Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/JPWO2008084665A1/en
Timestamp: 2020-01-27 05:47:56
Document Index: 724991732

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 400', 'art 500', 'art 500', 'art 500', 'art 600', 'art 600', 'art 600', 'art 700', 'art 800']

JPWO2008084665A1 - Method and program for supporting data input for business processing - Google Patents
Method and program for supporting data input for business processing Download PDF
JPWO2008084665A1
JPWO2008084665A1 JP2008553050A JP2008553050A JPWO2008084665A1 JP WO2008084665 A1 JPWO2008084665 A1 JP WO2008084665A1 JP 2008553050 A JP2008553050 A JP 2008553050A JP 2008553050 A JP2008553050 A JP 2008553050A JP WO2008084665 A1 JPWO2008084665 A1 JP WO2008084665A1
JP2008553050A
JP4856722B2 (en
久俊 安達
2006-12-28 Priority to JP2006353887 priority
2007-12-21 Application filed by インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレーションＩｎｔｅｒｎａｔｉｏｎａｌ Ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ Ｍａｓｃｈｉｎｅｓ Ｃｏｒｐｏｒａｔｉｏｎ, インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレーションＩｎｔｅｒｎａｔｉｏｎａｌ Ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ Ｍａｓｃｈｉｎｅｓ Ｃｏｒｐｏｒａｔｉｏｎ filed Critical インターナショナル・ビジネス・マシーンズ・コーポレーションＩｎｔｅｒｎａｔｉｏｎａｌ Ｂｕｓｉｎｅｓｓ Ｍａｓｃｈｉｎｅｓ Ｃｏｒｐｏｒａｔｉｏｎ
2007-12-21 Priority to JP2008553050A priority patent/JP4856722B2/en
2010-04-30 Publication of JPWO2008084665A1 publication Critical patent/JPWO2008084665A1/en
2012-01-18 Publication of JP4856722B2 publication Critical patent/JP4856722B2/en
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for providing a method for supporting input of data necessary for performing business processing in a data processing system including an input user terminal and an input proxy user terminal. An input user terminal records terminal operations of an input user, and designates an input proxy user for at least one of input fields on an input screen for data necessary for business processing from the input user. receive. The input proxy user terminal uses the input reproduction file created based on the record of the input user's terminal operation to start the reproduction process of the operation in the input user terminal, and then stops the reproduction process. Waits to input data to be input to the input field assigned to the input proxy user. The input proxy user terminal transmits input data from the input proxy user.
The present invention relates generally to information processing technology, and more particularly to a method and program for supporting data input for business processing.
Web application systems have been widely introduced in recent enterprise systems. For example, in an advanced payment processing system that is a web application system, an employee inputs a route, transportation cost, accommodation cost, account code, etc. in input fields in an input screen displayed on a web browser. . When the input data is transmitted to the advanced payment processing application server, the advanced payment processing is performed.
Employees of companies that own such enterprise systems can use e-mail or instant messaging if they do not know or forget exactly some of the input items (for example, account code) required for reimbursement. Use a collaborative tool, such as messaging software, to carry out the advance payment process by checking with other employees.
However, in some cases, the confirmation work associated with the employee's data input can be a considerable cost for the entire company. From the above, it will be understood that there is a need for an information system that does not require the simple and troublesome confirmation work described above.
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-321937 discloses a component information management system for the purpose of improving the efficiency of component information input. In such a system, after receiving a part information input request for a new part, the part code management server responds to the part for which an e-mail requesting input of part information is input in response to an instruction from the administrator. Send to the vendor. When each vendor receives the electronic mail, each vendor accesses the mediation server from each vendor terminal. The mediation server provides the corresponding component information input screen to the accessed vendor. Each vendor inputs part information of the requested part from the part information input screen. The input component information is managed by the mediation server, confirmed by the administrator, and then registered in the component code management server.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-279166 discloses a system in which a user can easily obtain household account book data desired by the user without accessing the data providing organization related to the user. In such a system, a service request regarding household account book data from a user terminal is received by the service surrogate server, and the request data desired by the user is inquired to the data provider by the service surrogate server. collect. The collected data is edited into household account book data desired by the user and distributed to the user terminal. After the collection of data desired by the user is completed, the service termination is notified from the user terminal to the service surrogate server, and the edited household account book data is deleted.
JP 2005-321937 A JP 2002-279166 A
In order for some of the data to be input to an existing web application to be input by another person, it is necessary to prepare a workflow process template in advance or modify the existing web application. There is a possibility that the system configuration is inflexible, and the background technology has a problem that it is not possible to perform general input substitution for existing web applications.
Accordingly, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and program for supporting data input for business processing in an application server.
In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a method for supporting the input of data necessary for performing business processing in a data processing system including an input user terminal and an input proxy user terminal. The data processing system is preferably connected to an application server that performs the aforementioned business processing.
The method includes a step of starting recording of an input user's terminal operation and an input screen for data necessary for business processing, which are performed in the input user terminal, and includes one or more input fields and one or more input fields Displaying an input screen including an interface for designating an input proxy user in at least one of the input field and receiving an input proxy user designation for at least one of the one or more input fields from the input user.
