JP7481836B2 - Information processing device, program, information processing method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device , a program, an information processing method, and an information processing system .

As is well known, in information processing that includes a data compilation process and a processing process, the data files used in the compilation process may differ from those used in the processing process, i.e., the formats of the data files may differ. For example, in information processing related to building maintenance, there may be a data compilation department that reads meters and compiles data, a management department that manages the compilation results by the data compilation department and calculates fees, and a sales department that issues invoices based on the fees calculated by the management department, and each department uses a different format of data files. In other words, since the work content differs for each department, data files appropriate for each work are used.

In this way, if the data file formats differed between departments, each time a data file was moved between departments, the person in charge had to manually re-enter the data into a data file in the appropriate format for the department. This not only placed a heavy burden on the person in charge, but also risked errors.

Patent No. 6514390

The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide an information processing device , program, information processing method, and information processing system that are capable of accurately inputting data entered into a data file of one format into a data file of another format.

The computer program of the embodiment causes a computer to function as a first display means, a reception means, a second display means, and a copy means. The first display means displays a first data file and a second data file. The reception means receives an operation from an operator to specify a first input field displayed on the first data file and a second input field displayed on the second data file. The second display means displays a link indicating that the first input field and the second input field are linked based on the operation received by the reception means. The copy means inputs a character string in the first input field into the second input field when the first input field and the second input field are displayed as linked.

1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system including an information processing device according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of the portable terminal device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of the information processing device shown in FIG. 1 . 4 is a flowchart for explaining a link setting process of the information processing device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of linkage information. 4A to 4C are diagrams showing examples of images displayed during processing by the information processing device shown in FIG. 1 . 4 is a flowchart for explaining a data copy process of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of the server shown in FIG. 1 .

Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 shows a configuration of an information processing system including an information processing device and a computer program according to an embodiment. In the following description, the information processing device and the computer program are applied to meter management in building maintenance as an example.

In this example, we will explain a case where there are three departments involved in meter management: a meter reading department, a management department, and a sales department. The meter reading department is a department in which meter readers check the values indicated by the meter and create meter reading slip data by entering those values. The management department is a department in which aggregating a large amount of the meter reading slip data creates aggregated data. The sales department is a department in which invoice data is created based on the aggregated data compiled by the management department.

As shown in FIG. 1, this information processing system is a system that realizes cloud computing and includes a portable terminal device 100, a wireless base station 200, an information processing device 300, an information processing device 400, a server 500, and a network 600, and processes information obtained from meters MT1 to MTn installed in or near the building to be managed.

Meters MT1 to MTn are expected to show numerical values related to infrastructure, such as electricity usage, water usage, amount of water discharged into the sewer system, gas usage, and numerical values showing the operating status of equipment that uses these, but they may also show numerical values other than these.

Each meter also has a two-dimensional barcode printed or attached as a sticker on the surface that displays the numerical values. This two-dimensional barcode contains identification information indicating an identification number and attributes (electricity, gas, water, supply company, installation location, manufacturing date and time, installation date and time, specifications indicating performance, etc.) that are uniquely assigned to the meter, and the identification information can be decoded using a specified algorithm. Note that instead of a two-dimensional barcode, the identification information may be the identification number itself or a character string indicating the attributes, printed or engraved near the displayed value so that it can be directly seen, or the two-dimensional barcode and some or all of the information may be displayed overlapping each other.

Each meter may display values in either an analog or digital format. In the case of a digital meter, for example, multiple seven-segment displays showing numbers from 0 to 9 may be used, and a one-digit number (meter reading) may be displayed according to the amount of electricity or other usage and the operating status of the equipment. In the case of an analog meter, for example, a mechanical type using multiple number wheels with numbers from 0 to 9 written on them may be used, and a direct-reading type may be used in which the number wheels rotate according to the amount of usage to display a multi-digit number (meter reading).

Next, the portable terminal device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.
The portable terminal device 100 is a terminal used by a meter reader in the meter reading department, and is a portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop personal computer, etc. As shown in Fig. 2, the portable terminal device 100 includes at least a communication unit 101, an input unit 102, a display unit 103, a camera 104, a storage unit 105, and a control unit 110, which are connected by a bus.

The communication unit 101 is a wireless communication interface that establishes a wireless communication link with the wireless base station 200 to communicate, and communicates with the server 500 via the wireless base station 200 and the network 600. The wireless communication corresponds to a communication method that matches the specifications of the wireless base station 200. Examples of this communication method include various standards such as wireless LAN (IEEE802.11 series), 3G, 3.9G (LTE (registered trademark), etc.), 4G, 5G, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc., but any of them may be used.

The input unit 102 is equipped with input devices such as a touch panel placed on the display unit 103 (described later) and key switches provided on the housing of the portable terminal device, and accepts various information and instructions from the meter reader. The touch panel allows input using a stylus or a finger, and various types of touch panels can be used, such as a capacitive type, a resistive film type, or a projected infrared type.

