify overlays. FIG. 7C is a representation of the screen used to add and delete segments used in a particular overlay; FIG. FIGS. 7E and 7F are representations of screens used to add and remove elements used in overlays; FIGS. 7E and 7F are representations of screens used to define and change attributes of elements used in a particular overlay; Figure 7G is a representation of the screen used to define and change all data entry screen attributes used by the overlay generator when creating a data entry screen to be combined with a particular data entry overlay; Figure 7H; 8 is a screen representation showing the actual appearance of the data entry screen; FIG. 8 is a representation of the form of overlay currently produced by this overlay generator; and FIG. 9 is the coordinate position of the combined field on the data entry screen. FIG. 10 is a matrix diagram representing the interrelationships of the elements in the data input overlay for each position in the transmitted data stream in dictionary structured format. Explanation of symbols: 10.12...Programmable mechanical device; 14...C
PU (processor): 16...hard disk; 18...floppy disk unit: 20
... Keyboard: 22 ... Display screen; 24
...Printer; 26...Modem. Figure 3A Figure 5 Figure 7A Figure 6 Figure 7B Figure 7C Figure 7E Figure 7D Figure 7F Figure 7G Figure 7H Procedural amendment (voluntary)

Claims (30)

[Claims] (1) operate on business transaction data in a plurality of different dictionary structured transaction formats;
A programmable mechanical device including a plurality of device components: a first device defining an overlay for each different dictionary structure format, each such overlay having a ordered order of elements and a given order of elements; said first device for mapping the coordinates of a given element to an associated field of a given device component; and a second device for translating data in one of the dictionary structured formats into a different format for use with the given device component. A programmable machine, comprising; whereby the same programmable machine can be operated with different dictionary structured transaction formats without modifying the software. (2) one of the device components is a storage device, and the storage device is the segments and elements of a given transaction, and the first device; uses these segments as necessary for a given transaction; a device that displays to a user; a device that allows the user to access and display segments and elements of a given transaction in a variable number, order, and attributes; a device that has multiple fields, some of which are associated with certain elements; A device for selecting a given device component; a device for finishing a given device component by moving a field to a different position within the device component; automatically updating the mapping coordinates of elements that are combined with the moved field. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a device for: (3) the given device component is a data entry screen, and the mechanical device includes: a keyboard for data entry; and a combination of data entered on the screen into a dictionary-structured transaction format through the keyboard; 3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes a device for placing the element in the appropriate commanded position. (4) the plurality of device components define, enter, translate and transmit business transaction data to trading partners, and the device further: a) integrates the plurality of elements into a particular organization; an input device that defines a dictionary-structured transaction format having; b) a selection device that selects a given device component; c) an overlay that cooperates with the input device and the selection device to combine with the selected device component. an overlay generator for generating at least one second form, said overlay being used to define at least one second form having parts positionable in selected device parts associated with elements in the dictionary structured transaction form; 2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising: said overlay generating device; and d) a transmitting device for transmitting the translated data in a dictionary structured format to a trading partner. (5) (a) an element dictionary containing an identification code for each element and data defining certain parameters thereof; (b) an element dictionary containing an identification code for each segment defined by a group of elements in a particular order; (c) a transaction dictionary including an identification code for each transaction defined by the group of segments in a particular order; 3. A device for selecting from a dictionary, the overlay generator further comprising the device used to create a mapping to a second format for the selected device and each transaction format created. 4. Device according to description. (6) The selected component is a printer used to print data in a format convenient for the user, and the overlay prints the data to be printed from a dictionary structure format through the printer in a format convenient for the user. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it is used by a translation device for translating into a good format. (7) The storage device includes a disk storage device, and the overlay is used by a translation device to translate data in a dictionary structure format into a fixed field format for storage in the disk storage device. A device according to claim 5. (8) said selected component is a disk storage device, and said overlay is used by said translation device to translate data stored on a disk storage device in a fixed field format into a dictionary structured format; Device according to claim 5, characterized in that: (9) the device component includes a storage device and the storage device includes information to be associated with segments and elements of a given transaction, and the first device further: uses those segments necessary for the given transaction; Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a device for displaying and a device accessible by a user for changing the number, order and attributes of the segments and elements of a given transaction. (10) The plurality of device components each have a plurality of different data locations, and the device further includes: a given device having a plurality of fields in different locations where one is associated with a certain element; an apparatus for finishing a given device component by moving a selection of such fields to a different position within the device component; A device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a device for automatically updating. (11) A method of using a programmable machine for electronic data exchange between trading partners, wherein at least two trading partners use different dictionary-structured transaction formats, and the programmable machine has a keyboard,
The method has a plurality of device components including a display screen and a storage device, the method comprising: a) entering a transaction code on a keyboard for a given trading associate; b) entering a transaction code on the screen; displaying a segment for the transaction code; c) a screen containing information stored in the storage device including the ordered order of the elements in dictionary structured format and on which the combined data fields for each element are placed; d) creating a data entry overlay containing mapping coordinates for the locations on the screen; d) moving data entry fields on the screen to create the desired screen format, and mapping coordinates for the combined elements in the overlay thereto; creating the screen format that is updated accordingly. (12) e) entering data into a data entry field; f) translating the entered data into a defined dictionary structure format in an appropriate order using a data entry overlay; g) dictionary structure; 12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of: transmitting data in a transaction format to a trading partner. (13) Steps (a) to (1) for multiple different trading partners.
