Automatic business form input device and automatic business form input processing method executed by computer

Abstract

To support or automate the work when requiring the input to an electronic file in a predetermined business form format.SOLUTION: An automatic business form input device stores an actual value in an item of a storage destination business form in a device while realizing the work of transcribing an item value 20 of a business form / screen (entered business form 50) displaying original information of the input to an input position of a business form (request business form 60) being the storage destination that has been performed by a person in charge on the device in a pseudo manner, and copies an original data item that has been already associated with the item of the entered business form 50 and information that describes an applicable condition of the item to the item of the request business form 60. After that, when the application condition is met for the same business form, the device can automatically input a value of an item associated by the business form processing method, and when the application condition is not met, supports the input by indicating input candidates due to the similarity of the conditions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic form input device and an automatic form input processing method, and in particular to an automatic form input device and an automatic form input processing method for supporting or automating work when input is required into an electronic file in a specified form format. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, manufacturers are required to input information into specified locations on forms in a set format by their wholesale and retail customers for the purpose of collecting information, etc. In order to do so, manufacturers have had to prepare product form information in a variety of formats, such as CSV files, calculation software specifications in their own format, and calculation software specifications in the customer's format.

[0003] Information is often provided in a routine manner by transcription from a source database or standard form.

[0004] Transcription must be repeated every time the information is updated, and even similar information often has different formats and presentation methods depending on the source of the request, meaning that not only is the data entry time cumbersome, but preparing and selecting the data also places a significant workload on the staff.

[0005] In order to support or automate form input, a method has been used in which a definition that links the input position with the original data is prepared in advance according to the format of each form. Also, for this purpose, means for detecting the input position and the data source, and a method for supporting them have been devised.

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a technology that automatically maps the relationship between items on a form and the positions on a business database of variable data to be output for those items, thereby increasing the mapping rate and reducing development man-hours.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a technology that receives a blank format that is a template for a report, and a filled-in format in which values ​​have already been filled in for the report template, compares the received blank format with the filled-in format to identify an input cell, obtains from the blank format the report item name that indicates the identified input cell, and outputs the identified input cell in association with the obtained report item name.

[0008] Furthermore, as a technology for automating transcription by matching documents on a screen, Patent Document 3 describes a technology in which the document definition information of the source document and the document definition information of the destination document are displayed on a display device, a transcription definition file is generated and recorded based on the destination document ID, a determination is made as to whether or not a document index item exists, the transcription destination of the transcription definition, the source item number, etc. are recorded, and a determination is made as to whether or not a transcription item exists, thereby automatically transcribing the source information to the destination information simply by indicating the location of the source information and the location of the destination information on the display screen.

[0009] Furthermore, Patent Document 4 describes a technique that enables a user to interactively create transcription control data that controls the transcription position of transcription data to be transcribed onto a form while checking an image of the transcribed form. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-128958 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2022-172537 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2001-5886 A [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-121629 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] However, in either case, the task of preparing the definitions ultimately requires the knowledge of the person in charge of data entry. This is a task that the person in charge does not normally perform, and it is difficult to define them uniformly, especially when the various conditions for selecting data, whether explicit or implicit, have not been organized in advance. In addition, there are problems such as the need to allocate time to define the formats of requested forms, which are often added or changed.

