JP4268283B2 - Catalog production system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a catalog production system in which a manufacturer person in charge, a catalog production contractor, a designer, and a product photographer use a common database for catalog production.
[0002]
[Prior art]
One field of commercial prints is the general catalog of manufacturers. Covering the products of a single company (manufacturer, wholesaler), issue a thick catalog of hundreds of pages for dealers and users once a year. In recent years, with the spread of computers, it has been attempted to use product data to be put in a catalog as a database.
[0003]
The aim of creating a database is to streamline the paper catalog production and save labor. Product information published in the general catalog has a large number of data items, and images and specifications used in the previous catalog are often used next time. There is a possibility of becoming.
[0004]
On the other hand, with the advancement of computer technology, higher performance and lower prices, not a dedicated plate making system, but using a personal computer and DTP based on the de facto standard technology, how to proceed with all digital processing from the design stage Has permeated. DTP, which performs all design and plate making processes with digital data, is a combination that is inherently compatible with databases.
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
[0005]
However, there are some problems to be considered and problems to be solved in order to digitize catalog production and use it practically by using database and DTP. The first problem is whether or not collaboration can be performed smoothly as in the prior art. Catalog production is usually carried out in cooperation with many related parties such as catalog production contractors such as manufacturers and prepress printing companies and designers, product photographers, etc., and each member is making use of technology and knowledge . A system in which the skills and knowledge of these members can be demonstrated as a collaborative work even if the catalog production is digitized is more preferable and preferable.
[0006]
The second problem is how to handle new product information. It is necessary to incorporate new product information every time catalogs are created, but it is often slow that new product information is fixed and flows from the manufacturer. Thus, conventionally, new product information has been created without creating a database, and after a catalog has been created, the operation of calmly registering it in the database has been devised. However, in this operation, the advantages of creating a database cannot be fully utilized.
[0007]
In particular, it was difficult to register new product image data in the database from the beginning. Before color image data is registered, it must go through the steps of: shooting a new product → disassembling a color manuscript → creating a color school → accepting the manufacturer → registering the image data. Since high quality is required, it usually takes time to register image data of a new product in the database.
[0008]
The present invention has been devised in view of these points. First, in a completely digital progression, the catalog production between the manufacturer, the catalog production contractor and designer, and the product photographer is related to the technical The challenge is to present a mechanism that can be shared smoothly while making use of knowledge, and secondly, to present a mechanism for promoting catalog production with complete digital progression including new product information.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the catalog production system according to the present invention is:
Provisional image registration means for registering provisional image data;
Main image registration means for registering main image data having a higher resolution than the provisional image data ;
Product information registration means for registering spec information;
Product information search means;
A correction instruction creating means for creating a correction instruction for product specifications and parts data;
Means for downloading the instructed image data;
A database of these means are commonly accessed,
The database is
A product record that records information on individual products specified by the product identifier, and an image management record that includes at least fields of a product identifier, an image identifier, and an image file name, and manages a link between the product record and image data; Including
The main image registration means
In response to the designation of the image identifier of the temporary image and the main image file name, the image file name field of the image management record having the corresponding image identifier is replaced with the file name of the main image. The gist.
[0010]
Based on the manufacturer's instructions, the product photographer uses the temporary image registration means to register the design temporary image, and based on the instructions, the catalog production contractor uses the product information registration means and the main image registration. The product specifications, main image data for printing plate making, and mark / graphic data are registered by the means. The person in charge of the manufacturer uses the product information search means to check whether the product information is registered as instructed, and creates a correction instruction using the correction instruction creating means if necessary. The catalog production contractor corrects the database contents according to the correction instructions. The designer obtains part data necessary for page design by downloading means and performs page design. As described above, catalog production can be carried out with the cooperation of related parties almost as usual by the above-mentioned means and the database that they access in common.
[0011]
Furthermore, the temporary image registration means
When registering the product photographing provisional image data of the product in the database, an input field capable of simultaneously inputting the identification number of the photographed product and the identification number of another product related to the product ,
The identification number of another product related to the identification number of the photographed product is related and registered in the database,
The product information search means includes:
If a temporary image of a related product is registered even if the main image is not registered, the specs and images of other products related to the product can be searched using a certain product as a key.