The display unit 103 provides visual information to the meter reader, and displays, for example, information input fields, software keys, and various images (photographs, CG (computer graphics) images). The information input fields and software keys are displayed in accordance with operations on the input unit 102 described above under the control of the control unit 110 described below. Various display devices can be used, such as a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel, and electronic paper.

Camera 104 is a digital camera equipped with an optical system such as a lens, an imaging unit equipped with an image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary MOS), and a signal processing unit that generates image data in a predetermined format (e.g., JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)) from the imaging signal obtained by the imaging unit, and is used to read numerical values displayed on meters MT1 to MTn and two-dimensional barcodes. Note that the control unit 110 keeps time, and additional information (e.g., Exif (Exchangeable image file format) data) indicating the date and time when the image was taken is added to the image data obtained by camera 104 and recorded.

The memory unit 105 stores the OS (Operating System) and application software of the control unit 110 described later, data generated in conjunction with the operation of the application software, various parameters, data input by meter readers, image data captured by the camera 104 (such as images of the meter reading value display surfaces of meters MT1 to MTn), and data acquired (downloaded) from the server 500 described later, and a combination of recording devices such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory such as SSD (Solid State Drive), and HDD (Hard Disk Drive) is provided according to the characteristics of the data.
The storage unit 105 also stores reading data 105a, meter reading template data 105b, and meter reading slip data 105c.

The reading data 105a is data in which an item name indicating the name of the meter reading value is associated with the meter reading value obtained by reading the meters MT1 to MTn, identification information such as the identification numbers and attributes of the meters MT1 to MTn, the time when the meter reading value was obtained (time of meter reading), etc.

The meter reading template data 105b is a data file downloaded from the server 500, and is a template (form) of meter reading report data. This template is mainly used by the meter reading department, and has a column (hereinafter referred to as the input column) for inputting the above-mentioned reading data 105a for each meter MT1 to MTn.

Meter reading slip data 105c is a data file of a meter reading slip created using meter reading template data 105b as a template. Each input field in meter reading template data 105b is given the item name of each input field, and meter reading values etc. corresponding to the item name in reading data 105a are entered. This meter reading slip data 105c is uploaded to server 500 and shared between departments.

The control unit 110 includes processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a chipset, RAM, ROM, etc., and controls each part of the mobile terminal device 100. The ROM stores firmware and setting values (various parameters). The CPU loads the OS and application software from the storage unit 105 into the RAM in accordance with the firmware, executes the OS and application software, and uses the RAM as a work area to realize various control functions.

The control unit 110 realizes at least the following as control functions. That is, by executing software, the control unit 110 functions as a communication control unit 111, an input control unit 112, a display control unit 113, an image processing unit 114, and a form data creation unit 115, which can function in cooperation with each other. Note that it is also possible to integrate some or all of these functions with other functions, or to explain them in a different way by dividing the above 111 to 115 into multiple separate functional blocks.

The communication control unit 111 controls the communication unit 101 to establish a wireless communication link with the wireless base station 200 according to a predetermined communication protocol, and further communicates with the server 500 via the network 600, for example, downloading data from the server 500 and uploading data to the server 500.

The input control unit 112 controls the input unit 102 to interpret the meter reader's requests from the meter reader's operations on the input unit 102, accept input of information (such as character strings), and capture image data captured by the camera 104.

The display control unit 113 controls the display unit 103 to display various information including images and a graphical user interface (hereinafter, GUI (Graphical User Interface)). Examples of GUI are the above-mentioned information input fields and software keys, and these displays correspond to inputs made through the input unit 102.

The image processing unit 114 performs, for example, optical character recognition (OCR) on the image data obtained by the camera 104, recognizes characters contained in the image, and outputs text data (converts image data into text data), and also decodes the two-dimensional barcode contained in the image to obtain information (e.g., meter identification information), associates this information with the text data, and records it in the memory unit 105.

More specifically, the image processing unit 114 reads the values (display values) displayed on the meters MT1 to MTn from the image data and outputs them as meter reading values, while also decoding the two-dimensional barcodes included in the image data to obtain identification information for the meters MT1 to MTn (item name indicating the name of the meter reading value, attributes such as identification number and installation location, manufacturer, serial number, performance maintenance warranty period, etc.), associates the meter reading value with the identification information and the time the meter reading value was obtained (date and time the image was taken), and records the data in the memory unit 105 as reading value data 105a.

In addition, instead of a two-dimensional barcode, the identification numbers and attributes of meters MT1 to MTn may be displayed by printing or engraving the identification numbers themselves or a character string indicating the attributes near the display value. In this case, the image processing unit 114 performs optical character recognition on the image data obtained by the camera 104, converts the identification numbers and character string indicating the attributes into text data, and records them as reading data 105a in association with the meter reading value.

The report data creation unit 115 uses the meter reading template data 105b as a template to input the corresponding reading data 105a into the input field in the meter reading template data 105b to create the meter reading report data 105c. The meter reading report data 105c may also include image data on which the input values are based. The report data creation unit 115 also uploads the completed meter reading report data 105c to the server 500 via the communication control unit 111.

