JP2000099595A - Form creation device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To solve the problem of the present invention, in a standard form creation, a created form can be electronically exchanged, and further, data of the form can be added, changed, and output at the time of form creation. An object of the present invention is to provide a form creation device and a storage medium as described above. SOLUTION: A view definition 310 representing information for extracting fields required for the form from a database 100 corresponding to a desired form, a layout definition 320 representing information for outputting data on the form, and the like. And extracts necessary fields from a plurality of fields included in the records of the database 100 based on the view definition 310, and creates a form database 200 corresponding to a desired form composed of the extracted fields. Then, the created form database 20
0 based on the layout definition 320
01 is output.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a form creation device and a storage medium, and more specifically, to efficiently execute electronic data exchange of a form, and to add and output a new field when a form is created. The present invention relates to a form creation device and a storage medium capable of editing a document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a database has been used as an effective means for efficiently managing a large amount of information. This database is used for various purposes such as sales management and inventory management, and information stored in these databases is output as a form.

There are roughly two types of form creation software used to create and output forms.

[0004] The first type deals with atypical forms, and is mainly used for presentation materials and DTP (Desk Top Publi).
shing), it is excellent in the editing function of pasting in a desired position in a document where materials such as characters, figures, and images are created at an arbitrary size.

[0005] One is to handle a fixed form, which is output in a list format in accordance with a predetermined format as represented mainly by a sales management form. Excellent in function.

On the other hand, recently, the Internet and in-house LA
With the spread of networks such as N (Local Area Network) and the paperless use of information, these forms are being digitized. Forms can be exchanged over a network, and multiple users can use a database and operate their own terminals. There is an increasing use form of creating and outputting forms.

[0007] Further, among form creation software, form creation software having a function of redisplaying an output form instead of printing it and converting the form into a printable data format has been developed.

[0008]

However, in the above-described standard form creation, data to be extracted from a database and an output format such as a layout thereof are defined, and then a database is created based on the defined format. After extracting more necessary data, printing was performed in a defined output format, and the output destination was basically paper.

[0009] Considering a practical business, even if the same database is used, there are few cases where it is necessary to change or add unique information such as a department to which materials to be displayed on a form are submitted when the form is created. Absent.

As a solution in such a case, a plurality of dedicated formats are defined and created in exactly the same form unit. The format is defined so that different information is not included in the fixed form depending on the application and destination, and the part that displays the different information is created using non-standard form creation software.

[0011] In any case, there is a problem that efficiency is not high because a plurality of processes or form creation software is used.

In addition, when outputting a form, it is impossible to change the detail data, which is the data of each field of the reference source database, on the form creation software. Therefore, the detail data is changed on the form creation software. In order to do so, it has been necessary to provide a new field for the purpose of changing the detailed data in the reference source database, or to develop dedicated form creation software.

When the form output is distributed as an electronic document instead of on paper, the following method is conceivable. The form creation environment (the format of the form created by the reference source database and the form creation software) is directly exchanged as data. Convert the output result of the form to an interchangeable format.

However, in the above method, since the database generally has a large capacity, it is not practical to exchange it as data. Further, in the method (1), although the capacity of the data included in one form does not become so large, there is a problem that the information cannot be edited at the time of output because information for editing the data is not included.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, in a fixed form creation, it is possible to electronically exchange the created information, and further, a layout of the form created by the user side. The present invention provides a form creation device and a storage medium that allow the user to change data and data and further add an optional field to a description line of an output form so that detailed data without a reference source database can be added. .

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Storage means for storing a view definition representing information for extracting fields necessary for this form from a database corresponding to a desired form, and a layout definition representing information for outputting data on the form; Extraction means for extracting necessary fields based on a view definition from a plurality of fields included in a record of a database, and a form database for creating a form database corresponding to a desired form constituted by the fields extracted by the extraction means It is characterized by comprising a creating means, and an output means for outputting the form based on the form database created by the form database creating means and the layout definition stored in the storage means.

According to the form creation device of the present invention, a view definition representing information for extracting fields required for the form from a database corresponding to a desired form, and data on the form Is stored in a storage means, and necessary fields are extracted from a plurality of fields included in the record of the database based on the view definition, and are configured by the extracted fields. A form database corresponding to a desired form is created, and the form is output based on the created form database and the layout definition stored in the storage means.

