JP2004078374A - Information processing apparatus, business form processing method, computer-readable storage medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily perform such an operation as to define a reference indication and a data input in a variable data area according to the attributes of the input data controlled by a database, when specified data is inputted in the variable data area referring to the database. <P>SOLUTION: The variable data area is extracted by analyzing the form data of a template. When a CPU 11 generates an input form for inputting data in the variable data area based on the results of the extraction, an indication part for indicating, as a reference, the list of data representatives capable of referring to from the database is added, as an object, onto the generated input form according to the data attributes selectable from the variable data area. The added object is additionally displayed on a display 15 in the variable data area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes storage means for storing a form printing template in which a plurality of numerical input fields can be defined, and is input to each numerical input field defined in the template selected and read from the storing means. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a form processing method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a program for performing form printing processing by combining predetermined data with form data of the template.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printing system that merges postscript data describing a variable data portion with an output form created in advance, such as a form, and prints it.
[0003]
Generally, in this type of printing system, since the quality of printing is emphasized, an output form for printing is first created on the information processing apparatus, and post-installation data is created for this output form by some method, and Combine with output form.
[0004]
Here, regarding the input and creation of variable data corresponding to the output form, the user of the system has constructed a unique input system in accordance with the task.
[0005]
As the number of forms to be processed on such a system increases, developing a data input form for each form becomes a burden on the user.
[0006]
At the same time, the operability of the input form is also required to be improved, and the load involved in developing the input form is only increasing.
[0007]
Further, as described in JP-A-2001-101326, a system using a database has been proposed to reduce such a burden.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When using the above database as an input assisting means, the table of the database includes a large number of data and a few data only, and if these tables are treated equally, There was a problem that the operability of the input form was reduced.
[0009]
The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to analyze a form data of a template, extract a variable data area, and, based on the extraction result, to a variable data area. When generating an input form for performing the data input, a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database on the generated input form according to the data attributes that can be selected for the variable data area When a predetermined data is input to each variable data area by referring to the database by adding an instruction unit for displaying the reference as an object and additionally displaying the added object in the variable data area. In addition, according to the attributes of the input data managed by the database, it is easy to perform the operation of confirming the reference instruction and the data input on the variable data area. Ukoto is to provide an information processing apparatus and the form processing method and computer-readable storage medium and a program having excellent and operability convenience that can.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A first invention according to the present invention comprises storage means for storing a form printing template in which a plurality of numerical input fields can be defined, and each numerical input field defined by the template selected and read from the storing means. An information processing apparatus for performing a form printing process by synthesizing predetermined data input to the template and form data of the template, and extracting a variable data area by analyzing the form data of the template (Corresponding to a configuration in which the CPU 11 shown in FIG. 1 performs extraction processing based on a form processing program read from the external storage device 14 or the like), and for inputting data to the variable data area based on the extraction result by the extraction means. Generating means for generating an input form (read by the CPU 11 shown in FIG. (Corresponding to a configuration that performs generation processing based on a form processing program to be performed), and can be referenced from a database on an input form generated by the generation unit according to a data attribute that can be selected for the variable data area. Means for adding, as an object, an instruction section for referencing and displaying a data candidate list, and control means for additionally displaying the object added by the adding means on the variable data area (the CPU 11 shown in FIG. (Corresponding to a configuration for performing additional display processing based on a form processing program read from the storage device 14 or the like).
[0011]
A second invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the data attribute is the number of data managed on a database.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a determining means for determining a candidate selected from a list of data candidates displayed on a display means as an input data candidate for the variable data area (the CPU 11 shown in FIG. Etc.) (corresponding to a configuration for performing a finalization process based on a form processing program read out from the same).
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reference mode setting unit (FIG. 1) for setting a display area of an instruction unit for displaying a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database, to a specific area or a variable data area. (Corresponding to a configuration in which the CPU 11 performs setting processing based on a form processing program read from the external storage device 14 or the like).