The method further includes the step of starting the reproduction process of the operation on the input user terminal using the input reproduction file created based on the record of the terminal operation of the input user, which is performed in the input proxy user terminal, and the reproduction Stopping the process, waiting for the input proxy user to input data to be input to the input field assigned to the input proxy user, and from the input proxy user to the designated input field of the input proxy user Receiving the data input and transmitting the input data from the input proxy user.
The outline of the present invention has been described above as a method, but the present invention can also be understood as a data processing system, a program, or a program product. The program product can include, for example, a storage medium that stores the above-described program, or a medium that transmits the program.
FIG. 1 is a high-level overall schematic diagram illustrating an in-company network system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an agent server 110, clients 120a, 120b,... 120n (collectively referred to as “client 120” in this specification), a collaboration server, which are connected to each other via a network 130. 140, a user management server 150, a workflow server 160, and an application server 170.
The agent server 110 receives the designation of the input proxy user for one or more input fields included in the input screen for inputting data required by the application server 170 from the input user terminal 120a, and inputs the input accordingly. The agent server 110 generates the workflow process by generating a workflow process including the input proxy task to be performed by the proxy user, and transmits the command to the workflow server 160. The agent server 110 also includes the input proxy user. Provides an interface for performing input agency tasks. Further, the agent server 110 performs a proxy process using data input by the proxy processor at the input proxy user terminal. Details of functions and operations of the agent server 110 will be described later.
The client 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a personal computer given to each user. The client 120 includes a well-known web browser, and a user can operate the client 120 and interact with other computers connected to the network 130 through the browser. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, an extended function is added by downloading a browser plug-in from the agent server 110 to the client 120 and introducing it. Details of the extended function added by the plug-in will be described later.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the client 120 can employ Internet Explorer (trademark) provided by Microsoft Corporation or Firefox (trademark) provided by Mozilla Corporation as a browser. In this specification, the client 120 operated by the input user who inputs data in the hope of carrying out his own reimbursement payment processing is referred to as the “input user terminal 120a”, and the data input is performed on the request of the input user. The input proxy user client 120 is referred to as an “input proxy user terminal 120b”.
The collaboration server 140 provides a service for employees of the company that owns the network system 100 to exchange information with each other and perform collaboration. Specifically, the collaboration server 140 provides an instant messaging service, an e-mail service, and the like. In the embodiment of the present invention, the agent server 110 can exchange information with each client 120 using the service of the collaboration server 140.
The user management server 150 manages information related to users of the network system 100, such as e-mail addresses and other user IDs and passwords. The user management server 150 appropriately provides information managed by the user management server 150 to an application in an appropriate format through a network through a public API. Examples of such applications include instant messaging clients, email client software, and the like.
The workflow server 160 generates a workflow process based on the segmented task structure created from the model structure by the agent server 110, and further manages the generated workflow process. Details of the model structure, the subdivision task structure, and the contents and generation of the workflow process created by the workflow server 160 will be described later.
The application server 170 interacts with other computer devices of the system 100 and provides business services. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the application server 170 provides a reimbursement payment processing service such as transportation expenses necessary for an employee to perform business in the real world.
The network 130 is a communication path that connects the client 120, the agent server 120, and the application server 130, and can be realized by a LAN (Local Area Network) as an example. A network 130 that is a LAN connects systems using TCP / IP, which is a communication protocol well known to those skilled in the art.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the agent server 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The elements shown in the functional block diagrams of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are an information processing apparatus having a hardware configuration to be described later with reference to FIG. X, and an operating system and a computer program stored in the hard disk device 13 or the like. It can be realized by loading it into the main memory 4 and then reading it into the CPU 1 to cooperate hardware resources and software.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the agent server 120 includes a client communication unit 205, a server communication unit 210, a plug-in management unit 215, a model structure storage unit 220, a subdivision task structure generation unit 225, and a subdivision task structure storage unit. 230, a workflow control unit 235, an input operation storage unit 240, an input proxy user-specific reproduction processing unit 245, a proxy input value storage unit 250, a proxy processing control unit 255, and a browser 260.
The client communication unit 205 provides a function for communication between the client 120 including the input user terminal 120a and the input proxy user terminal 120b and the agent server 110. The server communication unit 210 provides a function for communication between the server group connected to the network 130 and the agent server 110 including the collaboration server 140, the user management server 150, the workflow server 160, and the application server 170. To do.
The plug-in management unit 215 stores a plug-in program used together with the browser of the client 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and responds to the request of the client 120 to the client 120 through the client communication unit 210. I will provide a.
The model structure storage unit 220 stores the model structure received from the input user terminal 120a through the client communication unit 205. The subdivision task structure generation unit 225 generates a subdivision task structure based on the model structure stored in the model structure storage unit 220. The subdivision task structure generated by the subdivision task structure generation unit 225 is stored in the subdivision task structure storage unit 230. The contents of the model structure and the subdivision task structure and details of generation will be described later.