Therefore, even for a standard form having a defined format, a form database corresponding to a desired form is created by referring to the view definition after this format is defined, and the form output is performed. In this case, a desired form can be output based on the form database and the layout definition. as a result,
Even without a reference database or form definition, it is possible to create and output a form based on the minimum required data such as a form database and layout definition, so efficient electronic data exchange of forms is possible. Can be done.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIGS.
The first embodiment of the form creation device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a form creation device 1 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the form creation device 1
PU (Central Processing Unit) 2, input device 3,
It comprises a display device 4, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 5, a storage device 6, a storage medium 7, and a printing device 8. Each part except the storage medium 7 is connected to a bus.

The CPU 2 reads out a predetermined program from the storage medium 7 based on an instruction input through the input device 3 and temporarily stores it in the RAM 5, executes various processes based on the program, and executes the various processes based on the program. Centralized control of each part. That is, the CPU 2 executes various processes based on the read predetermined program, stores the processing results in the RAM 5, and causes the display device 4 to display the results.
Also, based on an instruction input via the input device 3,
The processing result is stored in the storage medium 7 via the storage device 6, and a form is output from the printing device 8.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a form 201 created by the form creation apparatus 1. The form 201 is divided into a part dependent on data extracted from the database and a part not dependent on the data, and depends on it. The part corresponds to the extracted record of the database and is generally called a detail line 202. In the detail line 202, in addition to the data 203 extracted from the detail part of the field of each record of the database, the detail line fixed data 20 such as a heading of the data of the detail line 202 is stored.
There are four. In addition, the part which does not depend on the database includes fixed data 205 for each form and special data 206 depending on a printed material such as a page number and a print date.

The CPU 2 executes a form database creation process (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, as a process relating to form creation and output thereof, and executes a view definition 310 (defined in the form definition 300 defined for each form 201). FIG.
Based on the layout definition 320 (see FIG. 4), necessary fields are extracted from the database 100 as a reference source, and additional fields are added to create a form database 200, and the form data memory 5 in the RAM 5 is created.
b, and further describes the detailed data 203 of each field of the created form database 200 in the layout definition 32.
The data is extracted from the database 100 serving as a reference source defined as 0, stored in the form data memory 5b in the RAM 5, and the form print processing (see FIG. 7) to be described later is executed to generate drawing data of the form. The form 201 is output to the device 8 and printed.

Here, the form database 200 is a database for managing information to be output to each form on a record-by-record basis, and has a necessary field and an additional field among the fields managed by the reference source database 100. It is.

A form database creation process described later (FIG. 6)
2), the CPU 2 reads the view definition 310 and the layout definition 320 included in the form definition 300, refers to the layout definition 320, and prints the print data attribute 323 of each print element of the form defined in the layout definition 320. Is checked, and if the print data is a forced input item, an input window is displayed on the display device 4. The data input to the input window is reflected in the layout definition. If the type 322 is a form database field, it is first determined whether or not there is a field corresponding to the view definition 310. If the type is not defined in the view definition 310, it is recognized as an additional field. New fields and fields predefined in view definition 310 To create such a field of the form database 200. As for the detailed data of the fields of the form database 200, the detailed data that matches the extraction condition is read from the database defined by the print data type 322 of the layout definition 320, and the detailed data is stored in the corresponding field of the form database 200. And if it is a newly added field, leave it undefined.

A form printing process described later (see FIG. 7)
In step 2, the CPU 2 reads the layout definition 320, checks the print data attribute 323 of each print element, checks whether or not there is a required input item, and indicates that there is a required input item, and the print data 324 is undefined. If there is, print information is displayed on the display device 4. If there is no undefined print data 324, the layout definition 320 is read, and the print element that is the fixed data 205 for each page is designated by the layout definition 320. Draw in the format specified at the position,
Further, the print data 3 of the corresponding record from the form database 200 created in the form creation processing for each item
24, the print position is calculated, the print data 324 is drawn at the calculated print position, and then the drawing data for one page is printed.

The input device 3 includes a keyboard composed of character input keys, numeric input keys, up / down / left / right keys, various function keys, and the like, and outputs a pressing signal of the pressed key to the CPU 2.

The display device 4 is a CRT (Cathode Ray Tu).
be) and the like, and generates various signals based on the display data input from the CPU 2 to perform various displays.

