JP2025082014A - Information processing system, application generation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique to generate an application for managing electronic data to be set to a document or the like.SOLUTION: The present invention is an information processing system that generates an application for managing electronic data, and the information processing system has: a template information extraction unit that acquires a template file to be a template of the electronic data, and extracts information on the electronic data from the template file; and an application generation unit that generates the application that displays entry fields of the electronic data together with the information on the electronic data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing system, an application creation method, and a program.

Documents that were previously written on paper, such as sales orders and quotations, are now being created as electronic data. Since documents are often created in a specific format, there are known techniques for creating document data efficiently.

For example, a technique for creating form data using a template file is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a form application creation system that creates form data by allowing a user to specify a template of their choice from among multiple pre-stored templates, and embedding selected data from multiple data stored in a database into the template file.

However, conventional technology has the problem that users must manually create applications to manage electronic data set on forms and the like. For example, users must manually add input fields for electronic data to match the data format of items included in a template file, and set the name and data format of this input field. In addition to forms, users must manually create applications to manage data set on address labels that are affixed to mailings and the like.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a technology for creating applications for managing electronic data set in forms, etc.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is an information processing system for creating an application for managing electronic data, comprising: a template information extraction unit that acquires a template file that serves as a template for the electronic data and extracts information about the electronic data from the template file; and an application creation unit that creates the application that displays an input field for the electronic data together with information about the electronic data.

The present invention provides technology for creating applications for managing electronic data set in forms, etc.

11 is a diagram illustrating a method for creating an application for data management using a template file of a form. FIG. 1 illustrates a system configuration of an example of a form application creation system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing system and a terminal device. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example of a form application creation system. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a template file. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an application creation screen displayed on a terminal device in the comparative technology. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data registration screen on which a user registers data in an application created by the user through the operation shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data list screen on which the terminal device displays data added to an application. 11 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which the information processing system creates an application by using a template file. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a process in step S3 of FIG. 9 in which the template information extraction unit extracts a template character string from a template file. 6 is a diagram showing an example of application creation data extracted from the template file of FIG. 5 . FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an application creation screen on which a user can change the data format. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the creation of a form using a template file of the form. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example of a form application creation system. FIG. 10 is an example of a flowchart illustrating a process in step S3 of FIG. 9 in which the template information extraction unit extracts a template character string from a template file. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of an example of a data format determination unit using machine learning. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data format determination method setting screen displayed on the terminal device. 13 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which a user adds a data format determination method and the information processing system creates an application using a template file. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a template file that can be specified by a cell. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an application creation screen on which cell size information and cell position information are reflected. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a workflow application and its constituent components.

Below, we will explain a form application creation system and an application creation method performed by the form application creation system as an example of a form for implementing the present invention.

[First embodiment]
<Outline of application creation>
First, referring to FIG. 1, an example of creating an application for managing data that is the source of a form will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a method of creating an application for data management using a form template file. The template file 20 may be a file created by, for example, a general-purpose spreadsheet software. The template file 20 shown in FIG. 1 has a character string field 202 and a template field (also called a cell) 201 in which ${XXX} is stored. "${}" is a symbol indicating that it is a template character string of data of a form. The template indicates the name of the data input field and the data format. "XXX" is a combination of any characters, numbers, symbols, or alphabets (hereinafter, "XXX" is referred to as a template character string 203). In FIG. 1, the template character string 203 is "application date and time", "department", "employee number", and "name".

The character string field 202 corresponds to the template field 201. When a form is created, the character string field 202 becomes the field name of the data. The field name is information for identifying the type and attributes of data. The template field 201 is replaced with data. The template file 20 is replaced with data having the same field name as the template character string 203, and a form is automatically created from the template file. The user inputs this data in advance using an application. This embodiment describes a technology for creating this application.

(1) When the information processing system 50 receives a request from a user to create an application that specifies a template file 20, it creates an application. This application is an application that manages the data that is the source of the form (the data that is set in the form). The information processing system 50 extracts the template field 201 based on the symbol that indicates that the field is a template string 203.

(2) Next, the information processing system 50 creates an application with an input field with "XXX" as the input field name. In FIG. 1, input fields 211-214 have been created for the application with input field names of "Application date and time", "Department", "Employee number", and "Name". The user can create form data by entering data into these input fields 211-214.

In this way, the form application creation system of this embodiment can automatically create applications from template files, whereas in the past it was necessary to manually create an application that manages the data that is the basis of the form for each type of template file. Therefore, the form application creation system can reduce the effort required by the user.

<Terminology>
A form is a record of transactions and accounting in a company or organization, and is a general term for paper with blank spaces for filling in. Forms that can be entered on a computer are called form data. There are many different types of forms, such as order slips, purchase orders, daily work reports, attendance sheets, and pay slips.

An address label is a piece of paper with an address, name (company name), etc. printed on it, which is affixed to envelopes, direct mail (DM), postcards, pamphlets, etc. Address labels may be printed on stickers, for example. The application of this embodiment can be used to manage not only forms but also data set on address labels.

A template file is a file that contains a template for patterned data. For example, a template file is a document file in which each item is blank or replaceable. A template file can define the placement of each item in the form data.

The information on electronic data is a character, a symbol, a number, an alphabet, or a combination of one or more of these set in the template file. The information on electronic data is an example of information used to create an application, for example, information used to create an input field for an application. The information on electronic data is, for example, information indicating the name, position, input format, and display form such as the size and color of the input field of the input field. The information on electronic data may be an image. In this embodiment, the information on electronic data is described using the term template character string. The information on electronic data is specified by a symbol ${}, but it does not have to be specified by such a symbol. The symbol may be, for example, that the template character string is a specific color such as red or blue, or that the font size of the template character string is above a certain value (or below a certain value). The symbol may also be a cell number. The symbol may also be specified by the template character string being in a fixed position. In other words, the symbol is an example of specific information for specifying the information on electronic data in the template file. If the specific information is a symbol, it can be added by the user in the field of the template file. Additionally, the specific information may be set in a file or data other than the template file, or may be added to the template file as metadata.

An application is an abbreviation for application program, and is a program created by a computer for any task. While an OS (Operating System) is general-purpose software that provides basic functions and systems (file system, communication, display control, etc.) for the operation of a computer, an application provides specific functions on the OS. Applications include web apps and native apps. In this embodiment, a web app is used as an example, but the application may also be a native app. In this embodiment, an application that manages the data that is the source of a form (set in the form) will be described as an example of an application.

