JPH06282505A - Information processing system and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the data input on a terminal side with practiced means by transmitting the form data file corresponding to the input means of a terminal from a host computer to the terminal. CONSTITUTION:A terminal 200 transmits its ID information to the side of a host computer 100. The host computer 100 receives the ID of the terminal 200 and discriminates the application that the terminal 200 possesses by referring to the terminal control data part within a hard disk device 101. The host computer 100 searches out the form data file corresponding to the application program that the terminal 200 possesses from the form data part within the hard disk device 101 and transmits this to the terminal 200. The terminal 200 executes the application program, inputs data in the form data file to which the host computer 100 has transmitted and transmits the file to the host computer 100.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system and a method thereof, and more particularly to an information processing system and a method thereof performed by a host computer and a terminal connected thereto.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Consider an information processing system for centrally managing and processing data sent from a plurality of terminals.

Generally, on the terminal side in this type of system, first of all, the terminal device is connected to a host computer. It then enters the data and transfers it to the host computer. Then, this process is repeated until data input is completed. Finally, the process of cutting off the connection with the host computer is taken.

Conventionally, such a terminal device has been used for its own purpose, but nowadays a high-performance and low-priced personal computer is becoming popular with the progress of electronic technology.
It has become possible to realize the functions of terminals with personal computers. Of course, in this case, on the personal computer, an emulation program for realizing exactly the same functions as those of conventional terminals is indispensable.

[0005]

However, when the emulation program is operated on such a personal computer, the control of the screen and the operation system are placed under the control of the connected host computer, and the operation is performed. There is a problem that it takes time to get to the senses.

Further, in a system in which screen control for inputting data on the terminal side is also controlled by the host computer, the host computer is burdened with the control. Furthermore, once connected to the host computer, at least the host computer side must perform a process for exchanging data with the connected terminal, and when many terminals are connected, the response speed must be slow. I don't get it.

Further, in the case of a system in which the host computer and the terminal are respectively connected via a general public line by a modem or the like, the host computer is still connected to the host computer during data input, and The line usage fee cannot be ignored due to the operator's unfamiliarity with the operation and the burden on the host computer.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above prior art, and provides an information processing system and method capable of performing data input on the terminal side by using a well-known means. Is what you are trying to do.

In order to solve this problem, the information processing system of the present invention has the following configuration. That is, in an information processing system including a host computer and at least one terminal connected to the host computer, the terminal is connected to the host computer and is instructed by the host computer according to an instruction from the host computer. And a desired data input unit for inputting data and storing as a file, and the host computer receives the connection request from the terminal, and the terminal inputs to the input unit. When there is no corresponding form data file, a transmitting means for transmitting the form data file to the terminal and a connection request from the terminal, and the terminal is based on the form data file input by the input means. If you have a data file, And a transmission instruction means for instructing the transmission of the data file.

Further, the information processing method of the present invention comprises the following steps. That is, in an information processing method in a system configured by a host computer and at least one terminal connected to the host computer, there is a connection request from the terminal to the host computer, and the host computer has a desired When it is determined that there is no form data file corresponding to the data input means, the host computer transmits the form data file to the terminal, and based on the form data file transmitted from the host computer, There is a data file creation process in which the terminal side inputs data by using the desired data input means to create a data file, and there is a connection request from the terminal to the host computer,
When the host computer determines that the terminal has a data file created in the data file creating step, the host computer includes a transmission instruction step of instructing the terminal to send the data file.

[0011]

In the process or configuration of the present invention, when a connection request is issued from the terminal, it is confirmed whether or not there is a data file to be transmitted on the terminal side, and if not, the input means on the terminal side is matched. Submit form data. Also, if there is a data file to be sent, ask that data file to be sent.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Explanation of Outline] Recent progress in electronic technology is remarkable.

This is due to the spread of personal computers and various application programs operating on them.
It can be said that this is one of the reasons.

By the way, today, the personal computer and various applications that operate on the personal computer have become widespread (permeated) to the point where the business cannot be performed without it. There are various kinds of application programs such as a word processor program, a spreadsheet program, and a database program. In any case, such a program provides an operating environment that is sufficiently familiar to the operator who is using the program.