Next, the radio base station 200 will be described.
The wireless base station 200 connects the mobile terminal device 100 to the network 600 by wireless communication. For example, when the network 600 is a LAN constructed in a business establishment, the wireless base station 200 is an access point that adopts wireless LAN (IEEE802.11 series) as a communication method. When the network 600 is a mobile phone network of a telecommunications carrier, the wireless base station 200 is a base station device that performs wireless communication corresponding to standards such as 3G, 3.9G (LTE, etc.), 4G, and 5G. In other words, any communication method can be applied as long as the mobile terminal device 100 can be connected to the network 600 by wireless communication.

Next, the information processing device 300 will be described with reference to FIG.
The information processing device 300 is a terminal used by an operator in the management department, and is, for example, an information processing device such as a desktop or laptop personal computer. As shown in Fig. 3, the information processing device 300 includes at least a communication unit 301, an input unit 302, a display unit 303, a storage unit 305, and a control unit 310, which are connected by a bus.

The communication unit 301 is a network interface that communicates through the network 600. Although wired communication is generally assumed, it can also be realized with various wireless communication interfaces such as wireless LAN (IEEE802.31 series), 3G, 3.9G (LTE, etc.), 4G, and 5G.

The input unit 302 is an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a touch pen, or a touch panel, and receives input from a user.
The display unit 303 visually provides information to the operator, and displays, for example, data input fields, software keys, and various images (photos, CG). The data input fields and software keys are displayed in correspondence with operations on the input unit 302, under the control of the control unit 310, which will be described later. As the device to be used, various display devices such as a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, and electronic paper can be used.

The storage unit 305 stores the OS and application software of the control unit 310 (described later), data generated in conjunction with the operation of the application software, various parameters, data acquired (downloaded) from the server 500 (described later), and the like, and is provided with a combination of RAM, ROM, flash memory such as SSD, and recording devices such as HDD according to the characteristics of the data.

The memory unit 305 also stores meter reading slip data 305a, summary table template data 305b, summary table linking information 305c, summary table data 305d, invoice template data 305e, invoice linking information 305f, and invoice data 305g.

The meter reading voucher data 305 a is obtained by downloading the meter reading voucher data 105 c uploaded from the portable terminal device 100 to the server 500 .
The summary table template data 305b is a data file downloaded from the server 500, and is a template (form) of report data for summary. This template is mainly operated by the management department and is used to summarize the meter readings of the meters MT1 to MTn, and has columns for inputting values for each category, such as electricity, water (amount of water used and amount of wastewater discharged to the sewerage system), gas, etc.

The summary table linking information 305c is information that compiles linking data that links the input fields of the meter reading slip data 305a with the input fields of the summary table template data 305b. Specifically, it includes at least one piece of linking data, and each piece of linking data is information that associates an identification number Ln that identifies the link with each piece of identification information for both input fields (such as information that specifies the coordinates of a cell).

The tally table data 305d is a data file generated by transcribing (copying) information such as values entered in the input fields of the meter reading slip data 305a to the input fields of the tally table template data 305b based on the tally table linking information 305c. This tally table data 305d is uploaded to the server 500 and shared between departments.

The invoice template data 305e is a data file downloaded from the server 500, and is a template (form) of invoice data used to issue invoices. This template is mainly used by the sales department, and has columns for entering usage amounts for each category, such as electricity, water (amount used by tap water and amount discharged into the sewer system), and gas, as well as fees based on this usage amount.

Invoice linking information 305f is information that compiles linking data that links input fields in summary table data 305d with input fields in invoice template data 305e. Specifically, it includes at least one linking data, and each linking data is information that associates an identification number Ln that identifies the link with each identification information of both input fields (such as information that specifies the coordinates of a cell).

The invoice data 305g is a data file generated by transcribing (copying) information such as values entered in the input fields of the summary table data 305d to the input fields of the invoice template data 305e based on the invoice linking information 305f. This invoice data 305g is uploaded to the server 500 and shared between departments.

The control unit 310 includes a processor such as a CPU or GPU, a chipset, RAM, ROM, etc., and controls each unit of the information processing device 300. The ROM stores firmware and setting values (various parameters). The CPU loads the OS and application software from the storage unit 305 into the RAM in accordance with the firmware, executes the OS and application software, and uses the RAM as a work area to realize various control functions.

The control unit 310 realizes at least the following as control functions. That is, by executing software, the control unit 310 functions as a communication control unit 311, an input control unit 312, a display control unit 313, and a data conversion control unit 314, which can function in cooperation with each other. Note that it is also possible to integrate some or all of these functions with other functions, or to explain them in a different way by dividing the above 311 to 314 into multiple separate functional blocks.

The communication control unit 311 controls the communication unit 301 to communicate with the server 500 via the network 600 in accordance with a specific communication protocol, for example, downloading data from the server 500 and uploading data to the server 500.

The input control unit 312 controls the input unit 302 to interpret an operator's request from an operator's operation on the input unit 302, and to accept input of information (such as character strings).
The display control unit 313 controls the display unit 303 to display various information including images and a GUI. Examples of the GUI are the above-mentioned information input fields and software keys, and the display of these corresponds to the input via the input unit 302.