An application that manages form data is an application that assists the user in performing tasks related to data, such as entering form data, displaying it, and creating lists. The application may be able to process data, such as by performing arithmetic operations on the data. In this embodiment, the application must have at least a data input field and the name of the input field.

<System configuration example>
The system configuration of the form application creation system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the form application creation system 100. The form application creation system 100 includes an information processing system 50 and a terminal device 10, and the information processing system 50 and the terminal device 10 are communicatively connected via networks N1 and N2.

The network N1 may be a wide-area communication network such as the Internet or a WAN. The network N2 may be a LAN or Wi-Fi (registered trademark) in the home or facility where the terminal device 10 is located, or a communication network such as a mobile phone network of 3G, 4G, 5G, or 6G.

The information processing system 50 is realized by one or more information processing devices. The information processing system 50 is capable of communicating with the terminal device 10 via the networks N1 and N2. In one embodiment, the information processing system 50 functions as a web server and provides the terminal device 10 with web pages or web applications. The information processing system 50 has a service for managing data that is the source of forms, a service for creating forms from template files and data, and a service for creating applications that manage this data.

The information processing system 50 may receive the template file 20 from the terminal device 10, or may store the template file 20 in advance. The information processing system 50 creates an application based on the template file 20 and transmits screen information of the application to the terminal device 10.

The information processing system 50 may be realized by cloud computing or by a single information processing device. Cloud computing refers to a form in which resources on a network are used without being aware of specific hardware resources. The information processing system 50 may exist on the Internet or on-premise. The terminal device 10 is an information processing device operated by a user who, for example, creates forms and registers data to be set in the forms. The user causes the terminal device 10 to transmit a template file 20 created in advance to the information processing system 50, and the terminal device 10 receives and displays screen information such as an application creation screen created by the information processing system 50. The user can set the data that will be the basis of the form for the created application creation screen.

Alternatively, several template files 20 to be used in business may be preregistered in the information processing system 50. A user who creates a form causes the information processing system 50 to communicate with the terminal device 10, displays a list of template files 20, and requests the information processing system 50 to create an application based on the selected template file 20.

The terminal device 10 is, for example, a PC (Personal Computer) 10a, a tablet terminal 10b, or a smartphone 10c. The terminal device 10 may also be a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the like. However, it is sufficient that the terminal device 10 provides a user interface that allows a user to request processing from the information processing system 50 and display form data. The terminal device 10 may also be a device on which a web browser or a native application dedicated to form creation runs.

<Hardware configuration example>
The hardware configuration of the information processing system 50 and the terminal device 10 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

<<Information Processing System and Terminal Device>>
Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing system 50 and a terminal device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing system 50 and the terminal device 10 are constructed by a computer 500, and include a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a HD (Hard Disk) 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I/F (Interface) 508, a network I/F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, an optical drive 514, and a media I/F 516.

Of these, the CPU 501 controls the operation of the information processing system 50 and the terminal device 10 as a whole. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive the CPU 501, such as IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data from the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, menu, window, character, or image. The external device connection I/F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I/F 509 is an interface for data communication using the network N2. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3.

The keyboard 511 is a type of input means equipped with multiple keys used to input characters, numbers, or various instructions. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving the cursor, and the like. The optical drive 514 controls the reading and writing of various data from an optical storage medium 513, which is an example of a removable storage medium. The optical storage medium 513 may be a CD, DVD, Blu-Ray (registered trademark), or the like. The media I/F 516 controls the reading and writing (storing) of data from a storage medium 515, such as a flash memory.

<About the function>
Next, the functional configuration of the form application development system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of an example of the form application development system 100.

<<Information Processing System>>
The information processing system 50 has a communication unit 51, a screen generation unit 52, a template information extraction unit 53, an application creation unit 54, and a template file storage unit 59. Each functional unit of the information processing system 50 is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in Fig. 3 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the information processing system 50. The template file storage unit 59 is constructed in the HD 504 shown in Fig. 3 or the like.

The communication unit 51 communicates with the terminal device 10 using a communication protocol such as HTTPs. In this embodiment, the communication unit 51 receives a template file 20 from the terminal device 10 and transmits screen information such as an application creation screen created with the template file 20 to the terminal device 10.

The screen generation unit 52 generates various screens such as an application creation screen, and provides the screen information to the terminal device 10 via the communication unit 51. When each screen is provided by a web page or web application (the terminal device 10 executes a web browser), the screen information of the various screens is described in HTML, XML, CSS (Cascade Style Sheet), JavaScript (registered trademark), etc. When the terminal device 10 executes a native application, the screen information is mainly information to be displayed, and the screen configuration is held in advance by the native application.

The template information extraction unit 53 extracts the template field from the template file 20. Because "${}" is a symbol indicating a template field, the template information extraction unit 53 only needs to extract the template character string 203 within the brackets "${}". The template information extraction unit 53 stores the extracted template character string 203 and the data format in a file in JSON format.

The application creation unit 54 creates an application that manages the data that is the source of creating a form based on the extracted template string 203 and the data format. Creating an application means setting up input fields for entering data.

The template file storage unit 59 stores one or more template files 20. The template file 20 may be transmitted from the terminal device 10 when the form data is created, or may be registered in advance in the information processing system 50. Specific examples of the template file 20 will be described in the following embodiment.

<<Terminal Device>>
The terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a display control unit 12, and an operation reception unit 13. Each of these functional units is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the terminal device 10. Note that this program may be a web browser or a dedicated native application.

The communication unit 11 transmits and receives various types of information to and from the information processing system 50. In this embodiment, the communication unit 11 receives various types of screen information and the like from the information processing system 50, and transmits various types of information, such as a template file 20 input by the user, to the information processing system 50. The communication unit 11 receives screen information, such as an application creation screen, created by the information processing system 50.

The display control unit 12 interprets the screen information of various screens and displays it on the display 506. The operation reception unit 13 receives various operations by the user on the various screens displayed on the display 506.

<Creating an application using a template file>
5 is an example of the template file 20. The template file 20 may be, for example, a file created by general-purpose spreadsheet software, or may be a file in a format such as JSON, XML, or CSV.