Now, consider a system in which collected data is sent online to a host computer for general purpose use. In this case, even if the terminal is a familiar personal computer, the operation mode of the program (hereinafter referred to as an emulator) for exchanging data with the host computer operating on the terminal is completely different from the application used until then. They are different and take a considerable amount of time to get used to. In addition, as the number of terminals being accessed increases, the response speed of the host computer to each terminal inevitably decreases, so that the rate of giving an unpleasant effect to a third party increases unless the user is used to operating the terminals. . Above all, the burden on the host computer is only increasing. Furthermore, when connecting to a host computer via a public line, the line usage fee cannot be ignored.

In this embodiment, these problems are eliminated.

First, the use of an application program that has been used to date is permitted for data input of a terminal (personal computer).

Secondly, in order to reduce the load on the host computer, the line is cut off even after the host computer is accessed until the creation of the data to be transmitted is completed.

Thirdly, the operation of accessing the host computer and the operation of starting the application for data input are not left to the terminal side operator.

Although the details will be described later, a brief description will be made. For data input at the terminal, it is assumed that an application program that has been used to date is used, and the data file created by the application is transmitted to the host computer. However, even if a data file in an arbitrary format is sent, the host computer cannot determine what kind of data it is. Therefore, when connecting to the terminal, the host computer forms the application program form of the connected terminal. Send the data file.

The outline of how the process proceeds is as follows.

When the terminal starts the emulator and is connected to the host computer, the host computer sends the form data file for the application program of the terminal. The terminal receives this data and stores the data in a storage device such as its own hard disk device as a file. After that, the host computer cuts off the line on the terminal side, terminates the emulator, and activates the application program for the transmitted form data file. As a result, it becomes possible to input data to the form data file transmitted to the terminal side. When the operator finishes the series of data input operations and then terminates the application, the emulator automatically starts again and the data file that has already been input data (a file that has received data added to the form data file). ) Is sent to the host computer. Thus, after the data file is once transmitted to the host computer, in order to keep the data confidential, it is deleted from the storage device such as the hard disk of the terminal under the control of the host computer.

In the present embodiment, except when the host computer and the terminal are first connected, the host computer controls the activation of emulators and application programs on the other terminals, and the activation of these various programs is troublesome. The terminal side operator is released from the operation.

An example for realizing the above processing will be described below.

<Description of System Configuration> FIG. 1 shows a connection relationship between a host computer and terminals in the embodiment. The drawing shows that the host computer 100 is connected with the terminal 200 connected via a telephone line and the terminal 401 connected with a dedicated line.

When connecting via a line, the terminal 200 and the host computer 100 mutually communicate with the modems 102, 2
It is connected via 02. 101, 201, 301
Are hard disk devices, each of which stores an operating system (OS), various application programs, and the like. However, the terminal 300 is connected to the dedicated line 400 shown in the figure through the transceiver 401, which is advantageous in terms of transfer speed through the line.

In order to simplify the description, the processing between the host computer 100 and the terminal 200 will be described below, but the processing is not limited to the terminal 200, but the terminal 300.
However, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the same processing is performed. Further, the host computer 100 or the operating system operating on the terminal 200 (personal computer) may be any, but in the embodiment, the host computer 100 is UNIX.
(Operating system developed and licensed by AT & T, USA) Machine, terminal 200 is MS-DO
S (registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation of America, omitted below) machine.

Now, FIG. 2 shows the contents of the hard disk device 101 of the host computer 100. Although a hard disk device is taken as an example of the storage device in the embodiment, other storage devices, such as a floppy disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a magnetic tape, may be used because it is advantageous in terms of capacity and speed. Of course.

In the figure, 110 is an operating system of the host computer 100 (UNIX in the embodiment), and the host computer 10
When 0 is powered on, it is loaded into its RAM (not shown). 111 is a host computer 11
0 is an application program that runs on
For example, the program according to the flowcharts of FIGS. 112 is a host computer 112
Terminal management data section for managing terminals connected to
Reference numeral 113 denotes a form data section composed of form data for an application program operable on each terminal. Here, the terminal management data unit 112 is composed of terminal ID information for identifying each terminal and environment data of the terminal (information such as what kind of application program is registered). Also, 1
A batch file unit 14 manages a plurality of batch files (details will be described later).

FIG. 3 shows the contents of the hard disk device 201 in the terminal 200.