The data conversion control unit 314 generates a data file by copying data in a data file created in one department into a template data file in a format used by another department, and also controls the creation of linking information used in the creation of the data file.

Specifically, the data conversion control unit 314 generates summary table linking information 305c that links the input fields of the meter reading slip data 305a with the input fields of the summary table data 305d in accordance with the operator's instructions, and then generates summary table data 305d by transcribing (copying) information such as values entered into the input fields of 305a based on this summary table linking information 305c to the input fields of the summary table data 305d.

The data conversion control unit 314 also generates invoice linking information 305f that links the input fields of the summary table data 305d with the input fields of the invoice template data 305e in accordance with the operator's instructions, and then generates invoice data 305g by transcribing (copying) information such as values entered into the input fields of the summary table data 305d to the input fields of the invoice template data 305e based on this invoice linking information 305f.

In addition, the data conversion control unit 314 also has a function of creating summary table linking information 305c and invoice linking information 305f based on the item names added to the input fields in the meter reading slip data 305a, summary table template data 305b, and invoice template data 305e.

Next, the information processing device 400 will be described.
The information processing device 400 is a terminal used by an operator in the sales department, and is, for example, an information processing device such as a desktop or laptop personal computer. The specific configuration can be the same as that of the information processing device 300, so detailed explanation will be omitted. In particular, the configuration related to the generation of the invoice data 305g may be provided in the information processing device 400 instead of the information processing device 300.

Next, the server 500 will be described.
The server 500 is the core of the cloud computing provided by the system, and stores information uploaded from the mobile terminal device 100, the information processing device 300, and the information processing device 400, or provides the stored information to the mobile terminal device 100, the information processing device 300, and the information processing device 400, realizing data sharing between users of the system, and also enabling the saving of computer resources of each device by taking charge of part or most of the data processing on behalf of each device. In addition, the server 500 provides each device with the OS and application software used by the mobile terminal device 100, the information processing device 300, and the information processing device 400, and updates the information to the latest information to realize services. These services may be provided by a subscription system.

Next, the operation of the information processing system having the above configuration will be described. In the following description, the association setting process P1 and the data copy process P2 in the information processing device 300 will be particularly described.
First, the link setting process P1 will be described with reference to FIG.

This linking setting process P1 is a process for generating summary table linking information 305c and invoice table linking information 305f. This linking setting process P1 is realized by the control unit 310 executing the application software functioning as the data conversion control unit 314. In the following explanation, an example will be given of creating summary table linking information 305c.

When the application software is executed and the linking setting process P1 is selected by the operator, in step 401 the data conversion control unit 314 executes a process to accept the selection of the original data file from which data is to be copied. Specifically, the data conversion control unit 314 causes the display control unit 313 to GUI-display a message prompting the operator to select an original data file and a window for file selection, and causes the input control unit 312 to accept an operation by the operator to select an original data file through the above-mentioned GUI display. When the selection of the original data file is accepted from the operator, the process proceeds to step 402.

In this example, it is assumed that one of the meter reading slip data 305a is specified by the operator, and the data conversion control unit 314 treats the meter reading slip data 305a specified by the operator as the original data file until the processing in Figure 4 is completed.

In step 402, the data conversion control unit 314 executes a process to accept the selection of a target data file to which the data is to be copied. Specifically, the data conversion control unit 314 causes the display control unit 313 to GUI-display a message prompting the operator to select a target data file and a window for file selection, and causes the input control unit 312 to accept an operation by the operator to select a target data file through the above-mentioned GUI display. When the selection of a target data file is accepted from the operator, the process proceeds to step 403.

In this example, it is assumed that the operator has specified the summary table template data 305b, and the data conversion control unit 314 will treat it as the target data file until the processing in FIG. 4 is completed. Also, the selection of target data files is not limited to one, and multiple files may be selected. In the following explanation, for the sake of simplicity, an example will be given in which only one file is selected.

In step 403, the data conversion control unit 314 analyzes the original data file (here, one of the meter reading slip data 305a) and the target data file (here, the summary table template data 305b), extracts the item names attached to the data input fields in each data file, and proceeds to step 404.

In step 404, the data conversion control unit 314 compares the item names of both data files extracted in step 403 to determine which item names are correlated between the two data files, and generates linking data that provisionally links the input fields of data that have item names that are correlated between the two data files. In other words, the data conversion control unit 314 determines whether there is a correlation between the item names assigned to the input fields of data in the meter reading slip data 305a and the item names assigned to the input fields of data in the summary table template data 305b, and if there is a correlation, generates linking data that links the two input fields.

This linking data is information that associates an identification number Ln that identifies the link with each piece of identification information for both input fields (such as information that specifies the coordinates of a cell), and the identification information for the input fields is detected from each data file by the data conversion control unit 314. In FIG. 5, each column corresponds to linking data.

When verification of whether or not there is a common item name for all item names in the original data file is completed, the process proceeds to step 405 .
Here, an example of correlation is a case where the items match (are common). That is, the item names match completely between the two data files (correlation degree 100%). Other examples of correlation are not limited to the case where the item names match completely, but also cases where the items are similar. The similarity may be determined based on the degree of correlation, that is, for example, when the proportion of matching characters among the characters that make up the item name is equal to or greater than a threshold (or when n characters or more match), the degree of correlation is high and therefore the items are similar.