[0012] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, and has as its object to eliminate the need for definition work for automating input, and also to eliminate the need for prior case distinctions and rule formulation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention, in a case where input is required at a predetermined position of an electronic file in form format in response to a request from a submission destination, includes form storage means for storing an existing registered form, item value storage means for storing item values ​​in a data storage location, item definition storage means for storing item definition information consisting of the data storage location of the item value storage means and condition information in association with input items of the form, form update means for creating a filled-in form by inputting item values ​​to be stored in the data storage location into an existing form stored in the form storage means in accordance with the information stored in the item definition storage means, form display means for simultaneously displaying a newly received request form and the filled-in form, and transfer operation means for transferring values ​​of the filled-in form displayed on the form display means to the input items of the requested form, and The above problem is solved by an automatic form input device comprising: a copying and storage means which operates in conjunction with the transcription operation of a transcription operation means, and copies and stores item definition information having the data storage location and condition information to which the data is applicable, in correspondence with the items of a filled-in form, and which stores the same in the item definition storage means in correspondence with the items of the filled-in form; a form output means which outputs the filled-in form obtained by the form update means or the requested form transcribed by the form display means, when an existing form identical to the requested form has already been stored in the form storage means under the same conditions; and a new item registration means which holds new item definition information for the input items of the requested form in the item definition storage means, when a filled-in form containing the values ​​to be entered cannot be obtained.

[0014] Here, a condition editing means may be provided which uses the processing history to automatically or manually edit the condition information constituting the item definition information through an algorithm, statistics, or machine learning, or selects one from a plurality of item definition information with similar conditions.

[0015] The device may also include a means for presenting a plurality of item definition information items having similar conditions.

[0016] Also, a means can be provided for distinguishing between external items that are directly linked to layouts on a form and internal items that are linked via the external items and handling them separately.

[0017] Further, the request form and the existing form may be provided with a means for displaying the screen of software on which items are arranged, or for using the screen display and the form in combination, instead of the form prepared as an electronic file.

[0018] The present invention also provides a form saving process for saving an existing registered form when input is required at a predetermined position of an electronic file in form format at the request of a submission destination, an item value saving process for saving item values ​​in a data saving location, an item definition storing process for storing item definition information consisting of the data saving location of the item values ​​and condition information in association with input items of the form, a form updating process for creating a filled-in form by inputting the item values ​​to be saved in the data saving location into the existing form saved in the form saving process in accordance with the information saved in the item definition storing process, a form display process for simultaneously displaying a newly received requested form and the filled-in form, and a transfer operation process for transferring values ​​of the filled-in form displayed in the form display process to the input items of the requested form, and a transfer operation process for transferring the values ​​of the filled-in form displayed in the form display process to the input items of the requested form. The above problem is also solved by an automatic form input processing method characterized by having a copy and storage process which operates in conjunction with the transcription operation and copies and stores item definition information having the data storage location and condition information to which the data is applicable, in correspondence with the items of the filled-in form in the item definition storage process; a form output process which outputs the filled-in form obtained in the form update process or the transcribed requested form in the form display process when an existing form identical to the requested form has already been stored under the same conditions in the form storage process; and a new item registration process which holds new item definition information for the input fields of the requested form in the item definition storage process when a filled-in form containing the value to be entered cannot be obtained.

[0019] Here, a condition editing process can be provided in which, using the history of the processing, the condition information constituting the item definition information is automatically or manually edited using an algorithm, statistics, or machine learning, or one of a plurality of item definition information with similar conditions is selected.

[0020] The method may also include a process of presenting a plurality of item definition information items having similar conditions.

[0021] In addition, external items that are directly linked to layouts on a form can be handled separately from internal items that are linked via the external items.

[0022] Furthermore, instead of the request form and the existing form being prepared as an electronic file, it is possible to use a software screen display in which items are arranged, or a combination of a screen display and a form. Effect of the Invention

[0023] In this invention, the task that a person in charge has traditionally performed of transcribing field values ​​from a form / screen (hereinafter referred to as a completed form) that displays the original input information into the input position of the destination form (hereinafter referred to as a requested form) is simulated on the device, while storing actual values ​​in the fields of the destination form within the device, and copying information describing the original data items already linked to the fields of the completed form and the conditions under which those items can be applied to the fields of the requested form.

[0024] As a result, from then on, when the applicable conditions are met for the same form, the value of the item linked by the present invention can be automatically entered.

[0025] If the applicable conditions are not met, input can be assisted by displaying input candidates based on the similarity of the conditions.