In the figure, reference numeral 211 denotes an operating system (MS-DO in the embodiment) loaded on the RAM (not shown) when the terminal 200 is powered on.
S) and 212 is an emulator (details will be described later) for performing data communication with the host computer 100. In the embodiment, the file name of this emulator program is, for example, "EMULATOR.EXE".
(The extension EXE means an executable file). Reference numeral 213 is an application program, which is various commercially available software such as a word processor program, a spreadsheet program, and a database program. Reference numeral 214 denotes various files including, for example, a kana-kanji conversion dictionary file and the like.

Now, the OS of the terminal 200 in the embodiment
As described above, it is assumed that MS-DOS is adopted.

In this OS, if a series of procedure processing steps are stored in a text format batch file (extension is "BAT"), the batch file name is input from the keyboard to sequentially perform the processing. It becomes possible.

For example, it is assumed that a batch file indicated by reference numeral 41 in FIG. 4 (named “EM.BAT”) is stored in the hard disk 201.

The batch file 41 shown in the figure will be briefly described. The first line shows the label, the second line shows the definition of the path name (reference subdirectory name), and the third line actually shows. Of the emulator 212 (the file name is EMULATOR.EXE has already been described).

When the operator waits for a command input from the terminal 200, the operator selects the file name "E" of this batch file.
By keying in "M" (extension can be omitted) and pressing the return key, the processing progresses line by line. Here, on the OS side, the line up to which line in the batch file can be processed. Since the progress is stored in a predetermined area, if a plurality of application program names are described in the batch file, the applications can be sequentially executed.

In the case of the batch file 41 shown in the figure, first,
Since the first line is just a label, the process proceeds to the second line and the path name is set. Then, the emulator 212 is executed in the third line. Then, on the third line, that is, when the emulator process ends, the next line advances. However, since the description up to the third line is the batch file 41, this batch process ends, It will return to the command input waiting state.

[Explanation of Processing on Terminal Side] Now, assuming that the file name “EM” of the batch file 41 in the figure is keyed in and the emulator 212 is activated, the processing contents will be described with reference to FIG.

Incidentally, the batch file named "AUTOEXEC.BAT" has a special meaning as is well known, and is automatically executed when the apparatus is started. Therefore, if the file name of the batch file 41 is set to the name of the batch file for automatic execution, or if the file name of the batch file 41 is described in the last line of the batch file for automatic execution, the name of the batch file 41 will be You can save the trouble of keying in.

When the emulator 212 is executed, first, in step S1, the host computer 1 of the line is connected.
The connection processing with 00 is performed. The telephone number of the other party, connection parameters, etc. are stored in advance in an appropriate file, connection processing is performed according to the contents of the file, and the process waits in the next step S2 until the connection is made.

When it is determined that the connection is completed, the process proceeds to step S3, the emulator 212 transmits its own ID information to the host computer 100 side, and in the next step S4, the command and the data are received from the host computer 100. . In step S5, the received command and data are discriminated, and based on the discrimination result, step S5
It branches to 6-step S11.

<Description of Step S6> When it is determined that the command is an OS command, the process proceeds to step S6 to execute the command of the instructed OS.

The OS command referred to here is a file list command (DIR) or file deletion (DEL).
Etc. Since the MS-DOS has an I / O redirect function, DIR> SAMPLE. If you enter DIR, a list of file names (text) in the current directory will appear in the current directory with the file name SAMPLE. It is stored as DIR.

In short, the emulator 212 in this embodiment has a function of executing such OS commands. In many cases, it can be realized by using the function call function of MS-DOS, and the description thereof is omitted.

<Description of Step S7> This process is a process for displaying the display of the character string sent from the host computer, and is a process for displaying a menu screen or the like.

<Explanation of Step S8> This process is an instruction to transmit the key input at the terminal 200 to the host computer 100.

<Description of Step S9> This process is a process of transmitting to the host computer 100 the file under the path name designated by the host computer 100.

<Explanation of Step S10> This process is a process of newly opening the designated file name under the path name designated by the host computer 100 and writing the received data into the file.

<Description of Step S11> This process is a process of disconnecting the line and ending the present emulator.

[Explanation of Host Computer Processing] Next, the processing contents of the host computer 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.
Follow the instructions below. Note that this processing is executed when a connection request is made from the terminal side 200 or 300.