Alternatively, similarity may be determined based on similar item name data prepared in advance. This similar item name data is data that lists an item name in association with item names that are treated as similar. For example, "power usage" is associated with "electricity usage" and "power consumption."

In addition, when there are item name strings that are (a) a perfect match, (b) a partial match, or (c) similar, the items with the highest priority may be linked based on pre-prepared priority information (priority (a)>(b)>(c)).

In step 405, the data conversion control unit 314 instructs the display control unit 313 to display the display images (images) of the source data file and the target data file in the work window W1 of the application software, and displays a line segment linking the input fields in the images of both data files in the work window W1 based on the linking data generated in step 404, and then proceeds to step 406.

The display image referred to here is what is displayed on the display unit 303 when a data file is opened by corresponding application software. For example, if the data file is a spreadsheet file, a grid-like spreadsheet is displayed. As is well known, in spreadsheet application software, the squares in the spreadsheet are used as data input fields.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the data conversion control unit 314 displays a work window W1, reads an original data file (here, one of the meter reading slip data 305a) into this work window W1 and displays its image, and also reads a target data file (here, summary table template data 305b) and displays its image, and further displays line segments L1 to L4 connecting linked input fields based on the linking data on the image in the work window W1. This allows the operator to recognize which input fields in both data files are linked. The notation of the lines (L1 to L4) is based, for example, on an identification number Ln that identifies the linking.

In step 406, the data conversion control unit 314 causes the display control unit 313 to display a message requesting the operator to confirm whether or not it is OK to save the linking data corresponding to the line segment currently displayed in the work window W1, and the input control unit 312 determines the operation received from the operator via the input unit 302. If the operator performs an operation indicating that it is OK to save the linking data corresponding to the currently displayed line segment, the process proceeds to step 408, whereas if any other operation is performed, the process proceeds to step 407.

In step 407, the data conversion control unit 314 accepts changes to or new additions to the linking input fields based on the operator's operation accepted by the input control unit 312 through the input unit 302, and accordingly changes the linking data generated in step 404 or generates new linking data, and proceeds to step 405. In step 405, lines indicating linking are displayed based on the linking data changed or newly added in step 407.

Here, the operation of the operator in step 407 will be described more specifically.
When changing the linking data, the operator designates the line segment corresponding to the linking to be changed among the lines displayed on the work window W1 by, for example, clicking through the input unit 302. The data conversion control unit 314 then accepts this designation through the input control unit 312, and causes the display control unit 313 to display the designated line segment, for example, as a dashed line, so that the operator can recognize the line segment for which the change operation has become active.

The operator then uses the input unit 302 to specify, by clicking or otherwise manipulating the input field to be linked between the input field contained in the source data file displayed on the work window W1 and the input field contained in the target data file. This specification is then accepted by the data conversion control unit 314 via the input control unit 312, and the identification information of the specified input field is detected from the data file, and the linking data is updated so that the input field associated with the activated line segment is changed to the identification information of the specified input field.

On the other hand, when creating new linked data, the operator issues an instruction to create new linked data through the input unit 302. The data conversion control unit 314 then receives this instruction through the input control unit 312, issues a new identification number Lx that identifies the new link, and receives from the operator through the input unit 302 the specification of the input fields to be linked. That is, the data conversion control unit 314 receives the specification through the input control unit 312 of the input fields contained in the source data file displayed on the work window W1 and the input fields contained in the target data file, detects the identification information of both of these accepted input fields from each data file, and associates the detected identification information of both of these input fields with the newly issued identification number Lx to create new linked data.

In step 408, the data conversion control unit 314 generates and saves linking information that summarizes the linking data generated in step 404 and step 407, and ends the linking setting process. Specifically, the data conversion control unit 314 aggregates the linking data generated in step 404 or the linking data changed or newly added in step 407 as metadata as shown in FIG. 5, generates this as linking information, and saves it in the storage unit 305. In this case, since the linking information is for linking the meter reading slip data 305a and the tally sheet template data 305b, it is saved in the storage unit 305 as tally sheet linking information 305c. The tally sheet linking information 305c saved in the storage unit 305 is uploaded to the server 500 at a predetermined timing.

In the above example, since the case of generating tally sheet linking information 305c is given as an example, the original data file is meter reading slip data 305a and the target data file is tally sheet template data 305b. In the case of generating invoice linking information 305f, a person skilled in the art can easily understand by replacing the original data file with tally sheet data 305d and the target data file with invoice template data 305e in the explanation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.
In addition, when generating the invoice linking information 305f, the invoice linking information 305f may be generated by the information processing device 400 of the sales department in charge of the invoice.

Next, the data copy process P2 will be described with reference to FIG.
This data copy process P2 is a process for generating tally sheet data 305d and invoice data 305g. This data copy process P2 is realized by the control unit 310 executing the application software functioning as the data conversion control unit 314. In the following explanation, an example will be given of creating tally sheet data 305d.

