JP2001291019A - Product specification change method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a product specification change method for manufacturing products corresponding to the individual needs of users while securing the mass productivity and sales easiness of the products. SOLUTION: On the basis of an information preparation program obtainable by the purchase of the product and preparing information for changing the product to the one having desired specifications, the user prepares specification change information regarding the specification change of the product and the specifications of the product are changed on the basis of the specification change information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method implemented using, for example, the Internet, and more particularly to a method for changing product specifications for providing a product that meets the needs of consumers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, the needs of consumers who purchase products are very diverse and fragmented.

For example, some users who have purchased a personal computer apply desired paint to the exterior of the personal computer in order to increase the originality of the personal computer even if they are not dissatisfied with the function or performance. Some are.

[0004] Further, customizing (coloring, optional functions) of expensive commodities such as automobiles is also performed at the request of the purchaser. In general, products are marketed with specifications that fulfill the greatest common divisor of consumer needs, but under the above background, there are many users who cannot satisfy the specifications.

[0005]

However, under the above circumstances, it is difficult to manufacture a wide variety of products in advance in order to meet the diversified and fragmented needs of users from the viewpoint of economic efficiency and manufacturing efficiency. It is. This is because there are some people in the market who are satisfied with products that have performed the greatest common divisor of consumer needs and others who are not satisfied. That is,
For example, there is a problem from the viewpoint of economic efficiency and manufacturing efficiency that a business operator individually responds to a low-priced product such as a camera and provides a product according to a consumer's desire. Also,
Pre-manufacturing a wide variety of cameras in anticipation of consumer needs is problematic because it is difficult to accurately predict consumer needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to manufacture a product that meets the individual needs of a user while ensuring mass productivity and ease of sales of the product. To provide a method for changing product specifications.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, information which is available by purchasing a product and is used to change the product to a desired specification is stored. A product specification change method is provided in which a user creates specification change information on a change in the specification of the product based on the created information creation program, and changes the specification of the product based on the specification change information.

[0008] In a second aspect, based on an information creation program which is available by purchasing a product and creates information for changing the product to a desired specification, the user can change the specification regarding the specification change of the product. A product specification change method comprising: an information creation step of creating change information; and a specification change step of changing the specifications of the product based on the specification change information created by the information creation step. Provided.

[0009] In a third aspect, based on an information creating program which is available by purchasing a product and creates information for changing the product to a desired specification, the user can change the specification regarding the specification change of the product. An information creating step of creating change information; an information recording step of recording the specification change information created by the information creating step on a predetermined recording medium; and Transmitting the specification change information, or delivering the storage medium storing the specification change information in the information storage step, and also delivering the product; and transmitting the product in the transmission / delivery step. A specification change step of changing the specification of the delivered product based on the specification change information or the delivered storage medium; Product specification change method characterized by comprising a are provided.

According to a fourth aspect, in the first to third aspects, there is provided a product specification change method, wherein the information creation program includes a program for estimating a cost associated with a change in product specification. .

In a fifth aspect, in the first to third aspects, the product is a camera, and the specification change information is information for instructing painting or printing of the camera exterior, and instructing a shape change of the camera exterior. There is provided a method for changing product specifications, characterized by including at least one of information and information for instructing a change in a control operation of a camera.

According to the above-described first to fifth aspects, the following operations are provided.

That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, specification change information relating to a change in product specifications is created based on the information creation program, and the specifications of the product are changed based on the specification change information.

In the second embodiment, specification change information relating to a change in product specifications is created based on the information creation program, and the specifications of the product are changed based on the specification change information.

Further, in the third aspect, the specification change information on the specification change of the product is created based on the information creation program, and the specification change information created in the information creating step is recorded on a predetermined recording medium, and the manufacturing is performed. The specification change information created in the information creation step is transmitted to the manufacturer, or the storage medium storing the specification change information is delivered, and the product is delivered together with the transmitted specification change information or The specification of the delivered product is changed based on the delivered storage medium.

Further, in the fourth aspect, the above-described first to third embodiments
In the aspect, the information creation program includes a program for estimating a cost associated with a change in product specifications.

According to a fifth aspect, in the first to third aspects, the product is a camera, and the specification change information is information for instructing painting or printing of the camera exterior, and changing the shape of the camera exterior. At least one of the information to instruct and the information to instruct to change the control operation of the camera is included.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system for realizing a product specification changing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a camera is manufactured by a manufacturer 4.