The workflow control unit 225 dynamically executes a workflow process including one or more input proxy tasks corresponding to an input proxy user who is assigned an input proxy based on the segmented task structure stored in the segmented task structure storage unit 230. A function to generate a command to be generated and to transmit to the workflow server 160 through the server communication unit 210 is provided. The workflow server 160 that has received such a command generates a workflow process, and then starts up the workflow process and manages the progress of the task. The contents of the workflow process generated by the workflow server 160 and details of generation will be described later.
The input operation storage unit 240 stores a record of the input user's terminal operation at the input user terminal 120a received from the input user terminal 120a through the client communication unit 205. The record of the terminal operation of the input user stored in the input operation storage unit 240 is used for the reproduction process in the input proxy user terminal 120b and the proxy process by the proxy process control unit 255.
In response to the request for the input reproduction file from the input proxy user terminal 120b that has received the input proxy task processing request, the input proxy user reproduction processing unit 245 displays a data input interface for the input field assigned to the input proxy user. An input reproduction file to be given is created and transmitted to the input proxy user terminal 120b.
The proxy input value storage unit 250 stores the proxy input value received through the client communication unit 205 from the input proxy user terminal 120b that has performed the input proxy task.
The proxy process control unit 255 automatically starts the proxy process on condition that all input proxy tasks are completed. Specifically, the proxy processing unit 255 creates a proxy processing file based on the record of the input operation stored in the input operation storage unit 240 and the proxy input value stored in the proxy input value storage unit 250. Further, the proxy processing control unit 255 can activate the browser 260 of the agent server 110. The browser 260 of the agent server 110 includes a plug-in similar to that installed in the client 110. The agent processing control unit 255 of the agent server 110 performs the advance payment adjustment process by interacting with the application server 170 in accordance with the agent processing file in the browser environment in which the plug-in is incorporated.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the client 120 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The client 120 includes an input unit 305, a display unit 310, a browser 315, a plug-in 320, and a server communication unit 325.
The input unit 305 has a function of receiving input from the user of the client 120 using the keyboard 6 and the mouse 7. The display unit 310 has a function of displaying information on the display device 11 or the like in order to present information to the user of the client 120. The server communication unit 325 has a function of communicating with a server computer connected to the network 130 such as the agent server 110.
The browser 315 is application software for browsing an electronic document such as a web page. In the embodiment of the present invention, the browser 315 can download and display a file or the like according to HTML or XML format from a server on the network. The browser 310 can transmit data to the server using the input screen displayed by the user. The browser 315 can be expanded in function by incorporating a small program called a plug-in.
In the embodiment of the present invention, as described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, as the browser 315, Internet Explorer (trademark) provided by Microsoft Corporation or Firefox (trademark) provided by Mozilla Corporation is used. Existing web browsers can be employed.
The plug-in 320 is a small program for providing an additional function to the browser 315. In the embodiment of the present invention, the user of the client 120 downloads and installs the plug-in 320 from the agent server 120. The plug-in technology itself is well-known in the technical field of web browsers and will not be described in detail here.
The plug-in 320 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a model structure generation unit 330, a model structure storage unit 335, an input operation acquisition unit 340, an input operation storage unit 345, a reproduction processing unit 350, a reproduction file storage unit 355, and a substitute input value acquisition. Unit 360, proxy input value storage unit 365, and browser interface control unit 370.
The model structure generation unit 330 generates a model structure including an input screen ID, an input field ID, and an input proxy user ID in response to an input proxy user being specified for an input field included in the input screen. The model structure recording unit 335 stores the model structure generated by the model structure generation unit 330. The model structure recorded in the model structure recording unit 335 is transmitted to the agent server 110 through the server communication unit 325, and used to generate a subdivision task structure.
The input operation acquisition unit 340 acquires all the user terminal operations performed on the browser 315 of the client 120 on the condition that the recording of the user terminal operations of the client 120 is started. The input operation storage unit 345 records the user's terminal operation acquired by the input operation acquisition unit 340. In the embodiment of the present invention, the user's terminal operation recorded in the input operation storage unit 345 is transmitted to the agent server 110, and the agent server 120 reproduces the operation performed on the client 120 later. Used for.
The reproduction processing unit 350 receives an input proxy task processing request from the agent server 110, and in response to the input proxy user accepting the request, the reproduction processing unit 350 sends an input reproduction file request to the agent server 110 through the server communication unit 210. Send. The input reproduction file storage unit 355 stores an input reproduction file that provides a data input interface for the input field assigned to the input proxy user received by the server communication unit 325 as a response to the request for the input reproduction file. In addition, the reproduction processing unit 350 executes the input reproduction file stored in the input reproduction file storage unit 355 in the browser 315.
The proxy input value acquisition unit 360 acquires the proxy input value input by the input proxy user in the input field assigned with the input proxy, which is included in the input screen displayed on the display unit 305. The input value recording unit 365 temporarily records the proxy input value acquired by the proxy input value acquisition unit 360. The proxy input value recorded in the proxy input value recording unit 365 is transmitted to the agent server 110 through the server communication unit 325.
The browser interface control unit 370 controls an interface in the browser 315. Specifically, for example, the browser interface control unit 370 specifies the input proxy user from the input screen received from the application server 170 in response to the input proxy mode being selected in the client 120. An input screen including the interface is generated and displayed on the display unit 310.