The RAM 5 has a work memory 5a for temporarily storing designated application programs, input instructions, input data, processing results, and the like, and a form data memory 5b for creating form data.

Hereinafter, the form data stored in the form data memory 5b of the RAM 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

In the form data stored in the form data memory 5b, a form definition 300 is defined as information necessary for creating a form. This form definition 300
Are prepared for each type of form, and each form definition 300 further includes a view definition 310 (see FIG. 3) and a layout definition 320 (see FIG. 4).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the definition contents of the view definition 310.

The view definition 310 defines a data reference method such as which database of which database is used to extract detailed data of a field with respect to a linked field. Based on this, necessary fields are extracted from the defined reference source database 100, converted into a simple record format, and used as a part of the form database 200.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the definition contents of the layout definition 320.

The layout definition 320 defines print data attributes and the like indicating information such as the output format and output position of the print data 324 for each print element and whether detailed data must be input when printing a form. Specifically, “print element type” 321, “print data type” 322, “print data attribute” 323, “print data” 324, “print position information” 325, “print Data necessary for editing and outputting the layout of print elements such as “area information” 326 and “print format information” 327 are set.

The print element type 321 is the print data 32
4 designates information indicating a data type such as a character string, a numerical value, or an image.

The print data type 322 is the print data 32
4 is stored as fixed data of the form of the form, the heading of the field of the form database 200,
Or a reference source of the print data 324 such as whether the print data 324 is stored as detailed data. If the print data type 322 is a form database field, data is extracted from the form database 200, but if there is no corresponding field in the view definition 310, the data is extracted as an additional field. Form database 2 created in FIG. 6)
00 reflects the additional field.

The print data attribute 323 is information indicating print data attributes such as “forced input item”, “input required item”, “operation prohibited item”, and the like. In other words, the “forced input item” is a print element whose print data 324, print format, print position, and the like are predefined, but changes the predefined print data 324 and the like by inquiring the user at the time of data extraction. "Input required item" is the form database 2
00 is an instruction indicating that printing and output cannot be performed unless data is always input, and the “operation prohibited item” is an instruction indicating that correction cannot be performed after the form database 200 is created.

The CPU 2 checks the print data attribute 323 when the form database 200 is created. If the print data attribute 323 is a forced input item, the CPU 2 displays an input window for data input, and prints the layout definition print data. Is updated to the input data and stored. Therefore, for example, if the print data attribute 323 of the print element “New Product Information for XX” is a forced input item, and “New Product Information for △△△” is input when creating the form database, The layout definition is changed to the input data, and a form is output with the changed data.

The print data 324 is information indicating actual character data, numerical data, image data, and the like of the data to be printed.
Is printed in the area specified by the print area information 326 at the position specified by.

The print position information 325 is the print area information 32
6 is information indicating the position of the print data 324 in the area specified by the number 6, for example, “absolute value”, “relative value”
Etc. are specified.

The print area information 326 includes the print data 324
Is information indicating an area where the print data 324 is output on the form.

The print format information 327 includes the print data 324
Indicating the format or the like of the print element type 32, for example.
If the character string 1 is a character string, information on the format is stored in the print area, such as printing in a bold character rightward, and if it is a numerical value, a comma is inserted every three digits and printing is performed right-justified.

In the form creation device 1 according to the first embodiment, the data defined in the layout definition 320 is read out by the CPU 2 and the layout definition 3 is read.
The print data attribute 323 and the print data type 322 of each print element 20 are checked, and the form database 200 is created. When the form is further printed, the form database 2
The drawing data of the form to be printed is generated from the 00 and the layout definition 320 and printed.

The printing device 8 prints data and the like created by various application programs corresponding to the form creation device 1.

The storage device 6 has a storage medium 7 for storing programs, data, and the like, and the storage medium 7 is constituted by a magnetic or optical storage medium or a semiconductor memory. The storage medium 7 is fixedly provided in the storage device 6 or is detachably mounted. The storage medium 7 is processed by various processing programs and processing programs corresponding to the form creation device 1. The stored data is stored.

The program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 7 may be configured to be received and stored from another device connected via a communication line or the like. The storage medium 7 is stored in another connected device.
May be provided, and a program, data, and the like stored in the storage medium 7 may be used via a communication line.

Next, the operation will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data flow of a form creation process executed by the form creation device 1. First, an overall flow of form creation will be described with reference to FIG.