[0026] In this way, by having the person in charge enter forms using the system that realizes this method, the definition work for automating input becomes unnecessary. In addition, there is no need to distinguish between cases or formulate rules in advance. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] A flowchart showing the processing procedure [Diagram 3] A diagram showing a concrete example [Figure 4] The same figure showing a specific example [Diagram 5] A diagram showing an example where the items differ depending on the conditions even with the same layout on the same form. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example of copying item definition information to a form. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of automatic report creation. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of condition information used for selecting an item. [Figure 9] A similar example of item selection based on processing history. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 shows a specific example of item selection based on processing history. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 shows an example of input support based on similarity of condition information. [Figure 12] A diagram showing a basic configuration example of a method for handling external and internal items separately. [Figure 13] A diagram showing a specific example of a method for handling external and internal items separately. [Figure 14] A specific example of changing the link between external and internal items. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the following embodiments and examples. In addition, the constituent elements in the embodiments and examples described below include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine, those that are substantially the same, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range. Furthermore, the constituent elements disclosed in the embodiments and examples described below may be appropriately combined or appropriately selected for use.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic form input device according to the present invention comprises a form storage unit 100 for storing registered existing forms (referred to as existing forms) 10, an item value storage unit 120 for storing item values ​​20 in a data storage location, an item definition storage unit 130 for storing item definition information 40 consisting of the data storage location of the item value storage unit 120 and condition information 30 in association with the input items of the form, and an item definition storage unit 140 for storing the existing forms 10 in the form storage unit 100 according to the information stored in the item definition storage unit 130. a form update unit 140 for creating a filled-in form 50 by inputting item values ​​20 to be stored in the data storage location in the form 10; a form display unit 150 for simultaneously displaying a newly received request form (also called a new form) 60 and the filled-in form 50; a transfer operation unit 160 for transferring values ​​of the filled-in form 50 displayed on the form display unit 150 to input items of the request form 60; the item definition information 40 having the data storage location and the condition information 30 to which the data is applicable, and storing the item definition information 40 in association with an input field of a request form 60; a form output unit 180 for outputting the filled-in form 50 obtained by the form update unit 140 or the requested form 70 transcribed by the form display unit 150 when an existing form 10 identical to the requested form 60 has already been stored in the form storage unit 100 under the same conditions; a new item registration unit 190 for holding new item definition information 40 for the input fields of the request form 60 in the item definition storage unit 130 when a filled-in form 50 including a value to be entered cannot be obtained; and a condition editing unit 200 for automatically or manually editing the condition information 30 constituting the item definition information 40 by an algorithm, statistics, or machine learning using the processing history, or for selecting one from a plurality of item definition information 40 having similar conditions.

[0030] Here, the item definition information 40 is a combination of the location (item) where the original data is stored in association with the layout on the form, and the condition information 30 to which the item can be applied.

[0031] It should be noted that the condition editing section 200 can be omitted if not required.

[0032] The processing procedure of this embodiment is shown in FIG.

[0033] First, in step S1000, the request form 60 is received and displayed on the form display unit 150.

[0034] Next, the process proceeds to step S1100, where it is determined whether or not the existing form 10 has already been registered in the form storage unit 100. If the determination result is no, the process proceeds to step S1200, where the existing form 10 to be transferred is selected.

[0035] Next, the process proceeds to step S1220, where the values ​​of each item of the existing form 10 are obtained based on the registered definition information.

[0036] Next, the process proceeds to step S1300, where values ​​are input into each item of the existing form 10.

[0037] Next, the process proceeds to step S1400, where the requested form 60 and the existing form 10 are displayed on the form display unit 150.

[0038] Next, the process proceeds to step S1500, where it is determined whether or not a corresponding item exists in the existing form 10. If the determination result is positive, the process proceeds to step S1600, where the value is transferred to the corresponding position in the request form 60, for example, by drag and drop or copy and paste.

[0039] Next, the process proceeds to step S1620, where the linked item definition information 40 is copied to the corresponding layout.

