JP2006072919A - Data entry device, and control method and program thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a data entry device capable of efficiently and easily implementing data entry work, a control method and a program thereof. <P>SOLUTION: Partial images that correspond to each column of form image data are extracted based on layout data showing a layout of columns of the form image data. Information on a display screen having a partial image to be processed and at least one partial image to be processed after that, of the extracted partial images, is generated. When a display screen based on the generated information on the display screen is displayed, the partial image to be processed and at least one partial image to be processed after that, in the information on a display screen, are displayed in different forms. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a data entry device for registering data corresponding to an image in an entry field in form image data, a control method therefor, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, application of a desired service has been widely performed by describing necessary items in handwritten forms such as an application form for opening a bank account or a courier slip. For example, when opening a new account, it is only necessary to write the necessary information on a predetermined form and mail it, and it is possible to open a new account without waiting at a bank branch.

  Also, recently, for example, when applying for opening a bank account, if data such as name and address are registered in advance via a communication line such as the Internet, the application form with the registered data written in the applicant There are also cases where the applicant only needs to make a seal or the like. In such a configuration, it is possible to omit an input process in which an operator separately inputs items handwritten by the user into the terminal.

  However, even now, procedures using handwritten application forms are widely performed, and therefore data entry work for electronically managing handwritten information described therein is indispensable.

  An example of the related business type and the work related to the data entry work is as follows.

・ Handwriting-based voucher processing in banking operations ・ Credit card / credit sales application processing ・ Insurance business new and maintenance contract processing ・ Distribution business purchase slips and other voucher processing ・ Manufacturing The operator who performs the data entry operation performs the data entry operation while looking at the form paper and the image information scanned into the computer by scanning the form paper. However, the data of the same form is not necessarily continuously performed, and the data entry processing for various types of form data may be performed in parallel.

  For this reason, when the type of form paper targeted for data entry has changed, it is necessary to search where the data items to be entered are listed on the form paper, resulting in reduced business efficiency. It was.

Therefore, as a configuration for solving this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 is available. In Patent Document 1, partial image data corresponding to a description item is cut out from form image data, the partial image data is displayed on an operator terminal, and data entry work is performed on the partial image data. This eliminates the need for the operator to search in detail the entry items for the data entry target from the form image data, so that improvement in work efficiency can be expected. In addition, one form image data can be processed by a responsible operator for each item to be described.
JP 2003-58813 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 simply cuts out partial image data of a description item to be processed from form image data and realizes data entry for the partial image data. For this reason, even when there are multiple items to be described in the form image data, the device and display control for improving the efficiency of the data entry for each item have not been realized, and still from the viewpoint of the efficiency of the data entry. It can be said that there is room for further improvement.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data entry device, a control method therefor, and a program that can execute data entry work more efficiently and easily. .

In order to achieve the above object, a data entry device according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,

Preferably, the data entry device performs registration of data corresponding to the image in the entry field in the form image data,
Extracting means for extracting a partial image corresponding to each entry field in the form image data based on layout data indicating a layout of the entry field in the form image data;
Creating means for creating display screen information having a partial image to be processed and at least one other partial image other than the partial image to be processed among the partial images extracted by the extracting means;
When displaying a display screen based on the display screen information created by the creating means, a display for distinguishing and displaying the display form of the partial image to be processed in the display screen information and the at least one other partial image And a control means.

  Preferably, the extraction unit extracts a partial image corresponding to the entry field of the two or more form image data based on layout data indicating a layout of the entry field of each of the two or more form image data.

  Preferably, the display control means displays a boundary between different form image data in an identifiable manner when the display screen information includes partial images corresponding to two or more form image data entry fields.

  Preferably, the creation unit creates the display screen information so that the partial image to be processed is displayed at a predetermined position.

  Preferably, the creation unit further includes a data entry field for performing data entry based on an operation of the input unit by an operator, and the data entry field is displayed in the vicinity of the partial image to be processed. The display screen information is created as described above.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises control means for controlling a character type that allows data entry in the data entry field based on an attribute of data corresponding to the partial image to be processed.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises setting means for setting a conversion rule for character data entered in the data entry field based on an attribute of data corresponding to the partial image to be processed.

Preferably, the display control means includes determination means for determining whether or not the data entry of the data entry field is completed,
When the data entry is completed as a result of the determination by the determination means, the second partial image to be processed next is moved to the position where the first partial image to be processed is displayed.