When the application software is executed and the operator selects data copy process P2, in step 701 the data conversion control unit 314 executes a process to accept the selection of the original data file from which data is to be copied. Specifically, the data conversion control unit 314 causes the display control unit 313 to GUI-display a message prompting the operator to select an original data file and a window for file selection, and causes the input control unit 312 to accept an operation by the operator to select an original data file through the GUI display. When the selection of the original data file is accepted, the process proceeds to step 702.

In this example, it is assumed that one of the meter reading slip data 305a is specified by the operator, and the data conversion control unit 314 treats the meter reading slip data 305a specified by the operator as the original data file until the processing in Figure 7 is completed.

In step 702, the data conversion control unit 314 executes a process to accept the selection of a target data file to which the data is to be copied. Specifically, the data conversion control unit 314 causes the display control unit 313 to GUI-display a message prompting the operator to select a target data file and a window for file selection, and causes the input control unit 312 to accept an operation by the operator to select a target data file through the GUI display. When the selection of the target data file is accepted, the process proceeds to step 703.

In this example, it is assumed that the operator has specified the summary table template data 305b, and the data conversion control unit 314 will treat the summary table template data 305b as the target data file until the processing in FIG. 7 is completed. Also, the selection of target data files is not limited to one, and multiple files may be selected. In the following explanation, for the sake of simplicity, an example will be given in which only one file is selected.

In step 703, the data conversion control unit 314 executes a process of accepting the selection of linking information linking the source data file and the target data file. Specifically, the data conversion control unit 314 causes the display control unit 313 to GUI-display a message prompting the operator to select linking information and a window for selecting information, and causes the input control unit 312 to accept the operator's operation to select information through the GUI display. When the selection of linking information is accepted, the process proceeds to step 704.

In this example, one of the meter reading slip data 305a is selected as the source data file in step 701, and the summary table template data 305b is selected as the target data file in step 702, so the explanation will be given assuming that the operator has selected the summary table linking information 305c as the linking information.

In step 704, the data conversion control unit 314 instructs the display control unit 313 to display the display images (images) of the source data file and the target data file in the work window W1 of the application software, and displays a line segment linking the input fields in the images of both data files in the work window W1 based on the linking information selected in step 703, and then proceeds to step 705.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the data conversion control unit 314 displays a work window W1, reads an original data file (here, one of the meter reading slip data 305a) into this work window W1 and displays its image, and also reads a target data file (here, summary table template data 305b) and displays its image, and further displays line segments L1 to L4 connecting linked input fields based on summary table linking information 305c on the image in the work window W1. This allows the operator to recognize which input fields in both data files are linked.

In step 705, the data conversion control unit 314 causes the display control unit 313 to display a message requesting the operator to confirm whether or not it is OK to execute a process to copy data from the source data file to the target data file based on the line segment currently displayed in the work window W1, and the input control unit 312 determines the operation received from the operator via the input unit 302. If the operator performs an operation indicating that it is OK to execute a data copy based on the currently displayed line segment, the process proceeds to step 708, whereas if any other operation is performed, the process proceeds to step 706.

In step 706, the data conversion control unit 314 causes the display control unit 313 to display a message asking the operator whether to change the linking currently displayed in the work window W1 or to change the file, and the input control unit 312 determines the operation received from the operator via the input unit 302. If the operator performs an operation requesting a change in linking, the process proceeds to step 707, whereas if the operator performs an operation requesting a change in the file, the process proceeds to step 701.

In step 707, the data conversion control unit 314 accepts changes to or new additions to the linked input fields based on the operator's operation accepted by the input control unit 312 through the input unit 302, and accordingly changes the linking information selected in step 703 (summary table linking information 305c) or generates new linking data, and proceeds to step 704. In step 704, lines indicating linking based on the linking data changed or newly added in step 707 are displayed. Details of step 707 are omitted as they are the same as those of step 407.

In step 708, the data conversion control unit 314 executes a process of copying the data of the original data file to the target data file based on the linking currently displayed in the work window W1, and proceeds to step 709. Specifically, the data conversion control unit 314 executes a process of copying the data of the meter reading slip data 305a, which is the original data file, to the summary table template data 305b, which is the target data file, based on the linking information as shown in FIG. 5 (or the linking information changed or added in step 707 as necessary), and generates summary table data 305d.

In step 709, the data conversion control unit 314 stores the summary table data 305d generated in step 708 in the storage unit 305, and ends the data copy process. The summary table data 305d stored in the storage unit 305 is then uploaded to the server 500 at a predetermined timing.

In the above example, the case of generating tally table data 305d is taken as an example, so the original data file is meter reading slip data 305a and the target data file is tally table template data 305b. When generating invoice data 305g, a person skilled in the art can easily understand by replacing the original data file with tally table data 305d and the target data file with invoice template data 305e in the explanation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7.

In addition, the invoice data 305g may be generated by the information processing device 400 of the sales department responsible for the invoice. In this case, the invoice linking information 305f generated by the information processing device 300 may be used.