When a form 201 to be created is selected from the input device 3 when the form is created, a form database creation process (see FIG. 6) is executed, and the CPU 2
Is read from the storage device 6, and the view definition 31 included in the form definition 300 is read out.
Based on 0, a reference source database is determined, fields necessary for printing are extracted, converted into a simple record format, and stored in the form database 200 of the form creating apparatus 1.

Thereafter, the CPU 2 executes a form printing process (see FIG. 7) to print the form. That is, form definition 30
With reference to the layout definition 320 included in the form definition 0, a form is output based on the information of the layout definition 320 and the created form database 200.

The flow of a form database creation process and the form printing process executed by the CPU 2 will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of the form database creation process.

When the type of the form to be created is specified from the input device 3, the CPU 2 reads the form definition 300 corresponding to the specified type of the form from the form data memory 5b in the RAM 5, and includes the form definition 300 in the form definition 300. The view definition 310 and the layout definition 320 to be acquired are acquired (step S101). Then, the CPU 2 refers to the acquired layout definition 320 and
Is counted (step S1).
02). Then, first, it is determined whether or not the print data attribute 323 of the first print element is a "forced input item" (step S103). If the item is a "forced input item" (step S103; Yes), the fact that the item is a forced input item is stored in the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 (step S104).

If the print data attribute 323 of the print element is not "forced input item" (step S103; No),
The process proceeds to the next step without going through step S104.

Next, the CPU 2 checks the print data type 322 defined in the layout definition 320 and determines whether the print data type 322 is a form database field (step S105). If it is a form database field (step S105; Yes)
S) refers to the view definition 310 to determine whether or not the view definition 310 has a corresponding field (step S).
106). If there is a corresponding field in the view definition 310 (step S106; Yes), the process proceeds to the next process. If there is no corresponding field in the view definition 310 (step S106; No), the layout is performed for this print element. Print element type 32 of definition 320
Define the data type and field name corresponding to 1,
The print element is stored in the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 as an additional field (step S107).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the confirmation of the forced input item and the confirmation of the print data type 322 have been completed for all print elements (step S108). If not (step S108; No), the process proceeds to step S108. Returning to S103, it is checked whether the print data attribute 323 is a forced input item for the next print element, and whether the print data type 322 is an item of the form database field. It is stored in the work memory 5a (steps S103 to S107). Less than,
The processes of steps S103 to S107 are repeatedly executed for all print elements, and the print data attribute 323 and print data type 322 of each print element are checked and necessary information is stored.

Thereafter, when the confirmation has been completed for all the print elements (step S108; Yes), the fields of the form database 200 are created (step S108).
109). That is, in the field defined in the view definition 310, the print element (the print data type 322 of the layout definition 320 is a form database field stored in the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 as an additional field in step S107.
A form database 200 having no data is created by generating and adding a new field for a print element having no corresponding field), and stored in the form data memory 5b of the RAM 5.

Thereafter, in step S104, the CPU 2 sets the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 as a forced input item.
Is obtained, the number of print elements as compulsory input items is counted (step S110), and a window for inputting print data 324 is displayed for each print element.
Further, a message prompting the user to input data is displayed on the display device 4 (step S111). When the print data 324 of the forced input item is input from the input device 3 (step S112), the print data 324 of the layout definition is updated to the input data and stored. (Step S113). Then, when the input to the print data 324 is completed for all the print elements stored as the forced input items (step S114; Yes), the data of the form database 200 is created next.

That is, to create data in the form database 200, first, the number of records in the reference source database 100 defined in the view definition 310 is obtained (step S11).
5), all data that can be referenced from the reference source database 100 defined in the view definition 310 is retrieved in units of records (step S116), and the form definition 3
Extraction condition (reference source database 1)
00, which table to extract data from, which field of the table to extract data from, the relation of extracting data between tables, and so on). Step S11
7) If it is within the range of the extraction condition (step S11)
7; Yes), the data is extracted and stored as detailed data of each corresponding field of the form database 200. At this time, the detailed data of the additional field added to the form database 200 in step S109 is undefined (step S118).

As described above, the CPU 2 retrieves target records of the reference source database 100 one record at a time, extracts data based on extraction conditions, stores data in each field of the form database 200, and stores all data. When the above processing is completed for the record (Step S119; Yes), the creation processing of the form database 200 is completed.

When the form database creation processing is completed, a form database 200 is created in which the additional fields are added to the fields defined in the view definition.