As described in FIG. 1, the template file 20 has a string field 202 and a template field (also called a cell) 201 in which ${XXX} is stored. "${}" is a symbol that indicates that the template string of the form data is included in the parentheses, and is an example of specific information. "${}" only needs to indicate the template string 203, and may be a symbol that is not used in the string field 202 of the template file, such as "$<>", "#{}", or "&{}". The template file 20 may also use specific information in multiple formats. For example, the template string 203 indicated by "${}" indicates the name of the application's input field, and the template string 203 indicated by "$<>" can indicate the input format of the input field. In this way, specific information in a format corresponding to each attribute information of the input field, such as the name, position, input format, size of the input field, and color of the input field of the application, can be used. Here, when the template character string 203 specified by "${}" and the template character string 203 specified by "$<>" exist in the same field, an input field can be created that has an input field name corresponding to the template character string 203 specified by "${}" and an input format corresponding to the template character string 203 specified by "$<>". In this way, when using specific information in multiple formats, an input field having multiple attribute information can be created by associating multiple pieces of specific information based on the field in which the specific information is input. The manner in which multiple pieces of specific information are associated is not limited to this, and multiple pieces of specific information may be associated based on the symbol included in the specific information, for example. For example, since "${}" and "$<>" contain the same $ symbol, they may be associated with each other even if they are input into different fields.

The template character string 203 ("XXX") is any character, number, symbol, or alphabet, or a combination of one or more of these. In other words, even if the template character string 203 is called a "character string", it may include other than characters themselves. In FIG. 5, the template character string 203 is "application date and time", "department", "employee number", and "name", but these are also examples, and the template character string 203 differs depending on the form. In addition, as the input of "XXX", if the template character string 203 indicates the input format of the input field, a character string such as "character string", "date", or "number" may be input; if the template character string 203 indicates the position of the input field, a number indicating the coordinate; if the template character string 203 indicates the size of the input field, a number indicating the size; if the template character string 203 indicates the color of the input field, a character string such as "red" or "blue" may be input.

<<When a user creates an application>>
Next, the work of a user creating an application for comparison will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 shows an example of an application creation screen 220 displayed by the terminal device 10 in the comparison technology. Note that the comparison technology is not necessarily a conventional technology.

The application creation screen 220 has input fields 211 to 213 with input field names (application date and time, department, employee number). The user had to manually add input fields to match the data format of the template file and set the name of each input field and the data input format. In FIG. 6, the user has already created the application date and time input field 211 and department input field 212. Next, the user adds the employee number input field 213. For example, by right-clicking on the employee number input field 213 that the user added, an input name setting field 222 and a data format setting field 223 are displayed as a pop-up. The user enters "employee number" in the input name setting field 222. The user also selects "numeric value" from the data format setting field 223, which displays a selection of data formats in a pull-down menu. This creates the employee number input field 213, with a numeric data format.

Next, the user adds an input field 225 for the name. In FIG. 6, the user presses a specific menu button or the like to display an input field 225 called an input form, which is added. "Input form" is the default input field name, and the user can change the input field name to "Name" by displaying an input name setting field 222, just like with input field 213. The user can also select "Character string" for the data format from data format setting field 223.

As such, with the comparison technique, the user had to add an input field for each input field and set the input field name and data format.

Figure 7 shows an example of a data registration screen 240 where a user registers data in an application created by the user through the operations shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 7 (a), the data registration screen 240 has input fields 241 to 244 for application date and time, department, employee number, and name. As shown in Figure 7 (b), the user operates the terminal device 10 to input data (values) into each of the input fields 241 to 244.

The data registration screen 240 has a save button 245. When the user presses the save button 245, the data in each input field 241 to 244 is sent to the information processing system 50 and saved as one record's worth of data.

The application creation screen 220 and the data registration screen 240 for inputting data into the application may be prepared separately, or may be integrated into one and the same application.

Figure 8 shows a data list screen 250 on which the terminal device 10 displays data added to an application. The data list screen 250 shows data in a table format, with application date and time, department, employee number, and name as one record. In this way, data added using an application is accumulated in the information processing system 50.

As described above, with the comparison technology, the user sets the data input field names and data format on the application creation screen 220 in FIG. 6 based on the template string 203 of the template file as shown in FIG. 5, and then enters data into each input field as shown in FIG. 7 to create a form. These tasks are not limited to form creation, but are similar for any application that replaces part of a template file for output, such as creating address labels. Also, with the comparison technology, the user had to manually perform the application creation tasks in FIG. 6 for each type of template file (type of form).

<Application Creation of the Present Embodiment>
Next, a process flow of the information processing system 50 of the present embodiment creating an application will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a process of the information processing system 50 creating an application using a template file. Note that Fig. 9 shows main functional blocks among the functional blocks of the information processing system 50.

S1: The user instructs the terminal device 10 of the URL of the information processing system 50. The communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 connects to the URL of the information processing system 50. Since the user instructs the terminal device 10 of the URL of the web page for file transmission, the communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 sends an HTTP request including the URL of the web page for file transmission to the information processing system 50. In response to the HTTP request, the information processing system 50 sends the web page for file transmission to the terminal device 10. The user specifies a template file 20 that has been prepared in advance for the web page for file transmission displayed by the terminal device 10, and causes the terminal device 10 to transmit it. As a result, the communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 transmits the template file 20 to the information processing system 50. Here, it is sufficient for the information processing system 50 to be able to acquire the template file; for example, the terminal device 10 may send the template file to the information processing system 50 by making a request to an external storage device, or the terminal device 10 may specify a storage area in which the template file is stored, and the information processing system 50 may acquire the template file from the specified storage area. Also, the terminal device 10 may specify a template file that has been uploaded in advance to the storage area of the information processing system 50.

S2: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the template file and passes it to the screen generation unit 52. The screen generation unit 52 requests the template information extraction unit 53 to extract the template character string 203 from the template file 20. Note that the process flow shown in FIG. 9 is an example, and the template information extraction unit 53 may obtain the template file 20 without the intervention of the screen generation unit 52.

S3: The template information extraction unit 53 extracts the template string 203 from the template file 20 based on the symbol "${}". In other words, the template information extraction unit 53 extracts, from among the strings stored in the template file 20, a string identified by specific information such as "${}" as the template string 203. The template information extraction unit 53 creates application creation data that associates the template string 203 with a data format. The details of the processing of step S3 are described with reference to FIG. 10.