In order to achieve the above object, a data entry device control method according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A control method of a data entry device for registering data corresponding to an image in an entry field in form image data,
An extraction step of extracting a partial image corresponding to each entry field in the form image data based on layout data indicating a layout of the entry field in the form image data;
Of the partial images extracted in the extraction step, a creation step of creating display screen information having a partial image to be processed and at least one other partial image other than the partial image to be processed;
When displaying a display screen based on the display screen information created in the creation step, a display for distinguishing and displaying the display form of the partial image to be processed and the at least one other partial image in the display screen information A control process.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to the present invention comprises the following arrangement. That is,
A program for realizing control of a data entry device for registering data corresponding to an image in an entry field in form image data,
Based on the layout data indicating the layout of the entry field in the form image data, the program code of the extraction process for extracting the partial image corresponding to each entry field in the form image data;
Of the partial images extracted in the extraction step, a program code of a creation step for creating display screen information having a partial image to be processed and at least one other partial image other than the partial image to be processed;
When displaying a display screen based on the display screen information created in the creation step, a display for distinguishing and displaying the display form of the partial image to be processed and the at least one other partial image in the display screen information Control program code.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the data entry apparatus which can perform a data entry operation | work more efficiently and easily, its control method, and a program can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a data entry system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Reference numeral 101 denotes a data management server, which performs efficient processing with various database (DB) described later, original image data of a form having a plurality of types of entry fields that can be handled by the data entry system, and an entry terminal described later. Therefore, pre-processed form image data (hereinafter referred to as form instance data) obtained by performing pre-processing such as tilt correction on the form image data in which necessary items captured by the image capture terminal 103 are described is stored / I manage.

  As pre-processing here, layout calculation processing for calculating the layout of each entry field in the imported form, area division processing for dividing the partial image corresponding to each entry field in the image data of the form, Of course, it is possible to perform a character recognition process for recognizing a character (kanji, kana, alphanumeric, various symbols, etc.) image in the partial image subjected to the region division processing. Further, these processes are not essential, and are executed by the data management server 101 according to the use and purpose. Further, a preprocessing server may be separately configured on the network 104, and the preprocessing may be executed on the processing server.

  Reference numerals 102-1, 102-2, and 102-3 are entry terminals used by the operator when entering data corresponding to handwritten characters entered in the entry fields in various forms.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes an image capture terminal. The scanner 105 connected to the image capture terminal 103 is used to optically read various forms and create the form image data. The form image data is transmitted to the data management server 101, pre-processed as described above, and managed as form instance data.

  Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the scanner 105 is connected to the image capture terminal 103, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a configuration is used in which a multifunction device or the like having a function of designating a file format and a storage location, reading paper document data to create electronic image data, and transferring the electronic image data file to the designated storage location is used. But of course.

  A network 104 connects the data management server 101, the entry terminals 102-1 to 102-3, and the image capture terminal 103 to each other.

  The network 104 is typically a LAN, WAN, Internet, telephone line, dedicated digital line, ATM, frame relay line, communication satellite line, cable TV line, wireless line for data broadcasting, or the like. As long as it is a so-called communication network realized by a combination of the above and the data can be transmitted and received between each other, the wired / wireless form is not limited.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the entry terminals 102-1 to 102-3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the entry terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, the hardware configuration of the entry terminal 102-1 will be described, but the other entry terminals 102-2 and 102-3, in addition to the data management server 101 and the image capture terminal 103, It is assumed that the hardware configuration is the same.

  A CPU 201 controls the entire terminal (computer) using programs and data stored in the RAM 202 and the ROM 203, and executes each process to be described later performed by the entry terminal 102-1 to which the computer is applied. To do.

  A RAM 202 has an area for temporarily storing programs and data loaded from an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204 and a work area used by the CPU 201 to perform various processes.

  A ROM 203 stores various programs such as a computer boot program and BIOS. Reference numeral 204 denotes an HDD (hard disk drive) that stores various data such as an OS (operating system) and programs and data for causing the CPU 201 to execute processing described later performed by the entry terminal 102-1 to which the computer is applied. These are read into the RAM 202 and executed under the control of the CPU 201 as necessary.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a network I / F (interface) for connecting a computer to the network 104. The computer can perform data communication with an external device via the network I / F 205.

  Reference numeral 206 denotes a storage medium drive, which includes a CD-ROM, CD-R / RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R / RW, DVD-RAM, and the like.

  A pointing device 207 and a keyboard 208 can input various instructions to the CPU 201. These function as an input unit.

  Reference numeral 209 denotes a video I / F (interface), to which the display device 210 is connected. The display device 210 includes a CRT, a liquid crystal screen, and the like, and has a function of displaying information such as characters and images on the display screen based on a signal sent via the video I / F 209.

  An external device I / F (interface) 211 is a port for connecting a peripheral device to the computer. Through this external device I / F 211, the computer can be configured with various interfaces such as SCSI, USB, IEEE 1394, etc. capable of transmitting / receiving data to / from peripheral devices, and usually a plurality of external devices I / F. The connection form with the peripheral device may be wired or wireless.

  Note that the image capture terminal 103 sends a control instruction to the scanner 105 or acquires image data created by the scanner 105 via the external device I / F 211.

  A system bus 212 functions as a bus that interconnects the various components described above.

  Next, the functional configuration of the entry terminal 102-1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of the entry terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 3, the functional configuration of the entry terminal 102-1 will be described, but the other entry terminals 102-2 and 102-3 are assumed to have the same functional configuration.