As described above, in the information processing system configured as above, in the linking setting process P1, the original data file from which data is copied and the target data file to which data is copied are displayed in the work window W1, and the data input field on the original data file is linked to the input field on the target data file, this linking is displayed, and this linking is saved as linking information.

Therefore, with the information processing system configured as above, the operator can recognize how the linking is done, and can avoid confusion even if there are multiple locations to copy data.

Furthermore, in the information processing system having the above-described configuration, in the data copy process P2, the user can visually recognize how the data copy is to be performed by the associated display, and then instruct the copy.
Therefore, according to the information processing system having the above configuration, the operator can accurately copy the data.

Furthermore, once the linking information is created, the same data copies can be repeatedly made using the linking information as long as the template does not change, significantly reducing the workload of the operator.

Furthermore, in the information processing system having the above configuration, even if the operator does not perform the linking, data items having common (matching) or similar names are detected between data files, a provisional linking is performed, and confirmation is requested from the operator.
Therefore, according to the information processing system having the above configuration, the burden on the operator involved in the linking work can be reduced.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and in the implementation stage, the components can be modified and embodied without departing from the gist of the invention. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining multiple components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. For example, a configuration in which some components are deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment can also be considered. Furthermore, components described in different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

As an example, in the above embodiment, the data conversion control unit 314 performs the linking setting process P1 and the data copy process P2 at different times, and after the linking setting process P1 generates linking information (summary table linking information 305c and invoice table linking information 305f), the data copy process P2 copies data based on the linking information, but the present invention is not limited to this.

For example, the data conversion control unit 314 executes steps 401 to 407 of the linking setting process P1, and the operator specifies the meter reading slip data 305a as the source data file in step 401, and specifies the summary table template data 305b as the target data file in step 402. When the data conversion control unit 314 receives a confirmation operation from the operator in step 406, it executes steps 708 to 709 of the data copy process P2 to copy the data based on the currently performed linking, and generate the summary table data 305d. This type of flow processing also allows the operator to copy data while recognizing the linking display, making it possible to accurately copy data to data files of different formats.

In the above embodiment, an example was given of linking one original data file to one target data file, but either one or both may be two or more data files.

In the above embodiment, the data conversion control unit 314 refers to the item names of each input field, provisionally links items that are the same or related, and then edits the linking of the input fields (changes or new additions) in response to a request from the operator. However, the operator's changes may be omitted, or the linking may be performed based on instructions from the operator rather than provisionally linking based on the item names.

In the above embodiment, linked input fields are visually indicated by lines, but they may be visually indicated by other methods. For example, the same numerical values, letters, marks, etc. may be added to the vicinity of linked input fields, or the input fields may be displayed in the same color. Furthermore, the same numerical values, letters, marks, etc. may be added to the vicinity of linked input fields, and they may be displayed in the same color.

In the above embodiment, the linking setting process P1 and the data copy process P2 are described as being executed by the control unit 310 of the information processing device 300, but this is not limited to the above. For example, it is also possible to realize this by cloud computing using the server 500. Even when this is realized by cloud computing using the server 500, input by the operator and display to the operator are performed on the information processing device 300.

When this is realized by cloud computing using the server 500, for example, the server 500 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 8. That is, the server 500 has functions equivalent to those of the information processing device 300 in order to execute the linking setting process P1 and the data copy process P2. The functions of each unit (5XX) of the server 500 shown in FIG. 8 will be easily understood by those skilled in the art by replacing the explanation of the functions of each unit (3XX) of the information processing device 300 described using FIGS. 3 to 7 (3XX → 5XX).

In addition, the control unit 510 of the server 500 and the control unit 310 of the information processing device 300 work together via the network 600 so that input by the operator and display to the operator are performed on the information processing device 300.

For example, regarding input, an input control command from the input control unit 512 is transmitted to the information processing device 300 by the communication control unit 511 controlling the communication unit 501. Meanwhile, in the information processing device 300, the communication unit 301 receives the input control command under the control of the communication control unit 311, and the data conversion control unit 314 controls the input control unit 312 in accordance with the input control command, and accepts input from the operator via the input unit 302. In addition, the communication control unit 311 transmits the accepted input to the server 500 via the communication unit 301 in accordance with instructions from the data conversion control unit 314.

For example, regarding display, a display control command from the display control unit 513 is transmitted to the information processing device 300 by the communication control unit 511 controlling the communication unit 501. Meanwhile, in the information processing device 300, the communication unit 301 receives the display control command under the control of the communication control unit 311, and the data conversion control unit 314 controls the display control unit 313 in accordance with the display control command, and displays information to the operator via the display unit 303.

In other words, in the above embodiment, input and display control is completed within the information processing device 300, whereas when realized by cloud computing using the server 500, the server 500 and the information processing device 300 cooperate with each other via the network 600. In addition, among the linking setting process P1 shown in FIG. 4 and the data copy process P2 shown in FIG. 7, the processes that can be performed by the server 500 alone are performed on the server 500.