[0012]
By configuring the temporary image registration means as described above, once the temporary image data is registered, the search can be performed in the same manner as the product for which the main image data is registered. The image data for design can be obtained by following links from products with deep product numbers. Since it is not necessary to wait until the image data is registered, it is possible for the first time to create a catalog with complete digital progression including new product information.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below based on examples.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The catalog production system 1 includes equipment on the catalog production company side 3 and equipment on the manufacturer side 5, shooting studio side 6, and design company side 7. A product information server 10 stores a product database in an external storage device (not shown). 11 (11a, 11b,...) Is a product information client, which mainly registers and corrects product information in the product database. A network access server 12 accepts a dial-up connection from a product information client 21 (21a, 21b,...) At a remote location, and provides an address necessary for communicating with the product information client at a remote location via a network. assign. Reference numeral 13 denotes an authentication server, which authenticates whether the user who has accessed remotely is a regular registered user.
[0015]
The equipment on the manufacturer side 5, the shooting studio side 6, and the design company side 7 are dial-ups for connecting the product information client 21 (21 a, 21 b,...) With the product information client 21 when necessary. A router or terminal adapter 22. The dial-up router or terminal adapter 22 is connected to the access server 12 on the management production side 3 through the circuit switching network 4 provided by the communication carrier.
[0016]
In the configuration of FIG. 1, how to select the connection means between the manufacturer and other parties is not an essential part of the configuration of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows only an appropriate configuration when a public circuit switching network provided by a communication carrier is used as 4. In addition, when the dedicated line provided by the communication carrier is used as 4, it is possible to adopt a TCP / IP protocol network, in which case the device configurations of 22 and 12 are set according to the respective cases. Choose appropriately.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining various functional units activated from each product information client of the catalog production system 1. The merchandise information search means 16 is effective in common for all clients, and searches the merchandise database in accordance with the operator's interactive search input and displays the result. The merchandise information server 10 has a database management means 14 built in, and the database management means 14 sets the merchandise database appropriately in response to a database search request or an update request issued in response to an interactive operation on the merchandise information client. Maintain management.
[0018]
When the product information client 11 on the management production side 3 is connected to the product information server 10, it activates the database editing application. This database editing application calls the merchandise information registration means 18, the main image registration means 25, and the correction instruction search means 17 in response to the operator's dialogue instruction input. The merchandise information registration means 18 accepts the product spec input and registers it in the database (actually issues a data update request to the database management means 14). The image registration unit registers high-resolution image data for printing in the database (actually, a data update request is issued to the database management unit 14). The correction instruction searching means 17 searches for and displays a correction instruction using the product item number, correction instruction date, correction instructor, and the like as keys.
[0019]
When the product information client 21 on the manufacturer side 5 is connected to the product information server 10, it can call the correction instruction creating means 15. The correction instruction creating unit 15 creates a database content correction instruction.
[0020]
When the product information client 21 on the shooting studio side 6 is connected to the product information server 10, it can call the temporary image registration means 24. As soon as the photographer at the studio finishes photographing the product and obtains the developed film, it can create temporary image data with a relatively coarse resolution by an image input device such as a flat scanner and register it in the database. At the same time, a product identification number is designated to create a link with the product specification, and other related product identification numbers are also entered.
[0021]
When the product information client 21 on the design company side 7 is connected to the product information server 10, it can call the download means 23. When the designer displays the necessary image data and part data by the product information search means 16, the designer sets the image data and part data by clicking the button below the image by the action of the download means 23. Can be copied to a folder.
[0022]
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a product database commonly used in the catalog production system. The product records that make up the product master table are the most basic data elements. They describe various static and static information of individual products (identified by product number) and links to other part records. ing. The product record is associated with individual component data by relaying an image (graphic) management record associated with a record identification number (hereinafter referred to as a record ID) described in the image (graphic) data field. Image management record field Zofu Airu name, part number (set in the case of set photo numbers), contains a variation (similar part number of the power consumption and the color is different), the registration date and updated date are described. The graphic management record includes a graphic data file name and describes the registration date / update date of the graphic data. The merchandise database generates and manages correction instruction records that describe other correction instructions.