  The function of the entry terminal 102-1 can be roughly divided into three configurations (image processing unit 1021, data management unit 1022, and database access unit 1023).

  The image processing unit 1021 includes a partial image cutout unit 1021a and a screen data creation unit 1021b. From the form instance data acquired from the data management server 101, based on the layout data of the form, the partial image of the entry field to be data entry target is cut out by the partial image cutout unit 1021a, and the screen data creation unit 1021b displays the display screen information ( Entry screen data).

  Here, an example of the display screen information will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display screen information according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  On the entry screen 1700 generated based on the display screen information (entry screen data), the partial image 1701a that is the data entry target is a predetermined position on the partial image display area 1701 (the left side of the partial image display area 1701 in FIG. 4). Is displayed. The partial image 1701a is displayed with its display form highlighted (enclosed with a thick frame rectangle) for easy identification. Thus, the operator can easily know which partial image display area should be subjected to data entry.

  It should be noted that the display form for facilitating identification of the partial image is basically any kind of display as long as the partial image can be easily identified as compared with other information displayed on the entry screen 1700. It may be a thing, and is not limited to the thick frame rectangle shown in FIG. 4, and may be other display forms such as blink display, grayout display, and colored display.

  In addition, on this entry screen 1700, a unique data entry field is not configured for each partial image area in the form instance data, and only one data entry field (data entry area) 1702 is always fixed. deep. Instead, on the entry screen 1700, as described above, the entry terminal side can identify which partial image the data entry is made. As a result, the operator can perform efficient work without moving the line of sight during data entry.

  Further, since the partial image 1701b to be processed next is displayed on the screen and the partial image 1701b is displayed near the data entry field 1702, the operator can easily prepare for the next data entry.

  Although not shown in FIG. 4, in order to indicate that the partial image 1701a is the current processing target and the partial image 1710b is the next processing target, a display form of a thick frame rectangle ( For example, color, line thickness, line type, etc.) are displayed separately. For example, the thick frame rectangle of the partial image 1710a is displayed in red, and the thick frame rectangle of the partial image 1710b is displayed in blue. In addition, a delimiter image 1701c ("x" in the figure) is displayed between the two. By performing such display, the operator can easily identify the processing target and the other partial images.

  Note that the partition image 1701c does not necessarily have to be placed between the partial images. For example, the partial image 1701a in FIG. 4 and the partial image 1701b are created from different form instance data. In the case where there is a boundary, it is also possible to add a delimiter image 1701c to a location that becomes a boundary between them.

  As described above, in the present invention, instead of appropriately generating and displaying an entry screen for each form instance data, as shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of partial images corresponding to the entry fields in the form instance data are displayed. At least a part of the partial image 1701a to be processed and the subsequent partial image 1701b are continuously displayed on the entry screen 1700 according to the data entry status.

  Specifically, when the data entry of the partial image 1701a is confirmed, the partial image 1701a disappears from the entry screen 1700, the display position of the partial image 1701b moves to the left, and moves to the display position of the partial image 1701a. The next partial image following 1701b is displayed at the display position of partial image 1701b before movement. Then, until the partial image to be processed disappears, the partial images to be processed are sequentially displayed while moving to the left in accordance with the data entry status.

  That is, the operator can visually recognize the next partial image to be processed during the data entry for the partial image to be processed. Therefore, the operator does not perform an operation of switching and displaying the entry screen for each partial image. The data entry for the next partial image can be prepared. Thereby, the data entry operation by the operator is facilitated, and the work efficiency can be improved.

  In this embodiment, the example in which the switching of the partial image to be processed is realized by moving the display position to the left has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The partial image may be switched by moving in the direction. However, from the viewpoint of data entry efficiency and ergonomics, it is preferable that the partial image is switched while moving in the left direction.

  Further, the entry screen 1700 in FIG. 4 is configured to display the partial image 1701a to be processed and a part of the next partial image 1701b to be processed in the partial image display area 1701, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is not limited to this as long as it can display the target partial image and the subsequent partial images to be processed. That is, the partial image display area 1701 only needs to display a partial image to be processed and at least one partial image to be processed thereafter.

  In the entry screen 1700, the data entry area 1702 is an area for entering code data corresponding to the handwritten character image displayed on the partial image 1701a to be processed. Here, in the data entry area 1702, the control of the number of data entries (input control) and the conversion of entry data (conversion rules) are controlled according to the attributes of the partial image to be processed.

  In the entry screen 1700, a data entry information display area 1703 is an area for displaying information (data entry information) related to data entered in the data entry area 1702. The display items of this data entry information include entry field names (item names) corresponding to the respective partial images to be processed included in the same form instance data, actual data entry contents (input contents), presence / absence of deficiencies, permission The number of data entry digits, entry allowable character types (numbers, alphabetic characters, kana, symbols, double-byte characters) and the like are displayed.