First, when the connection is made, step S21
In step S22, the ID of the connected terminal is received, and in the next step S22, by referring to the terminal management data section 112 in the hard disk device 101, whether or not the terminal for which the connection request has been made is already registered. to decide. If it is determined that the terminal has already been registered, steps S23 to S28 are skipped and the process proceeds to step S31.

Therefore, here, a case will be described in which the connected terminal is new.

In this case, the process proceeds to step S23, and a request for creating a file name list list of the terminal is generated.

Specifically, it is as follows.

First, an instruction is given to execute the next command or the process corresponding to the next command.

DIR ¥ *. * ＞ ¥ FILENAME. DIR The terminal 200 receiving this command creates a list of file names in the root directory of its own hard disk device 201 on the root directory.

In the next step S24, the file name "FILENAME.
A request for transmission of "DIR" is issued, and the file "FILENAME.DIR" sent from the terminal in step S25. DI
Write R ″ to the hard disk 101.

When the reception and the writing of all the files are completed, the process proceeds to step S25 to request the deletion of the transmitted file "FILENAME.DIR" created on the terminal 200.

In step S26, the contents of the received file "FILENAME.DIR" are checked and the terminal 20
Determine what application program 0 owns. Therefore, this determination is made by comparing with a file name table (not shown) of various application programs provided in the hard disk 101.

It should be noted that each application normally creates a unique directory in the root directory when it is installed in a terminal. In this embodiment, what kind of file the file has is determined by this directory name. Also, if the user on the terminal side owns the application under the directory named arbitrarily,
The above process may be performed in order to send the list of file names under all directories. Further, since it is assumed that the hard disk 201 of the terminal 200 is divided into a plurality of logical drives, the above process may be performed for all the logical drives.

In any case, when the application owned by the terminal 200 is determined, the host computer 1
00 is the terminal ID in the terminal management data section 112,
Data for identifying the application in use is added, and next time, the above steps S23 to S28 are performed.
Do not perform the process of. However, terminal side 2
If a new application program is introduced in step 00, or if various application programs on the host computer are updated, the processing of step S23 and the subsequent steps may be performed regularly (may be every time).

When the application owned by the terminal 200 can be specified, the process proceeds to step S31, and it is determined whether or not there is data to be transmitted to the host computer 100 on the terminal 200 side.

This determination is made by the terminal 2 as described above.
It is only necessary to instruct to transmit the file name list list in the hard disk 201 of No. 00, and to judge whether or not there is a file name with a specific name from the transmitted file name list list.

Here, it is assumed that the terminal does not have data to be transmitted.

In this case, the process proceeds to step S 32, and the form data file corresponding to the application program (named “APL-A” in the previous example) owned by the terminal 200 is stored in the hard disk device 101. The part 113 is searched for and transmitted. In this case, the name of the form data file does not matter, but the name of the sent file can be determined later. This is because it is involved in the processing in step S31.

When the transmission of the form data file for the terminal 200 is completed, the process proceeds to step S33 to determine whether the connected terminal 200 is connected via the public line.

When it is determined that the terminal is on the public line, the process proceeds to step S34, a batch file matching the environment of the terminal 200 is searched for (or may be created) from the batch file section 114, and The batch file "E" that was referenced when the terminal was started
M. At the same path position as "BAT", "EM. B
It is transmitted to the terminal 200 as "AT".

As a result, for example, the batch file 41 referred to at the time of starting the terminal 200 is designated by reference numeral 42 in FIG.
It is changed as shown in.

When the terminal 200 starts up, the batch file 4
Since the emulator has been started by the 1 (position A in the figure), the batch file 41 is replaced by the batch file 4
If it is overwritten with 2, it behaves as if it were executing the A'position on the same line. As a result, when the host computer 200 issues a line disconnection request to the terminal and terminates the emulator, it is possible to continue processing from the fourth line of the batch file 42.

In the figure, "APL-A" is the application program name (word processor software, spreadsheet software, database software, etc.) owned by the terminal, and "GOTO START" is the application "APL-A". When finished, label "ST
It is an instruction to move the process to "ART (first line)".

As described above, when the batch file having the same name as that referred to at the time of activation is transmitted to the terminal 200, the process proceeds to step S34, and an instruction for disconnecting the line is issued. Send.

As a result, the terminal 200 on the public line is
Under the path designated by the host computer 100, write the received file data in the file with the designated name, disconnect the line when the writing is completed (step S11), and terminate the emulator program. Become.