[0014]
A fifth invention according to the present invention comprises storage means for storing a form printing template in which a plurality of numerical input fields can be defined, and each numerical input field defined by the template selected and read from the storing means. A form processing method in an information processing apparatus for performing a form printing process by synthesizing predetermined data input with respect to the form data of the template and performing form printing processing, wherein the form data of the template is analyzed and a variable data area is analyzed. An extracting step for extracting (step S1602 shown in FIG. 17) and a generating step for generating an input form for inputting data into the variable data area based on the extraction result of the extracting step (step S1611 shown in FIG. 17) ) And the variable on the input form generated by the generating step. An addition step of adding, as an object, an instruction section for referencing and displaying a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database according to the data attribute selectable for the data area (steps S1604 to S1608, S1612 to S1612 to S1614)) and a control step of additionally displaying the object added in the adding step on the variable data area (step S1610 shown in FIG. 17).
[0015]
A sixth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that the data attribute is the number of data managed on a database.
[0016]
A seventh invention according to the present invention is characterized in that it has a decision step (not shown) for deciding a candidate selected from the data candidate list displayed on the display means as an input data candidate for the variable data area. .
[0017]
An eighth invention according to the present invention is a reference mode setting step (not shown) for setting a display area of an instruction section for displaying a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database to one of a specific area and a variable data area. ).
[0018]
A ninth invention according to the present invention is characterized in that a program for implementing the form processing method according to any one of the sixth to eighth inventions is stored in a storage medium.
[0019]
A tenth invention according to the present invention is a program for implementing the form processing method according to any one of the sixth to eighth inventions.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a CPU, which executes various processes in the system. A ROM 12 stores a control program executed by the CPU 11 and various data. A RAM 13 stores a control program executed by the CPU 11 and provides a work area for the CPU 11. Reference numeral 14 denotes an external storage device, which includes a flexible disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and the like. The external storage device 14 stores a control program for causing the CPU 11 to implement the control of the present embodiment described later with reference to FIG. The control program stored in the external storage device 14 is appropriately loaded into the RAM 13 and executed by the CPU 11.
[0023]
Reference numeral 15 denotes a display, which performs various displays under the control of the CPU 11. Reference numeral 16 denotes a keyboard, and 17 denotes a pointing device (mouse in this example), which performs various operation inputs to the device. Reference numeral 18 denotes an interface to which a printer 20 is connected in the present embodiment. Reference numeral 19 denotes a bus that connects the above-described components. In FIG. 1, the external storage device 14, the printer 20, and the like may be connected via a network.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a template of a printing form managed by the external storage device 14 of the information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG.
[0025]
Creating such a form template is performed in the same manner as a normal drawing tool. However, since it is necessary to combine with the retrofit data (to be described later with reference to FIG. 3) at the time of printing, the area for loading the retrofit data is clearly shown.
[0026]
In FIG. 2, portions indicated by XXXXXX such as 102, 103, 104, and 105 are fields (variable data fields) in which variable data is to be displayed. Each variable data field is given a name. In this example, the variable data field 102 has “Sheet_No”, the variable data field 103 has “Cust_Name”, the variable data field 104 has “Cust_Adr”, and the variable data field has 105 is given a name such as “Code 1”.
[0027]
The field 101 is a fixed part in the form where display objects other than the variable data field are arranged.
[0028]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of post-install data to be combined with the form template shown in FIG. In this example, for example, “12345” is displayed in the variable data field 102 (Sheet_No field) and “ABC Company” is displayed in the variable data field 103 (Cust_Name field) on the form template, and printed.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a format example of the form template data stored in the external storage device 14 (hard disk in this example) shown in FIG. An identifier 301 specifies each display object. Reference numeral 302 denotes an attribute of each display object, which indicates the type of the object (for example, a display object such as a character string, a line, a Box, or an image, or a variable data field). Reference numeral 303 denotes a position of the object on the form template (form). Reference numeral 304 designates the data content of each object, for example, if it is a character string, the actual character string, and if it is variable data, the name as shown in FIG. 3 is assigned. In addition, in 305, necessary items for each object are shown in detail. This detailed item 305 stores, for example, information indicating the size of each display object or variable data field, and information indicating whether the input data is a character string or a numerical value for the variable data field.
[0030]
Next, a method of creating an input form according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0031]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example of an input form creation window displayed on the display 15 shown in FIG.