  Here, “deficiency” is information indicating a case where the content of the character image in the partial image is unclear or unreadable, and the corresponding code data cannot be entered, and the data entry ends incompletely. is there. When the data entry is incomplete, an input screen (not shown) for inputting the information is separately called to input necessary information. When information is input on this input screen, a “present” character is displayed in the “deficient” column, and a “none” character is displayed otherwise.

  When the data displayed in the list in the data entry display area 1703 is selected (when the mouse cursor is moved to the data and the mouse is double-clicked), the data entry for the selected data is displayed. The display screen information is displayed on the entry screen 1700.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  The data management unit 1022 manages the entire data entry process. For example, information related to data entry processing such as the number of check-outs (number of processing targets) of form instance data and which attribute of which form instance data is made is managed. Further, the display unit (display device 210) controls display of various information such as an entry screen (FIG. 3), and controls input from the input unit 1025 (keyboard 208 and pointing device 207).

  The database access unit 1023 has a check-out agent 1023a and a check-in agent 1023b. The data access unit 1023 accesses the data management server 101 in response to a request from the data management unit 1022, acquires data from the data management server 101 (checkout agent), and registers data in the data management server 101. (Check-in agent).

  Each of the above three functional units is realized by program control. These are executed in separate processes and are connected asynchronously to realize the function of the data entry terminal in the present invention. In addition, each arrow described in the figure indicates the flow of data between the functional units of the entry terminal 102-1 and between the entry terminal 102-1 and the data management server 101.

  The data management server 101 stores form image data (original image data) 326 and form instance data 327 to be processed. In addition, various databases such as a form DB 321, a form layout DB 322, a form instance DB 323, an entry DB 324, and an operator DB 325 are registered.

  Hereinafter, various databases managed by the data management server 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form DB (database) according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The data registered here is data (form data) relating to the form such as form ID, form name, processing program ID, and level for identifying the form. In this database, the types of forms are managed.

  Here, the storage location is path information where the original image data of the form is stored. The processing program ID is an ID for identifying a processing program for performing partial image cutting, input character restriction, and conversion rule setting used when performing data entry processing of the type of form. The level indicates the level of difficulty of the operator's data entry work in the data entry process.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form layout DB (database) according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The data registered here is data (layout data) relating to the layout of the form such as form ID, data attribute ID, attribute name, LEFT, TOP, WIDTH, HEIGHT, and input type.

  Here, the data attribute ID is an ID for identifying each entry field (for example, name field, reading field, postal code field, address field, telephone number field, etc.) in each form data. Any unique data may be used. Then, entry screen data creation processing (FIG. 12) by the image processing unit 1021 is executed so that the data entry processing is executed in ascending order of the data attribute ID.

  LEFT is the leftmost coordinate in the image data (partial image) in the entry field of the form data, and TOP is the uppermost coordinate. WIDTH and HEIGHT are the width and height of the entry field, respectively. In the entry screen data creation process (FIG. 12) by the image processing unit 1021, a partial image corresponding to the entry field is cut out based on these pieces of information.

  The input type is a character type (Japanese, Kana, alphanumeric, check mark, etc.) when performing data entry for the character image entered in the entry field. The number of digits is the number of frames (number of character digits) constituting the entry field. Based on the input type and the number of digits, the allowable number of data entries and the allowable character type of the entry in the data entry field 1702 in FIG. 4 are determined. That is, the input control / conversion rule in the data entry is determined based on these input types and the number of digits.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a form instance DB (database) according to the embodiment of this invention.

  As data registered here, data related to form instance data such as instance ID, form ID, storage location, check-in / check-out, and operator ID is registered.

  Here, the instance ID is an ID for identifying the form instance data. The storage location is path information where the form instance data is stored.

  Check-in / check-out is information indicating whether data entry processing is currently being executed for the form instance data (check-out (OUT)) or not (check-in (IN)). Further, when the data entry process is being executed, an operator ID for identifying the operator who performs the data entry is registered in the operator ID column.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an entry DB (database) according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The registered data includes instance ID, data attribute ID, input data 1, operator ID, difficulty 1, input data 2, operator ID 2, difficulty 2, and the like.

  Here, the instance ID indicates the form instance data to be processed, and the data attribute ID indicates the entry column for the processing target.

  In the input data 1 column and the input data 2 column, entry data input by the operator is registered. In the operator ID 1 and operator ID 2 fields, the operator IDs that have performed the respective data entry processes are registered. In the present embodiment, data entry processing for the same entry field can be executed by a plurality of operators. In particular, when data entry for the same entry field is executed by a plurality of operators, entry by each operator is possible. By comparing the recorded data, it is possible to check whether there is an entry error.

  In the “difficulty 1” column and “difficulty 2” column, a flag (“◯”) indicating that there is a difficulty when each operator performs the data entry process is registered. . This is because it is difficult to distinguish characters depending on the handwriting of the person who entered the form data, or the character image is faint when creating the image data. Set based on operator input.

  In addition, only when this “difficulty 1” is flagged (when “◯” is registered), operations such as data entry processing by a plurality of operators can be performed on the same entry field. May be.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operator DB (database) according to the embodiment of this invention.