S4: The template information extraction unit 53 sends the application creation data to the application creation unit 54, requesting the application to be created.

S5: The application creation unit 54 creates an application in which an input field name and a data format are set for each input field based on the application creation data. That is, the application creation unit 54 creates an input field with the template character string 203 as the input field name. When specific information of multiple formats is used, an input field is created with the input field name indicated by the template character string 203 specified by the specific information of the format indicating the input field name. The application creation unit 54 sets the data format to the initial value of "character string". Therefore, in this embodiment, the user manually changes the data format. When specific information of multiple formats is used, an input field can be created with the input format indicated by the template character string 203 specified by the specific information of the format indicating the input format. The automatic determination of the data format will be described in the second embodiment.

The input fields on the data registration screen 240 may be arranged, for example, in a vertical or horizontal line. The data registration screen 240 is used when entering data, and does not necessarily need to be designed.

S6: The application creation unit 54 notifies the created application to the screen generation unit 52. Notifying the application may be, for example, notifying a URL for calling the application. Alternatively, a URL from which the application can be downloaded may be notified.

S7: The screen generation unit 52 creates screen information for the application creation screen 220 based on the created application. For example, in step S7, the user presses a URL notified by the information processing system 50. When the communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 connects to the URL, the screen generation unit 52 creates screen information for the application creation screen 220 identified by the URL. The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 transmits the screen information for the application creation screen 220 to the terminal device 10.

The reason that what is sent in step S7 is the screen information of the application creation screen 220, and not the screen information of the data registration screen 240, is because the user will manually change the data format. If the user does not want to change the data format of any of the input fields (if the default value of "character string" is sufficient), the screen information of the data registration screen 240 may be sent to the terminal device 10 in step S7.

S8: The communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 receives the screen information of the application creation screen 220, and the display control unit 12 displays the application creation screen 220 on the display 506. As a result, the terminal device 10 can display the application creation screen 220 as shown in FIG. 6, for example. However, in step S8, the application creation screen 220 is displayed in a state where all the input fields 211 to 214 have already been created. When the user checks the application and inputs an operation to publish, the URL of the publication destination is notified from the information processing system 50 to the terminal device 10, and the application is registered in the information processing system 50 or another website. When the user connects the terminal device 10 to the URL of the publication destination, the user can use the functions of the application, such as registering data from the data registration screen 240 and creating form data based on merged data. Note that if the application is a native app, the registered application may be downloaded to the terminal device 10 from the information processing system 50 or another website.

Figure 10 is a flow chart illustrating the process in step S3 of Figure 9 in which the template information extraction unit 53 extracts the template string 203 from the template file 20.

The template information extraction unit 53 reads the template file 20 (S11). The template information extraction unit 53 obtains one template string 203 from the template file 20 (S12).

The template information extraction unit 53 creates application creation data (S13). The application creation data is created in, for example, JSON format, but may also be in XML or CSV format. The application creation data has the following information for each input field.
{"Input field name": "Template string", "Input field data format": "String"}
In addition, when multiple formats of specific information are used, the template information extraction unit 53 can determine the format of the specific information for identifying the template string 203, and create application creation data based on the determined format and the template string 203.
The template information extraction unit 53 judges whether or not there is a next template character string 203 (S14). If the judgment in step S14 is Yes, the process returns to step S12, and if the judgment in step S14 is No, the process in FIG.

Fig. 11 shows an example of application creating data extracted from the template file 20 of Fig. 5. Based on the four template fields 201 included in the template file 20 of Fig. 5, the application creating data has the following four entries.
"Input field name": "Application date and time", "Input field data format": "String"
"Input field name": "Department", "Input field data format": "String"
"Input field name": "Employee number", "Input field data format": "String"
"Input field name": "Name", "Input field data format": "String"
In the above example, the application creation data includes only the name of the input field and the data format of the input field, but information such as the position, size, and color of the input field may also be included. The screen generation unit 52 of the information processing system 50 generates screen information for the data registration screen 240 from the application creation data of Fig. 11. In Fig. 11, all data input formats are character string types. Therefore, the user manually changes the data format on the application creation screen 220 to complete the application.

Figure 12 shows an example of an application creation screen 220 that allows the user to change the data format. Note that in Figure 12, the data format is clearly indicated in input fields 211 to 214. This allows the user to easily determine the current data format and easily decide whether or not the data format needs to be changed.

Fig. 12(a) shows the application creation screen 220 immediately after it is displayed by the terminal device 10. In Fig. 12(a), the data format of all input fields 211 to 214 is character strings. The screen generation unit 52 generates the application creation screen 220 so that the input fields 211 to 214 display the initial data format (e.g., character strings).

For this reason, the user manually changes the data format of the input fields 211 and 213. Figure 12 (b) shows a pull-down menu 216 that is displayed when the user presses the application date and time input field 211. The user selects "Date", which is appropriate as the data format for the application date and time input field 211, from the data format options displayed in the pull-down menu 216. The pull-down menu is one example, and radio buttons may be displayed together with the options.

As a result, the data format of the application date and time input field 211 is changed to date, as shown in FIG. 12(c). Similarly, the user can set the data format of the employee number input field 213 to numeric from the pull-down menu.

In the application creation screen 220, not only the input format of the input field, but also the name and position of the input field may be edited, and editing to add a new input field may be performed. The terminal device 10 transmits the data format of the input fields 211 and 213 selected in the application creation screen 220 to the information processing system 50. The application creation unit 54 updates the data format of the input fields 211 and 213 with the data format transmitted from the terminal device 10. At this time, the result of editing in the application creation screen 220 can be reflected in the application creation data. Note that the information processing system 50 may manage the created application in association with the application creation data and the template file 20. As a result, the screen generation unit 52 of the information processing system 50 can generate screen information of the data registration screen 240 based on the application creation data reflecting the editing result in the application creation screen 220.

<Creating reports after data entry>
With reference to FIG. 13, the creation of a form after data input will be described in more detail. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the creation of a form using the form template file 20. The user operates the created application (using the data registration screen 240) to prepare data to be inserted into the template file 20 (hereinafter, referred to as insertion data 31). The information processing system 50 may obtain a file containing the insertion data 31 from the terminal device 10. In FIG. 13, there is one record of insertion data 31. The column name 32 of the insertion data 31 is the same as the template character string 203 of the template file 20. The insertion data 31 may be in any of the JSON format, CSV format, and XML format, and may be a file created by a general-purpose spreadsheet software.