When the connected terminal is not on the public line (terminals 300 and 500 in FIG. 1), not transmitting the batch file and disconnecting the request command does not increase the connection cost. Because you don't have to consider it.

Now, the terminal 200 connected to the public line
Receives the line disconnection request, the terminal disconnects the connection with the host computer and terminates the emulator, and the terminal 200 continues the process from the next line (position B in the drawing) in the batch file 42. . As a result, the path is designated, and then the application program "APL-A" is automatically executed.

Application program "APL-
When "A" is executed, the subsequent operating environment depends on the application, but in any case, the operator reads the form data file previously transmitted by the host computer 200 under the environment of the application ( Since the data is only for that application, it can be read without any problems), and data is input to it.

Incidentally, some of recent applications for MS-DOS include macro programs that can be assembled, and there is a data file with a specific name in the same directory in which the application program is placed. And, there is one that can automatically read the data file at startup. If a macro program that is executed at the same time as reading is added to the data file, it can be automatically executed. Therefore, if the application program "APL-A" owned by the terminal 200 is of this type, the file having the name automatically read has a macro program for automatic execution.

However, in order to facilitate the data input on the terminal 200 side in the form data file, for example, it is desirable that only numbers and characters are input at predetermined positions (where the data is stored). Make it easy to understand what to enter).

Now, when the application on the terminal 200 side is started, data is added to the form data file transmitted by the host computer 100 (meaning that the file is updated), and finally the application is terminated, The file name “EM.
The process proceeds to the position C of the batch file 42 called "BAT". As a result, by returning to the label "START", the emulator is automatically started again.

As a result, the terminal 200 starts the processing shown in FIG. 5 and connects to the host computer 100 again.

Therefore, the host computer 200 restarts the process from step S21.

Then, in the determination in step S22, it is determined that the terminal 200 which has requested the line connection has already been registered, so the processing of step S31 is performed. Here, it is detected that there is a form data file for which data has been input (hereinafter, simply referred to as a data file because data has already been input) by sending the file name list of the terminal 200, that is, When it is detected that a file having the same name as the previously transmitted form data file exists, the process proceeds to step S35.

In step S35, the data file name and its path name are specified and a request is sent to the terminal 200 side. Then, in the next step S36, the file is received and written to the hard disk device 101. Of course, if the data file cannot be correctly received for some reason (for example, when the line is crossed), the transmission request command is transmitted again. When the reception of the file is completed in this way, step S37.
Proceed to and instruct to delete the data file created on the terminal side. As a result, the hard disk 2 on the terminal side
01 will not be compressed capacitywise, and above all, it will be useful for confidentiality protection.

When the process proceeds to step S38, it is determined whether or not it is necessary to create the data that the user wants to continuously transmit. This judgment depends on the work for each terminal.

If the user wants to send the next data, the process branches to step S32 to send the second form data file for the application of the terminal 200.

If it is determined that the series of data input and reception are completed, the process proceeds to step S39, it is determined whether the terminal is on the public line, and if it is determined that the terminal is on the public line. The following steps S40 and S41 are performed.

That is, in step S40, a batch file for processing termination is searched for from the batch file section 114, and it is transmitted to the terminal side. Of course, the name of the file to be transmitted in this case is "EM.BAT". Then, it instructs the terminal 200 to disconnect the line.

As a result, the batch file on the terminal side is shown in FIG.
As indicated by reference numeral 43, the contents are changed to the same contents as at the first start, but the OS on the terminal side is supposed to process the position A ′ of the batch file 2, that is, the third line.
Since the batch file 42 is now changed to the batch file 43, it is as if the batch file 43
Behaves as if it were processing the A "position of.

Therefore, in the next step S41, when a line disconnection request is received from the host computer 100 to disconnect the line and terminate the emulator, the process exits from this batch file and returns to the state of waiting for the MS-DOS command input. .

As a result, the terminal side can use the existing application program to input data, and the operating environment is dramatically improved. The point to note here is that even if the type of data (or business) input on the terminal side is the same, it is not necessary to use the same application on each terminal, and each terminal user uses an application program that they are familiar with. It is possible.

<Explanation of Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the host computer 100 sends the form data file for the application of each terminal.
Therefore, the host computer 100 side had to have a function of analyzing data files of different formats sent from the terminals. However, the example in which the files transmitted / received to / from each terminal are unified files This will be described as a second embodiment.