  As data registered here, data relating to an operator such as an operator ID, name, affiliation, and skill is registered. The form instance data for data entry is determined according to the skill and affiliation of the operator.

  Here, the skill indicates the level of proficiency with respect to the operator's data entry. The higher the value, the higher the level of proficiency, that is, the more difficult the data entry can be made.

  Next, various processes executed by the data entry terminal 102-1 will be described.

  First, with reference to FIG. 10, a process for acquiring form instance data executed by the data management unit 1022 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the form instance data acquisition process executed by the data management unit according to the embodiment of this invention.

  This acquisition process is executed by the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 under the control of a program that implements the data management unit 1022.

  First, the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 displays an operator login screen on the display device 210 and prompts input of login information such as an operator ID. Based on the input login information, an operator login process for determining whether or not the operator can log in is executed (step S401).

  At that time, the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 accesses the data management server 101 by the function of the database access unit 1023, and checks whether or not the operator ID is registered in the operator DB 326. If the operator ID is not registered, the login screen is displayed again, and the operator ID is prompted again.

  On the other hand, when the entered operator ID is registered in the operator DB 326, property information (name, affiliation, skill, etc. in the operator DB in FIG. 9) corresponding to the operator ID is acquired (step S402). In addition to this, a check-out request for form instance data that causes the operator with the operator ID to execute data entry processing is executed to the data access unit 1023 (check-out agent 1023a) (step S403: (1) in FIG. 3). ).

  After that, the process shifts to a form instance data reception waiting state from the data access unit 1023 (step S404).

  Here, with reference to FIG. 11, a data checkout process executed by the checkout agent 1023a of the database access unit 1023 when a checkout request for form instance data is received from the data management unit 1022 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a data checkout process executed by the checkout agent according to the embodiment of this invention.

  This data checkout process is executed by the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 under the control of a program that implements the database access unit 1023.

  The CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 shifts to a form instance data checkout request waiting state from the data management unit 1022 to the data access unit 1023 (step S901). Then, the CPU 201 determines whether or not a checkout request has been received (step S902).

  If a checkout request has not been received (NO in step S902), the process returns to step S901 and waits until it is received.

  On the other hand, when a checkout request is received (YES in step S902: (1) in FIG. 3), a checkout request for form instance data is made to the data management server 101 (step S903: (2) in FIG. 3). . Specifically, the operator ID acquired during the operator login process is transmitted to the data management server 101 as a checkout request.

  Then, the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 shifts to a form instance data reception waiting state from the data management server 101 (step S904). Then, it is determined whether or not form instance data has been received (step S905).

  In this determination, a time limit setting such as a timeout setting is performed, and if the form instance data is not received within a certain time, the process may be terminated as a timeout error.

  If the form instance data has not been received in step S905 (NO in step S905), the process returns to step S904 and waits until the form instance data is received. On the other hand, when form instance data is received (YES in step S905: (3) in FIG. 3), the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 transmits the received form instance data to the data management unit 1022 (step S906: The process is terminated (4) in FIG.

  Here, the process of the data management server 101 when receiving a check-out request for form instance data from the data entry terminal 102-1 will be briefly described.

  When the data management server 101 receives the check-out request (operator ID) of the form instance data ((2) in FIG. 3), the CPU 201 of the data management server 101 sets the properties (for example, affiliation and Level) and form instance data properties (skill and data registration time), which form instance data is to be processed by the operator, and the form instance data is transmitted to the data entry terminal 102-1 (FIG. 3 (3)).

  At that time, the layout data of the corresponding form instance data (all data managed by the form layout DB in FIG. 6 corresponding to the same form ID as the determined form instance data) is also used as the data entry terminal 102-1. ((3) in FIG. 3).

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  The CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 determines whether or not form instance data and its layout data have been received in response to the checkout request (step S405).

  If the form instance data and its layout data have not been received (NO in step S405), the process returns to step S404 and waits until it is received. At this time, if unprocessed form instance data is not managed by the data management server 101, a notification indicating that is received, and in this case, the processing is terminated at that time. To do.

  On the other hand, when the form instance data and its layout data are received (YES in step S405: (4) in FIG. 3), the form instance data and its layout data are transmitted to the image processing unit 1021 (step S406: FIG. 3). (5)). The data management unit 1022 also manages these data.

  Then, the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 determines whether or not check-out (transmission to the data management unit 1021) of a predetermined number of form instance data determined in advance has been completed (step S407).

  If a predetermined number of form instance data has not been checked out (NO in step S407), the process returns to step S403. On the other hand, when a predetermined number of form instance data has been checked out (YES in step S407), this process ends.

  Next, entry screen data creation processing executed by the image processing unit 1021 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing entry screen data creation processing executed by the image processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  This entry screen data creation process is executed by the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 under the control of a program that implements the image processing unit 1021. Steps S701 to S707 are processing by the partial image cutout unit 1021a, and the subsequent processing is processing by the screen data creation unit 1021b.

