Information processing system, document creation method, program, and service provision system

Abstract

To specify a document file according to input data and then specify post-processing after the document file creation according to the input data.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an information processing system capable of communicating with a terminal device, and the information processing system has: a data input unit 12 which receives input data to be input to a document file and indication information on the input data from the terminal device; a specification unit 14 which specifies template information on the document file corresponding to the input data according to a first correspondence table and also specifies post-processing on the document file corresponding to the input data according to a second correspondence table; a document creation unit which creates the document file by using the template information on the document file that the specification unit has specified and the input data; and a post-processing unit 15 which executes post-processing on the document file that the specification unit has specified for the document file that the document creation unit has created.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a form creation method, a program, and a service providing system. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known technology that uses an information processing system to create forms and process the created forms. A user inputs data to create a form file, and instructs the information processing system to perform post-processing according to the form file. For example, in an ordering task, a user creates a form file of a purchase order according to a supplier, and inputs an operation to send the purchase order to a destination according to the supplier into the information processing system.

[0003] There is known a technique for facilitating such ordering operations (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an ordering system in which a user places an order by specifying a delivery destination and description contents. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional technology, there was a problem that the user had to manually select the required form file for the input data, and after creating the form, had to manually select the appropriate post-processing according to the created form file.For example, in the task of sending a purchase order, after the user inputs the order data (input data) into a terminal device, he or she had to select a purchase order template for each supplier to create the purchase order, set the destination by a means that the supplier can handle (email, fax, etc.), and send the created purchase order.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a technique for identifying a form file in accordance with input data, and identifying post-processing to be performed after the creation of the form file in accordance with the input data. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present invention is an information processing system capable of communicating with a terminal device, comprising: a data input unit that receives input data or instruction information for the input data from the terminal device to be input into a report file; an identification unit that identifies template information for the report file corresponding to the input data based on a first correspondence table and identifies post-processing of the report file corresponding to the input data based on a second correspondence table; a report creation unit that creates the report file using the template information of the report file identified by the identification unit and the input data; and a post-processing unit that performs post-processing of the report file identified by the identification unit for the report file created by the report creation unit. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present invention can specify a form file according to input data, and can specify post-processing after creation of the form file according to the input data. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a form creation method. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a system configuration of an example of a service providing system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing system and a terminal device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus that is an example of a device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of an example of a service providing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a template mapping table stored in a template mapping table storage unit. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic diagram of a destination mapping table stored in a destination mapping table storage unit. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of input data written in a file. [Figure 9]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of input data entered into a Web page displayed by a terminal device. [Figure 10] 11 is an example of a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which an information processing system creates a form file using input data. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a workflow application and its constituent components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A service providing system and a form creation method performed by the service providing system will be described below with reference to the drawings as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] <Outline of Form Creation in This Embodiment> In this embodiment, the information processing system automatically selects a form file based on input data, and automatically determines post-processing after the form is created based on the input data.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a form creation method. (1) First, a user who creates a form operates the terminal device 30 to input data to be entered into the form (there are other input methods, but details will be described later). If the form is a purchase order, the input data is the supplier, product name, quantity, etc., required for placing an order. The terminal device 30 transmits the input data to the information processing system 10. (2) The information processing system 10 selects template information (a form file with blank fields) of a form file corresponding to the input data from the template mapping table storage unit 16. In this way, the information processing system 10 can automatically select a form file from the input data. The information processing system 10 creates a form file by arranging the input data in the template information of the form file. (3) The information processing system 10 selects post-processing corresponding to the input data from the destination mapping table storage unit 17. One type of post-processing is destination information. In this way, the information processing system 10 can automatically select post-processing for a form file from the input data. (4) The information processing system 10 further performs post-processing if necessary, and transmits a form file (e.g., a purchase order) to the destination.

[0012] In this way, the information processing system 10 of this embodiment can automatically select a form file from the input data and automatically determine the post-processing after the form is created from the input data, so there is no mistake in the selection of the form file or post-processing, and the operational burden on the user can be reduced.

[0013] <Terminology> A workflow refers to the execution of multiple processes in a fixed order, or multiple processes. A workflow application refers to an application that executes multiple processes in a fixed order. A workflow application may simply be called a workflow or a process flow. A workflow application may be composed of an IN component, a PROCESS component, and an OUT component.

[0014] A form is a general term for documents prepared by companies or individual business owners when they conduct business activities. Forms include, for example, purchase orders, invoices, receipts, delivery notes, order confirmations, and order receipts, and may also include other documents required for business activities.