Next, a form printing process executed by the form creating apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The form printing process is a process for extracting and outputting information necessary for a form from the form database 200 created in the form database creating process.

First, the CPU 2 determines the layout definition 320 to determine whether the created form is printable.
Of the print data attribute 323 of the print data attribute 323 is checked, and the print data 32
It is determined whether 4 has been input (step S201).
The details of the check of the required input items will be described later (see FIG. 8).

After the check of the required input items is completed, if the print data 324 of the required input items is undefined (step S202; Yes), a warning is issued to that effect (step S203), and the printing process is stopped.

If data has been input to all print elements that are required input items (step S202; No),
Next, the layout definition 320 is read (step S20).
4), start the printing process. The CPU 2 obtains the number of pages to be printed (step S205), and executes a printing process for each page in page units. First, when printing each page, if the print data type 322 defined in the layout definition 320 is fixed data that is information unique to the page, the print data 32 that is the fixed data is used.
4 is generated at the defined print position (step S206).

Next, the corresponding detailed data from the form database 200 is processed for each detailed line. In the process for each detail line, the number of detail lines included in the page is obtained (step S207), and the corresponding record is first read from the form database 200 (step S208), and the read record is read before. It is confirmed whether or not the record is a record (step S209). If the record is not yet read (step S209; No)
Calculates the print position of the detail line according to the number of processed records in the page, generates drawing data for drawing a print element as a fixed position, and stores it in the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 (step S210). If the record is a previously read record (step S209; Yes), the
It is determined whether the generation of the drawing data of the print elements for all the detail lines has been completed without going through step 210 (step S211), and if not completed (step S2).
11; No), the process returns to step S208, and the next record is read. As described above, the record corresponding to the detail line included in the page is read from the form database 200, and the drawing data is generated. Then, when the generation of the drawing data is completed for all the print elements included in the page (step S211; Yes). The drawing data for one page is obtained from the work memory 5a of the RAM 5, output to the printing device 8, and printed (step S212). When printing for all pages is completed (step S213; YES), the printing process is completed.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of the check process for the required input items executed in step S201 of the form printing process shown in FIG.

First, the CPU 2 reads the layout definition 320 to check the data to be checked (step S301). The contents to be checked are fixed data, which is information unique to all pages, and the form database 200.
, Which is information that is different for each record, and refers to a form database (the “print data type” 322 is a “form database field”). First, check the fixed data that is page-specific information. I do. The check is performed for each corresponding print element.

The CPU 2 refers to the layout definition 320, counts the print elements whose print data type 322 is fixed data, and stores it in the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 as the number of fixed data print elements (step S302).

Thereafter, the CPU 2 sets the layout definition 320
, The print data attribute 323 of the target print element is checked, and if "input required item" is specified (Step S303; Yes), it is further determined whether the print data 324 is undefined (Step S303). Step S304). If the print definition is undefined (Step S304; Yes), the fact that the data is undefined is stored in the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 (Step S305), and the processing is ended and the processing returns to the form printing processing.

If it is determined in step S304 that the print data 324 is not defined (step S304; N
o) Next, it is determined whether or not the determination of the presence or absence of the required input item has been completed for all the print elements that are the fixed data (step S306). If the presence or absence of the mandatory input item has not been determined for all the print elements that are fixed data (step S306; No), the same processing as the processing shown in steps S303 to S305 is executed for the next print element. Then, the “input required items” are checked for all print elements.

When the check of required items for all fixed data print elements is completed (step S306).
Yes) Next, a check is made for a print element for determining the print data 324 with reference to a field of the form database 200.

Check is made on the target form database 2
This is performed in the procedure of referring to data for each record in the field of 00.

The CPU 2 obtains the number of print elements for determining the print data 324 by referring to the fields of the form database 200. That is, the number of print elements of the print elements whose print data type 322 is “form database field” is recognized (step S307). Further, the number of records in the form database 200 is obtained (step S30).
8).

The print data attribute 323 of the target print element is checked by referring to the layout definition 320, and if "input required item" is specified (step S30).
9; Yes), and it is determined whether the print data 324 is undefined (step S310). If the print data is undefined (step S310; Yes), it is determined that there is undefined data, and is stored in the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 (step S305), and the process is terminated, and the process returns to the form printing process.