[0023]
FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a flow of catalog production using the catalog production system 1. The catalog production flow will be described below with reference to FIG. First, the manufacturer person in charge submits a planning instruction (S10). The planning instructions include a list of products to be published in the newly created catalog and specification information for the new products. If the catalog is large, it may be divided into a plurality of planning instructions depending on the product genre or folding unit. The production company reads the specifications of the new product from the planning instructions and inputs the product specifications using the product information registration means 18 (S11). The shooting studio obtains a sample product and shoots the product according to the instructions in the plan (S12). The plan book specifies what kind of photographic image (overall photograph, partial up, combination example, etc.) is required for the product. Immediately after shooting, the development film is converted into digital data with a scanner as a temporary image for design, and temporary image registration is performed (S13). At the same time, a necessary link is set on the database so that it can be handled without any distinction from the case of the main image even if it is a temporary image.
[0024]
The person in charge of the manufacturer searches the database for his / her product in charge, and checks whether or not it is registered in the database according to the instruction such as product specifications (S20). If correction is necessary here, a correction instruction is created by using the correction instruction generating means 15 (S21). The management production side searches for correction instructions (S22), and corrects data such as product specifications as required (S23).
[0025]
The designer searches the product information of the new product (S30), copies the text information from the display of the product specifications, downloads image data and part data as necessary (S31), and uses them to create the page layout. Perform (S32).
[0026]
The catalog production company color-separates the developer film (color original) with a high-resolution scanner for plate making, creates a color school for product images, and obtains approval from the manufacturer. When the approval is obtained, the high resolution decomposition data is registered in the database as a main image (S33). When the main image data is registered, it is replaced with temporary image data. The link relationship with the other data records that the temporary image data has is inherited as it is by the main image data.
[0027]
In the catalog production company, the design editing data is edited (impositioned) in units of folds, and the film is output (S40), the printing plate printing (S41), and the bookbinding (S42) to complete the catalog.
[0028]
In the following, important steps will be described in detail with respect to the steps listed in FIG.
[0029]
First, the operations of the product information search steps S20 and S30 will be described in detail. In FIG. 8, there is a step of searching for product information only in the column of the person in charge of the manufacturer and the designer, but in reality, the product information search means can be used in all product information clients. The client user connects to the product information server 10 and inputs a user name password. If authenticated and login is permitted, a main menu screen (not shown) is entered, and by selecting “Search for products by product name / product number”, a screen for a standard tree search (FIG. 3) is displayed. In the merchandise information client of this embodiment, one user interaction screen is divided into four frames, a direct search window, a sub window, a menu window, and a main window, as shown in FIG. The direct search window is used for quick searches. The sub window displays the previous screen. The menu window displays a menu. The main window is the original dialog input screen. In the main window of FIG. 3, a list of product name groups is displayed. By specifying one of these product names, a lower screen is displayed. When a specific product name is clicked in FIG. 3, the main window of the client screen becomes the screen of FIG. 4 displaying a product number list of the product name.
[0030]
When the spec display ( general or season ) of any product number is clicked in the main window of FIG. 4, a spec display screen of the product with the product number as shown in FIG. 5 appears. In the screen of FIG. 5, the main window is divided into two upper and lower parts. The upper part is a window for displaying an image. Product specifications (text information describing product features and specifications) are displayed in the lower part.
[0031]
In FIG. 4, when a material link ( image or graphic ) of a specific product number is clicked from the main window displaying the product number list, a link list screen (FIG. 6 or FIG. 7) of the corresponding material is displayed. . FIG. 6 is a screen displaying a list of image data linked to a certain product number. Similarly, FIG. 7 is a screen displaying a list of linked graphic data.
[0032]
The correction instruction creation step (S21) operates as follows. If there is a part to be corrected in the displayed product specifications, the correction instruction issue button at the bottom of the main window in FIG. 5 is clicked. There are two types of issuance of correction instructions, and when correction of product specifications is designated by the attribute value of the product, a correction instruction issuance (form) is clicked. To issue a correction instruction using text instead of the attribute value of the product, click “Issue correction instruction (general)”. In either case, a correction instruction creation form is displayed.