[0015] Input data is data that is placed or set in each item of a form, and is data entered by the user. Forms may have pre-defined data (such as the form name). Input data instruction information is not the input data itself, but information that indicates the storage area for the input data.

[0016] The template information of a form file refers to a form file in which each item is blank before input data is placed or set. Post-processing refers to processing that is performed after the creation of a form file. Examples of post-processing include transmission, electronic signature, compression, and approval.

[0017] <System configuration> The system configuration of the service providing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the service providing system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0018] The service providing system 100 shown in Fig. 2 includes an information processing system 10, a device 20, and a terminal device 30. The information processing system 10 and the device 20, and the information processing system 10 and the terminal device 30 are communicatively connected via a wide area network N1 such as the Internet. In addition, the information processing system 10, the device 20, and the terminal device 30 can communicate with an external service system 40, which is an external system, via the network N1.

[0019] The device 20 and the terminal device 30 are placed in a facility such as a company and are connected to a network N2. The network N2 may be a LAN, Wi-Fi (registered trademark), wide area Ethernet (registered trademark), a mobile phone network such as 4G, 5G, or 6G, etc. The terminal device 30 does not need to be connected to the network N2 at all times.

[0020] The information processing system 10 is realized by one or more information processing devices, and provides various services realized by a series of processes in cooperation with an external service system 40 such as a cloud service via a network N1. One of the services provided by the information processing system 10 according to this embodiment is the creation and transmission of a form file. The information processing system 10 may be realized by cloud computing, or may be realized by a single information processing device. Cloud computing refers to a form in which resources on a network are used without being aware of specific hardware resources. The information processing system 10 may exist on the Internet or on-premise. A series of processes is provided by one application, and the series of processes is also called a "processing flow" or "workflow."

[0021] The device 20 is various electronic devices used by a user. The device 20 may be, for example, a fax machine, a scanner, an image processing device, an image forming device, or an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral). In this embodiment, the terminal device 30 is used to create the form, but the device 20 may also be used. For example, the device 20 may scan an input form file and transmit image data of the form file to the information processing system 10. The information processing system 10 performs OCR (Optical Character Recognition / Reader) processing on the image data and extracts the input data.

[0022] In addition, in the company to which the document file is to be sent, the device 20 may receive the document file by facsimile. The destination device 20 executes a workflow triggered by the receipt of the document file, and stores the document file in the external service system 40 during the workflow.

[0023] The device 20 may be, for example, an electronic whiteboard. The electronic whiteboard can accept input data for a form file by performing character recognition on handwritten data input to the electronic whiteboard. In addition, the device 20 may be any device capable of accepting input data for a form file. The device 20 may be, for example, a video conference terminal, a projector, etc. Furthermore, the device 20 may be a system in which a scanner is connected to a PC. Using the device 20, a user can use various services (applications) provided by the information processing system 10 or the external service system 40.

[0024] It is preferable that the device 20 is capable of executing a web browser. If the device 20 is capable of executing a web browser, the user can operate the web browser to use the information processing system 10. Hereinafter, when multiple devices 20 are to be distinguished from one another, they will be referred to using subscripts such as "device 20A" and "device 20B."

[0025] The terminal device 30 is, for example, a desktop PC, a notebook PC, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like used by an administrator or a user. A web browser or a native application runs on the terminal device 30. The administrator can operate the terminal device 30 to create a workflow and assign workflow usage authority to users. The administrator or user can operate the terminal device 30 to use various services provided by the information processing system 10 or the external service system 40, and can also configure applications.

[0026] A user can operate the terminal device 30 to connect to the information processing system 10 and give instructions such as "input data" and "send a form file."

[0027] In the following description, when the multiple terminal devices 30 are to be distinguished from one another, they will be referred to using subscripts such as "terminal device 30A" and "terminal device 30B."

[0028] The external service system 40 is one or more information processing devices that provide services by storing, reading, or processing data when the information processing system 10 executes an application. The "external" in the external service system 40 means that it is a system separate from the information processing system 10. In many cases, it is operated by a different company. For example, even the same user has different accounts in the external service system 40 and the information processing system 10.

[0029] Examples of the external service system 40 include a cloud service, an ASP (Application Service Provider), and the like, and may include various external services provided via a network. For example, an example of a service is a storage service. The external service system 40 may exist on the Internet or on-premise.