FIG. 4 is a first flowchart 400 representing the operation of the input user terminal 120a in the data processing system 100 according to the embodiment of this invention. The process starts in step 405. In step 410, the plug-in stored in the plug-in management unit 215 of the agent server 110 in response to each request of the client 120 including the input user terminal 120a and the input proxy user terminal 120b. A program is downloaded and installed on the client 120. It should be noted that such plug-ins need only be implemented once for each client 120 and do not always have to be performed each time business processing is performed in the application server 170.
The process proceeds to step 415, and the browser environment of the input user terminal 120a is activated, for example, when the input user double-clicks an icon representing a web browser existing on the desktop screen of the display device of the input user terminal 120a. The
Next, in step 420, in response to a predetermined operation of the input user, for example, in response to the input user pressing the “operation record start button” added to the browser by the browser interface control unit 370 of the plug-in Recording of an input operation on the input user's browser on the user terminal 120a is started. That is, all input operations of the input user on the browser of the input user terminal 120a thereafter are recorded in the input user terminal 120a.
Next, in step 425, the input user operates the input user terminal 120a to request the application server 170 for the advance payment settlement process, and displays the received input screen as a response on the display device. In the embodiment of the present invention, the input screen presented to the input user in this manner includes one or more input fields for inputting data items necessary for performing the advance payment settlement process.
The process proceeds to step 430, and the input user operates the input user terminal 120a to input the selection of the normal mode / input proxy mode. The normal mode is a mode in which the input user performs data input necessary for the advance payment settlement process in the application server 170 for all input items. The input proxy mode is a mode in which another employee is requested to input data for at least one of the input items for data input required for the advance payment settlement process in the application server 170.
When the normal mode is selected in step 435, the process proceeds from the arrow of NO to step 440, and the normal reimbursement process existing from the past is performed based on the interaction between the application server 170 and the input user terminal 120a. Is done. Such ordinary business processing is known to those skilled in the art as appropriate and will not be described in detail here.
On the other hand, if the input proxy mode is selected in step 435, the process proceeds from the YES arrow to step 445, symbol (A), and further through symbol (A) to step 505, which is an element of flowchart 500 in FIG. move on.
FIG. 5 is a second flowchart 500 representing the operation of the input user terminal 120a in the data processing system 100 according to the embodiment of this invention. In step 505, the browser interface control unit 370 of the plug-in of the input user terminal 120a displays an input screen including an interface for designating an input proxy user on the condition that the input proxy mode is selected. Based on the input screen itself received from the server 170, the generated input screen is displayed on the browser of the display device.
Next, in step 510, the input user operates the input user terminal 120a to read that “actual value (formally conforms to the specification of data necessary for business processing of the application server 170 and the input user is accurate. "Reliable value)" or "designation of input proxy user" is input to one of the input fields included in the input screen displayed in step 505. When “designation of input proxy user” is input, the input user may indicate that the “provisional value (formally conforms to the specification of data necessary for the business processing of the application server 170, but may not be accurate. A certain value) "in the input field.
More specifically, in step 510, the browser interface control unit 370 of the input user terminal 120a communicates with the user management server 150 to display a selection list of input proxy users and input the input user from the selection list. Receive the selection of an alternate user. FIG. 15 is an example of a window interface including a selection list for designating an input proxy user in the embodiment of the present invention. In the window 1300 of FIG. 13, a selection list 1320 for selecting an input proxy user is displayed for the input field 1310 into which the imposed department code is to be input.
Processing proceeds to step 515 where it is determined whether an input proxy user has been designated for the input field at step 510. If it is determined in step 515 that an input proxy user has been designated, the process proceeds to step 520 through the YES arrow, and marking is performed to represent the input proxy user specified in the input field. FIG. 16 is an example of an input screen on which marking of a designated input proxy user is performed in the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 14, the marking 1410 by the browser interface control unit 370 of the input user terminal 120a is added to the designated input field.
Further, the process proceeds to step 525, and the input user terminal 120a determines the input proxy user specified by the input user in step 510, the input field specifying the input proxy user, and the input screen including the input field as described in detail below. Record structure 1000.
FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a model structure 1000 recorded in the input user terminal in the data processing system according to the embodiment of this invention. The model structure 1000 has a hierarchical data structure (specifically, a tree structure) including a business process ID 1010, input screen IDs 1020a-n, input field IDs 1030a-n, and an input proxy user ID 1040. In the present specification, the input screen IDs 1020a to 1020n and the input field IDs 1030a to 10n are collectively referred to as an input screen ID 1020 and an input field ID 1030, respectively.
The root of the tree structure of the model structure 1000 is a business process ID 1010 for specifying the business process requested by the input user to the application server 160. It is pre-assigned to each business process in advance, and in the embodiment of the present invention, the business process ID assigned to the current reimbursement claim process is recorded.