“Required input item” is added to the print data attribute 323.
Is specified, it is checked for each record whether or not the print data 324 is undefined, and when all records have been checked (step S31).
1; Yes), for the next print element, step S30
9 to step S311 are further repeated, and it is determined whether or not the print data 324 is undefined for each record. If the print data 324 is not defined, the fact that there is undefined data is stored. Hereinafter, the form database 2 for all print elements
If the print data 324 is not found (step S310; No), the print data 324 is stored in the work memory 5a of the RAM 5 as no undefined data (step S312; Yes). S
313), this process ends, and the form printing process (see FIG. 7)
Move to

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a form database 200 created in the form database creation process and an example of a form 201 to be printed.

When the form database creation processing is executed, the CPU 2 reads out the view definition 310 and the layout definition 320 from the form definition 300 of the form 201, and
With reference to the layout definition 320, a print element defined as a "forced input item" from the print data attribute 323 of each print element is stored. In the example of FIG. 9, the layout definition 320 of the print element “New product information for XX” in the form 201
, Since the print data attribute 323 is “forced input item”, the fact that this print element is a “forced input item” is stored.

Further, the CPU 2 refers to the layout definition 320 for each print element and print data type 32
2 is detected, and it is confirmed whether the print data type 322 is a "form database field" and this field is a field in the view definition 310. In the example of FIG. 9, among the print elements of the form 201, the print data type 322 of the print elements “overhead view” and “remarks” is “form database field”. Further, referring to the view definition 310 for these two print elements, the “overhead view”
Is defined in the fields of the view definition 310,
“Remarks” is not defined in the view definition 310. In this case, regarding “remarks”, a data type, a field name, and the like are defined as additional fields and stored in the RAM 5.

The CPU 2 creates a form database 200 from the fields in the view definition 310 and the additional fields, and stores the form database 200 in the form data memory 5b of the RAM 5. Further, regarding the print element stored as the forced input item, the input data is used as the data of the print element. If “New Product Information for ○ × △” was changed to “New Product Information for △△△”, the newly entered “△
New Product Information for △△ ”is printed.

The form database 200 created further
Extracts data from the reference source database 100 specified for each field and stores it in the form data memory 5b. The data of the additional field is stored as undefined.

Next, when printing a form on the form created in the form database 200, the CPU 2 checks a print element whose print data attribute 323 is "input required item" and finds undefined data. In such a case, a warning is displayed so that printing cannot be executed.

In the example of FIG. 9, since there is no print element in which the print data attribute 323 is a required item to be input, next, drawing data of fixed data is generated for each print page. Print data 324
Is read, the print position is further calculated from the print position information 325, print area information 326, print format information 327, etc. to generate drawing data for one page, and the generated drawing data is stored in the RAM 5 and printed. The data is output to the device 8 and a one-page form 201 is printed. Further, the next page is similarly printed.

As described above, the CPU 2 executes the form database creation processing, reads the view definition 310 and the layout definition 320, and reads the view definition 310 from the plurality of fields included in the record of the database.
The required fields are extracted on the basis of the extracted fields and the extracted fields and the added additional fields are used to create a form database 200 corresponding to a desired form. Further, in the form printing process, the generated form database 20 is created.
The form is printed with reference to 0 and the layout definition 320.

Therefore, a form database 200 for storing information necessary for outputting a form is provided separately from a database serving as a reference source, and information defined in the layout definition 320 is edited after the format is defined, whereby the form can be edited. Since it is possible to add additional fields to the database 200 or to input data different from the form definition 300, for fixed forms, add new fields to the reference source database or change the statement data It is possible to freely change and add the data for each output section of the form without providing a field for performing the operation. As a result, it is not necessary to create a separate format for each department for the same kind of form, and the work load can be reduced. In addition, when there is an input required item that must be input at the time of printing, printing is not performed, so that it is possible to output a form without any omission of information. [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of a form creation device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The form creation apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as the form creation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
The same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a form creation device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described below.

The form creation apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment differs from the form creation apparatus according to the first embodiment in that the form output destination is paper. In, the form of output is electronic data.
That is, the form creation device 1 that sends out the form data (hereinafter referred to as the first form creation device 1) executes a form data sending process (see FIG. 10), which will be described later, and converts the form data into another form. The document is converted into a format that can also be used by the apparatus 1 (hereinafter, referred to as a second form creation apparatus 1) and output, and the second form creation apparatus 1 executes a form data import process (see FIG. 11) described later. Then, the data transmitted in the form data transmission processing executed by the first form creation device 1 is reproduced and output as a form.