[0032]
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 401 denotes an entire window for creating an input form, and the window 401 is displayed on the display 15. A menu bar 402 has a plurality of menu buttons. An output form area 403 displays an output form template 404. Reference numeral 405 denotes an input form area for displaying and editing the input form 406.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 5, an input form 406 is automatically generated based on the output form template 404 displayed in the output form area 403. Here, the variable data field included in the output form template 404 is replaced with a data input box. For example, in FIG. 5, the variable data field 407 has been replaced by a data entry box 408.
[0034]
Reference numeral 409 denotes a boundary marker between the output form template display area and the input form creation area, which can be resized by instructing the marker 409 to resize.
[0035]
Next, a procedure for generating an input form according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0036]
A file reading button is arranged in the menu button group of the menu bar 402. When this button is selected, a selection panel for selecting a general file is displayed. On this file selection screen, the user selects a file of the output form template that has already been created.
[0037]
In this example, it is assumed that a file in the file format shown in FIG. 4 is read and the output form template 404 is reproduced in the output form area 403 as shown in FIG. Note that the output form area 403 is a display-only area and cannot perform operations such as editing. The input form is automatically generated at the same time as the output form template is reproduced, and is displayed as the input form 406 in the input form area 405 as shown in FIG. The above operation will be described with reference to FIG.
[0038]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to an input form generation procedure according to the present embodiment. Note that (S501) to (S509) indicate each step, and the CPU 11 executes the form creation processing program stored in the external storage device 14 shown in FIG.
[0039]
In FIG. 6, in step S501, the output form template file is read again. Then, in step S502 and thereafter, each record of the output form template file is analyzed.
[0040]
First, in step S502, records are read one by one from file data as shown in FIG. Then, in step S503, it is determined whether the record is a variable data input field. This determination is made by checking the item of the attribute 302 in FIG.
[0041]
If the record is a variable data input field, the process advances to step S504 to generate a text field for the record. Then, in step S505, the generated text field is stored in the memory (RAM 13) as an input field record.
[0042]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of holding text field information corresponding to the variable data field shown in FIG.
[0043]
On the other hand, the record as shown in FIG. 7 is held by the storage processing in step S505.
[0044]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S503 that the field is not a variable data input field, the process advances to step S506. In step S506, objects (lines, character strings, images, etc.) similar to the display objects defined in the output form are generated.
[0045]
In step S507, the text field generated in step S504 or the object generated in step S506 is displayed on the input form. In step S508, it is determined whether all records in the output form template file have been processed. If there is an unprocessed record, the process returns to step S502, and the above process is repeated. On the other hand, if all records have been processed, this processing ends.
[0046]
In this way, as shown in FIG. 5, an input form corresponding to the output form template is generated, and both are displayed. At this point, the created input form has the same arrangement as the output form template. However, the input form does not need to be the same as the output form, and an input form that is more suitable for input, that is, has high input efficiency, is required.
[0047]
Thus, in the present embodiment, the generated text field and other objects can be edited.
[0048]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an input field editing process on the form creation screen shown in FIG.
[0049]
8, the positions of the text field and the character string object in the input field shown in FIG. 5 are changed to improve the input operability. That is, the generated text fields are moved and aligned, and the contents of the display object (character string) are changed (in FIG. 8, “NO” → “number”, “sama” → “customer name”, “ Address) → "address".
[0050]
Here, if the input form becomes a desired one, this file is once saved by the operation of the operator (in this example, by instructing a “save” button on the menu bar 402) (in this example, Stored in the external storage device 14). In the above, the procedure for generating an input form based on the read output form file and editing the input form has been described. However, it is of course possible to read an existing input form file and edit the input form file.
[0051]
As described above, when the input form is completed and the data is saved, the mode can be changed from the edit mode to the execution mode (see the screen in FIG. 9) by operating the mode change button 901. Creation and editing of the input form described above are operations in the edit mode.
[0052]
On the other hand, when data is actually input using the created input form and the data is printed, the mode is shifted to the execution mode. The transition to the execution mode is possible after reading the input form file in the file reading operation or after saving the created or edited input form.