[0033]
For example, when a correction instruction issue (general) is clicked, a correction instruction issue screen as shown in FIG. 11 appears. The person in charge writes a correction instruction in a memo format in the text input field in the center. After specifying and filling in the necessary correction instructions on the correction instruction issue screen, clicking the issue button at the bottom of the window registers the correction instructions in the database. At this time, one correction instruction record in the correction instruction history table is registered corresponding to one correction instruction entry screen. This one record includes a correction target record, a correction instruction issuer, an instruction date and time, a target item, and a correction value of the item. In the case of issuing on the form format screen, one or more target items are provided as necessary. In the case of issuing in the sentence format, only one type of item that means the sentence format is created as the target item, and the memo text is set as the correction value.
[0034]
On the other hand, in the management production side 3, when the product information client 11 connects / logs in to the product information server 10 and the database editing application is activated, it is selected whether to perform product information search or correction instruction search on the main menu screen. . If the latter is selected, the correction instruction search (S22) is performed. The correction instruction search can be performed by the product name and the product number, or can be performed from the correction date or the correction instruction creator. FIG. 9 shows a screen for searching on the correction instruction date. In the main window, the number of correction instruction records is listed for each date when correction is instructed, according to what the correction instruction has already been handled (confirmation column) and uncorresponding (unpaired column). Yes.
[0035]
When any one of the lists in the main window of FIG. 9 is clicked, a screen for displaying a list of correction instruction record contents created on the date as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed.
The person in charge of the production company corrects the contents of the database according to the correction instruction.
[0036]
In the data correction (S23) step, if it is necessary to correct the product specification from the correction instruction content, the person in charge of the production company displays an edit input form for the target product number. FIG. 14 shows an example of the edit input form. When manually inputting a correction instruction (general), the attribute value is input to the corresponding input field using this editing form.
[0037]
The temporary image registration step of S13 is executed when the temporary image registration means is activated in the product information client installed in the photographing studio. FIG. 16A shows a first screen for temporary image registration. Folder and file names are in a pull-down menu, and the person in charge selects a folder containing scanned image data from the pull-down menu. Next, when the file name pull-down menu is displayed, the image file in the folder can be selected, and the corresponding file is designated. When a file name is designated, the image data is previewed (FIG. 16B). Next, select the product number and photo type. Select the appropriate photo type from the pull-down menu. Thereafter, when the provisional image data registration of the product item number is the first time, an input column of the related product item number is displayed. Here, other product item numbers (variation information) that are extremely related to the product, such as color variations and power consumption differences, are input (FIG. 17).
[0038]
Finally, clicking “Register” at the bottom of the screen registers temporary image data with additional information (link information) in the database. As shown in FIG. 15, the variation information serves as a link to another product record. As described above, the provisional image registration step is an extremely simple interactive screen interface, so that even a photographer who has photographed a product can use it without difficulty. In the system of the embodiment, data of resolution: 72 dpi and data format: RGB EPSF JPEG is used.
[0039]
The variation information set by the temporary image registration means is utilized when the designer performs design work in steps S30 to S32. For example, the designer displays a spec display screen for a certain product NNN311Z as shown in FIG. 10 in S30. Here, the image of the product number (main body photo) is displayed in the upper half of the main window. The specs are displayed in the lower half of the frame. There is a button called Variation at the bottom of this spec display. When this is clicked, the image record link in FIG. 15 is followed to display as shown in FIG. 13, and it is understood that NNN 311, NNN 511, and NNN 611 exist as variations of NNN 311 Z.
[0040]
Next, the download in step S31 will be described. The image data downloading means 23 is activated by designating an image to be downloaded on the screen and pressing a download button. 13 is checked at the bottom of each photo display, the output folder at the bottom of the main window is set, and when the download button on the right is pressed, the client records the record ID of the checked image (hereinafter referred to as image ID). ) To download means. The download means 23 opens the image data file corresponding to the corresponding image ID, converts the image data to RGB data with a reduced resolution and converts it into RGB data that can be used by the designer, and designates it. To the specified folder. The designer uses the downloaded image data and the spec text obtained by copying and pasting to edit the design of the catalog paper.