It will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that the processes P1 and P2 realized by the information processing device 300 executing application software in the above embodiment can be realized by cloud computing using the server 500.
It goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

100...Portable terminal device, 101...Communication unit, 102...Input unit, 103...Display unit, 104...Camera, 105...Memory unit, 105a...Reading value data, 105b...Meter reading template data, 105c...Meter reading form data, 110...Control unit, 111...Communication control unit, 112...Input control unit, 113...Display control unit, 114...Image processing unit, 115...Form data creation unit, 200...Wireless base station, 300...Information processing device, 301...Communication unit, 302...Input unit, 303...Display unit, 305...Memory unit, 305a...Meter reading form data, 305b...Summary table template data, 305c...Summary table linking information, 305d...Summary table data, 305e...Invoice template data, 305 f...invoice linking information, 305g...invoice data, 310...control unit, 311...communication control unit, 312...input control unit, 313...display control unit, 314...data conversion control unit, 400...information processing device, 500...server, 501...communication unit, 505...storage unit, 505a...meter reading slip data, 505b...summary table template data, 505c...summary table linking information, 505d...summary table data, 505e...invoice template data, 505f...invoice linking information, 505g...invoice data, 510...control unit, 511...communication control unit, 512...input control unit, 513...display control unit, 514...data conversion control unit, 600...network, MT1 to MTn...meters.

Claims (14)

A storage unit;
a processor;
The storage unit is
a first data file having a first input field;
a second data file including a second input field;
The processor,
a data conversion control unit that compares the item name given to the first input field with the item name given to the second input field, generates linking information that provisionally links the first input field and the second input field that are given correlated item names, and asks an operator for confirmation;
a reception means for receiving a confirmation operation by an operator,
The information processing apparatus, wherein the data conversion control unit executes a process of copying data of the first data file to the second data file when a confirmation operation by an operator is received. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data conversion control unit determines whether or not the correlation exists based on a ratio of characters that match between the characters constituting the item name added to the first input field and the characters constituting the item name added to the second input field. The first data file is meter reading slip data,
the second data file is a spreadsheet data;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the data conversion control unit generates tally sheet linking information linking an input field of the meter reading slip data with an input field of the tally sheet data. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the data conversion control unit generates summary table data by transcribing information entered in an input field of the meter reading slip data to an input field of the summary table data based on the summary table linking information. the first data file is a spreadsheet data;
the second data file is invoice template data,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the data conversion control unit generates invoice linking information that links an input field of the summary table data with an input field of the invoice template data. The information processing device according to claim 5, wherein the data conversion control unit generates invoice data by transcribing information entered in an input field of the summary table data to an input field of the invoice template data based on the invoice linking information. A computer including a storage unit and a processor,
means for storing a first data file including a first input field in the storage unit;
means for storing a second data file including a second input field in the storage unit;
a data conversion control unit that compares the item name given to the first input field with the item name given to the second input field, generates linking information that provisionally links the first input field and the second input field that are given correlated item names, and asks an operator for confirmation;
functioning as a reception means for receiving confirmation operations by an operator;
The data conversion control unit is a program that executes a process of copying data of the first data file to the second data file when a confirmation operation by an operator is received. An information processing method by a computer having a storage unit and a processor,
storing a first data file in the storage unit, the first data file including a first input field;
storing a second data file in the memory unit, the second data file including a second input field;
the processor compares the item name given to the first input field with the item name given to the second input field, generates linking information that provisionally links the first input field and the second input field given the correlated item name, and asks an operator for confirmation;
the processor receiving a confirmation operation by an operator;
and when the processor receives a confirmation operation from an operator, executing a process of copying data of the first data file to the second data file. The present invention includes a server and an information processing device,
the server includes means for storing a first data file uploaded from the portable terminal device, the first data file including a first input field;
The information processing device includes:
means for downloading the first data file from the server;
a data conversion control unit that compares an item name given to the first input field of the downloaded first data file with an item name given to the second input field of a second data file having a second input field, generates linking information that provisionally links the first input field and the second input field that are given correlated item names, and asks an operator for confirmation;
a reception means for receiving a confirmation operation by an operator,
An information processing system, wherein the data conversion control unit executes a process of copying data of the first data file to the second data file when a confirmation operation by an operator is received. The information processing system according to claim 9, wherein the data conversion control unit determines whether or not there is a correlation based on a ratio of characters that match between the characters constituting the item name added to the first input field and the characters constituting the item name added to the second input field. The first data file is meter reading slip data,
the second data file is a spreadsheet data;
The information processing system according to claim 9 , wherein the data conversion control unit generates tally sheet linking information linking an input field of the meter reading slip data with an input field of the tally sheet data. The information processing system according to claim 11, wherein the data conversion control unit generates summary table data by transcribing information entered in an input field of the meter reading slip data to an input field of the summary table data based on the summary table linking information. the first data file is a spreadsheet data;
the second data file is invoice template data,
The information processing system according to claim 9 , wherein the data conversion control unit generates invoice linking information linking an input field of the spreadsheet data with an input field of the invoice template data. The information processing system according to claim 13, wherein the data conversion control unit generates invoice data by transcribing information entered in an input field of the summary table data to an input field of the invoice template data based on the invoice linking information.