[0030] In the following description, when the multiple external service systems 40 are to be distinguished from one another, they will be referred to as "external service systems 40A, 40B" as shown in the figure.

[0031] <Hardware configuration example> The hardware configurations of the information processing system 10 and the terminal device 30 included in the service providing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0032] <<Information processing system and terminal device>> Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing system 10 and the terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing system 10 and the terminal device 30 are constructed by a computer 500, and include a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a HD (Hard Disk) 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0033] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the information processing system 10 and the terminal device 30. The ROM 502 stores a program such as an IPL used to drive the CPU 501. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data from the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501. The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character, or an image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external device is, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the network N2. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3.

[0034] Moreover, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys used for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the DVD-RW drive 514 is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0035] <<Equipment>> 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus, which is an example of the device 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0036] Of these, the controller 910 has a CPU 901 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909 which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0037] Among these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the image forming apparatus. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901 with the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0038] The MEM-P 902 is composed of a ROM 902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for implementing the various functions of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b which is used for developing the programs and data, and as a drawing memory during memory printing, etc. The programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD in the form of an installable or executable file.

[0039] The SB904 is a bridge for connecting the NB903 to a PCI device and a peripheral device. The ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes having hardware elements for image processing, and plays the role of a bridge connecting the AGP bus 921, the PCI bus 922, the HDD controller 908, and the MEM-C907. The ASIC906 is composed of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C907, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 931, the printer unit 932, and the facsimile unit via the PCI bus 922. The ASIC906 may have a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0040] The MEM-C907 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD909 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD909 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD909 under the control of the CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P902 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0041] Further, the short-range communication circuit 920 is provided with a short-range communication circuit antenna 920a. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0042] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 has a scanner unit 931, a printer unit 932, and a facsimile unit 933. The operation panel 940 has a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values, a selection screen, etc., and receives input from an operator. The operation panel 940 has hard keys 940b consisting of a numeric keypad that receives setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. The controller 910 controls the entire image forming apparatus, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 940. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0043] The image forming apparatus can sequentially switch and select among the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using the application switching key on the operation panel 940. The image forming apparatus goes into document box mode when the document box function is selected, into copy mode when the copy function is selected, into printer mode when the printer function is selected, and into facsimile mode when the facsimile mode is selected.

[0044] The network I / F 950 is an interface for performing data communication using the network N2. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via a PCI bus 922.

[0045] <About the function> Next, a functional configuration of the service providing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the service providing system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0046] <<Information Processing System>> The information processing system 10 has a communication unit 11, a data input unit 12, a form creation unit 13, an identification unit 14, and a post-processing unit 15. Each functional unit of the information processing system 10 is a function or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3 executing instructions included in one or more programs installed in the information processing system 10.

[0047] The information processing system 10 also has a template mapping table storage unit 16 and a destination mapping table storage unit 17. These storage units of the information processing system 10 are constructed in the RAM 503, HD 504, etc. shown in Fig. 3. These storage units may be constructed in the external service system 40 instead of the information processing system 10.

[0048] The communication unit 11 transmits and receives various types of information to and from the device 20 and the terminal device 30. In this embodiment, the communication unit 11 transmits screen information of an application to the device 20. The communication unit 11 receives input data or a storage area for input data to be input into a form from the terminal device 30, and various types of operation information by a user.

[0049] The communication unit 11 may have a function of a Web server. The information processing system 10 and the terminal device 30 may execute Web apps. A Web app is an application that runs when a program written in a programming language (e.g., JavaScript (registered trademark)) that runs on a Web browser cooperates with a program on the Web server side. In contrast, an application that cannot be executed unless it is installed on the terminal device 30 is called a native app. The application executed on the terminal device 30 may be a Web app or a native app. Furthermore, the terminal device 30 may execute both a Web app and a native app, and the two may cooperate to accept the execution of a workflow. The device 20 can also execute Web apps.

[0050] The communication unit 11, which also functions as a Web server, generates a screen (Web page) for the user to input data to be input into a form file, and transmits it to the terminal device 30. As an example of a display method, the communication unit 11 generates screen information for the terminal device 30 to display a screen of a Web application. The screen information is a program written in HTML, XML, a scripting language, CSS (Cascading Style Sheet), etc., and the structure of the Web page is mainly specified by HTML, the operation of the Web page is defined by the scripting language, and the style of the Web page is specified by CSS.