[0053]
Now, in the execution mode, a menu bar 402 is displayed in the window as shown in FIG. In the menu bar 402, a print button 902 is added, and it is possible to select a print process. Note that the print button does not function in the edit mode, and thus cannot be selected (in this example, the print button itself is not displayed as shown in FIG. 5).
[0054]
In the execution mode, actual data can be input to the created input form, and data can be input from the keyboard 16 to the generated text field.
[0055]
FIG. 9 shows a state in which data is input to a text field in the input form in the execution mode. Here, when the print button 902 is selected, the data input to the text field is merged with the data indicating the text field shown in FIG. 7 (that is, the name of the text field is associated with the input data), So-called postscript data that describes a key-value pair in the format shown in FIG. 3 is created. The attached data is merged with the output form template and printed by the printer 20, thereby obtaining a form.
[0056]
In the above-described embodiment, the movement of the text field is shown as the editing work related to the text field on the output form, but the editing work is not limited to this. For example, the attributes (numerical value, character string) of the text field on the output form, the size of the box, and the like can be changed.
[0057]
As shown in FIG. 8, a reference button 410 is provided on the menu bar 402. The reference button 410 can be dragged and dropped to a desired position in the input form using a pointing device such as the mouse 17. That is, at any point in the input form creation process, the reference button 410 can be arranged at an arbitrary position on the input form being edited by operating the mouse 17 or the like. By the operation of arranging the reference button 410, an inspector panel (see FIG. 10) for defining an operation relating to the arranged reference button 410 is displayed, and settings relating to the reference button can be performed.
[0058]
It should be noted that the inspector panel can be opened by operating the mouse 17 or the like (for example, a double-click operation) at any time during the editing mode, in addition to the arrangement of the reference button 410, and the setting can be changed.
[0059]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a function setting operation procedure related to the reference button 410. In addition, S601 to S609 indicate each step. The form creation processing program stored in the external storage device 14 shown in FIG. 1 is loaded into the RAM 13 or the like and executed by the CPU 11. Furthermore, this processing is started in the edit mode when the reference button 410 is dragged and dropped, or when the reference button 410 arranged in the input form is double-clicked.
[0060]
First, in step S601, an inspector panel as shown in FIG. Subsequently, in step S602, a name given to the text field in the input form is obtained (for example, it can be obtained from the data shown in FIG. 8), and the text field list 1005 is displayed. At this point, the connection information area 1001 to the reference database and the text field list 1005 are displayed on the inspector panel. Each item of the text field list 1005 can be exclusively selected.
[0061]
Next, when necessary data is input to the connection information area 1001 and the connection button 1002 is clicked, the process proceeds from step S603 to step S604. In step S604, a connected database table is acquired based on the information set in the connection information area 1001, and a table list 1003 is displayed. As described above, information necessary for database connection when the reference button 410 is pressed is entered in the connection information area 1001. When a connection button 1002 is selected, a connection is made to a database using the information input to the connection information area 1001, and a list of tables existing in the database is displayed in a table list 1003.
[0062]
Here, the items displayed in the table list 1003 can be exclusively selected from each other. Then, a list of columns existing in the selected table is displayed in the column list 1004 (step S605).
[0063]
In the example shown in FIG. 10, “CustomerInfo” in the table list 1003 is in a selected state, and as a result, a list of column names in the “CustomerInfo” table is displayed in the column list 1004. Is shown. Each item of the column list 1004 can be exclusively selected from each other.
[0064]
In the text field list 1005, the input field to be linked to the database is selected, the corresponding column in the database is selected in the column list 1004, and the add button 1007 is selected. The set of database columns is displayed in the correspondence list 1006 (steps S606 to S608). The above operation is repeated until the end button 1009 is clicked (step S609).
[0065]
In the correspondence list 1006, a list of the input fields linked to the columns of the database as described above is displayed. In the rightmost column of each line of the correspondence list 1006, a toggle button that can be turned on / off is displayed. If this is on, specifies that a list of input candidates for this pair is displayed when executing input to the form; if off, specifies that the input candidate list is not displayed.