When a user performs an operation on an application to insert merge data 31 into the template file 20, form data 30 is created. The information processing system 50 searches for the template string 203 in "${}" from the template file 20 managed in association with the application, and obtains the column name 32 that is the same as the template string from the merge data 31. The information processing system 50 then replaces the template field 201 that contains the template string 203 with the column name 32. In the form data 30 in FIG. 13, the template field 201 in the template file 20 has been replaced with the data of the corresponding column in the merge data 31.

In this way, the information processing system can create the form data 30 by inserting the insert data 31 into the template field 201 specified by ${XXX} in the template file 20 .
In the above, the function of creating the form data 30 based on the merge data 31 has been described as an example of the function of the created application. However, the function of the created application is not limited to this. For example, the information processing system 50 can manage data based on data received from a user on the data registration screen 240 provided by the created application, or a file acquired from the terminal device 10. The information processing system 50 can provide the managed data to the terminal device 10 as a data list screen 250.

<Major Effects>
In contrast to the conventional need to manually create an application for managing the data that is the basis of a form for each type of template file 20, the form application creation system 100 of this embodiment can automatically create an application from the template file 20. This reduces the user's workload.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the information processing system 50 creates an application by setting all of the data formats of the input fields 211 to 214 to character strings. In the present embodiment, an information processing system 50 that analyzes a template character string 203 and automatically sets the data formats of the input fields 211 to 214 will be described.

<About the function>
14 is a functional block diagram of an example of the form application creation system 100 according to the present embodiment. Note that the explanation of FIG. 14 may mainly focus on the differences from FIG.

<<Information Processing System>>
The information processing system 50 newly includes a data format determination unit 55. The data format determination unit 55 determines the data format of the input fields 211 to 214 by analyzing the template character string 203. If the data format determination unit 55 can estimate the data format from the template character string 203, it is possible to reduce the effort required for the user to manually change the data format.

<Operation or Processing>
FIG. 15 is an example of a flow chart illustrating the process in which the template information extractor 53 extracts the template character string 203 from the template file 20 in step S3 in FIG.

The template information extraction unit 53 reads the template file 20 (S21). The template information extraction unit 53 obtains one template string 203 from the template file 20 (S22).

The data format determination unit 55 determines whether the template character string 203 is date information (S23). As an example of a method of determination, if the template character string 203 ends with "day" or "date", it is determined to be date information. If the determination in step S23 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S24, and if the determination in step S23 is No, the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S24, the template information extraction unit 53 creates application creation data whose data format is date information (S24). The application creation data is created in, for example, JSON format, but may also be in XML or CSV format. The application creation data in the date data format is as follows:
{"Input field name": "Template string", "Input field data format": "Date"}
In step S25, the data format determination unit 55 determines whether the template character string 203 is numerical information (S25). As an example of a method of determination, if the template character string 203 ends with a "number" or a "value", it is determined to be numerical information. If the determination in step S25 is Yes, the process proceeds to step S26, and if the determination in step S25 is No, the process proceeds to step S27.

In step S26, the template information extraction unit 53 creates application-created data whose data format is numerical information (S26). The application-created data in the numerical data format is as follows:
{"Input field name": "Template string", "Input field data format": "Number"}
In step S27, since the template character string 203 is neither date information nor numerical information, the template information extraction unit 53 creates application-generating data whose data format is a character string (S27). The application-generating data whose data format is a character string is as follows:
{"Input field name": "Template string", "Input field data format": "String"}
Next, the template information extraction unit 53 judges whether or not there is a next template character string 203 (S28). If the judgment in step S28 is Yes, the process returns to step S22, and if the judgment in step S28 is No, the process in FIG. 15 ends.

The application creation unit 54 uses the created application creation data, i.e., sets the data format determined by the data format determination unit 55, in the input field of the application.

In FIG. 15, the data format determination unit 55 determines whether the information is date information or numerical information, but it may also determine time information, day of the week information, etc. For example, if the template character string 203 ends with "hour" or "time", it can be determined to be time information. In addition, if the template character string 203 ends with "day of the week" or "day", it can be determined to be day of the week information.

<Data format determination using AI (machine learning)>
AI (Artificial Intelligence) may be used to determine the data format. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of a data format determination unit 55 using machine learning. Machine learning is a technology for making a computer acquire human-like learning capabilities, and refers to a technology in which a computer autonomously generates an algorithm required for determining data identification and the like from learning data that is previously captured, and applies this to new data to make predictions. The learning method for machine learning may be any of supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning, or may be a combination of these learning methods. Any learning method for machine learning may be used. Machine learning methods include perceptrons, deep learning, support vector machines, logistic regression, naive Bayes, decision trees, random forests, and the like, and are not limited to the methods described in this disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 16, the data format determination unit 55 can include a template string acquisition unit 271, a training data storage unit 272, a machine learning unit 273, a learned model storage unit 274, and an inference unit 275. Each of these will be explained below. First, the template string acquisition unit 271 acquires the template string 203 from the template file 20.

<<Learning Phase>>
Training data for machine learning is stored in the training data storage unit 272. The training data in the training data storage unit 272 is data in which template strings (input data) acquired by the template string acquisition unit 271 for a certain period of time are associated with data formats (teacher data).

For example, deep learning is an algorithm that predicts output data based on input data, and then adjusts the weights between neural networks using backpropagation to reduce errors with teacher data. In this embodiment, the machine learning unit 273 converts the template character string into a vector representation using, for example, word2vec, and uses this vector as input data. Since the output data is one of the three types, "character string," "date," or "number," the teacher data is one of "1,0,0," "0,1,0," or "0,0,1." This makes it possible to learn using deep learning.

The machine learning unit 273 generates a trained model for outputting a data format from a template character string. Specifically, the machine learning unit 273 performs machine learning using training data in which the template character string is input data and the data format of the template character string is output data, thereby generating a trained model. The machine learning unit 273 also stores the generated trained model in the trained model storage unit 274. The trained model storage unit 274 stores the trained model generated by the machine learning unit 273.