  The image processing unit 1021 is waiting to receive form instance data from the data management unit 1022 (step S701). If the form instance data has not been received (NO in step S702), the process returns to step S701 and waits until it is received.

  On the other hand, when form instance data is received (YES in step S702: (5) in FIG. 3), layout data corresponding to the form instance data is acquired from the data management unit 1022 (step S703: (5) in FIG. 3). ).

  Next, in accordance with the layout data, a partial image cutting process in which entry target data is described from the form instance data is executed (step S704). Then, the cut partial images are arranged and held based on the order of corresponding data attribute IDs in the form layout data (step S705).

  In this case, it is of course possible to acquire layout data corresponding to the form instance data based on the user's designation and to perform partial image cutting processing based on the layout data.

  Next, it is determined whether or not to create an entry screen with only specific data (step S706). This is to determine whether or not to allow the operator to execute only data entry for a specific type of partial image in one form instance data.

  Specifically, an environment for realizing the present invention is an environment in which a plurality of operators exist and various data entries are simultaneously performed in parallel. However, the proficiency level and skill of the operator's data entry vary, and in order to perform more efficient data entry, it is preferable to perform data entry suitable for the proficiency level and skill.

  For example, there are various data entry processing contents, such as those that only require a numeric keypad and those that contain alphanumeric characters. For example, for an operator who is not yet proficient, a data entry with only a numeric keypad (numerical data (specific Data)) only, and let the other operator perform more advanced data entry.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, based on the skill of the operator, in each partial image in the form instance data, a partial image that is a data entry target is selected, that is, whether or not only data entry for a specific partial image is executed. Determine whether.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 13, in the form instance data, partial images (Japanese 1 and 2) in the input field where Japanese is written, partial images (Kana 1) in the input field where Kana is written, English There is a partial image (alphanumeric characters 1 to 4) in the input field in which numbers are written, a partial image (check 1) in the input field in which check marks are written, the skill of operator 1 is “3”, and the skill of the operator is Assume that it is “2”. In this case, data entry for Japanese (mixed kanji / hiragana / katakana) or partial images of kana (only katakana) is executed by the operator 1, and the rest is executed by the operator 2.

  Then, by merging the entry data entered by each operator, it is possible to acquire code data for each partial image in one form instance data. When performing such processing, the form instance DB shown in FIG. 7 is configured to be able to recognize which operator is checking out for each data attribute.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  In step S706, when creating an entry screen with only specific data (YES in step S706), the partial image that prohibits data entry by the operator is deleted (step S707). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S708. On the other hand, if an entry screen containing only specific data is not created (NO in step S706), that is, if data entry is to be executed for all partial images in the form instance data, the process proceeds to step S708.

  After that, entry screen data is created. First, it is determined whether or not a predetermined number of entry screen data have been created (step S708).

  Here, a plurality of entry screen data are created in advance because the input field is fixed to one in the present invention (see FIG. 4). This is because the data to be input can be quickly displayed on the entry screen. The entry screen generated based on the entry screen data is as described above with reference to FIG. 4, and the partial image data of the portion where the data to be input when the entry screen data is displayed is stored. Displayed in an identifiable manner.

  If the designated number of entry screen data has been created in step S708 (YES in step S708), the process ends. On the other hand, if the designated number of entry screen data has not been created (YES in step S708), whether or not entry screen data can be newly created using the partial image currently held by the image processing unit 1021. Is determined (step S709).

  If entry screen data cannot be created (NO in step S709), the process ends. On the other hand, if entry screen data can be created (YES in step S709), entry screen data for an unprocessed partial image is created and stored in the RAM 202 (step S710).

  At this time, when creating entry screen data composed of two or more partial images, a delimiter image indicating a delimitation between the partial images is generated as shown in FIG. As described above, only when two adjacent partial images are created from different form instance data, it is of course possible to adopt a method of adding a partition image 1701c between them.

  Next, data entry processing executed by the data management unit 1022 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing data entry processing executed by the data management unit according to the embodiment of this invention.

  This data entry processing is executed by the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 under the control of a program that implements the data management unit 1022.

  First, the data management unit 1022 requests entry screen data from the image processing unit 1021 (step S501: (7) in FIG. 3). Then, a transition is made to the entry screen data reception waiting state (step S502).

  Here, an entry screen data transmission process executed by the image processing unit 1021 when a request for entry screen data is received from the data management unit 1022 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing entry screen data transmission processing executed by the image processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The entry screen data transmission process is executed by the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 under the control of a program that implements the image processing unit 1021.

  When the creation of entry screen data is completed by the processing of FIG. 12, the image processing unit 1021 enters a state of waiting for an entry screen data request from the data management unit 1022 (step S801). Then, it is determined whether a request for entry screen data has been received (step S802).