In the second embodiment, in the form data sending process (see FIG. 10) in the first form creation device 1, the CPU 2 checks the required input items with reference to the layout definition 320 (see FIG. 8). If the data of the required items is undefined, a warning is displayed and the sending process of the form data is stopped. If there is no undefined data, the layout definition is output to the output destination input by the input device 3. 320, and further outputs field definition information defining the data types of the fields of the created form database 200. After that, for each record in the form database 200, the data stored in the record is converted into the CSV format, and the converted record in the CSV format is output to the output destination.

Further, in the form data fetching process in the second form creation device 1, the CPU 2 reads the field definition information of the form database 200 into the input reading destination, and according to the read field definition information, the form database. Create 200, RAM5
In the form data memory 5b. And CPU2
Converts the data in CSV format into the format of the form database 200, and converts the converted data into the form database 2
Output to 00. After that, the CPU 2 sets the layout definition 3
20 is read out and stored in the form data memory 5b of the RAM 5.

Next, the operation will be described.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the form data sending process executed by the first form creation device 1.

First, when form data to be transmitted by the user is input from the input device 3, step S2 of the form print processing (see FIG. 7) described in the first embodiment.
01, it is determined whether all data has been input to the print element, which is an essential input item, in order to determine whether or not the form created can be output data (step S40).
1). The flow of the check of the required input items is processed in the same flow as the flowchart shown in FIG.

If there is undefined data in the required items (step S402; Yes), a warning is issued to that effect (step S403), and the form data transmission process is stopped.

If the data has been entered in all the required items, the CPU 2 causes the display device 4 to display a message indicating that the output destination of the form data compatibility data is to be input. When the output destination of the compatible data is input, the input destination is determined as the output destination of the compatible data (step S404).

Next, the designated form data is output to the input destination. When the form is printed or the like based on the form data received by the second form creation device 1, a form definition is required. Layout definition 32 in 300
0 and the form database 200 created based on the layout definition 320, processing such as printing is performed.
0 is the transmission target.

That is, the layout information of the form definition 300 of the designated form data is output to a file extracted from the form definition 300 (step S405), and the form database 200 to be printed next in the designated form is output. Output processing is performed for the number of records of the record. However, since the data to be printed has a format other than the character string, the data storage format of each field of the record is set in the form database 2
00 as field definition information (step S
406).

The output of the data of the form database 200 is performed in units of records, and the CPU 2 recognizes the number of records to be output (step S407), and
Data of one record is read from 0 (step S40)
8), CSV (Comma Separation) so that any form creation device 1 can handle the data contained in the read record.
ated Value format) (Step S4)
09). Here, the CSV format is one of formats in which data of a database is stored as a text file, and one record is one line, and data is arranged in one line by delimiting each field with a comma “,”. . A text file separated by tabs may be used instead of commas.

Then, the record information converted into the CSV format is output to the specified file (step S410). It is determined whether or not the reading of all records to be output next, conversion into CSV format, and output have been completed, and if not completed (Step S
411; No), and further returns to step S408 to read the next record from the form database 200, convert the record to CSV format, and output the data of the converted record to the specified file. After that, similarly, the reading of the record, the conversion of the record format, and the output of the file are repeatedly executed, and when the output for all the records to be sent is completed, the form data sending process is ended.

In the above-described form data sending process, the file in which the layout definition 320 and the data converted to the CSV format of the form database 200 are output to the second form.
The form is reproduced by reading the form by the form creation device 1 and executing a form data fetching process described in detail below.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the form data fetching process executed by the second form creation device 1.

When an instruction to execute the form data fetching process is input, the CPU 2 first designates a storage location of a file to which data was output during the form data sending process (step S501). The field definition information of the form database 200 is read from the storage location (step S502). Next, the CPU 2 reads the second form creation device 1 according to the read field definition information.
Then, a database of the same records as the records stored in the file is created in the form database 200 managed in step S503 (step S503).

Next, the data of each record stored in the CSV format is read from the file. Since this file stores one record as one line,
The following record conversion processing is performed for the number of rows of the records stored in the file.