e), whereby the machine defines and inputs business transaction data to be sent between each trading partner even if the various trading partners use different dictionary-structured transaction formats; 13. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that it is used for translating. (14) e) storing an element dictionary in a storage device, said element dictionary including an identification code for each element thereof and data defining certain parameters; g) storing a transaction dictionary in a storage device; and step (b) storing each transaction on the screen, said transaction dictionary including an identification code for each transaction defined by a plurality of segments in a particular order. 12. A method according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises the step of: - automatically displaying the segments required for the code. 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of: (15) h) transforming the displayed segments, thereby customizing the transaction form as desired. (16) a mass storage device, a keyboard, and a data entry screen for inputting electronic business data in first and second different dictionary structured transaction (DST) formats into a machine for exchange among trading partners; , and a central processing unit (CPU) comprising: a) loading a first DST overlay to be combined with a first DST format into the CPU from a mass storage device; b) a first DST format; c) entering data into the relevant fields shown on the screen via a keyboard associated with a given element of; c) inputting data during step (b) under control of the CPU and using a first DST overlay; d) loading a second DST overlay from the mass storage device into the CPU to be associated with the second DST format; e) a keyboard associated with the given element of the second DST format; f) storing the data entered during step (e) in an intermediate file under the control of the CPU and using a second DST overlay; A method comprising the steps of: (17)g) Steps (b) and (e) under CPU control and with at least one DST overlay.
17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of retrieving data entered during the transaction from one or more intermediate files in preparation for transmission to a trading partner. (18) g) creating first and second DST overlays, each containing information regarding the ordered order of the elements of the DST format and containing mapping coordinates for the location on the screen where the combined data field for each element is to be placed; 17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of: (19) h) moving the data entry fields to be combined with the first DST overlay on the screen to create the desired screen format; 1) thereby updating the mapping coordinates of the combined elements of the first DST overlay; 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising: (20) A programmable mechanical device comprising a keyboard, a display screen, a processor, and at least one mass storage device for manipulating business transaction data in different dictionary structured transaction (DST) formats; 1. A method for translating data organized in a format into a file format consisting of fixed field, fixed length records, comprising: a) creating a first DST overlay containing mapping coordinates without the need to manually code a computer program; b) using a keyboard, a display screen and a processor non-interactingly to determine; b) at least one of the data in the first DST format by moving the elements of the data according to mapping coordinates included in the first DST overlay; arranging one segment in a fixed file format; c) storing the data formatted in step (b) in a fixed file on a mass storage device; and d) manually encoding a computer program. without the need,
using a keyboard, display screen and processor non-interactively to define a second DST overlay containing mapping coordinates; e) by moving elements of data according to mapping coordinates contained in the second DST overlay; arranging at least one segment of data in a second DST format in a fixed file format; f) storing the data formatted in step (e) in a fixed file on a mass storage device; A method characterized by: (21) storing the first and second DST overlays in a mass storage device for later use;
and loading the second DST overlay from the mass storage device to the processor when the second DST overlay needs to be used. 21. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that it comprises. (22) In the formatting steps (b) and (e),
Respectively: finding the location where the current element data corresponding to a particular element in the DST format should be placed; and: overlaying the values already loaded into the flat image work file by such current element data. writing the flat-image work file if it is determined in the dependent step (2) that the current element data overlays the values already loaded into the flat-image work file; 21. A method according to claim 20, characterized in that it comprises a dependent step consisting of the step. (23) Programmable machinery, including manual input devices, display screens, processors, and mass storage devices for manipulating business transaction data in different dictionary structured transaction (DST) formats, with fixed field, fixed length The data organized in a fixed file format consisting of records in the first and second (DST)
) A method of: a) interacting a manual input device, a display screen, and a processor to define a first DST overlay containing mapping coordinates without the need to manually code a computer program; b) arranging at least one segment of the data in the first DST format into a fixed file format by moving elements of the data according to mapping coordinates included in the first DST overlay; c) storing the data formatted in step (b) in a DST file on a mass storage device; and d) for defining a second DST overlay containing mapping coordinates without the need to manually code a computer program. , using a manual input device, a display screen and a processor non-interactively; A method comprising the steps of: arranging the segments in a second DST format; f) storing the data formatted in step (e) in a DST file on a mass storage device. (24) storing the first and second overlays in a mass storage device for later use; a first DST;
loading the overlay from the mass storage device to the processor when it needs to be used; and loading the second DST overlay from the mass storage device to the processor when it needs to be used. 24. A method according to claim 23, characterized in that it comprises. (25) Formatting steps (b) and (e) are each: using a flat image work file to temporarily store the data; and periodically writing the data from the image work file to a mass storage device. With stages; (26) Different dictionary structured transactions (DST)
Data entry that facilitates minimizing manual entry of data in programmable mechanical equipment that operates with business transaction data in a format and includes multiple equipment components having manual input devices, display screens, processors, and storage devices. A method of creating an overlay: A basic data input DST overlay with a commanded order of elements and a display screen by defining an overlay code as well as a transactional code without the need to manually code a computer program. using manual input devices, display screens, processors and storage devices non-interactively to define the mapping coordinates of a given element to the associated fields of the basic data entry overlay; customizing the basic data entry overlay thus defined by changing at least one of its characteristics. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of customizing includes changing at least one of the elements included in the data input overlay. (28) The step of customizing includes: a) a dependent step of adding elements in the first segment of the basic data input DST overlay; b) a dependent step of deleting elements in the second segment of the basic data input DST overlay. 27. A method according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises. (29) The customization stage is basic data input DST
29. A method according to claim 28, comprising the step of defining attributes of elements within the overlay. 30. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of customizing includes the step of defining all transaction parameters for mapping data entered on the display screen from a manual input device.