[0040] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S1500 is negative, that is, if it is determined that there is no corresponding item in the existing form 10, the process proceeds to step S1640, where the new item registration unit 190 creates a new item.

[0041] Next, the process proceeds to step S1660, where the request form 60 is linked to the corresponding arrangement.

[0042] After step S1620 or step S1660 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1700, where it is determined whether or not all the layouts have been transcribed or copied. If the determination result is no, the process proceeds to step S1720, where it is determined whether or not the existing form 10 should be replaced.

[0043] If the determination result in step S1720 is negative, the process returns to step S1500. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S1720 is positive, the process returns to step S1200.

[0044] If the determination result in step S1700 is positive, the process proceeds to step S1740, where the request form 60 is stored in the form storage unit 100 as a registered request form 80.

[0045] On the other hand, if the determination result in step S1100 is positive, that is, if it is determined that the request form 60 has already been registered, the process proceeds to step S1800, where the values ​​of each item of the request form 60 are obtained from the registered item definition information 40.

[0046] Next, the process proceeds to step S1820, where values ​​are entered into each item of the request form 60.

[0047] After step S1740 or step S1820 is completed, the process proceeds to step S1900, where the inputted request form (referred to as a transcribed form) 70 is output.

[0048] A specific image will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 3, when filling out a new format form, data is transcribed or copied from an existing form (multiple forms are possible) 10 by operations such as drag and drop or copy and paste, and at the same time, the system maintains the association between the items written on the form 10 and the storage location of the original data and their application conditions, automating data entry into the request form 60 from the next time onwards. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, while performing conventional transcription operations such as drag and drop or copy and paste of values, item definition information 40 is recorded in the background.

[0050] In contrast, in the past, data was transferred after transcribing from an existing form 10 or mapping between forms each time a request was made.

[0051] An image of registering item definition information 40 to a new request form 60 is shown in Fig. 5. Behind the scenes of form creation by transcription from the display screen of the existing form 10, the form's item definition information 40 is copied. Here, instead of directly linking the original data items, the existing forms 10, 10' that the worker understands are mediated. This allows the knowledge of the actual person in charge to be defined during the work.

[0052] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example in which the items differ depending on the conditions (Figure 5 shows the submission destination) even for the same document and the same arrangement. For new document A to be submitted to destination A in the upper part of Figure 5, the value v1 of arrangement x1 of the registered existing document X is entered as value v1 in arrangement a1 of new document A, item f1 of arrangement x1 of the registered existing document X is linked to item f1 of arrangement a1 of new document A, and condition c1 of arrangement x1 of the registered existing document X is linked to condition c1 of arrangement a1 of new document A.

[0053] On the other hand, in the case of new form A to be submitted to destination B in the lower part of Figure 5, which is a different submission destination from the upper part of Figure 5, the value v2 of arrangement y2 of the registered existing form Y is entered as value v2 in arrangement a1 of new form A, item f2 of arrangement y2 of the registered existing form Y is linked to item f2 of arrangement a1 of new form A, and condition c2 of arrangement y2 of the registered existing form Y is linked to condition c2 of arrangement a1 of new form A.

[0054] 6 shows a specific example of linking item definition information 40 to a request form 60 by transcription from an already defined existing form 10. Existing registration is indicated by arrow A, transcription operation is indicated by arrow B, and new registration is indicated by arrow C.

[0055] The existing form 10 to be interposed can be changed for each item of the request form 60. Here, no mapping between layouts is performed, and the items and condition information 30 linked to the existing form 10 are assigned to the layout of the request form 60. As long as the target exists, there is no need to specify the existing form 10, and the independence of the form can be maintained. It can be used by switching as appropriate.