[0066]
Note that the correspondence list 1006 can be exclusively selected from each other. When the delete button 1008 is selected, the selected list in the correspondence list 1006 is deleted.
FIG. 12 shows an outline of a format when the setting data relating to the “Browse” button is stored in the external storage device 14 (hard disk in this example). This is stored as a part of the input form data together with the data shown in FIG. In this example, the operation of the reference button arranged in the input form is defined as follows by the data in FIG.
[0067]
A connection is made to the database using the data of “DBServer”, “Name”, and “Pass”, and the data is extracted from the “CustomerInfo” table. List the data in column "Customer Name" as choices for form input. When data is selected from the list, the selected data is inserted into the input field "Cust_Name", and the data of the column "customer address" in the same data row is inserted into the input field "Cust_Adr".
[0068]
Here, if the input form becomes a desired one, this file is once saved by the operation of the operator (in this example, by instructing a “save” button on the menu bar 402) (in this example, Stored in the external storage device 14). In the above, the procedure for generating an input form based on the read output form file and editing the input form has been described. However, it is of course possible to read an existing input form file and edit the input form file.
[0069]
As described above, when the input form is completed and the data is saved, the mode can be changed from the edit mode to the execution mode by operating the mode change button. Creation and editing of the input form described above are operations in the edit mode. On the other hand, when data is actually input using the created input form and the data is printed, the mode is shifted to the execution mode.
[0070]
The transition to the execution mode is possible after reading the input form file in the file reading operation or after saving the created or edited input form.
[0071]
By the way, in the execution mode, a menu bar 402 is displayed in the window as shown in FIG. 8 or FIG. In the menu bar 402, a print button is added, and a print process can be selected. Note that the print button does not function in the edit mode, and thus cannot be selected (in this example, the print button itself is not displayed as shown in FIG. 4).
[0072]
In the execution mode, actual data can be input to the created input form, and data can be input from the keyboard 16 to the generated text field.
[0073]
This situation is shown in FIGS. FIG. 13 shows a state in which data is being input to a text field in the input form. Some text fields are already populated. Here, when inputting data into the text field 121 of the customer name and the text field 122 of the address, the reference button 123 arranged in the above-described edit mode is used.
[0074]
When the reference button 123 is selected, a screen shown in FIG. In the list 131, connection to the database is performed according to the information shown in FIG. 12, and the data of the column "customer name" of the "CustomerInfo" table obtained as a result is displayed as a list as shown in FIG. The lists are mutually exclusive.
[0075]
At this time, when the desired data (customer name) is selected by the user's operation and the enter button 132 is selected, the selected data is displayed in the text field 121 and in the same row as the selected data. Data corresponding to “customer address” is displayed in text field 122. Then, the screen of FIG. 14 is deleted.
[0076]
When all data is input as described above, for example, the result is as shown in FIG. Thereafter, when the print button is selected, the data input to the text field is merged with the data indicating the text field shown in FIG. 7 (that is, the name of the text field is associated with the input data), and FIG. In other words, so-called postscript data in which a pair of a key and a value in the format shown in FIG. The attached data is merged with the output form template and printed by the printer 20, thereby obtaining a form.
[0077]
[Second embodiment]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input field editing process in an execution mode on a form creation screen in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is.
[0078]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second example of retaining text field information corresponding to a variable data field in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the modification shown in FIG.
[0079]
In FIG. 16, reference numeral 15-1 denotes a name, which manages name information of a variable data field. A position 15-2 manages the arrangement coordinates of each variable data field.
[0080]
A type 15-3 manages the data type of each variable data field. Reference numeral 15-4 denotes a length, which manages the data length of each variable data field. A DB table 15-5 manages a data table name of each variable data field. If the table does not exist on the external storage device 14, for example, "Non" is set.
[0081]
A column name 15-6 manages the column name of each variable data field. Reference numeral 15-7 denotes a candidate display, in which the presence or absence of an item to be displayed on the database is managed by YES (with item) and NO (without item).
[0082]
In FIG. 15, reference numeral 1401 denotes a reference button. When a customer name is selected by operating the mouse 17 or the like, referring to the table shown in FIG. It is controlled based on the procedure described above.