<<Inference Phase>>
The inference unit 275 acquires a template character string and infers a data format. Specifically, the inference unit 275 acquires the template character string from the template character string acquisition unit 271. The inference unit 275 also inputs the template character string 203 to the trained model in the trained model storage unit 274 and outputs the data format.

<Major Effects>
According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the user can input the template file 20 into the information processing system 50 to create an application in which input field names and data formats are set.

[Third embodiment]
In this embodiment, an information processing system 50 will be described that allows the user to add a method for determining the data format performed in the second embodiment.

In this embodiment, the functional block diagram of FIG. 14 described in the second embodiment can be used.

<An example of a screen for setting the data format judgment method>
Fig. 17 is an example of a data format determination method setting screen 230 displayed by the terminal device 10. In the data format determination method setting screen 230, a character string setting field 231 (an example of a first setting field), a condition field 232 (an example of a second setting field), and a data format setting field 233 (an example of a third setting field) are associated with each data format determination method. In Fig. 17, three data format determination methods 234 to 236 are displayed, but this is only an example, and the character string setting field 231, the condition field 232, and the data format setting field 233 can be added by a user's operation.

The string setting field 231 is a field where the user sets the string to be included in the template string 203. The condition field 232 is a field where the user sets the arrangement in which the string set in the string setting field 231 must be included in the template string 203 to determine that the condition is met. The user can select from three conditions in the condition field 232 using a pull-down menu 237: "starts with", "contains", and "ends with". Therefore, the condition is met when the string set in the string setting field 231 is included in the template string 203 in the arrangement set in the condition field 232. The data format setting field 233 is a field where the user sets the data format to be automatically set for the input field when the condition is met.

Data format determination method 234 in FIG. 17 indicates that if template character string 203 ends with "日", the data format is determined to be a date. Data format determination method 235 indicates that if template character string 203 includes "個", the data format is determined to be a number. Data format determination method 236 indicates that if template character string 203 starts with "者", the data format is determined to be a string.

<Operation or Processing>
Fig. 18 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which a user adds a data format determination method and the information processing system 50 creates an application using a template file. Note that the explanation of Fig. 18 may include differences from Fig. 9.

S31: The user specifies the URL of the information processing system 50 to the terminal device 10. The communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 connects to the URL of the information processing system 50. Since the user specifies the URL of the data format determination method setting screen 230 to the terminal device 10, the communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 sends an HTTP request including the URL of the data format determination method setting screen 230 to the information processing system 50. In response to the HTTP request, the information processing system 50 sends screen information of the data format determination method setting screen 230 to the terminal device 10. The user sets a data format determination method for the data format determination method setting screen 230 displayed by the terminal device 10 and has the terminal device 10 send it. As a result, the communication unit 11 of the terminal device 10 sends the data format determination method to the information processing system 50.

S32: The communication unit 51 of the information processing system 50 receives the data format determination method and passes it to the data format determination unit 55.

The subsequent steps S33 to S35 can be similar to steps S1 to S3 in Figure 9.

S36: In step S36, the template information extraction unit 53 specifies a template string and requests the data format determination unit 55 to determine the data format.

S37: The data format determination unit 55 determines the data format of the received template string based on the data format determination method set by the user.

S38: The data format determination unit 55 notifies the template information extraction unit 53 of the determination result (data format of the input field).

S39: The template information extraction unit 53 creates application creation data (information in which the names of input fields correspond to the data formats) using the data formats of the input fields 211 to 214, and notifies the application creation unit 54.

The subsequent steps S40 to S43 may be similar to steps S5 to S8 in FIG. 9. However, in this embodiment, since the data format is accurately determined, in step S42, the screen information of the data registration screen 240 may be sent to the terminal device 10 instead of the application creation screen 220. On the other hand, the screen information of the application creation screen 220 may be sent to the terminal device 10 so that the user can check whether the data format and input field names are set correctly.

<Major Effects>
In addition to the effects of the first and second embodiments, the information processing system 50 of this embodiment allows the user to add a data format determination method, making it easier for the data format determination unit 55 to accurately determine the data formats of the input fields 211 to 214. This reduces the effort required for the user to change the data format on the application creation screen 220.

[Fourth embodiment]
In this embodiment, an information processing system 50 is described that uses size information (cell size information) and position information (cell position information) of a template field from a template file 20 to reflect the information on an application creation screen 220. In the following, a template field (a field in which ${} is written) in a template file may be referred to as a cell.

In this embodiment, the functional block diagram of FIG. 14 described in the second embodiment can be used.

Figure 19 shows an example of a template file 20 that can be identified by a cell. As shown in Figure 19, a template field 201 can be identified by the following cell position information: The unit of the cell position information may be millimeters, points, pixels, etc.
${Application date and time} is O4 (4th row of column O) = (x1, y1)
${Department} is O5 (5th row of column O) = (x2, y2)
${Employee number} is O6 (column O, row 6) = (x3, y3)
${Name} is O7 (7th row of column O) = (x4, y4)
Also, the cell size information of the template field 201 can be extracted from the template file 20. The cell size information of each template field 201 is assumed to be as follows: The unit of the cell size information may be millimeters, points, pixels, or the like.
${Application date and time} is (h1, w1)
${Department} is (h2, w2)
${employee number} is (h3, w3)
${name} is (h4, w4)
Based on the above, the application creation data in this embodiment is as follows:
"Input field name": "Application date and time", "Input field data format": "Date", "Input field position information": "x1,y1", "Input field size information": "h1,w1",
"Input field name": "Department", "Input field data format": "String", "Input field position information": "x2,y2", "Input field size information": "h2,w2",
"Input field name": "Employee number", "Input field data format": "Number", "Input field position information": "x3,y3", "Input field size information": "h3,w3",
"Input field name": "Name", "Input field data format": "String", "Input field position information": "x4,y4", "Input field size information": "h4,w4"
When the template information extraction unit 53 extracts the cell size information, the application creation unit 54 can reflect the cell size information in the application. That is, the application creation unit 54 can change the display mode of the input fields, such as changing the size of each input field and the input field name of each input field, in the application according to the cell size information.

In addition, when the template information extraction unit 53 extracts cell position information, the application creation unit 54 can reflect the cell position information in the application. In other words, the application creation unit 54 can change the display mode of the input fields, such as changing the position of each input field and the input name of each input field in the application, according to the cell position information.