[0056] Figure 7 shows a concrete example of automatic creation of a target form based on registered item definition information 40. Here, "condition" refers to condition information 30 that allows the value of an "item" to be entered into the "placement" of the target "submission destination" and "form." If there is no existing form 10 that matches the condition information 30, a new "item" is registered. If there is also no existing "item" that matches the condition information 30, a new "item" is created and assigned. At this time, the value of the "condition" that is set at the same time can be edited. Then, the value of the "item" whose entity was stored at the time of creation is obtained.

[0057] Here, the original information is updated each time, such as v1, v2, ... → v1', v2', ...

[0058] The condition information 30 of the item definition information 40 indicates the conditions under which the value of the "item" can be entered into the "placement" of the target "form." The application of the "item" is determined based on whether the requested form and its associated information match the "conditions." The condition information 30 can be determined by means of algorithms, statistics, machine learning, or the judgment of the operator.

[0059] For example, if the "items" to be selected are considered to depend on the required level of detail, the purpose of the form to be submitted, and the level of disclosure to the other party, they are set as condition information 30 as shown in FIG.

[0060] Examples of the condition information 30 include the level of detail (1 to 5), the classification of use (preliminary, evaluation, development, production), and the level of disclosure (1 to 5).

[0061] Values ​​used in the history are not retroactively changed, but the values ​​of the conditions 30 stored in the item definition information 40 can be set or edited by means of statistics, machine learning, the judgment of an operator, etc. Either or both of the definition and the value of the condition information 30 may be determined by machine learning, etc.

[0062] In the method of obtaining values ​​based on the history of item definition information 40, even if the submission destination and the form are the same, there may be multiple sources from which values ​​are obtained. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9, the value of the "item" associated with the most plausible condition information 30 obtained by processing or standards is obtained.

[0063] Examples of judgments include closest to average conditions, recent history, high frequency in statistics, highest weighting in machine learning, etc.

[0064] FIG. 10 shows a specific example of selecting an item corresponding to highly plausible condition information 30 based on processing history, algorithms, statistics, machine learning, or the judgment of an operator.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a specific example in which, when the “conditions” in the condition information 30 do not match, candidates are presented in order of, for example, closeness (highest similarity) to the conditions (e.g., level of detail, use classification, level of disclosure) specified based on the history.

[0066] 12 shows a basic configuration example in which data is divided into external items 300, which indicate items that are directly linked to a form (linkage to form layout) by assigning item names close to the form expression (use of item) to make it easy to search and determine items, and internal items 400, which indicate items that are assigned item names that express the contents and hold data to facilitate calculation, updating, and confirmation of item values ​​(external item linkage). Here, the external items 300 can be made referenceable from the form submission destination as a database, and the actual values ​​are obtained from the internal items 400.

[0067] On the other hand, the internal items 400 reflect updates to the original information from within the company where the submission of the form is required, and prepare data required by the external items 300 in advance.

[0068] The reason for providing external items 300 here is to provide flexibility in cases where it is not possible to determine whether an item is the same as an existing item at the time of posting even if the internal items 400 are the same, or in cases where it is desired to change the item later. By providing external items 300, the database for the submission destination can be composed of only external items 300. If external items 300 are the same, the content will be the same between forms.

[0069] On the other hand, if the internal items 400 are the same, the data held internally is the same.

[0070] If the external item 300 cannot be regarded as being the same as an existing item, a new external item is created. If there is no corresponding internal item 400 (original information), a new internal item is created.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 13, it is possible to select from a plurality of internal items linked to external items in the history, and also possible to select from a plurality of external items linked to the layout of the form.

[0072] Here, the item definition information 40 is the allocation items (external items), the storage location of the original data (internal items), and the conditions (condition information) under which the items can be applied, for the layout on the form.

[0073] A specific example of changing the link between the external item 300 and the internal item 400 is shown in FIG.

