JP2000331107A - Electronic slip system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly present the entry guidance of slips as the desired information to be known by adding a voice output means to a client terminal of an electronic slip system and performing the input guidance in voices for the input field of every slip. SOLUTION: A client processing means 52 of an electronic slip system checks whether an event occurred due to the selection of an input parts. If the event occurred so, the voice help attribute value of the input parts is sent to a voice output means 54 and the means 54 is called out to output the voice guidance. Meanwhile, a cursor blinks in an input field of the activated input parts to show a text input enable state. Thus, the processing for an event is over. As a result, the entry guidance of slips can be quickly presented as the desired information to be known.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic form system in which computers are connected via a network to perform office procedures such as circulation and approval of electronic forms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, slips and the like are issued within a company or the like,
Approving electronically over the network,
The use of electronic report systems is expanding. In the electronic form system, conventional paper slips and forms (hereinafter form)
As in the case of the creation, the invoicing person often gives guidance on how to fill out the screen so that the invoicing can be easily performed.

FIG. 11 shows one method of such input guidance. One or more separate files describing the input guidance of the form are prepared, and the contents are displayed as needed by the user. If you download a form from a network, you need to include multiple files in addition to the form.

FIG. 12 shows another method of input guidance. An input guide corresponding to each input field of the form is created by being included in the data of the form. The guidance of the input field where the drafter puts the cursor on the client screen is displayed on the screen. There is an advantage that guidance corresponding to each input field can be easily understood as compared with the method of FIG.

[0005] Further, when electronically circulating an electronic form and approving it electronically on a network, an electronic form is used to transmit additional information other than the entry of the form from the form originator to the approver or between approvers. A function of attaching a digital memo (electronic memo) has also been proposed and put into practical use. FIG. 13 shows such an electronic memo being circulated.

[0006]

The prior art 1 according to the method shown in FIG. 11 provides input guidance as a separate file. Other files include text data and audio data. If you don't care about the size of the separate file, you can get as many detailed guides as you want, but it's harder to properly guide only the initiator's wishes.

In the prior art 2 according to the method of FIG. 12, guidance can be displayed for each part of the form screen, and it is possible to appropriately guide what the drafting person wants to know, but it is sufficient in a limited space. It is difficult to display important contents. In addition, the display unit is often located at the corner of the screen, and the initiating person may not easily notice it.

The electronic memo function is an effective means for transmitting intentions of a drafter and an approver other than filling in a predetermined input field. However, in the case of a text format, all the information to be added to the slip must be expressed in characters, which sometimes imposes a heavy burden on the user.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in consideration of these problems of the prior art, and a first invention is to provide a client terminal of an electronic form system with a voice output means, The problems of the prior art 1 and the prior art 2 are solved by enabling input guidance for each input field of a form by voice.

A second aspect of the present invention aims at providing an audio recording means in a design terminal of an electronic form system so that an electronic form having a voice guidance function can be easily designed. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the client terminal of the electronic form system is provided with a voice recording means and a voice output means,
The user can freely create a voice memo, attach it to an invoice / approved slip / form in the form of an icon, and send information other than the form input format in a voice form to other circulars. That can be passed on to others. By doing so, the inconvenience of the prior art, which must be expressed entirely in characters, and the burden on the user are reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer comprises:
It is a recording medium which records a computer program for realizing an electronic form system having the first invention, the second invention or the third invention.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire electronic form system. As shown in the figure, the electronic form system includes a plurality of design terminals 30 (30a, 30b, 3).
0c,...), Database unit 10, electronic form server 2
0 and a number of client terminals 50 (50a, 50b,
50c,...). The database unit 10 represents the following four types of databases shown in FIG.
These databases include a plurality of design terminals 30a,
30b, 30c,... The design terminal 30 is a terminal used by a user (designer) who creates an electronic form. The client terminal 50 is a terminal used by a normal user (a person who creates a slip / form, an approver). The electronic form server 20 includes a client terminal 50a,
In response to the request of 50b, 50c,..., The electronic form is distributed or the contents of the electronic form approved by the client terminals 50a, 50b, 50c,.