[0083]
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a second input form generation procedure according to the present embodiment. Note that (S1601) to (S1615) indicate each step, and it is assumed that the form creation processing program stored in the external storage device 14 shown in FIG.
[0084]
In FIG. 17, in step S1601, the output form template file stored in the external storage device 14 is read again. Then, in step S1602 and thereafter, each record of the output form template file is analyzed.
[0085]
First, in step S1602, records are read one by one from file data as shown in FIG. Then, in step S1603, it is determined whether the record is a variable data input field. This determination is made by checking the item of the attribute 302 in FIG.
[0086]
If it is determined in step S1603 that the record is a variable data input field, the process advances to step S1604 to determine whether or not linkage with the database is defined by referring to the table shown in FIG. If it is determined that the record is not defined, the process advances to step S1614 to generate a text field for the record. In step S1609, the generated text field is stored in the memory (RAM 13) as an input field record.
[0087]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1604 that the cooperation with the database is defined, the table name of the data table 15-5 shown in FIG. Then, in step 1606, it is determined whether the number of records in the database is large or small. If it is determined that the number of records is small, desired data is obtained from the database in step S1607. A box or list box is created, and the process advances to step S1609.
[0088]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1606 that the number of records is large, it is determined whether the candidate display 15-7 shown in FIG. 16 is set to “YES” or “NO”. If so, in step S1613, a text field and a reference button 1401 are created, and the flow advances to step S1609.
[0089]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1612 that the candidate display 15-7 is “NO”, a text field is created in step S1614, and the process proceeds to step S1609.
[0090]
On the other hand, the record as shown in FIG. 7 is held by the storage processing in step S1609.
[0091]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1603 that the field is not a variable data input field, the process advances to step S1611 to generate an object (line, character string, image, or the like) similar to the display object defined in the output form. .
[0092]
In step S1610, the text field generated in step S1614 or the object generated in steps S1608 and S1613 is displayed (drawn) on the input form.
[0093]
Then, in step S1615, it is determined whether all records in the output form template file have been processed. If there is an unprocessed record, the process returns to step S1601, and the above processing is repeated. On the other hand, if all records have been processed, this processing ends.
[0094]
Thus, as shown in FIG. 15, a reference button 1401 is generated from the output form template and the corresponding input form is generated and displayed.
[0095]
Thus, by simply selecting the reference button 1401, an input form with a different customer name can be displayed in a timely manner, and the operability is significantly improved.
[0096]
In the above-described embodiment, the movement of the text field is shown as the editing work related to the text field on the output form, but the editing work is not limited to this. For example, the attributes (numerical value, character string) of the text field on the output form, the size of the box, and the like can be changed. Further, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of reference buttons on the input form.
[0097]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, a function of automatically generating an input form based on an output form and enabling use of data in a database when data is input to the automatically generated input form is provided. Can be easily added. Therefore, it is possible to easily provide an input form that realizes simple and accurate input.
[0098]
Hereinafter, the configuration of a data processing program readable by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to a memory map shown in FIG.
[0099]
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the information processing device according to the present invention.
[0100]
Although not shown, information for managing a group of programs stored in the storage medium, for example, version information, a creator, and the like are also stored, and information dependent on the OS or the like on the program reading side, for example, a program is identified and displayed. Icons and the like may also be stored.
[0101]
Further, data dependent on various programs is also managed in the directory. In addition, a program for installing various programs on a computer or a program for decompressing a program to be installed when the program to be installed is compressed may be stored.
[0102]
The functions shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 11, and FIG. 17 in the present embodiment may be executed by a host computer by a program installed from the outside. In this case, the present invention is applied even when a group of information including a program is supplied to the output device from a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flash memory, or an FD, or from an external storage medium via a network. Things.
[0103]
As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus stores the storage medium in the storage medium. It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved by reading and executing the program code thus obtained.
[0104]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0105]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, or the like may be used. it can.
[0106]
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0107]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0108]
According to the above embodiment, it is possible to automatically generate an input form from output form data, thereby reducing the load of input form creation on the user, and to automatically generate an input form from print form data. Can be edited, and creation of an appropriate input form with high data input efficiency can be facilitated.