[0041]
The specification of the new product is also input in step S11 by designating the attribute value of the target product number on the edit input screen of FIG.
[0042]
Next, the main image registration in step S33 will be described. In a catalog production company, a color document obtained by product photography is digitized by a high resolution scanner for plate making to obtain CMYK image data. From now on, color proofs will be created and approved by the manufacturer. Since catalog images are required to have high quality, color calibration may be repeated several times here, and thus it generally takes time from provisional image registration to main image registration. Thus, the CMYK data approved by the manufacturer can finally be registered in the database. The main image registration unit 25 is activated from the product information client 11 of the catalog production company by specifying the image ID of the temporary image and the file name of the main image data. The main image registration unit 25 replaces the image file name field of the image management record of the image ID with the file name of the main image from the file name of the temporary image. Thus, the main image is registered while the link with the product record formed at the time of registering the temporary image is maintained.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, the catalog production system shown in the present embodiment shares the product information database, and the manufacturer person in charge makes the actual data correction to the catalog production contractor only by creating a correction instruction. The tentative image registration means has a very simple user interface and can be handled easily by photographers, and the designer can download image data etc. with simple operations while searching for product information. , Catalog production contractors, designers, and photography studio photographers can collaborate smoothly while making full use of existing technologies and knowledge, and demonstrate extremely high practicality.
[0044]
In addition, by registering link information when registering a temporary image, data can be retrieved even before the main image is officially registered, and the designer can advance the design work. As a result, new product information and existing product information can be extracted from the database, and the catalog production process is unified and simplified. As a result, the time and effort of communication between related parties and the frequency of mistakes are reduced. Thus, the catalog production system having the configuration presented in the present invention can realize a production flow that is extremely practical.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a catalog production system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a catalog production system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a fixed tree search screen (top layer).
FIG. 4 is a fixed tree search screen (part number list).
FIG. 5 is a specification display screen.
FIG. 6 is a link image display screen.
FIG. 7 is a link graphic display screen.
FIG. 8 is a diagram conceptually showing an overall process flow of the catalog production system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a correction instruction search screen.
FIG. 10 is a specification display screen.
FIG. 11 is a correction instruction issue (memo format) screen.
FIG. 12 is a frame explanatory diagram of a dialog screen.
FIG. 13 is a screen displaying variations on a spec display screen.
FIG. 14 is a specification editing screen.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a database.
FIG. 16
FIG. 17 is a screen when registering a temporary image.
FIG. 18 is a screen displaying correction instruction search results.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 catalog production system 3 database management production side equipment 4 communication path 5 manufacturer side equipment 6 shooting studio side equipment 7 design company side equipment 10 product information server 11 product information client 12 access server 13 authentication server 14 database management means 15 correction instruction creation means 16 Product information search means 17 Correction instruction search means 18 Product information registration means 21 Product information client 22 Router or terminal adapter 23 Download means 24 Temporary image registration means 25 Main image registration means

Claims (2)

Provisional image registration means for registering provisional image data;
Main image registration means for registering main image data having a higher resolution than the provisional image data ;
Product information registration means for registering spec information;
Product information search means;
A correction instruction creating means for creating a correction instruction for product specifications and parts data;
Means for downloading the instructed image data;
A database of these means are commonly accessed,
The database is
A product record that records information on individual products specified by the product identifier, and an image management record that includes at least fields of a product identifier, an image identifier, and an image file name, and manages a link between the product record and image data; Including
The main image registration means
In response to the designation of the image identifier of the temporary image and the main image file name, the image file name field of the image management record having the corresponding image identifier is replaced with the file name of the main image. A unique catalog production system. The temporary image registration means includes:
When registering the product photographing provisional image data of the product in the database, an input field capable of simultaneously inputting the identification number of the photographed product and the identification number of another product related to the product ,
The identification number of another product related to the identification number of the photographed product is related and registered in the database,
The product information search means includes:
If a temporary image of a related product is registered even if the main image is not registered, it is possible to search for specifications and images of other products related to the product using the product as a key. Item 3. The catalog production system according to item 1.

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