Figure 20 is an example of an application creation screen 260 reflecting cell size information and cell position information. For example, the cell position information for the application date and time is (x1, y1), so the application creation unit 54 displays the application date and time input field 261 at (x1, y1) from the upper left corner of the application creation screen 260. In addition, the cell size information for the application date and time is (h1, w1), so the application creation unit 54 sets the height of the application date and time input field to h1 and the width to w1. The application creation unit 54 can similarly set the positions and sizes of the input fields 262 to 264 for department, employee number, and name.

The application creation unit 54 can also make the position and size of the input field name correspond to the position and size of the template string 203. However, it is preferable that the input field name is arranged so that it does not overlap with the input fields 261 to 264. When the input fields 261 to 264 are arranged vertically, the input field name is arranged to the left of the input fields 261 to 264 as shown in FIG. 20, and when the input fields 261 to 264 are arranged horizontally, the input field name is arranged above the input fields 261 to 264.

<Major Effects>
According to this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the first to third embodiments, the size and position of the template field 201 in the template file 20 are reflected on the application creation screen 260, making it easy for the user to understand the correspondence between the template file 20 and the application creation screen 260. The input fields on the data registration screen are arranged in the same way as on the application creation screen 260, so the user can register data while imagining the form.

[Fifth embodiment]
The creation of the form application of this embodiment can also be realized as a workflow service. A workflow will be described. Services that combine and provide multiple processes (e.g., scanning, saving to the cloud, or email delivery) are known. For example, a service in which an information processing system 50 performs a predetermined process on an electronic file (image file) generated by scanning, and then saves the file in the cloud or delivers the file by email is known. Such a service is realized by executing one or more processes that realize each function as a series of processes, and may be called a workflow service. In this embodiment, the workflow creates an application or generates information required for creating an application.

The IN component, which will be described below, specifies a template file for the form, the PROCESS component generates the information required to create the application (processing executed by the data format determination unit 55 and template information extraction unit 53), and the OUT component outputs the information/items required to create the application to another system or other application that functions as the application creation unit 54. Alternatively, the IN component specifies a template file for the form, the PROCESS component generates the information required to create the application (processing executed by the data format determination unit 55 and template information extraction unit 53) and also generates the application (processing executed by the application creation unit 54), and the OUT component outputs information about the application generated (sends the application program data itself to a specified storage area, or notifies a link to the application to a specified email address).

The application generated by the above process can also be generated as a workflow application capable of executing a specified workflow.

The components that make up the workflow app will be described with reference to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a diagram that describes a workflow app and the components that make up the workflow app.

An administrator can create a workflow app 110 that combines processes (components) that execute each process as a workflow and executes that series of processes. Examples of components include an IN component that executes processes related to inputting, generating, and acquiring data, a PROCESS component that executes specified processes such as processing and converting data, and an OUT component that executes processes related to outputting and transmitting data. A workflow app can be composed of multiple IN components, multiple PROCESS components, and multiple OUT components, and one workflow app can also be composed of multiple components.

The IN component includes a process of acquiring data to be processed from the device 101 (terminal device 10, etc.). For example, if the device 101 is an MFP or a camera, the process includes acquiring electronic data by scanning or photographing a document or a subject. If the device 101 is a projector or a display, the process includes acquiring image data being displayed. If the device 101 is a sensor, the process includes acquiring a detection value of the sensor. If the device 101 is a storage server or a storage medium, the process includes receiving or reading data. The IN component can acquire data in the information processing system 50 that realizes the workflow app, but may also acquire data from a storage device such as another workflow app or a server. For example, the IN component can request data managed by an app 103 other than the workflow app or a system 102 other than the information processing system 50 that realizes the workflow app from the other app 103 or the other system 102. In response to the request, the other app 103 can acquire data managed by the other app or data from a server corresponding to the other app and transmit it to the requesting IN component. The IN component also performs processing to generate data by converting data formats, such as generating text data from image data.

The OUT component includes a process for outputting data from the device 101. For example, if the device 101 is an MFP, the process includes a process for printing electronic data on a medium. If the device 101 is a projector or a display, the process includes a process for displaying image data or outputting audio. If the device 101 is a storage server or a storage medium, the process includes a process for transmitting or storing data. In addition, the OUT component includes a process for notifying a predetermined destination of data or a result of processing. The OUT component can output data into the information processing system 50 that realizes the workflow app, but may also output data to an app 103 other than the workflow app or a system 102 other than the information processing system 50 that realizes the workflow app. For example, the OUT component can request the other app 103 or the other system 102 to manage the data or the result of processing in the other app 103 or the other system 102. In response to the request, the other app 103 can manage the received data or the result of processing, or transmit the data or the result of processing to be stored in a server corresponding to the other app 103.

For example, by combining multiple components, a workflow app can achieve the following functions:

In the IN component, the MFP scans a document to generate image data. The PROCESS component performs character recognition processing on the image data to convert it into data such as numerical values or text. The OUT component sends the converted data to a business management system, which is an example of another system. The business management system can generate management data by classifying the data received from the workflow application or by organizing it based on a preset input format. Note that in the PROCESS component, the information processing system 50 may classify the data and generate the management data. In this case, the OUT component sends the classification results and management data to the business management system, and the business management system simply stores the classification results and management data received from the workflow application in a specified area.

The IN component also acquires data managed by the business management system. For example, the IN component acquires data such as setting information, numerical values, or text. Here, the IN component may request specific data from the business management system according to the settings, or may receive specific data managed by the business management system in response to a request from the business management system. The PROCESS component generates management data by organizing or processing the numerical values or text based on the setting information. The OUT component sends the management data to the business management system. The business management system stores the management data received from the workflow app in a specified area.

The business management system and the workflow app may be provided by different businesses and may be configured by different servers. For this reason, when the workflow app sends or receives data to or from the business management system, it can send or receive data by communicating with the server that configures the business management system.

[Other application examples]
The above describes the best mode for carrying out the present invention using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in this embodiment, the server-side information processing system 50 creates the form data in a client-server system, but the terminal device 10 may create the application in a stand-alone system. In this case, the terminal device 10 creates the application using the template file 20.

The configuration examples in FIG. 4 and the like are divided according to main functions to facilitate understanding of the processing by the terminal device 10 and the information processing system 50. The present invention is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The processing by the terminal device 10 and the information processing system 50 can be divided into even more processing units depending on the processing content. Also, it can be divided so that one processing unit includes even more processes.

