US 5,490,243 AGranted

Data processing system for multi-platform print control and electronic data fill

AssigneeF3 Software Corporation

InventorsFrank Millman, Phillip Bolin, Frank E. Haggar, H. Richmond Ackerman

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Abstract

A data processing system utilizes the controlled output of complex forms in one of several different output devices without separate re-engineering of the form specification file. The system iteratively qualifies the form objects in the form file, modifying all objects that are not supported by the designated output device driver. A separate output control file is created with the support commands necessary to implement the form in a desktop, centralized, or production output format. In a separate aspect, the same form structure includes datablock locations permitting electronic completion and fill of selected entries. In this manner, the form can be ported to various locations for data collection and conformation without the existence of hardcopy versions.

Claims8

Dependent claims

In combination in a system for the program controlled management of multi-faceted, complex forms containing specified font style and image information, said management system directed to one of plural and format-specific output devices and electronic fill operation, said system comprising:

means for selecting a specific print system output device having a distinct file output format;
means for incrementally reading a form file comprising plural form objects;
means for selectively determining each form object in said form file incompatible with said file output format for said output device;
means for accessing a forms object conversion matrix for converting said incompatible objects into a corresponding object compatible with said format-specific output device;
means for creating an output control file for control of said output device during output in conjunction with said forms file;
and
means for iteratively processing datablock field locations for electronic completion of designated information.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.