  If a request for entry screen data has not been received (NO in step S802), the process returns to step S801 and waits until it is received. On the other hand, if a request for entry screen data is received (YES in step S802: (7) in FIG. 3), the entry screen data to be processed stored in the RAM 202 is transmitted to the data management unit 1022 (step S803). : (8) in FIG. Thereby, based on the control of the data management unit 1022, the data entry process shown in FIG. 16 to be described later is executed.

  At the same time, the image processing unit 1021 executes the processing from step S708 to step S710 in FIG. 12 in order to create new entry screen data. In parallel with this, the presence / absence of entry screen data held in the RAM 202 is determined (step S804). If there is entry screen data held in the RAM 202 (NO in step S804), the process returns to step S801. On the other hand, if there is no entry screen data held in the RAM 202 (YES in step S804), the process ends.

  Returning to the description of FIG.

  After requesting entry screen data, it is determined whether entry screen data has been received from the image processing unit 1021 (step S503). If entry screen data has not been received (NO in step S503), the process returns to step S502 and waits until it is received. On the other hand, when the entry screen data is received (YES in step S503: (8) in FIG. 3), whether to set an input control / conversion rule (entry data conversion rule) for the data entry field of the entry screen data It is determined whether or not (step S504).

  If no input restriction / conversion rule is set (NO in step S504), an entry screen is displayed on the display device 210 based on the received entry screen data (step S506: (9) in FIG. 3). On the other hand, when the input control / conversion rule is set (YES in step S504), the input control / conversion rule is set for the data entry field (step S505). Thereafter, the entry screen is displayed on the display device 210 based on the setting and the received entry screen data (step S506: (9) in FIG. 3).

  In the data management server 101, when the character recognition result of the character image in each partial image in the form instance data is stored in advance, the data entry field generated by the entry screen data includes a data entry in advance. The character recognition result may be displayed as a candidate. In the case of such a configuration, it is possible to expect further improvement in the work efficiency of the operator.

  Thereafter, data entry processing based on the operator's operation is executed (step S507). Details of this process will be described later.

  Then, based on the operation from the operator, it is determined whether or not to end the data entry process (step S508). If not finished (NO in step S508), the process returns to step S501. On the other hand, if the process is to end (YES in step S508), the process ends.

  Next, details of the data entry process in step S507 of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing details of data entry processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  This data entry processing is executed by the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 under the control of a program that implements the data management unit 1022.

  First, an entry screen generated based on the entry screen data is displayed on the display unit 1024, and then the state shifts to an operator data entry waiting state (step S601).

  Then, based on an operation by the operator's input unit 1025, it is determined whether or not there is a notification of data entry end ((data entry for one entry data)) (step S602).

  If there is no notification of the end of data entry (NO in step S601), the process returns to step S601 and waits until a notification is received. On the other hand, when there is a notification of the end of the data entry (YES in step S602), the entry data input in the data entry field is acquired and stored on the RAM 202 (step S603: (10) in FIG. 3).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the data entry for all the partial images to be processed in the form instance data for one form has been completed (step S604).

  If the data entry for all the partial images to be processed has not been completed (NO in step S604), the process returns to the process in FIG. 14, the next entry screen data is acquired, and the processes in FIGS. 14 and 16 are repeated.

  On the other hand, when the data entry for all the partial images to be processed is completed (YES in step S604), entry data based on the form instance data stored in the RAM 202 is sent to the check-in agent 1023b of the database access unit 1023. Then, the check-in agent 1023b of the database access unit 1023 makes a registration request for registering the entry data (step S605).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not new form instance data is acquired (step S606). In the case of acquisition (YES in step S606), the processing returns to the processing in FIG. 14 after executing the processing from step S403 to step S407 in FIG.

  Next, a data check-in process executed by the database access unit 1023 (check-in agent 1023b) when an entry data registration request is received from the data management unit 1022 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing data check-in processing executed by the check-in agent according to the embodiment of this invention.

  This data check-in process is executed by the CPU 201 of the data entry terminal 102-1 under the control of a program that implements the database access unit 1023.

  First, in step S1001, the check-in agent 1023b shifts from the data management unit 1022 to an entry data registration request waiting state (step S1001). Next, it is determined whether an entry data registration request has been received (step S1002). If an entry data registration request has not been received (NO in step S1002), the process returns to step S1001 and waits until it is received.

  On the other hand, when an entry data registration request is received (YES in step S1002: (11) in FIG. 3), the check-in agent 1023b acquires entry data from the data management unit 1022 and registers the entry data in the entry DB 326. Processing is executed (step S1003: (12) in FIG. 3). Thereafter, the data management server 101 executes a process for canceling the check-out of the form instance data whose data entry has been completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a partial image of a predetermined entry field (satisfying a predetermined conversion rule) is selected from a plurality of kinds of entry fields in the same form according to the skill of the operator. The selected partial images are continuously displayed on the data entry screen, and the partial images to be processed are displayed so as to be easily identifiable, and the partial images to be processed are displayed according to the progress of the data entry. Switch and display appropriately on the data entry screen. In addition, the data entry field is always fixed and displayed near the partial image.