The record conversion process is a process of converting a record read in CSV format into field definition information of the form database 200 read in step S502. First, the CPU 2 acquires the number of records stored in the file storing the data in the CSV format (step S504). When one record of data is read from the file (step S505),
The data of this record is converted into data of the format defined by the field definition information of the form database 200 (step S506). Thereafter, the converted record is output to the database created in step S503 (step S507).

Then, it is determined whether or not the record reading and conversion output processing has been completed for all records (step S508). If not completed (step S508; No), then the next record is read from the file. , And similarly converts the data into a format defined by the field definition information of the form database 200 and outputs the converted record to the form database 200. In the same manner, the conversion and output of the record format are repeated for all the records, and when the processing is completed for all the records (Step S508; Yes), the CP
U2 reads the layout definition 320 from the file and stores it in the form data memory 5b of the RAM 5 (step S2).
509) Then, the process of loading the form data is completed.

As described above, in the second embodiment, the form creation device 1 converts the form database 200 created in the first form creation processing 1 into a CSV format, and converts the layout definition 320, the form database 20
Output to file with field definition of 0.

Therefore, it is possible to output the form electronically instead of on paper. Further, since the data output to this file has been converted into the CSV format, it can be easily reproduced in another form creation device 1 as well.
In the other form creation device 1, the CS
The data in the V format can be converted into data in a format corresponding to the form database 200, and the form print processing described in the first embodiment is executed from the reproduced form database 200 and the fetched layout definition 320. By doing so, the form can be printed also in the second form creation device 1 that has taken in the data in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0111]

According to the first and fourth aspects of the present invention, even a fixed form having a defined format,
After this format is defined, a form database corresponding to the desired form is created by referring to the view definition, and at the time of form output, the desired form is output based on the form database and the layout definition. Becomes possible. As a result, it is possible to create and output a form based on the minimum required data such as a form database and layout definition without a reference source database or form definition, and thus to exchange forms electronically. Can be performed efficiently.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the present invention, if an additional field that is not present in the database of the reference source is defined in the layout definition, the field defined in the view definition and the An administrator who creates a form database consisting of additional fields, and can add and output any data when the form is output, enables standard form editing, and creates a form format Burden can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the first or second aspect, for an output element whose data attribute is defined as a forced input item in the layout definition, a form You can enter data that is not defined in the definition in advance, and this input data can be reflected on the form, so you can easily create forms containing fixed character strings with different contents in forms of the same format. Can be output. As a result, the application range of a form in one format can be expanded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a form creation device 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output form 201;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of data defined in a view definition.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of data defined in a layout definition.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data flow of a form creation process executed by the form creation device 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a form database creation process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a form printing process.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of a required input item check.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a form database 200 created in a form database creation process, and a form 20 to be printed.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of No. 1.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a form data sending process.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of a form data import process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 form creation device 2 CPU 3 input device 4 display device 5 RAM 5 a work memory 5 b form data memory 6 storage device 7 storage medium 8 printing device 100 reference database 200 form database 300 form definition 310 view definition 320 layout definition

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A view definition representing information required for extracting fields required for a form from a database corresponding to a desired form, and a layout definition representing information for outputting data on the form are stored. Means for extracting necessary fields based on a view definition from a plurality of fields included in records of a database, and a form database corresponding to a desired form constituted by the fields extracted by the extracting means And a means for outputting the form based on the form database created by the form database creating means and the layout definition stored in the storage means. Form creation device. 2. When a desired additional field that is not present on the database is defined in a layout definition, the form database creating means creates a form database composed of the field extracted by the extracting means and the additional field. 2. The form creation device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An input means for inputting data of an output element defined as a forced input item when a forced input item is defined as a data attribute of an output element in the layout definition, and Updating means for updating the data of the output element defined in the definition to the data inputted by the input means and storing the updated data, wherein the output means comprises a layout definition updated by the updating means and the form 3. The form creation device according to claim 1, wherein the form is output based on a database. 4. A storage medium storing a computer-executable program, comprising: a view definition representing information for extracting fields required for a form corresponding to a desired form from a database; A computer-executable program code for storing a layout definition representing information for outputting data to a computer, and a method for extracting necessary fields based on a view definition from a plurality of fields included in a record of a database. A computer-executable program code; a computer-executable program code for creating a form database corresponding to a desired form composed of the extracted fields; the created form database and the layout definition Output the form based on A computer-readable storage medium storing a program including: a computer-executable program code.