Generally, most applications create and read a data file in a unique format, but in many cases, a text data file can be imported in common. The text-format data file mentioned here refers to a file composed of a generally well-known code system such as a character code and a line feed code.

Therefore, the data file in the text format is sent to each terminal as the form data file in the first embodiment. However, not all applications and the like can capture the data in the text format, and in this case, the types of applications that can be used on the terminal side will be limited to some extent. Further, it does not mean that the contents of the text data file for all applications are exactly the same, and the text data file for application A and the text data file for application B may be different. In other words, what is important here is at least a format that allows the host computer to easily check the contents of the file for sending or receiving without making a special analysis process and without making a special program. It is that. In that respect, the second book
In this embodiment, the text format is adopted.

Now, such text data is transmitted to the terminal, an application program possessed by the terminal is activated, and data is input on the application program. Then, the result is written as a file in the hard disk device of the terminal.

The problem here is that the data-entered file created by the application may be not only in the text format but also in the format unique to the application. Some applications can save the input result as a file when saving it as a file. In this case, there is no problem, but if there is something that does not have that function, the host computer must analyze it. This is the second book
Contrary to the gist of the embodiment.

Even if the application on the terminal side has a function of creating and saving a file in the text format, if the input data is not saved in the text format by using the function, the host computer Analysis processing on the side is inevitably necessary.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, when a data file created on the terminal side is transmitted, the data file is sent to the terminal side (or host computer side).
(In fact, all you have to do is check the extension of the created file), and that is the host computer 10.
If it is determined that the data has a format that cannot be recognized by the 0 side, the conversion program stored in the hard disk or the like on the terminal side is activated in advance. However, this conversion program in the second embodiment is realized by a generally used program. Therefore, its details will not be described.

Generally, the time required for the conversion program to complete the conversion is several seconds or at most, unlike the case where the application program is started and the data is input as in the first embodiment. A few minutes. Therefore, it is not a good idea to disconnect the host computer and the terminal during that time.

In the second embodiment, such a conversion program is started while the emulator on the terminal side is being started (while it remains resident in the memory). Then, when the processing of the conversion program is completed, the emulator resident in the memory is made to continue the processing.

As a result, the terminal side has created a data file in a format that can be recognized by the host computer. Therefore, it is sufficient to send it based on an instruction from the host computer 100.

In the second embodiment, an application that does not read a text-format data file cannot be used for data input on the terminal side, but the host computer sends a text-format data file to the terminal. After sending, the text data file may be converted for the application. The process of converting the data file input by the application into the text format is as described above. If this is followed, more available application programs can be supported.

<Description of Other Embodiments> First and Second Embodiments
In the embodiment, for example, in order for the host computer to know the contents owned by the terminal side, the file name list list file is created using the redirect function of the OS and transmitted. However, instead of using such a function, the host computer sends a predetermined command command, and the emulator which receives this command directly examines the directory of the hard disk device of the terminal and sends the result directly to the host computer without dropping it in a file. Of course, it doesn't matter.

In the first and second embodiments, one form data file is sent to the terminal, the application of the terminal is activated, and the file with the data input is sent. It is easy to understand that a plurality of form data files may be transmitted to the device, or a plurality of data files already input from the terminal may be transmitted instead of one.

Further, the terminal connected through the public line is
Since the host computer is not connected while data is being input, the burden on the host computer is virtually eliminated, and it is possible to reduce the cost of line connection when using a public line. Become.

Further, even when the form data format is changed or a new format form is created, it is sufficient for only the host computer to manage the form data. You can save the trouble of going to the place where you put it and changing the form.

In the embodiment, the host computer sends the form data to the terminal before sending one data file. However, this process is the same until the form (or business content) may be changed, so instead of sending it one by one,
It may be performed only when there is a change or when a new addition is made.

For example, when the form data file is once transmitted to the terminal, the form data may be copied with a different name and the copy may be used. The command to copy is not limited to MS-DOS, and it is easy for most OSs, so there is no problem.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the batch file is used to automatically switch between the emulator and the application program. This is to effectively utilize the limited memory space of MS-DOS. As long as the application program operates on a small memory, the child process may be started during the operation of the emulator program, and the application may be started in the child process.