The model structure 1000 includes one or more inputs for specifying an input screen for inputting data necessary for executing the business process specified by the business process ID in a hierarchy one level lower than the business process ID. It has a screen ID 1020. In the embodiment of the present invention, only the input screen ID of the input screen including the input field designated by the input proxy user is included in the model structure. In the embodiment of the present invention, the input screen ID 1020 for specifying the input screen is the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the corresponding input screen.
The model structure 1000 has an input field ID included in the input screen specified by the input screen ID in the hierarchy one level lower than the input screen ID 1020. In the embodiment of the present invention, only the input field ID of the input field designated by the input proxy user is included in the model structure. The input field ID 1030 is the XPath of the corresponding input field.
The model structure 1000 has an input proxy user ID 1040 for identifying the designated input proxy user at a level immediately below the input field ID 1030. In the embodiment of the present invention, the input field ID 1030 and the input proxy user ID 1040 are associated one-on-one. In the embodiment of the present invention, the input proxy user ID 1040 is the mail address of the corresponding designated proxy proxy user.
Returning to the flowchart 500 of FIG. 5, after the model structure is recorded in step 525, the process proceeds to step 530. Also, if it is determined in step 515 that an input proxy user has not been designated, that is, it is determined that an actual value has been input, the process proceeds to step 530 through the NO arrow.
In step 530, it is determined whether there is an input field that has not been input on the currently displayed input screen. If it is determined in step 530 that an input field that has not been input exists, the process returns to step 510 through the YES arrow, and steps 510 to 525 do not exist for an input field that has not been input. The model record is appropriately added to the input field designated by the input proxy user in the process.
If it is determined in step 530 that there is an input field that has not been input, the process proceeds to step 535 through a NO arrow, and whether there is still a screen for inputting data necessary for executing the advance payment settlement process. Whether it is determined.
In addition, as a reason for inputting data necessary for the advance payment adjustment process using a plurality of input screens in this way, for example, the transportation cost is input on the first input screen, and the food and drink is input on the second input screen. A design method for frequently used application programs that may contribute to the realization of a more user-friendly interface, such as entering expenses and entering accommodation expenses on the third input screen. It is.
In response to the determination in step 535, the input user operates the input user terminal 120a to input the selection of “go to next screen” or “execution reservation”. FIG. 17 is an example of an interface for inputting selection of “go to next screen” or “execution reservation” in the embodiment of the present invention. In the interface of FIG. 15, the input user selects “go to next screen” or “execution reservation” from the selection list 1510 displayed by the browser interface control unit 370 of the input user terminal 120a.
If it is determined in step 535 that the input screen still remains, the process proceeds to step 540 through the YES arrow, and “Proceed to next screen” is selected. Next, in step 545, in response to the selection of “go to next screen” being selected, input data including the provisional value (if any) input in step 510 is transmitted to application server 170, and the next screen is displayed. Request data.
The process proceeds to step 550, and the input user terminal 120 a receives data of the next input screen requested in step 545 from the application server 170. Thereafter, the process returns to Step 505, and there is no screen for inputting data necessary for Steps 505 to 550 to execute the advance payment adjustment processing on the input screen based on the data received in Step 550. Repeat until.
If it is determined in step 535 that there are no more input screens, the process proceeds to step 555 through the NO arrow and “execution reservation” is selected. Next, the process proceeds to Step 560, and the input user terminal 120a transmits the model structure 1000 including the information specified by the input proxy user to the agent server 110. In step 560, the input user terminal 120a also transmits to the agent server 110 information regarding the current business process (that is, the advance payment process) among the record of the terminal operation of the input user that started the recording in step 420 described above. . Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 565 and ends.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 for explaining the operation for preparing the input proxy task process including the generation of the workflow process in the embodiment of the present invention. The process starts in step 605. In step 610, the agent server 110 receives the model structure 1000 transmitted by the input user terminal 120a in step 560 described above. Next, in step 615, the agent server 110 interprets the received model structure 1000 and generates a subdivision task structure 1100.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a subdivision task structure 1100 generated by the agent server 110 in the data processing system according to the embodiment of this invention. The subdivision task structure 1100 has a hierarchical data structure (specifically, a tree structure) including a user task ID 1110, an input proxy user ID 1120, a business process ID 1130, input screen IDs 1140a to n, and input field IDs 1150a to n. . In this specification, the input screen IDs 1140a to 1140n and the input field IDs 1150a to n are collectively referred to as an input screen ID 1140 and an input field ID 1150, respectively.
The root of the tree structure of the subdivision task structure 1100 is an input proxy task ID 1110 for specifying an input proxy task assigned to each input proxy user. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that input proxy task IDs 1110 are generated as many as the number of input proxy user IDs existing in the model structure 1000 received by the agent server 110 and recorded as the root of the subdivision task structure 1100. .
The subdivision task structure 1100 is generated from the input proxy user ID 1120 for identifying one input proxy user who should execute the task concerned and the business process ID 1010 of the model structure 1000 in the hierarchy one level below the input proxy task ID 1110. One business process ID 1130 is included.