[0074] The application of the present invention is not limited to a specific field, but can be applied to the creation of forms in various fields. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10…Existing forms 20…Item value 30...Condition information 40…Item definition information 50...Completed form 60…Request form (new form) 70...Posted documents 80...Registered request form 100…Document storage section 120...Item value storage section 130...Item definition storage section 140…Document Update Department 150…Report display section 160...Transcription operation unit 170…Copy storage section 180…Report output section 190…New Item Registration Section 200…Conditions Editorial Department 300…External item 400…Internal item

Claims

1. When a request from the recipient requires input into a specified area of ​​a form-format electronic file, A form storage means for storing existing registered forms; An item value storage means for storing the item value in a data storage location; an item definition storage means for storing item definition information including data storage locations and condition information of the item value storage means in association with input items of a form; a form updating means for creating an already-entered form by inputting the item values ​​to be stored in the data storage location into an existing form stored in the form storage means according to the information held in the item definition storage means; a form display means for simultaneously displaying a newly received request form and the completed form; a transfer operation means for transferring values ​​of the completed form displayed on the form display means to the input items of the request form; a copy storage means which operates in conjunction with the transcription operation of the transcription operation means, and copies and stores item definition information having the data storage location and condition information to which the data can be applied, in association with the input items of the request form, the item definition information being stored in the item definition storage means in association with the items of the filled-in form; a form output means for outputting a completed form obtained by said form update means or a requested form transcribed by said form display means when an existing form identical to the requested form has already been stored under the same conditions in said form storage means; a new item registration means for storing new item definition information for the input items of the requested form in the item definition storage means when a completed form including the values ​​to be input is not available; An automatic form input device comprising:

2. The automatic form input device according to claim 1, further comprising a condition editing means for automatically or manually editing the condition information constituting the item definition information by an algorithm, statistics, or machine learning using the processing history, or for selecting one from a plurality of item definition information having similar conditions.

3. 3. The automatic form input device according to claim 2, further comprising a means for presenting a plurality of item definition information items having similar conditions.

4. 2. An automatic form input device according to claim 1, further comprising means for distinguishing and handling external items which are directly linked to layouts on a form from internal items which are linked via said external items.

5. 2. The automatic form input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, instead of forms prepared as electronic files, the request form and the existing form are displayed on a screen of software in which items are arranged, or a means is provided for using a screen display and a form in combination.

6. When a request from the recipient requires input into a specified area of ​​a form-format electronic file, A form saving process to save existing registered forms; A field value saving process for saving the field value in a data storage location; An item definition storage process for storing item definition information including data storage locations and condition information of the item values ​​in association with the input items of the form; a form update process for creating a completed form by inputting the item values ​​to be stored in the data storage location into the existing form stored in the form storage process according to the information stored in the item definition storage process; A form display process for simultaneously displaying the newly received request form and the completed form; A transfer operation process for transferring values ​​of the completed form displayed in the form display process to the input items of the request form; a copy and store process which operates in conjunction with the transcription operation of the transcription operation process, copies and stores item definition information having the data storage location and condition information to which the data can be applied, in association with the input items of the request form, the item definition information being stored in association with the items of the filled-in form in the item definition storage process; a form output process for outputting the completed form obtained in the form update process or the requested form transcribed in the form display process when an existing form identical to the requested form has already been stored under the same conditions in the form storage process; a new item registration process for storing new item definition information for the input items of the requested form in the item definition storage process when a filled-in form including the value to be input is not available; 1. An automatic form input processing method comprising:

7. The automatic form input processing method according to claim 6, further comprising a condition editing process for automatically or manually editing the condition information constituting the item definition information by an algorithm, statistics, or machine learning using the processing history, or for selecting one from a plurality of item definition information having similar conditions.

8. 8. The method for automatically inputting forms according to claim 7, further comprising a process for presenting a plurality of item definition information items having similar conditions.

9. 7. The automatic form input processing system according to claim 6, characterized in that external items directly linked to layouts on a form and internal items linked via said external items are handled separately.

10. The automatic form input processing method according to claim 6, characterized in that the request form and the existing form are displayed on a screen of software in which items are arranged, or a screen display and a form are used in combination, instead of forms prepared as electronic files.

Images