When the camera is sold, a camera body 2 and a CD-R storing the customization program are also provided to provide the user with a customization program.
OM3 is packed as a customized camera kit 1 of the same package.

As a medium for recording the customizing program, a CD-ROM 3 is most commonly used. However, since the electronic still camera has a memory card and a hard disk for recording image data, it is needless to say that the customizing program may be stored in such a medium.

The package in which the camera body 2 and the CD-ROM 3 are packed is a customized camera kit 1
, And are wholesaled to the camera store 5 from the manufacturer 4. When the camera user 6 who has purchased the customized camera kit 1 at the camera store 5 wants to change the function or design of the camera, the camera user 6 is recorded in the CD-ROM 3 wrapped in the customized camera kit 1. A predetermined operation as described later is performed based on the customization program. Thus, it is possible to create custom-made information for instructing the manufacturer 4 to change the function and design of the camera.

Hereinafter, the procedure will be described in detail.

First, the camera user 6 enters a process of creating custom made information (step S1). The camera user 6 uses a personal computer 7 with a CD-ROM
The program 3 is executed, and the created custom information is recorded on the floppy disk 8. The medium on which the custom-made information is recorded may be any medium that can be read by the manufacturer 4 and is not limited to the floppy disk 8 described above.

Subsequently, the camera user 6 enters a stage of requesting the manufacturer 4 to customize the functions of the camera, etc. (step S2). That is, the camera user 6 transfers the floppy disk 8 and the camera body 2 to the carrier 9.
Or to the manufacturer 4 as mail. If the service station of the manufacturer 4 exists in the vicinity of the camera user 6, it is of course possible for the camera user 6 to directly deliver the service station.

Furthermore, what the camera user 6 has to do is pay the manufacturer 4 for customization costs. The cost to be paid by the camera user 6 is automatically calculated according to the contents of the custom-made information when the customizing program is executed. The camera user 6 pays the customization cost to an account of the bank 10 designated by the manufacturer. Note that the payment of the customization fee can be made via a communication network such as the Internet 11. Further, the camera user 6 transmits the above-mentioned custom maid information to the Internet 1.
1 may be transmitted to the manufacturer 4.

Subsequently, the process for customizing the camera by the manufacturer 4 is started (step S3). After confirming that the customization fee has been deposited into the account of the bank 10, the manufacturer 4 adjusts the customization fee according to the custom-made information.
The camera user 6 changes the desired camera design and function. Note that these changes in design and function are performed using a manufacturing process. Next, the customized camera body 2 is sent to the house of the camera user 6 by the carrier 10 (step S4). It can also be delivered to the service station of the manufacturer 4 and handed over to the camera user 6 who is the client.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The process flow of the product specification changing method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

When the CD-ROM 3 is loaded into the personal computer 7, a customizing program is started.
The custom made information includes paint custom made information, shape custom made information, and program custom made information.

First, it is determined whether the user has selected the setting of the paint custom made information (step S10).
0). Here, when the paint custom maid information is selected, the process proceeds to step S101, and a desired color is selected from a color sample provided by the manufacturer 4 (step S1).
01), and proceed to step S102.

In step S102, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 7. 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2
In f, each surface of the camera body 2 is displayed. The color boxes denoted by reference numerals 30 to 37 indicate colors that the manufacturer 4 can paint as standard.

The camera user 6 moves the pointer 20 with a mouse as a standard operation member of the personal computer 7, and selects a color box of a desired color. Furthermore, the surface 2a of the camera body 2 where the pointer 20 is to be painted
Through 2f to select a desired plane. By repeating this operation, the images of the images 2a to 2f of the camera body 2 are changed to the desired camera images imaged by the camera user 6. When the desired camera-image is completed in this way, the box "Confirm &End" 39 is set to the pointer 20.
If the selection is made, the information is determined as custom made information, and the operation in step S102 ends. On the other hand, if the box "cancel &end" 38 is selected, the process ends without being determined as custom made information.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the camera user 6 desires to select a desired pattern from a sample of the pattern provided by the manufacturer 4. Move to step S104.