The subdivision task structure 1100 has an input screen ID 1140 at a level immediately below the business process ID 1130, and an input field ID 1150 at a level below the input screen ID 1140. The input screen ID 1140 and the input field ID 1150 of the subdivision task structure 1100 are generated from the input screen ID 1020 and the input field ID 1030 of the model structure 1000, respectively, but are related to the input proxy user ID 1120 included in the subdivision task structure 1100. Only what to do is extracted and recorded.
The description returns to the flowchart 600 of FIG. 6. In step 620, the agent server 110 includes one or more contents in which an input proxy user who is assigned an input field to be input proxy inputs data to the input field. Instructions for dynamically generating a workflow process 1200 including an input substitution task are generated.
Processing proceeds to step 620 and agent server 110 sends an instruction to dynamically generate workflow process 1200 generated at step 615 to workflow server 160 along with the segmented task structure 1100 generated at step 615. To do.
Next, in step 630, the workflow server 160 receives the instructions for dynamically generating the workflow process 1200 and the subdivision task structure 1100, and in response, subdivides the workflow process 1200 in step 635. Generated based on task structure 1100. In an embodiment of the present invention, in step 635, the generated workflow process 1200 is also activated.
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining a workflow process 1200 generated by the workflow server in the data processing system according to the embodiment of this invention. The workflow process 1200 includes a start step 1210, a multicast step 1220, one or more input proxy tasks 1230a-n (collectively referred to as input proxy tasks 1230), each of which is processed in parallel, an aggregation step 1240, and an end step 1250. Shall be.
In accordance with the workflow process 1200, the corporate network system 100 operates as follows. When the workflow process 1200 is activated, the workflow process starts from the start step 1210. In the multicast step 1220, for each of the input proxy tasks 1230, the input proxy task of the assigned input proxy user is input to the input proxy user terminal. A processing request is sent. Thereafter, an input proxy task is performed at the input proxy user terminal, and input data input by the input proxy user on behalf of the agent server 110 is transmitted.
Next, the process proceeds to the aggregation step 1240 on the condition that all the input proxy tasks 1230 have been completed, specifically, that the completion notification has been received for all the input proxy tasks from the agent server 110 that has received the input data. . In the aggregation step 1240, after transmitting a substitute processing start instruction to the agent server 110, the process proceeds to an end step 1250, and the workflow process ends.
The description returns to the flowchart 600 of FIG. 6. In step 640, the agent server uses the collaboration system 140 to specify a processing request for an input proxy task that includes inputting data into the corresponding input field. To the input proxy user terminal of the input proxy user.
Further, the process proceeds to step 645, and the agent server transmits an execution reservation completion notification to the input user terminal 120a for notifying that the execution reservation of the input user is completed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 650 and ends.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 for explaining the operation of the proxy input task process according to the embodiment of the present invention. The process starts in step 705. In step 710, the input proxy user terminal 120b receives the input proxy task processing request transmitted by the agent server 110 in step 640 described above.
In response to receiving the input proxy task processing request, the input proxy user terminal 120b receives data input from the designated input proxy user into the corresponding input field, and receives the input proxy task. The processing of the assigned input proxy task 1230 is started. Specifically, the input proxy user performs an input proxy task process through the following steps.
First, in step 715, the agent server 110 is requested for an input reproduction file for artificially reproducing the operation of the input user at the input user terminal 120a by the input proxy user terminal 120b.
Next, in step 720, the proxy user-specific reproduction processing unit 245 of the agent server 110 subdivides the input reproduction file requested by the input proxy user terminal 120b in step 715 into the segmentation task structure storage unit 230. It is generated based on the task structure and the record of the input operation stored in the input operation storage unit 240. In the generated input reproduction file, the operation performed by the input user at the input user terminal 120a, the input field assigned to the input substitution user who requested the input reproduction file, and the assigned input field are input to the input substitution user. The information of the stop point of the reproduction process necessary for this is included.
Further, in step 725, the input proxy user terminal 120b uses the input reproduction file to reproduce the operation of the input user on the input user terminal 120a in a pseudo manner. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the reproduction process is performed by an interaction with the application server 170 through the agent server 110. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is assumed that the reproduction process is performed in the background (that is, only inside the computer so as not to be visually recognized by the input proxy user).
The process proceeds to step 730, where the plug-in incorporated in the web browser of the input proxy user terminal 120b introduced in step 410 described above can input only the input field to be input by the input proxy user. And waits for data input to the input field of the input proxy user. FIG. 16 is an example of an input screen in which only the input field to be input by the input agent in the embodiment of the present invention can be input. In the input screen 1600 of FIG. 16, the browser interface control unit 370 of the input user terminal 120 a is changed so that the portion 1610 other than the input field 1620 to which the input proxy user should input data has been changed to a dark color and cannot be input. Please note that
The process proceeds to step 735, and the input proxy user inputs data to the input field that can be input on the input screen that is displayed in step 730 and that can be input only by the input proxy user.
Next, in step 740, it is determined whether there are still input fields assigned to the input proxy user. If it is determined in step 740 that there are still input fields assigned to the input proxy user, the process returns to step 725 through the YES arrow, and steps 725 to 735 are repeated for the remaining input fields.