As shown in FIG. 2, the four types of servers constituting the database unit 10 are a form management database 11, a slip information database 12, a workflow database 13, personal databases 14a and 14b,
14c,...

The form management database 11 is a database for storing electronic forms designed by the design terminal 30. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining how one form is recorded. Form management database 11
Records necessary information for each designed form. One form is described as a set of parts (objects) constituting the form. Each object has various attribute values, and these attribute values determine the position, size, and color on the form. Voice help information is also one of the attributes of an object, and voice data is set as an attribute value for an object to which voice help is to be added.

The workflow database 13 is a database for storing workflow information. A workflow is a flow of one business procedure, and is a series in which one or more types of related slips and approval documents are drafted and approved. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the workflow database.
As described above, the series of the originator and the approver who approves the slip is recorded as workflow information for each slip of each workflow. For example, in the case of a voucher 1 in which a sales department 1 staff member issues a draft, if the section manager P of the sales department 1 section 1 is the approver and the manager Q of the sales department 1 is a higher-level approver, the workflow is “slip 1 : (Sales Department 1 Section 1-Mr. P-Mr. Q) "
And this information is recorded in the workflow database 13.

The slip information database 12 is a database for associating a set-up drafter with each approver with a form. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a slip information database. Four types of forms A to D are used for one workflow of settlement of travel expenses. It records that a bill is raised.

On the other hand, each client terminal holds and manages a temporary storage database 15. The temporary storage database 15 stores the form frame data of the form, the input data, and the form necessary for one process (formation or approval) to be performed when the form or approval is started at the client terminal.
This is a place where information such as how much approval has been obtained is temporarily secured.

Next, the configuration of the design terminal of the electronic form system of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of the design terminal 30. Reference numeral 31 denotes a computer main body that forms the main body of the design terminal. Reference numeral 311 denotes an operating system (hereinafter, OS) of the computer 31. 312
Denotes a mouse / keyboard, and 316 denotes an external storage device.
316 stores a tool box 35 in which form components used when designing a form are collected. 32
Is a form design tool. While interacting with the user (form designer), parts are called from the tool box 35 to form a form. Reference numerals 33 and 34 denote voice recording means and voice output means, respectively. These are all called from the form design means as needed. The voice recording means 33 picks up voice from the microphone 313,
Instantly convert to digital data and create audio data files. PCM (Pulse Code)
Modulation) or ADPCM (Adaptive Difference PCM). The audio output means 34 outputs this audio data to D /
A conversion is performed and output from the speaker 314. Control unit 310
Includes a central processing unit and a main storage device of the computer 31, and performs necessary control so that each component of the design terminal 30 operates normally.

Next, the configuration of the client terminal of the electronic form system of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the client terminal 50. Reference numeral 51 denotes a computer main body that forms the main body of the client terminal. Reference numeral 511 denotes an OS of the computer 51. 512 is a mouse / keyboard, and 516 is an external storage device. A temporary storage database 15 is built in 516. 52 is a client processing means. In the invoice processing and approval slip processing,
The data in the temporary storage database is read, a necessary dialog screen is presented to the user, and updated slip information is returned to the temporary storage database 15 again in response to the user's interactive input. When one process is completed, the updated slip data is sent to the appropriate personal database of the next approver according to the instruction set in the workflow database. 55 is an electronic memo creation and circulation means with sound. As will be described later, it is called at the time of electronic memo creation and circulation. 5
Reference numerals 3 and 54 denote voice recording means and voice output means, respectively. All of these are called up from the client processing means 52 and the electronic memo making / circulating means with sound 55 as necessary. These functions are the same as 33 and 34, respectively. The control unit 510 includes a central processing unit and a main storage device of the computer 51, and performs necessary control so that each component of the client terminal 50 operates normally.