In step S104, a screen as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 7. In the drawing, patterns and pictures that can be printed by the manufacturer 4 as standard are displayed in boxes 40 to 45. By operating the mouse, the pointer 20 is moved to boxes 40 to 45 containing the desired pattern, and the pattern is selected. Then, the user designates and selects the surface 2a to 2f of the camera body 2 on which the pattern is to be printed with the pointer 20. By this operation, the images on the surfaces 2a to 2f of the camera body 2 change to what the camera user 6 images.

When characters are to be printed on the camera body 2, a desired character may be selected from the character box 46 by operating the mouse to move the pointer 20. In order to confirm the selected condition as custom information, the box "confirm &end" 48 is selected with the mouse. On the other hand, when the user wants to cancel the setting operation without fixing the selected condition, the user selects the box “cancel & end” 47.

With the combination of the color and the pattern presented by the manufacturer 4, the camera image desired by the camera user 6 may not be created. When such a camera user 6 desires to input the original paint information, step S
The process moves from step 105 to step S106. In this step S106, a predetermined sequence based on a paint software program is executed.

By performing a predetermined operation based on the paint software, a pattern to be processed by the camera user 6 can be created, and information for painting the camera with a desired color can be created.

However, the paint software is adapted to the camera purchased by the camera user 6. General paint software is for creating arbitrary image data. There are restrictions on processing (manufacturing) for painting and printing on the camera body 2. Even when the user desires to draw a precise pattern on the camera body 2, the performance of the printing apparatus is not exceeded.

There are also colors that cannot be produced even if the camera user 6 desires to paint with special colors. Further, even if plating of the camera body 2 is desired, it may not be performed depending on the material of the camera body 2. In step S106, processing based on the paint software in consideration of these restrictions is executed.

Steps S102, S104, S10
The camera user 6 can input arbitrary paint custom-made information by appropriately executing the processing of step 6.

Subsequently, it is determined whether the setting of the paint information has been determined (step S107). Here, when it is determined, the process proceeds to step S110, and when the setting of information is continued, the process returns to step S101, and the above process is repeated.

In step S110, it is determined whether or not the camera user 6 has selected the setting operation of the custom shape information. Here, when the setting operation is selected, step S
The process proceeds to step S111, and if not selected, the process proceeds to step S120.

In this step S111, the manufacturer 4
It is determined whether or not the user wants to select from the sample shape presented by the user. Here, when a selection is desired, a screen as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 7 (step S112). The method for setting this custom-made information is the same as the method described above with reference to FIGS. That is, the user operates the pointer 20 with a mouse to select a desired box on the screen. Reference numerals 51, 52, and 53 indicate the shapes of grips that can be attached to the camera body. The camera user 6 can select a grip having a desired shape by operating the mouse. Then, an image diagram in which the selected grip and the front image 2a of the camera body are combined is displayed on the monitor. Then, if the box “confirm & end” 55 is selected, it is decided as custom made information. If the box "cancel &end" 54 is selected, the process of step S112 is ended without being determined as custom made information.

Here, there is a camera user 6 who cannot find a desired shape image in the shape sample presented by the manufacturer 4. If the camera user 6 desires to input the original shape information, the process moves from step S113 to step S114. In this step S114, processing based on three-dimensional CAD software is executed. Through a series of processing based on this software, the camera user 6 can create the shape of the camera grip that he or she can image, or can cut a part of the camera body to engrave patterns and characters. .

The CAD executed in step S114
The software is software optimized for the camera purchased by the camera user 6. According to general CAD software, arbitrary shape data can be created. However, there are various processing restrictions for producing the shape of the camera body 2. Even if the camera user 6 arbitrarily creates a shape, there are some shapes that cannot be manufactured.

In order to maintain the rigidity of the camera, there are portions on the camera body that cannot be cut. Therefore, even if the camera user 6 desires to cut off a part of the camera body 2, it cannot be done arbitrarily. Therefore, in step S114, it is necessary to execute software in consideration of these restrictions.

The camera user 6 proceeds to step S11
2. Arbitrary shape customization information can be set by appropriately executing the processing of S114.

Subsequently, in step S115, it is determined whether or not the setting of the shape customization information has been determined. Here, when it is determined, the process proceeds to step S120, and when the camera user 6 selects the setting operation, the process proceeds to step S111.