[0051] The data input unit 12 removes a header and the like according to the communication protocol from the data received by the communication unit 11, obtains input data (e.g., order data) to be input into a form file, and passes it to the form creation unit 13. There are three methods for accepting input data: Method 1: A user operates the terminal device 30 to upload a file of input data to the information processing system 10. The data input unit 12 accepts a file as input data. Method 2: A method in which the user operates the terminal device 30 to transmit to the information processing system 10 the specification of a storage area (such as a folder) in which the order data is stored in the external service system 40. The data input unit 12 accepts the specification of the storage area and obtains the input data file from the storage area. Method 3: The user causes the terminal device 30 to display a Web page or Web application provided by the information processing system 10, and inputs numerical values ​​and text for each item of the order data. The terminal device 30 accepts the input data and transmits it to the information processing system 10. The data input unit 12 accepts the input data received by the communication unit 11.

[0052] When the user terminal linked to the information processing system 10 is the device 20 instead of the terminal device 30, the device 20 may generate scan data by scanning a paper document and then execute method 1. In this case, the data input unit 12 accepts input data by performing OCR processing on the image data.

[0053] The specification unit 14 has a template mapping table storage unit 16 and a destination mapping table storage unit 17, and specifies template information of a form file corresponding to input data, and also specifies destination information of the form file corresponding to the input data. Details will be described later.

[0054] The form creation unit 13 receives input data from the data input unit 12 and template information of a form file from the specification unit 14, and automatically creates the form by arranging the input data in the template information of the form file.

[0055] The post-processing unit 15 receives destination information for the form file from the specifying unit 14, and sets the destination for the form file created by the form creation unit 13. The post-processing unit 15 transmits the form file to the destination. If there is other post-processing, the post-processing unit 15 performs the post-processing.

[0056] <<Template mapping table storage section>> FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a template mapping table stored in the template mapping table storage unit 16. The template mapping table (an example of a first correspondence table) holds the supplier company name and template information of the form file in association with each other. The template information of the form file is the file name of the template. The supplier company name is, for example, a company name, and is an example of the destination identification information. The destination identification information may be any information that can identify the destination. For example, the destination identification information may be a company ID or an individual name. The template information of the form file is, for example, a form that is associated with a company of the supplier company name, and is a file with blank fields. The file format may be any of documents, spreadsheets, JSON, HTML, etc.

[0057] <<Destination mapping table storage section>> Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a destination mapping table stored in the destination mapping table storage unit 17. The destination mapping table (an example of a second correspondence table) stores supplier company names and destination information of document files in correspondence with each other. In Fig. 7, the destination information is, for example, an email address or a fax number.

[0058] A single supplier company name may be associated with multiple pieces of destination information. The multiple pieces of destination information may be different types of destination information, such as an email address and a fax number, or the same type of destination information, such as multiple email addresses.

[0059] The destination information may be associated with a desired storage area (such as a folder or URL) in the information processing system 10 or the external service system 40. When the destination information is the external service system 40, a URL and login information (such as a user ID and password) for accessing the external service system 40 are set in advance as the destination information. The information processing system 10 can specify a desired storage area for the external service system 40 and upload a form file by accessing and logging in to the external service system 40 using this destination information.

[0060] <<Terminal Device>> Returning to Fig. 5, the terminal device 30 has a communication unit 21, a display control unit 22, and an operation reception unit 23. These functional units are functions or means realized by the CPU 501 shown in Fig. 3 executing instructions contained in one or more programs installed in the terminal device 30. For example, the communication unit 21, the display control unit 22, and the operation reception unit 23 are realized by a web browser.

[0061] The communication unit 21 transmits and receives various information to and from the information processing system 10. In this embodiment, the communication unit 21 receives screen information related to transmission and editing of input data to be input to a form file from the information processing system 10. The communication unit 21 transmits input data, operation information, and the like to be input to a form file to the information processing system 10.

[0062] The display control unit 22 interprets screen information of various screens and displays it on the display 506. The operation receiving unit 23 receives various operations on the various screens displayed on the display 506 by the user.

[0063] <Example of order data> Fig. 8 shows an example of input data written in a file in the above methods 1 and 2. In the file in Fig. 8, item names 301 and item values ​​302 are associated with each other. Item names 301 are, for example, supplier company name, address, person in charge, product name / product name: quantity, etc., but these are merely examples. Also, item values ​​302 entered by the purchaser are set in association with item names 301 (on the right side). The form creation unit 13 can obtain item value 302, "AAA Co., Ltd.", by searching item name 301 with a preset keyword, "supplier company name."