According to the first embodiment, the host computer 100 needs a separate program for analyzing and integrating different formats of data created by each application program, but no explanation for this is necessary. Ah In this respect, according to the second embodiment, the data exchanged between the host computer and the terminal is advantageous because the host computer side simply checks the contents.

Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, an example in which there is only one application on the terminal side has been described, but in some cases, there are multiple applications on one terminal and multiple humans. May use different applications. In such cases,
It is also possible to display on the terminal a list of applications that can create a data file that can be received and analyzed by the host computer, out of all applications that the terminal has, and be instructed which one to use. In this case, a batch file for starting the instructed application may be transmitted, or if the memory permits, the application may be operated with the emulator resident in the memory. However, whether the form data for the application is transmitted each time or all form data for the usable application is transmitted in advance and the copy is used is arbitrary.

Further, in the embodiment, MS- is used as the terminal device.
Taking a DOS machine as an example, the host computer is UNIX
Although a machine has been described as an example, it can be easily understood that any machine may be used without depending on the OS or the model according to the concept of the present invention.

[0112]

As described above, according to the present invention, the host computer transmits the form file for the application possessed by the terminal side, the terminal side inputs the data into the form file by using the familiar application, and Since it is transmitted to the host computer, it is possible to significantly improve the operating environment up to now.

Furthermore, when the application executed on the terminal side is in use, the load on the host computer is reduced by keeping it disconnected from the host computer, and in the case of using a public line or the like. It is possible to reduce communication costs.

[0114]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a structural conceptual diagram of an information processing system in an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing contents of a hard disk device included in a host computer in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing contents of a hard disk device included in the terminal in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a transition example of a batch file on the terminal side in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing operation processing contents of the emulator operating on the terminal side in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing that operates on the host computer side in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process that operates on the host computer side in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 host computer 101, 201, 301 hard disk device 102, 202 modem 200, 300 terminal 201, 301 hard disk device 401 transceiver 402 dedicated line

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system comprising a host computer and at least one terminal connected to the host computer, wherein the terminal is connected to the host computer and, in accordance with an instruction from the host computer, the host computer. And a desired data input unit for inputting data and storing as a file, wherein the host computer receives the connection request from the terminal, and the terminal receives the connection request from the terminal. When there is no form data file corresponding to the input means, there is a transmitting means for transmitting the form data file to the terminal, and there is a connection request from the terminal, and the form data input by the input means to the terminal. There is a data file based on the file In this case, the information processing system is provided with a transmission instruction means for instructing transmission of the data file. 2. The communication means includes means for executing a predetermined command and an application instructed by a host computer, and the host computer further receives the data file instructed by the transmission instructing means, The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising deletion instruction means for instructing deletion of the data file in the terminal. 3. The communication means includes a shutoff means for shutting off the connection with the host computer according to an instruction from the host computer, and the host computer further sends the form data file by the sending means. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a disconnection instruction unit that instructs the terminal to disconnect the connection. 4. The format of a form data file transmitted by the host computer to the terminal and a data file transmitted by the terminal to the host computer are unified, and the terminal further includes data generated by the data input means. The information processing system according to claim 1, further comprising conversion means for converting a file into the format. 5. An information processing method in a system comprising a host computer and at least one terminal connected to the host computer, wherein the terminal issues a connection request to the host computer, and the host computer is the terminal. When it is determined that there is no form data file corresponding to the desired data input means that the host computer has, the host computer transmits the form data file to the terminal, and the form data file transmitted from the host computer On the basis of the data file creation process in which the terminal side inputs data by using the desired data input means to create a data file, there is a connection request from the terminal to the host computer, and the host computer is The edge At the end, when it is determined that there is a data file created in the data file creating step, the host computer includes a transmission instruction step for instructing the terminal to send the data file. 6. The method further comprises the step of, when the terminal sends the data file to the host computer by the sending instruction step, the terminal deletes the data file based on an instruction from the host computer. The information processing method according to claim 5, characterized in that 7. A step of, when the transmission of the form data file from the host computer to the terminal is completed by the transmitting step, the step of disconnecting the connection of the terminal with the host computer based on an instruction from the host computer. The information processing method according to claim 5, further comprising: 8. The format of the form data file transmitted by the host computer to the terminal and the format of the data file transmitted by the terminal to the host computer are unified, and the terminal further includes data generated by the data input means. The information processing method according to claim 5, further comprising a conversion step of converting a file into the format.