Next, in step S120, it is determined whether or not the camera user 6 has selected the input operation of the program customization information. When the setting operation is selected, the process proceeds to step S121. When the setting operation is not selected, the process proceeds to step S121.
Move to 123.

At step S121, a screen as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 7.

Here, the method of setting the program customization information is the same as the method described above with reference to FIGS. That is, by operating the pointer 20 with a mouse,
Just select the desired box on the screen. As for the light metering method, one of a box “center-weighted light metering” 61 and a box “multi-pattern light metering” 62 can be selected. For the distance measurement method, see the box "Central 1
Either one of the “point measurement” 63 and the box “multi-pattern measurement” 64 can be selected. Regarding the distance measurement control sequence, one of the boxes “priority for distance measurement operation” 65 and “priority for photographing operation” 66 can be selected. If the distance measurement operation priority 65 is selected, the exposure operation cannot be performed until the distance measurement operation ends. "Shooting operation priority"
When 66 is selected, the specification is such that the exposure operation can be performed even during the distance measurement operation.

For the strobe control sequence, the boxes "Strobe charge priority" 67 and "Shooting operation priority" 68
You can choose one of them. When "Strobe charge priority" 67 is selected, the exposure operation is prohibited until the strobe can emit light. When the “photographing operation priority” 68 is selected, the camera has a specification capable of performing the exposure operation even during the flash charging operation. If the custom maid information is confirmed under the set conditions, the box "confirm &end" 70 may be selected, and if it is not desired to confirm, the box "cancel &end" 69 may be selected.

Subsequently, in a step S123, it is determined whether or not the setting operation of all the custom-made information has been completed. Here, when all the setting operations have been completed, the process proceeds to step S124, and when not completed, the process proceeds to step S1.
Move to 00.

In step S124, various pieces of custom information input by the camera user 6 are totaled and converted into predetermined custom information to be sent to the manufacturer 4. In step S125, the cost required for customization is calculated based on this information, and the calculation result is displayed on the monitor of the personal computer 7.

This display mode is as shown in FIG.

In the box 70, the above step S102
The cost for the custom-made information set in is shown. Box 71 indicates the cost for the information set in step S104. Box 72 shows the cost for the information set in step S106. The box 73 contains a step S
The cost for the information set at 112 is shown.

In the box 74, the cost for the information set in step S114 is shown. Box 75 shows the cost for the information set in step S121. Box 76 shows the costs incurred when sending the camera from manufacturer 4 to camera user 6.
The box 77 shows the cost to be paid to the manufacturer 4 when requesting customization. The camera user 6 can change the custom-made information after seeing the cost to be paid.

If correction or change of the custom maid information is desired, the process moves from step S123 to step S100, and the above series of processing is repeated.

On the other hand, if there is no problem in the setting, step S
The process moves from step 126 to step S127.
Here, it is convenient to always display the estimation screen shown in FIG. 7 during the setting of the custom-made information. The camera user 6 should set the custom-made information while considering his own budget. Therefore, it is very convenient if the cost estimate can be referred to in conjunction with the information setting operation.

Subsequently, in step S127, the ordering method is selected by the camera user 6. Here, when the camera user 6 selects the order using the Internet, the process moves from step S128 to step S129,
If not, the process proceeds to step S130. In step S129, the camera user 6 remits the customization fee to the account of the bank 10 designated by the manufacturer, and transfers the customization information created in step S124 to the manufacturer 4.

Subsequently, in step S130, the customization information is recorded on the floppy disk 8, and in step S130,
At 131, the account number of the bank 10 to which the customization cost is to be delivered is displayed, and a series of processes is ended.

In the above embodiment, the program for creating the camera custom information is a CD-ROM.
3 recorded. And camera body 2 and CD-
The ROM 3 is packed in the same package.

However, in the above-described purchasing method, the camera user 6 who does not need to customize the camera can use the CD-RO.
M3 is sent, which may be wasted. Therefore, an improved example of the embodiment for the purpose of providing the program only to the camera user 6 requiring customization is proposed.

Hereinafter, a method for distributing a program according to an improved example of the embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

A camera customization kit 80 to be sold to a camera store contains a camera body 81 and a user registration card 82. When the camera user 6 who has purchased the camera customization kit 80 wishes to customize the camera, he or she fills out predetermined items on the user registration card 82 and mails it to the manufacturer.