[0109]
In order to allow the user to select the reference example according to the first embodiment and the reference example according to the second embodiment, the display area of the instruction unit for referencing and displaying a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database is defined as a specific area, a variable data area, A reference mode setting means (such as a button) may be provided to set any one of the above, and the display may be switched by the CPU 11 based on a form control program.
[0110]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (integration of the first embodiment and the second embodiment) are possible based on the gist of the present invention, and they are excluded from the scope of the present invention. It does not do.
[0111]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, a form data of a template is analyzed to extract a variable data area, and an input form for inputting data to the variable data area is generated based on the extraction result. In addition, an instruction unit for referencing and displaying a list of data candidates that can be referenced from the database is added as an object to the generated input form in accordance with the data attribute selectable for the variable data area. Since the added object is additionally displayed on the variable data area, when inputting predetermined data into each variable data area with reference to the database, the predetermined data is input according to the attribute of the input data managed by the database. Thus, there is an effect that the operation of confirming the reference instruction and the data input can be easily performed on the variable data area.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a template of a printing form managed in an external storage device of the information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of post-install data to be combined with the form template shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a diagram showing an outline of a format example of form template data stored in an external storage device shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a view showing a display example of an input form creation window displayed on the display shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a first data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a first example of holding text field information corresponding to the variable data field illustrated in FIG. 4;
8 is a diagram showing an example of an input field editing process on the form creation screen shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an input field editing process in an execution mode on the form creation screen shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an automatic calculation field creation / edit state for the form shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a second data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a view showing an example of a calculation formula confirmation panel displayed on the display shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a form processing state in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of data of a customer name in a column of a CustomerInfo table displayed in a list on the display shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an input field editing process in an execution mode on a form creation screen in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a second example of holding text field information corresponding to a variable data field in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a third data processing procedure in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a storage medium that stores various data processing programs that can be read by the information processing device according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
11 CPU
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 External storage device
15 Display
16 Keyboard
17 mouse
20 Printer

Claims (10)

A storage means for storing a form printing template in which a plurality of numerical input fields can be defined; and predetermined data to be input for each numerical input field defined in the template selected and read from the storing means. An information processing apparatus for performing a form printing process by synthesizing the form data of the template,
Extracting means for analyzing the form data of the template to extract a variable data area,
Generating means for generating an input form for performing data input to a variable data area based on an extraction result by the extracting means;
On the input form generated by the generation unit, an instruction unit for referencing and displaying a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database is added as an object according to a data attribute selectable for the variable data area. Additional means;
Control means for additionally displaying the object added by the adding means on the variable data area;
An information processing apparatus comprising: 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data attribute is a number of data managed on a database. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination unit that determines a candidate selected from a list of data candidates displayed on the display unit as an input data candidate for the variable data area. 2. The information according to claim 1, further comprising: a reference mode setting unit configured to set a display area of an instruction unit for displaying a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database, to a specific area or a variable data area. Processing equipment. A storage means for storing a form printing template in which a plurality of numerical input fields can be defined; and predetermined data to be input for each numerical input field defined in the template selected and read from the storing means. A form processing method in an information processing apparatus that performs form printing processing by combining processing with form data of the template,
An extraction step of analyzing the form data of the template to extract a variable data area,
A generation step of generating an input form for performing data input to a variable data area based on an extraction result obtained by the extraction step;
On the input form generated in the generation step, an instruction unit for referencing and displaying a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database is added as an object according to a data attribute selectable for the variable data area. An additional step;
A control step of additionally displaying the object added by the adding step on the variable data area;
A form processing method comprising: 6. The form processing method according to claim 5, wherein the data attribute is a number of data managed on a database. 6. The form processing method according to claim 5, further comprising a determination step of determining a candidate selected from the data candidate list displayed on the display means as an input data candidate for the variable data area. 6. The form according to claim 5, further comprising a reference mode setting step of setting a display area of an instructing unit for displaying a list of data candidates that can be referred to from the database, to one of a specific area and a variable data area. Processing method. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the form processing method according to claim 5. A program for realizing the form processing method according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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