[0064] 8 is in a table format, the description format of the input data may be XML or JSON format. Also, an item ID that uniquely identifies the item name 301 may be assigned to the item name 301. In this case, the form creation unit 13 can search for the item name 311 by the item ID instead of a keyword such as "supplier company name."

[0065] FIG. 9 shows an example of input data input to a Web page displayed by the terminal device 30 in the above-mentioned method 3. In the Web page, item names 311 and input fields 312 are associated with each other. The item names 311 are, for example, the supplier company name, address, person in charge, product name / product name: quantity, etc., but these are merely examples. The input fields 312 are set with values ​​input by the purchaser. The values ​​set in the input fields 312 can be selected, for example, from a pull-down menu. The item names 311 and the values ​​in the input fields 312 are transmitted to the information processing system 10 in a state of being associated with each other. The form creation unit 13 can obtain the value of the input field 312, "AAA Co., Ltd.", by searching the item name 311 with a preset keyword, "supplier company name."

[0066] Note that an item ID that uniquely identifies the item name 311 may be assigned to the item name 311. In this case, the form creation unit 13 can search for the item name 311 by the item ID instead of a keyword such as "supplier company name."

[0067] <Creating a form file according to this embodiment> Next, a flow of creating a form file in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a process in which the information processing system 10 creates a form file using input data.

[0068] S1: The user operates the terminal device 30 to cause the terminal device 30 to communicate with the information processing system 10. The user inputs order data or indicates order data into the terminal device 30 by using the following methods 1 to 3. ·Method 1 The user creates an order data file (input data) and saves it in the terminal device 30. The communication unit 21 of the terminal device 30 uploads the order data file (input data) to the information processing system 10 in response to a user operation. The communication unit 11 of the information processing system 10 receives the order data file (input data). The data input unit 12 accepts the order data file (input data) from the communication unit 11 (see FIG. 8). ·Method 2 The user creates a file of order data (input data) and stores it in a specified memory area of ​​the external service system 40. The user inputs the specified memory area of ​​the external service system 40 to the terminal device 30. The communication unit 21 of the terminal device 30 transmits information about the memory area in which the order data is stored to the information processing system 10 in response to the user's operation. The communication unit 11 of the information processing system 10 receives the information about the memory area. The data input unit 12 accepts the input data by obtaining the file of order data (input data) from the memory area of ​​the external service system 40 (see FIG. 8). ·Method 3 9 on the terminal device 30, and inputs input data in the input field 312. The communication unit 21 of the terminal device 30 transmits the order data (input data), such as numerical values ​​and text, entered in the input field 312 in response to the user's operation, to the information processing system 10. The communication unit 11 of the information processing system 10 receives the input data. The data input unit 12 accepts the input data from the communication unit 11.

[0069] S2: The data input unit 12 designates the received input data and requests the form creation unit 13 to transmit the order data.

[0070] S3: The form creation unit 13 requests the specification unit 14 to acquire template information of the form file. At this time, the form creation unit 13 passes the supplier company name acquired from the order data to the specification unit 14 (for example, "AAA Co., Ltd."). When the order data is inputted by the method 1 or the method 2, the value 302 of the item corresponding to the supplier company name is specified from the order data file, and the form creation unit 13 acquires the supplier company name based on the text or numerical value (such as a company ID) of the value 302 of the item. The item name 301 of the supplier company name may be specified by searching the item name 301 for "supplier company name" in the order data file, or an area to be extracted may be set in advance for each file. When the order data is inputted by the method 3, the form creation unit 13 acquires the supplier company name based on the text entered in the input field 312 corresponding to the supplier company name item.

[0071] S4, S5: The identification unit 14 acquires template information of the document file associated with the supplier company name received from the document creation unit 13 from the template mapping table storage unit 16. The template mapping table storage unit 16 searches the supplier company name field with the supplier company name received from the document creation unit 13, and transmits the template information of the identified document file to the identification unit 14 (for example, "purchase order_AAA.docx").

[0072] S6: The specification unit 14 passes template information of the form file to the form creation unit 13 (for example, "purchase order_AAA.docx").