  As a result, the amount of eye movement of the operator for searching the partial image to be processed can be reduced as much as possible, and the data entry operation can be performed while paying attention to the fixed data entry field. The data entry operation for the partial image to be processed can be executed while viewing the contents.

  Although the embodiments have been described in detail above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, or a storage medium, and specifically includes a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to a system that is configured, or may be applied to an apparatus that includes a single device.

  In the present invention, a software program (in the embodiment, a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in the figure) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is directly or remotely supplied to the system or apparatus, and the computer of the system or apparatus Is also achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. In other words, the present invention includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  As a recording medium for supplying the program, for example, floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R) and the like.

  As another program supply method, a client computer browser is used to connect to an Internet homepage, and the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function is downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk. Can also be supplied. It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the key information and install the program on a computer.

  In addition to the functions of the above-described embodiments being realized by the computer executing the read program, the OS running on the computer based on an instruction of the program is a part of the actual processing. Alternatively, the functions of the above-described embodiment can be realized by performing all of them and performing the processing.

  Furthermore, after the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or The CPU or the like provided in the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the data entry system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the entry terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the entry terminal of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen information of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of form DB (database) of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of form layout DB (database) of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of form instance DB (database) of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of entry DB (database) of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of operator DB (database) of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the acquisition process of form instance data which the data management part of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the data checkout process which the checkout agent of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the entry screen data creation process which the image process part of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the data entry method of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the data entry process which the data management part of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the entry screen data transmission process which the image process part of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the data entry process of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the data check-in process which the check-in agent of embodiment of this invention performs.

Explanation of symbols

101 Data Management Server 102-1 to 102-3 Entry Terminal 103 Image Capture Terminal 104 Network 105 Scanner 1021 Image Processing Unit 1021a Partial Image Extraction Unit 1021b Screen Data Creation Unit 1022 Data Management Unit 1023 Database Access Unit 1023a Checkout Agent 1023b Check-in agent 1024 Display unit 1025 Input unit 321 Form DB
322 Form layout DB
323 Form instance DB
324 entry DB
325 Operator DB
326 Form image data 327 Form instance data

Claims (10)

A data entry device for registering data corresponding to an image in an entry field in form image data,
Extracting means for extracting a partial image corresponding to each entry field in the form image data based on layout data indicating a layout of the entry field in the form image data;
Creating means for creating display screen information having a partial image to be processed and at least one other partial image other than the partial image to be processed among the partial images extracted by the extracting means;
When displaying a display screen based on the display screen information created by the creating means, a display for distinguishing and displaying the display form of the partial image to be processed in the display screen information and the at least one other partial image And a data entry device. The extraction unit extracts a partial image corresponding to an entry field of the two or more form image data based on layout data indicating a layout of an entry field of each of the two or more form image data. 2. The data entry device according to 1. The display control means, when the display screen information includes a partial image corresponding to an entry field of two or more form image data, displays a boundary between different form image data in an identifiable manner. Item 3. The data entry device according to Item 2. The data entry device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the creation unit creates the display screen information so that the partial image to be processed is displayed at a predetermined position. The creation means further includes a data entry field for performing data entry based on an operation of the input unit by an operator, and the data entry field is displayed in the vicinity of the partial image to be processed. The data entry device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein display screen information is created. 6. The data entry device according to claim 5, further comprising: a control unit that controls a character type that allows data entry in the data entry field based on an attribute of data corresponding to the partial image to be processed. . The setting means for setting the conversion rule of the character data entered in the data entry field based on the attribute of the data corresponding to the partial image to be processed is further provided. Data entry device. The display control means includes determination means for determining whether or not the data entry of the data entry field is completed,
The second partial image to be processed next is moved to a position where the first partial image to be processed is displayed when the data entry is completed as a result of the determination by the determining means. The data entry device according to any one of 5 to 7. A control method of a data entry device for registering data corresponding to an image in an entry field in form image data,
An extraction step of extracting a partial image corresponding to each entry field in the form image data based on layout data indicating a layout of the entry field in the form image data;
Of the partial images extracted in the extraction step, a creation step of creating display screen information having a partial image to be processed and at least one other partial image other than the partial image to be processed;
When displaying a display screen based on the display screen information created in the creation step, a display for distinguishing and displaying the display form of the partial image to be processed and the at least one other partial image in the display screen information A control method for a data entry device, comprising: a control step. A program for realizing control of a data entry device for registering data corresponding to an image in an entry field in form image data,
Based on the layout data indicating the layout of the entry field in the form image data, the program code of the extraction process for extracting the partial image corresponding to each entry field in the form image data;
Of the partial images extracted in the extraction step, a program code of a creation step for creating display screen information having a partial image to be processed and at least one other partial image other than the partial image to be processed;
When displaying a display screen based on the display screen information created in the creation step, a display for distinguishing and displaying the display form of the partial image to be processed and the at least one other partial image in the display screen information And a program code for the control process.

Images