Next, the operation procedure on the design terminal at the time of form design by the form design means 32 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S2,
Place the form object to be the base, step S4
Then, the necessary parts are selected from the tool box, and are arranged at appropriate positions and sizes. For parts requiring voice help, press the help recording button while the part is selected (step S6, FIG. 1).
4). Then, the voice recording means incorporated in the design terminal is activated, and a dialog box is displayed to enable recording. Recording starts by pressing the start button on the dialog box of the voice recording means. The designer records help into microphone 313. When the stop button on the dialog box is pressed, the recorded voice is immediately converted to digital data (step S8). Next, if this data is reproduced and it is OK, this voice data is recorded as a value of voice help which is one attribute of the selected component (step S10). Step S
If the placement of all the components is not completed at 12, the process returns to S4. If all the components have been arranged and the necessary attributes have been set, the design information so far is registered as a new form in the form management database (step S14). The new form type with voice guidance is now registered.

Next, the operation procedure of the client processing means 52 on the client terminal will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When a user selects a form on the client terminal, the form information required for the form is first collected in a temporary storage database, and the screen of the client terminal is created based on this information. The form is displayed above (step S30). Next, an event check routine is started to interactively perform the drafting process (step S32). Thereafter, various events on the client screen during the drafting are detected, and a processing routine corresponding to each event is executed to interactively generate a draft.

It is assumed that the drafter has selected a text input component. Suppose that the user clicks an object called input part 1 on the form. Then, the client processing means 52 detects that an event has occurred, and receives an identification code specifying the type of the event from the OS 511 of the client terminal (step S34). It is checked whether or not the event has occurred due to the selection of the component 1 (step S40). If so, if the voice output is possible, the voice help attribute value of the input component 1 is sent to the voice output means. Then, the voice output means is called to output voice guidance (steps S41 and S42). If the audio output is invalidated, S42 is passed.
Next, in step S43, the input component 1 is activated. The cursor is displayed blinking in the input field of the input component 1 in the activated state, and text input is enabled. This completes the process for one event (input component 1 is clicked), and the process returns to S34. FIG. 15 shows an example of a draft processing screen on the client terminal. The name input field is selected and activated. The audio output invalidation button is at the upper left of FIG.

In this way, if the voice output is valid, when a component on the form is selected, the attribute value of the selected component (if any) is passed to the voice output means, and voice guidance is provided. Is done. It should be noted that voice guidance can be added to any part having a voice attribute in addition to input parts such as a text input box and a check mark box.
For example, it is also possible to give a voice guidance to the title character string of the form and to give an outline description of the form.

Next, the flowchart of FIG.
The procedure for creating a voice memo will be described below. By selecting “electronic memo” in the menu, the electronic memo creation / circulation means with sound 55 is called (step S80), and a memo creation dialog box is displayed as shown in FIG. 16 (step S82). And the voice recording means is activated,
A recording preparation state is set (step S84). Here, the user can enter text, but if he wants to create a voice memo, he presses the record button. Then, the recording is started by the operation of the voice recording means (step S86). If the stop button is pressed, the recording ends (step S8).
8). Here, the voice memo can be confirmed by pressing the play button. When the close button of the electronic memo creation dialog box is pressed, the dialog box is closed (step S90). An electronic memo is defined as an object having text and voice data as attributes. An electronic memo with sound is created by setting the audio digital data recorded and converted into a format such as PCM as the audio attribute value of the electronic memo (step S92). The database is set so that the created electronic memo is circulated in a form attached to the form (step S94).

When another user selects and opens the electronic form, an electronic memo icon is displayed on the screen.
When this icon is selected, the electronic memo creation / circulation means with sound 55 is called again, and the contents of the voice memo can be heard by pressing the play button in the dialog box of the electronic memo.