[0073] S7: The form creation unit 13 creates a form using the template information of the received form file. The template information of the form file includes information necessary for creating a form. The template information of the form file includes, for example, the necessary items of the order data, the display position of each item, and other format information. An item ID is assigned to each item in the template information of the form file, and the form creation unit 13 identifies an item ID that is the same as this item ID from the input data. The form creation unit 13 places the item value 302 of the identified item ID or the value of the input field 312 in each item of the template information of the form file to which the same item ID is assigned.

[0074] S8: The form creation unit 13 passes the created form file to the post-processing unit 15.

[0075] S9: The post-processing unit 15 requests the specification unit 14 to acquire destination information of the form. At this time, the post-processing unit 15 also transmits the supplier company name to the specification unit 14, similar to step S3.

[0076] S10, S11: The identifying unit 14 obtains destination information associated with the received supplier company name from the destination mapping table. The destination mapping table searches the supplier company name item for the supplier company name received from the post-processing unit 15, and transmits the identified destination information (e.g., "abc@example.com") to the identifying unit 14.

[0077] S12: The specification unit 14 transmits the acquired destination information (for example, “abc@example.com”) to the post-processing unit 15.

[0078] S13: The post-processing unit 15 executes other processes for the document file, if any. The other processes include, for example, a process of adding an electronic signature to the document file, compressing the file size, sending a review and approval request to a specified destination, and other image processing. In addition to the destination information for each supplier company name, necessary processes among the other processes described above may be stored in association with each other. This allows only the processes necessary for each company to be executed, and unnecessary processes to be omitted.

[0079] S14: The post-processing unit 15 transmits the form file created by the form creation unit 13 to the received destination information.

[0080] Through the above processing, the information processing system 10 can automatically identify template information for a form file from the input data, and automatically determine post-processing from the input data.

[0081] <Example of Workflow App settings> The processing of steps S1 to S14 can be realized by one workflow application in the information processing system 10. As shown in FIG. 11, the workflow application is composed of multiple components, including an IN component, a PROCESS component, and an OUT component. Here, the IN component accepts input of order data from a user, and the OUT component transmits a form file to a predetermined destination. In addition, the PROCESS component can perform the processing of steps S2 to S13 (such as creating a form). The processing of steps S1 to S14 in FIG. 10 can be realized by one workflow application in the information processing system 10.

[0082] Components constituting a workflow application will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating a workflow application and its constituent components.

[0083] An administrator can create a workflow application 110 that combines processes (components) that execute each process as a workflow and executes that series of processes. Here, examples of components include an IN component that executes processes related to input, generation, and acquisition of data, a PROCESS component that executes predetermined processes such as data processing and conversion, and an OUT component that executes processes related to data output and transmission. A workflow application can be composed of multiple IN components, multiple PROCESS components, and multiple OUT components, and one workflow application can also be composed of multiple components.

[0084] The IN component includes a process of acquiring data to be processed from the device 101 (such as the equipment 20 or the terminal device 30). For example, if the device 101 is an MFP or a camera, the process includes a process of acquiring electronic data by scanning or photographing a document or a subject. If the device 101 is a projector or a display, the process includes a process of acquiring image data being displayed. If the device 101 is a sensor, the process includes a process of acquiring a detection value of the sensor. If the device 101 is a storage server or a storage medium, the process includes a process of receiving or reading data. The IN component can acquire data in the information processing system 10 that realizes the workflow application, but may also acquire data from a storage device such as another workflow application or a server. For example, the IN component can request data managed by an application 103 other than the workflow application or a system 102 other than the information processing system 10 that realizes the workflow application from the application 103 or the system 102. In response to the request, the application 103 can acquire data managed by the application or a server corresponding to the application, and transmit the data to the requesting IN component. The IN component also includes a process for generating data by converting the data format, such as generating text data from image data.

[0085] The OUT component includes a process of outputting data from the device 101. For example, if the device 101 is an MFP, the process includes a process of printing electronic data on a medium. If the device 101 is a projector or a display, the process includes a process of displaying image data or outputting audio. If the device 101 is a storage server or a storage medium, the process includes a process of transmitting or storing data. In addition, the OUT component includes a process of notifying a predetermined destination of data or a result of processing. The OUT component can output data into the information processing system 10 that realizes the workflow application, but may also output data to an application 103 other than the workflow application or a system 102 other than the information processing system 10 that realizes the workflow application. For example, the OUT component can request the other application 103 or the other system 102 to manage the data or the result of processing in the other application 103 or the other system 102. In response to the request, the other application 103 can manage the received data or the result of processing, or transmit the data or the result of processing to be stored in a server corresponding to the other application 103.