The items to be entered here are the camera model, camera manufacturing number, user address, e-mail address, and program distribution method.

The manufacturer 4 receiving the registration card transmits the customization program in a distribution method desired by the camera user 6. The CD-ROM 84 is mailed to the camera user 6 who wants the CD-ROM 84. An ID code is sent to the camera user 6 who wants to obtain the ID from the Internet by using electronic mail. The camera user 6 who has obtained the ID code can download the customization program from the website of the manufacturer 4. The ID code may be sent by mail (reference numeral 83) without using electronic mail.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is a matter of course that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the present invention is not limited to the customization of a camera, but can be applied to various electronic devices that can be purchased by a user.

The above embodiment of the present invention includes the following inventions.

(1) Based on an information creation program which is available by purchasing a product and creates information for changing the product to a desired specification, a user can send specification change information on the specification change of the product. A product specification change method that creates and changes product specifications based on this specification change information.

(2) Based on an information creating program which is available by purchasing a product and creates information for changing the product to a desired specification, the user can send specification change information on the specification change of the product. A product specification change method comprising: an information creation step to be created; and a specification change step to change the specification of the product based on the specification change information created by the information creation step.

(3) On the basis of an information creating program which is available by purchasing a product and creates information for changing the product to a desired specification, the user sends specification change information on the specification change of the product. An information creating step to be created, an information recording step of recording the specification change information created by the information creation step on a predetermined recording medium, and a specification change information created by the information creation step to a manufacturer. Or a delivery / delivery step of delivering the storage medium storing the specification change information in the information storage step and delivering the product, and the specification change information transmitted in the transmission / delivery step. Or a specification change step of changing specifications of the delivered product based on the delivered storage medium. Product specification change wherein the.

(4) In any one of the above (1) to (3), the information creation program is recorded on a CD-ROM, and the CD-ROM is stored in the same package as the above product, and is stored in a user package. Sold to.

(5) In any one of the above items (1) to (3), the information creation program can be obtained by using a registration card packed in the same package as the product.

(6) In the above (2), the method of obtaining the information creating program is as follows.
By having the D-ROM delivered or by downloading the program on the Internet.

(7) In the above (2) or (3), after obtaining the information creation program, the specification change information is transmitted to the manufacturer using the Internet.

[0078]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a product specification changing method for manufacturing a product according to the individual needs of a user while securing mass productivity and easiness of sales of the product. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system that realizes a product specification changing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining in detail an operation flow of a product specification changing method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a state of a screen displayed on the personal computer 7 in step S102 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the personal computer 7 in step S104 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the personal computer 7 in step S112 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a screen displayed on the personal computer 7 in step S121 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on the personal computer 7 in step S125 of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing in detail a method of distributing a program according to an improvement of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Customized camera kit 2 Camera body 3 CD-ROM 4 Manufacturer 5 Camera dealer 6 Camera user 7 Personal computer 8 Floppy disk 9 Carrier 10 Carrier

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A user creates specification change information on a specification change of a product based on an information creation program that is available by purchasing the product and creates information for changing the product to a desired specification. And a product specification change method for changing product specifications based on this specification change information. 2. A user creates specification change information on a specification change of a product based on an information creation program which is available by purchasing the product and creates information for changing the product to a desired specification. A product specification changing method, comprising: an information creating step to perform the specification, and a specification changing step of changing the specification of the product based on the specification change information created by the information creating step. 3. A user creates specification change information on a specification change of a product based on an information creation program which is available by purchasing the product and creates information for changing the product to a desired specification. An information recording step of recording the specification change information created by the information creation step on a predetermined recording medium; and transmitting the specification change information created by the information creation step to a manufacturer. Transmitting or delivering the storage medium storing the specification change information in the information storage step, and also delivering the product; and transmitting the specification change information or the specification change information transmitted in the transmission / delivery step. A specification changing step of changing specifications of the delivered product based on the delivered storage medium. And a method for changing product specifications. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the information creation program includes a program for estimating a cost associated with a change in product specifications. 5. The product is a camera, and the specification change information includes information for instructing painting or printing of the camera exterior, information for instructing a change in the shape of the camera exterior, and information for instructing a change in the control operation of the camera. The method for changing product specifications according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising at least one.