If it is determined in step 740 that there are no more input fields assigned to the input proxy user, the process proceeds to step 745 through a NO arrow. In step 745, the input proxy user terminal 120b transmits the input data input by the input proxy user to the agent server 110 through the loop of steps 725 to 735.
Next, in step 750, in response to receiving the input data transmitted from the input proxy user terminal 120b in step 745, the agent server 110 notifies the workflow server 160 of completion of the corresponding input proxy task. Send. In step 755, the agent server 110 generates an input proxy task completion screen and transmits it to the input proxy user terminal 120b. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 760 and ends.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 for explaining the operation of the proxy processing in the embodiment of the present invention. The process starts in step 805, and in step 810, the workflow server 160 receives the completion notification of the input proxy task transmitted by the agent server 110 in step 750 described above.
The process proceeds to step 815, and the workflow server 160 determines whether all the input proxy tasks 1230 have been completed. If it is determined in step 815 that the processing has not been completed, the processing returns to step 810. If all tasks are completed in step 815 (specifically, completion notifications are received from the agent server 110 for all proxy processing tasks), the process proceeds to step 820, and the workflow server 160 starts the proxy processing. A command is generated and transmitted to the agent server 110.
Next, in response to the agent server 110 receiving the proxy processing start command, the proxy server performs the proxy processing for the business processing using the data input by the proxy processor. . Specifically, the proxy server 110 performs the proxy process according to the following steps.
First, in step 825, the agent server 110 starts a proxy processing process in response to receiving the proxy processing start command. Subsequently, in step 830, the agent server 110 replaces the provisional value of the record of the input operation with the actual value input by the proxy processor, and creates a proxy processing file that records the procedure for performing the proxy processing in the browser environment. To do. Thereafter, in step 835, the agent server 110 activates a browser environment for executing the proxy processing file.
The agent server 110 executes the proxy processing file in the browser environment activated in step 835 and performs the proxy processing through interaction with the application server 170. Subsequently, in step 845, the agent server 110 stores the final screen received last from the application server 170 in the proxy process.
The process proceeds to step 850, and the agent server 110 transmits a proxy process completion notification to the input user terminal. The completion notification of the proxy process transmitted in step 850 includes a link to the final screen of the proxy process stored in step 845, and the input user further indicates that the business process has been completed by viewing the final screen. Information can be confirmed. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 855 and ends.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus suitable for realizing the client and the server according to the embodiment of the present invention. The information processing apparatus includes a CPU (central processing unit) 1 and a main memory 4 connected to the bus 2. Removable storage (external storage system capable of exchanging recording media) such as hard disk devices 13, 30 and CD-ROM devices 26, 29, flexible disk device 20, MO device 28, DVD device 31 is a floppy (registered trademark). ) It is connected to the bus 2 via the disk controller 19, the IDE controller 25, the SCSI controller 27, and the like.
The information processing apparatus is connected to a network via a network adapter 18 (Ethernet (registered trademark) card or token ring card) or the like, and can communicate with another computer or the like. Although not shown in the figure, it is possible to connect to a printer via a parallel port or a modem via a serial port.
As described above, the information processing apparatus suitable for realizing the system according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized by an information processing apparatus such as a normal personal computer, a workstation, a main frame, or a combination thereof. It will be easily understood. However, these constituent elements are examples, and not all the constituent elements are essential constituent elements of the present invention.
A client and a server according to an embodiment of the present invention are a UNIX (registered trademark) system including a Windows (registered trademark) operating system provided by Microsoft Corporation, a MacOS (R) provided by Apple Computer Incorporated, and an X Window System. An operating system that supports a GUI (Graphical User Interface) multi-window environment, such as a system (eg, AIX® provided by International Business Machines Corporation) may be employed.
From the above, it can be understood that the system used in the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to a specific operating system environment. In other words, any operating system may be employed as long as it can provide a resource management function that allows application software or the like to use resources of the data processing system. The resource management function may include a hardware resource management function, a file handle function, a spool function, a job management function, a storage protection function, a virtual storage management function, etc., but these functions are well known to those skilled in the art. Since it is known, detailed description is omitted.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above-described embodiment. For example, in the embodiment of the present invention, a collaboration server, a user management server, a workflow server, etc. are prepared as servers different from the agent server, but these are logically divided on the same chassis hardware. These servers may be implemented in a separate partition, or some or all of the functions provided by these servers necessary for the implementation of the present invention may be implemented as software components installed in the agent server. it can.
In the embodiment of the present invention, a selection list is used by communicating with the user management server to select an input proxy user for the input user, but the input proxy user that matches a specific notation method defined in advance in the input field On the condition that is specified, the plug-in can capture and interpret it, and specify the agent's specification.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the normal mode / input proxy mode is explicitly selected by the input user, but the input proxy mode is provided on the condition that the plug-in captures that it matches the specific notation described above. It can also be determined that is selected. In that case, it is preferable that the plug-in redirects data transmission to the application server or the like to the agent server as necessary. In addition, the reproduction process is performed in the background in the embodiment of the present invention, but may be performed in the foreground in order to give the input proxy user more information necessary for the proxy input.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the reproduction process in the proxy input user terminal is performed by interaction with the application server. However, the input user terminal records the input screen data in HTML / XML format and sends it to the agent server, and the agent server needs to interact with the application server using the received input screen data. Thus, it is possible to provide an input proxy user with an interface for processing the input proxy task.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the input user inputs the temporary value together with the designation of the input proxy user. For example, the plug-in automatically inputs the temporary value based on the input field attribute, the past input history, and the like. You may make it allocate.