[0086] For example, by combining multiple components, a Workflow App can achieve the following functions:

[0087] In the IN component, the MFP scans a document to generate image data. The PROCESS component performs character recognition processing on the image data to convert it into data such as numerical values ​​or text. The OUT component sends the converted data to a business management system, which is an example of another system. The business management system can generate management data by classifying data received from a workflow application or organizing it based on a preset input format. Note that in the PROCESS component, the information processing system 10 may classify data and generate management data. In this case, the OUT component transmits the classification results and management data to the business management system, and the business management system simply stores the classification results and management data received from the workflow application in a specified area.

[0088] The IN component also acquires data managed by the task management system. For example, the IN component acquires data such as setting information, numerical values, or text. Here, the IN component may request specific data from the task management system according to the setting, or may receive specific data managed by the task management system according to a request from the task management system. The PROCESS component generates management data by organizing or processing numerical values ​​or text based on the setting information. The OUT component transmits the management data to the task management system. The task management system stores the management data received from the workflow application in a specific area.

[0089] The work management system and the workflow application may be provided by different businesses and may be configured by different servers. Therefore, when the workflow application transmits or receives data to or from the work management system, the workflow application can transmit or receive data by communicating with the server that constitutes the work management system.

[0090] <Major Effects> The information processing system 10 of this embodiment can automatically select a form file from input data and automatically determine post-processing after creating a form from the input data, so there is no risk of making a mistake in selecting a form file or post-processing, and the operational burden on the user can be reduced.

[0091] <Other application examples> The above describes the best mode for carrying out the present invention using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0092] For example, although the present embodiment has been described taking a purchase order as an example, the document may be an invoice, a receipt, a delivery note, an order confirmation, a purchase order, or the like.

[0093] In the present embodiment, the template information and destination information of the form file are specified by one item, namely, the supplier company name, but the template information and destination information of the form file may be specified by multiple items, such as, for example, the supplier company name and business establishment, the supplier company name and department name, etc.

[0094] Furthermore, the template information of the form file and the destination information may be specified by different information in the input data, for example, the template information of the form file may be specified by the product name and the destination information may be specified by the destination information.

[0095] In addition, since user information (user ID, name, department, etc.) related to the user is specified by login, at least one of the template information of the form file and the destination information may be specified by the user information. The template information or destination information of the form file that is not specified by the user information is specified by the input data.

[0096] Furthermore, multiple forms of template information or multiple destination information may be specified by the input data, and the user may select from among them. In other words, the form file template information and destination information do not all have to be automatically determined.

[0097] Moreover, the configuration examples in Fig. 5 and the like are divided according to main functions in order to facilitate understanding of the processing by the terminal device 30 and the information processing system 10. The present invention is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The processing by the terminal device 30 and the information processing system 10 can be divided into even more processing units depending on the processing content. Also, it can be divided so that one processing unit includes even more processes.

[0098] Additionally, the devices described in the examples are merely illustrative of one of several computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the information processing system 10 includes a plurality of computing devices, such as a server cluster, configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, and the like, and to implement the processes disclosed herein.

[0099] Furthermore, the information processing system 10 can be configured to share the processing steps disclosed in this embodiment, such as those shown in FIG. 10, in various combinations. For example, a process executed by a specific unit can be executed by multiple information processing devices included in the information processing system 10. Also, the information processing system 10 may be integrated into one server device, or may be divided into multiple devices.