The devices described in the examples are merely illustrative of one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the information processing system 50 includes a plurality of computing devices, such as a server cluster. The computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, etc., and perform the processes disclosed herein.

Furthermore, the information processing system 50 can be configured to share the processing steps disclosed in this embodiment, such as FIG. 9, in various combinations. For example, a process executed by a specific unit can be executed by multiple information processing devices possessed by the information processing system 50. Furthermore, the information processing system 50 may be consolidated into one server device, or may be divided into multiple devices.

Each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute each function described above.

<Additional Notes>
[Appendix 1]
An information processing system for creating an application for managing electronic data, comprising:
a template information extraction unit that acquires a template file serving as a template for the electronic data and extracts information relating to the electronic data from the template file;
an application creation unit that creates the application that displays information about the electronic data and an input field for the electronic data;
An information processing system having the above configuration.
[Appendix 2]
a data format determination unit that determines a data format of the input field displayed together with the information about the electronic data based on information about the electronic data;
2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the application creation unit sets the data format of the input field to the data format determined by the data format determination unit.
[Appendix 3]
The information processing system can communicate with a terminal device via a network,
a screen generating unit that generates a setting screen for a determination method used by the data format determination unit to determine the data format of the input field;
a communication unit that transmits screen information of the setting screen to the terminal device,
The communication unit receives the determination method set in the terminal device,
The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the data format determination unit determines the data format of the input field displayed together with information about the electronic data from information about the electronic data based on the determination method.
[Appendix 4]
The information processing system described in Appendix 3, wherein the setting screen for the judgment method has a first setting field in which characters contained in the information about the electronic data are set, a second setting field in which the arrangement of the characters in the information about the electronic data is set, and a third setting field in which the data format to be applied when the characters are in the arrangement set in the second setting field is set.
[Appendix 5]
The template information extraction unit extracts location information of information related to the electronic data in the template file,
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the application creation unit creates the application that displays the input field at a position according to the position information.
[Appendix 6]
the template information extraction unit extracts size information of information related to the electronic data in the template file;
The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the application creation unit creates the application that displays the input field in a size according to the size information.
[Appendix 7]
The information processing system can communicate with a terminal device via a network,
the application creation unit sets a data format of the input field displayed together with information about the electronic data to a predetermined initial value;
a screen generating unit that generates an application creation screen that displays information about the electronic data, as well as an input field for the electronic data and options for a data format;
a communication unit that transmits screen information of the application creation screen to the terminal device,
receiving the data format of the input field selected on the application creation screen displayed by the terminal device;
The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the application creation unit updates a data format of the input field according to a data format transmitted from the terminal device.
[Appendix 8]
the screen generation unit generates the application creation screen so as to display the data format of an initial value in the input field;
The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein the terminal device displays the application creation screen on which the data format of an initial value is displayed in the input field.
[Appendix 9]
The template file is a template file of a form,
An information processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 8, wherein information regarding the electronic data contained in the template file is replaced with the electronic data input using the application.
[Appendix 10]
the data format determination unit determines a format of information about the electronic data;
The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the application creation unit sets the data format of the input field to the data format corresponding to the format of the information regarding the electronic data determined by the data format determination unit.

10 Terminal device 50 Information processing system 100 Report application creation system

JP 2008-015960 A

Claims (12)

An information processing system for creating an application for managing electronic data, comprising:
a template information extraction unit that acquires a template file serving as a template for the electronic data and extracts information relating to the electronic data from the template file;
an application creation unit that creates the application that displays information about the electronic data and an input field for the electronic data;
An information processing system having the above configuration. a data format determination unit that determines a data format of the input field displayed together with the information about the electronic data based on information about the electronic data;
The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the application creating unit sets the data format of the input field to the data format determined by the data format determining unit. The information processing system can communicate with a terminal device via a network,
a screen generating unit that generates a setting screen for a determination method used by the data format determination unit to determine the data format of the input field;
a communication unit that transmits screen information of the setting screen to the terminal device,
The communication unit receives the determination method set in the terminal device,
The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the data format determination unit determines the data format of the input field displayed together with information about the electronic data from the information about the electronic data based on the determination method. The information processing system according to claim 3, wherein the setting screen for the judgment method has a first setting field in which characters contained in the information about the electronic data are set, a second setting field in which the arrangement of the characters in the information about the electronic data is set, and a third setting field in which the data format to be applied when the characters are in the arrangement set in the second setting field is set. The template information extraction unit extracts location information of information related to the electronic data in the template file,
5. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the application creating unit creates the application that displays the input field at a position corresponding to the position information. the template information extraction unit extracts size information of information related to the electronic data in the template file;
The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the application creating unit creates the application that displays the input field in a size according to the size information. The information processing system can communicate with a terminal device via a network,
the application creation unit sets a data format of the input field displayed together with information about the electronic data to a predetermined initial value;
a screen generating unit that generates an application creation screen that displays information about the electronic data, as well as an input field for the electronic data and options for a data format;
a communication unit that transmits screen information of the application creation screen to the terminal device,
receiving the data format of the input field selected on the application creation screen displayed by the terminal device;
The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the application creating unit updates the data format of the input field to a data format transmitted from the terminal device. the screen generation unit generates the application creation screen so as to display the data format of an initial value in the input field;
The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein the terminal device displays the application creation screen on which the data format of an initial value is displayed in the input field. The template file is a template file of a form,
2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the information about the electronic data included in the template file is replaced with the electronic data input using the application. the data format determination unit determines a format of information about the electronic data;
The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the application creating unit sets the data format of the input field to the data format corresponding to the format of the information about the electronic data determined by the data format determining unit. 1. An application creation method carried out by an information processing system for creating an application for managing electronic data, comprising:
A process of acquiring a template file serving as a template for the electronic data and extracting information relating to the electronic data from the template file;
creating the application that displays information about the electronic data and an input field for the electronic data;
How to create an application that does this. An information processing system for creating applications for managing electronic data,
a template information extraction unit that acquires a template file serving as a template for the electronic data and extracts information relating to the electronic data from the template file;
an application creation unit that creates the application that displays information about the electronic data and an input field for the electronic data;
A program to function as a

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