In the embodiment of the present invention, the proxy processing file is executed in the browser environment of the agent server, but the agent server remotely operates the input user terminal and the proxy processing is executed in the browser environment of the input user terminal. It can also be made.
It should be noted that the embodiments added with the changes or improvements described above are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
1 is a high-level overall schematic diagram illustrating a data processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the agent server by embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the client by embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st flowchart expressing operation | movement of the input user terminal in the data processing system of embodiment of this invention. It is a 2nd flowchart expressing operation | movement of the input user terminal in the data processing system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement of the preparation of an input proxy task process in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the input proxy task process in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement of the proxy process in embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed an example of the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus suitable for implement | achieving the client and server by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the model structure recorded on the input user terminal in the data processing system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the segmentation task structure in the data processing system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the workflow process in the data processing system of embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the interface containing the selection list | wrist for designating the input proxy user in embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the input screen in which marking of the designated input proxy user in embodiment of this invention was implemented. It is an example of the interface for inputting selection of "go to the next screen" or "execution reservation" in the embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the input screen which enabled input only the input field which the input agent in the embodiment of this invention should input.
In a data processing system including an input user terminal and an input proxy user terminal, a method for supporting input of data necessary for performing business processing,
The input user terminal starts recording a terminal operation of the input user;
The input user terminal is an input screen for data necessary for the business process, and includes an interface for designating an input proxy user in at least one of one or more input fields and the one or more input fields A step of displaying an input screen;
The input user terminal receiving an input proxy user designation for at least one of the one or more input fields from the input user;
The input proxy user terminal using an input reproduction file created based on a record of the terminal operation of the input user, and starting an operation reproduction process in the input user terminal;
Waiting for the input proxy user terminal to stop the reproduction process and for the input proxy user to input data to be input to the input field assigned to the input proxy user;
The input agent user terminal receives data input from the input agent user in the input field designated by the input agent user;
The input proxy user terminal transmitting input data from the input proxy user;
The method according to claim 1, wherein the waiting step includes a step of displaying an input screen in which only input fields to be input by the input proxy user can be input.
The operation performed by the input user at the input user terminal, information on the input field assigned to the input agent user, and the stop point of the reproduction process necessary for causing the input agent user to input the input field assigned to the input agent user The method of claim 1, comprising:
The method according to claim 1, wherein the data processing system is network-connected with an application server, and the business process is executed in the application server.
The data processing system is network-connected to an agent server,
The input user terminal sends the input proxy user designation to the agent server;
The agent server sends a processing request for an input proxy task including inputting data into the corresponding input field to the input proxy user terminal.
The input user terminal further comprising recording a model structure including an input screen ID, an input field ID, and an input proxy user ID;
The method according to claim 1, wherein the input reproduction file is created based on a record of terminal operations of the input user and the model structure.
A program for supporting the input of data necessary for carrying out business processing.
Starting to record input user terminal operations;
A step of displaying an input screen for data necessary for the business process, including an input screen for specifying an input proxy user in at least one of the one or more input fields and the one or more input fields When,
Receiving an input proxy user designation for at least one of the one or more input fields from the input user;
Starting an operation reproduction process on another client computer using an input reproduction file created based on a record of a user's terminal operation on the other client computer;
Stopping the reproduction process and waiting for the input proxy user to input data to be input to the input field assigned to the input proxy user;
Receiving data input from the input proxy user in a designated input field of the input proxy user;
Transmitting input data from the input proxy user;
JP2008553050A 2006-12-28 2007-12-21 Method and program for supporting data input for business processing Expired - Fee Related JP4856722B2 (en)
JP2008553050A JP4856722B2 (en) 2006-12-28 2007-12-21 Method and program for supporting data input for business processing
JPWO2008084665A1 true JPWO2008084665A1 (en) 2010-04-30
JP4856722B2 JP4856722B2 (en) 2012-01-18
JP2008553050A Expired - Fee Related JP4856722B2 (en) 2006-12-28 2007-12-21 Method and program for supporting data input for business processing
US10430740B2 (en) * 2016-06-10 2019-10-01 One Trust, LLC Data processing systems for calculating and communicating cost of fulfilling data subject access requests and related methods
JP2003280946A (en) * 2002-03-20 2003-10-03 Ricoh Co Ltd Information processing apparatus, recording and reproduction method of operation history, program and recording medium
JP2004334379A (en) * 2003-05-01 2004-11-25 Ricoh Co Ltd Workflow system, program, and storage medium
US20100333012A1 (en) 2010-12-30
JP2005521166A (en) 2005-07-14 Method and system for printing via email
DE10236188A1 (en) 2003-02-27 Web-based imaging service that converts web pages into content on behalf of another website