[0100] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0101] <Additional Notes> [Appendix 1] An information processing system capable of communicating with a terminal device, a data input unit that receives input data or instruction information for inputting the input data from the terminal device; a specification unit that specifies template information of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a first correspondence table, and specifies post-processing of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a second correspondence table; a form creation unit that creates the form file using template information of the form file identified by the identification unit and the input data; a post-processing unit that executes post-processing of the document file identified by the identifying unit for the document file created by the document creation unit; An information processing system having the above configuration. [Appendix 2] 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data input unit accepts a file including the input data transmitted from the terminal device. [Appendix 3] The information processing system described in Appendix 1, wherein the data input unit receives information about a memory area in an external service system in which the input data is stored, and receives a file including the input data from the memory area of ​​the external service system. [Appendix 4] 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the data input unit accepts, as the input data, a numerical value or text entered into an input field of a Web page displayed by the terminal device. [Appendix 5] The form creation unit searches the file for an item name related to the destination, and acquires destination identification information corresponding to the item name related to the destination; The information processing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the identification unit identifies template information of the form file corresponding to the destination identification information based on the first correspondence table. [Appendix 6] The form creation unit searches the input data input on the Web page for an item name related to the destination, and acquires destination identification information of the input field corresponding to the item name related to the destination, The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the identification unit identifies template information of the form file corresponding to the destination identification information based on the first correspondence table. [Appendix 7] The identification unit identifies destination information of the document file associated with the destination identification information based on the second correspondence table. The information processing system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the post-processing unit transmits the form file created by the form creation unit to a destination indicated by the destination information as the post-processing. [Appendix 8] 8. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the input data is order data for ordering a product. [Appendix 9] In the second correspondence table, the destination identification information is associated with a post-processing that is not the destination information and that differs depending on the destination of the form file, The information processing system described in Appendix 7, wherein the post-processing unit performs the post-processing corresponding to the destination identification information on the report file, and then transmits the report file to a destination indicated by the destination information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10. Information Processing Systems 20 equipment 30 Terminal Equipment 40 External Service Systems 100 Service Delivery System [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0103] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-202023 A

Claims

1. An information processing system capable of communicating with a terminal device, a data input unit that receives input data or instruction information for inputting the input data from the terminal device; a specification unit that specifies template information of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a first correspondence table, and specifies post-processing of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a second correspondence table; a form creation unit that creates the form file using template information of the form file identified by the identification unit and the input data; a post-processing unit that executes post-processing of the document file identified by the identifying unit for the document file created by the document creation unit; An information processing system having the above configuration.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the data input unit receives a file including the input data transmitted from the terminal device.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the data input unit receives information on a storage area in an external service system in which the input data is stored, and receives a file including the input data from the storage area of ​​the external service system.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1 , wherein the data input unit accepts, as the input data, a numerical value or text inputted into an input field of a Web page displayed by the terminal device.

5. The form creation unit searches the file for an item name related to the destination, and acquires destination identification information corresponding to the item name related to the destination; 4. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the identifying unit identifies the template information of the form file corresponding to the destination identification information based on the first correspondence table.

6. The form creation unit searches the input data input on the Web page for an item name related to the destination, and acquires destination identification information of the input field corresponding to the item name related to the destination, The information processing system according to claim 4 , wherein the identifying unit identifies the template information of the form file corresponding to the destination identification information based on the first correspondence table.

7. The identification unit identifies destination information of the document file associated with the destination identification information based on the second correspondence table. The information processing system according to claim 5 , wherein the post-processing unit transmits the form file created by the form creation unit to a destination indicated by the destination information as the post-processing.

8. 2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the input data is order data for ordering a product.

9. in the second correspondence table, the destination identification information is associated with a post-processing that is not the destination information and that differs depending on the destination of the form file, The information processing system according to claim 7 , wherein the post-processing unit transmits the form file to a destination indicated by the destination information after performing the post-processing associated with the destination identification information on the form file.

10. A form creation method performed by an information processing system capable of communicating with a terminal device, comprising: A process in which a data input unit receives input data or instruction information for inputting the input data from the terminal device, the input data being to be input into a form file; a process in which an identification unit identifies template information of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a first correspondence table, and identifies post-processing of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a second correspondence table; a process in which a form creation unit creates the form file using template information of the form file identified by the identification unit and the input data; a post-processing unit performing post-processing of the form file identified by the identifying unit for the form file created by the form creation unit; A method for creating reports to do the following.

11. An information processing system capable of communicating with a terminal device, a data input unit that receives input data or instruction information for inputting the input data from the terminal device; a specification unit that specifies template information of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a first correspondence table, and specifies post-processing of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a second correspondence table; a form creation unit that creates the form file using template information of the form file identified by the identification unit and the input data; a post-processing unit that performs post-processing of the form file identified by the identification unit for the form file created by the form creation unit; A program to function as a

12. A service providing system in which a terminal device and an information processing system communicate with each other, The terminal device Transmitting input data or instruction information for inputting the input data to the information processing system; The information processing system includes: a data input unit that receives input data or instruction information for inputting the input data from the terminal device; a specification unit that specifies template information of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a first correspondence table, and specifies post-processing of the form file corresponding to the input data based on a second correspondence table; a form creation unit that creates the form file using template information of the form file identified by the identification unit and the input data; a post-processing unit that executes post-processing of the document file identified by the identifying unit for the document file created by the document creation unit; A service provision system having the above structure.

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