[0027]

According to the present invention, in an electronic form system, a form / form entry guide can be provided in a form in which the information to be known can be presented immediately without being restricted by the display size or the like. Also, an electronic form with such voice guidance can be easily designed. Further, since information that is troublesome to express in characters or information that is difficult to express can be created as a voice memo, the load of creating an electronic memo can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an electronic form system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a database unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a design terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a client terminal.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a form management database.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a workflow database.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a slip information database.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow at the time of form design.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation flow on a client terminal.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure flow of creating an electronic memo.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional technique.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a conventional technique.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a conventional technique (creation of an electronic memo).

FIG. 14 is a screen when designing a form.

FIG. 15 is a screen when starting a drafting operation at a client terminal.

FIG. 16 is a screen during creation of an electronic memo at the client terminal.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 electronic form system 10 database section 11 form management database 12 form information database 13 workflow database 14a, 14b, 14c,... Personal database 20 electronic form server 30, 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, design terminal 31 design terminal computer 310 control Unit 32 form design means 33 voice recording means 34 voice output means 311 operating system of design terminal computer 312 mouse / keyboard 313 microphone 314 speaker 315 display 316 external storage device 35 tool box 50, 50a, 50b, 50c,... Client terminal 51 Client terminal computer 510 Control unit 52 Form design means 53 Voice recording means 54 Voice output means 55 operating system 512 mouse keyboard 513 microphone 514 speaker 515 display 516 external storage device 15 temporary storage for the database of audio-electronic note taking circulation means 511 the client terminal computer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/16 330 G06F 3/16 330E

Claims (7)

[Claims] An electronic form system for circulating electronic forms and slips on a network, wherein a voice output means is provided in a client terminal so that input guidance for each input field of the form can be performed by voice. Electronic form system characterized by doing. 2. The electronic form system according to claim 1, wherein each electronic form is configured by calling a predetermined component, and each component includes voice help data. When an input cursor is put on one input field, which is one component on the electronic form, the voice output means is called, and voice help data of the input field is passed to the voice output means, thereby providing voice input guidance. An electronic form system characterized by being able to perform the following. 3. An electronic form system for circulating electronic forms and slips on a network, wherein a voice recording means is provided in a design terminal to design an electronic form capable of providing voice input guidance to individual input fields of the form. An electronic report system characterized by being able to do. 4. The electronic form system according to claim 3, wherein each electronic form is configured by calling a predetermined component, and each component includes voice help data. When a recording instruction is given to one input field, which is one part on the electronic form, on the design terminal, the voice recording means is activated, and the voice from the microphone attached to the voice recording means is converted into digital data. An electronic form system, wherein an electronic form capable of providing voice input guidance can be designed by storing as one attribute data of the input field. 5. An electronic form system for circulating electronic forms and slips on a network, wherein an electronic memo making and circulating means with voice, a voice recording means, and a voice output means are provided in a client terminal, and the electronic memo is voiced. And an electronic memo system capable of attaching the created electronic memo to the form and circulating it. 6. The electronic form system according to claim 5, wherein each electronic form is configured by calling up a predetermined part, and one electronic memo is also a part including voice data. When the electronic memo menu is selected while the slip / form is being created or circulated, the electronic memo creation / circulation means with voice is called, and when the recording instruction is issued to the electronic memo creation / circulation means with voice, the voice recording is performed. The means is activated, and the sound input from the microphone attached to the sound recording means is converted into digital data and stored as an attribute value of the electronic memo component to create an electronic memo including the sound, and the electronic memo with sound is created. When the memo creation and circulation means is instructed to end, the created electronic memo is set to be forwarded with the draft or attached to the form being circulated. When the form is opened, a pictorial pattern (icon) representing the electronic memo is displayed together with the form. When this icon is selected, the electronic memo making and circulating means with sound is called, and the electronic memo making and circulating means with sound is called. When a voice reproduction instruction is issued to the electronic memo, the voice output means is activated, and the voice data of the electronic memo is passed to the voice output means and a voice is output. Electronic report system that can be used. 7. A recording medium storing a program for realizing the electronic form system according to claim 1 or claim 3 using a computer.