JP2002041755A - Questionnairing method using network system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new questionnairing method which can easily and speedily make a research by questionnaires at low cost and enables examinees of the questionnaires to fill out a questionnaire at convenient free time. SOLUTION: A monitor DB, a questionnaire content DB, and a questionnaire answer DB are so structured that a server system 1 can refer to them, the server system 1 runs a Web server for distributing a Web page for answering a questionnaire to a client system 21 that each monitor has, and mail showing that a questionnaire is made is distributed from the server system 1 to client monitors 21 that respective monitors have. To evade the distribution of much mail to the monitors, a schedule for questionnaires is adjusted. The mail is not distributed to monitors who are not object persons of the questionnaires.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for conducting a questionnaire using a wide area network such as the Internet, and more particularly to a method for periodically conducting a questionnaire using a portable information terminal such as a mobile phone as a client. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the past, when planning or marketing a new product, a company sometimes conducts a survey on a street corner or collects students and the like at the same time in order to conduct market research. .

[0003]

However, these questionnaire implementation methods are not easy to implement because a relatively long preparation period is required from the planning to implementation of the questionnaire, and the implementation cost is high. Was.
In addition, from the viewpoint of the subject of the questionnaire, the time for answering the questionnaire is restricted according to the convenience of the questionnaire implementer, and even when answering the questionnaire, it is not possible to answer at their own free time.

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides a new questionnaire implementation method that can easily and quickly implement a questionnaire at low cost and that allows a questionnaire subject to answer at his / her free time. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following technical measures. That is, the present invention provides a method for conducting a questionnaire using a server-client type network system. Examples of such a network system include the so-called Internet, a server system connected thereto, and Internet terminals such as a computer and a mobile phone.

[0006] In the questionnaire implementation method of the present invention, a monitor database in which monitor information relating to a large number of monitors is stored, a questionnaire content database in which information relating to a questionnaire prepared by a questionnaire client and / or its agent is stored, A questionnaire answer database that stores answer information to the questionnaire is constructed so that it can be referred to from the server system, and a web server for distributing a questionnaire answer web page to the client system owned by each monitor is executed on the server system. I do.

Each database may have an appropriate configuration. For example, the database may be constructed using a DBM database system. Alternatively, a CSV format text file or a binary file obtained by converting the file into binary data may be used. Each database can be configured. In addition, each database may be managed in a unified manner by recording all information in one file, or may be recorded in a different file for each record unit to manage various information in a distributed manner. DBM is widely known as a database system on UNIX (registered trademark), and can be easily referred to using, for example, a Perl script. Perl scripts are generally used as CGIs of server-side programs in Web systems.
By using M, while constructing a security-managed database system on the server system side,
By referring to the database in response to a request from the Web client, it is possible to easily extract necessary information and distribute it to the Web client. The DBM database is a set of key-value pairs, and Perl accesses the database naturally by associating the associative array with the DBM database. Note that the dbmopen () operator is used to connect a DBM database to a DBM array, and the dbmopen () operator is used to convert a DBM database into an associative array.
Files are bound. The DBM array remains open during the execution of the program, but can be explicitly disconnected using the dbmclose () operator.

[0008] Each database is composed of Adabas D, Inte
rBase, Solid, dBase, mSQL, Sybase, Empress, MySQ
L, Velocis, FilePro, Oracle, Unix dbm, Informix, P
It can also be built using a database application such as ostgreSQL. In the case of using the server-client type database system, it is not necessary to store the files which are the substance of each database in the server system, and it is also possible to store the files on other computers connected to the network.

The server system is, for example, Linux
UNIX such as x, BSD or SystemV, or W
WindowsNT (registered trademark) or Windows
2000 or the like. A Web server executed on a server system can be constituted by one or a plurality of processes (programs) executed on a computer that provides a Web service, and is constituted by a process executed on a plurality of computers. You can also. Apache and Microsoft's IIS (Microsoft Internet Information
Server) and PWS (Personal Web Server).

The Web page for answering the questionnaire is HT
It can be described in an appropriate page description language such as ML, DHTML, XML, etc., and accessed from the client system used by each monitor to display a questionnaire of a questionnaire or input an answer to the question to the Web. Can be sent to the server. Personal digital assistant (client system) where each monitor carries the mail delivery destination
In the case of limiting to, the page description language of the Web page selects a language corresponding to the portable information terminal. For example, if the user wants to answer the questionnaire from an i-mode compatible mobile phone of NTT DoCoMo, the user can access the Compat of ACCESS.
When the answer Web page is described in actHTML, and when the au CDMA-one compatible mobile phone is used to answer the questionnaire, the answer Web page is described in HDML. The answer Web page can be created in advance and registered in a network directory managed by a Web server. In response to a request from a client system, a Web page described in a page description language corresponding to the client system is provided. The page may be dynamically generated using a CGI program.

[0011] In the method for conducting a questionnaire according to the present invention,
The server system sends a mail to the client system owned by each monitor to the effect that a questionnaire is to be conducted, and uses the client system to answer W
Accessing the eb page causes each monitor to transmit the answer to the questionnaire to the server system, and stores the answer information in the questionnaire answer database. According to this, it is possible to prompt each monitor to answer the questionnaire by distributing the mail. On the other hand, each monitor can access the answer Web page using a client system such as a personal computer or a portable information terminal that can be connected to the Internet at a time convenient for him / her, and answer the questionnaire.
It is easy to respond to the request of the questionnaire, and as a result, it is possible to collect more questionnaire responses at a low cost. In addition, since the questionnaire responses are stored as electronic data in a questionnaire response database that can be referenced from the server system, information processing, browsing, analysis, etc. can be easily performed, and the labor for inputting the response information can be reduced. Can be planned.

Further, the present invention includes a Web server, mail distribution means, and a client system having a Web browsing function of a Web page provided by the Web server and a function of receiving a mail distributed by the mail distribution means. A method of conducting a questionnaire using a network system, wherein monitor information about a large number of monitors is registered in a monitor database, and the monitor information of each monitor includes mail address information owned by the monitor, And / or information about the questionnaire created by the agent, including question items and their answer choices, and information on the execution conditions of the questionnaire, are registered in the questionnaire content database, and a web page for answering each questionnaire The contents of the questionnaire The web page is provided from a web server during the period of conducting the questionnaire, and the web page is provided with character string data of questionnaire items of the questionnaire and its answer options and input for answer input. Means for transmitting a mail including introduction information of the answering web page to the questionnaire satisfying the implementation condition to the client system of a large number of monitors based on the mail address information registered in the monitor database by the mail distribution means. Broadcast to encourage a large number of monitors to complete ongoing surveys,
The monitor accessing the answer Web page registers the answer information input from the client system in a questionnaire answer database.

[0013] Examples of the client system as described above include a mobile information terminal that can be connected to the Internet, such as an i-mode compatible mobile phone from NTT DoCoMo and a CDMA-one from au. The mobile phone has ten number keys from 0 to 9 and can jump to a link destination associated with the number only by pressing the number keys by the access key function. The Web server may be composed of one or a plurality of processes executed on a computer equipped with a network OS such as UNIX. As mail delivery means,
A mail client application installed as a standard or additionally in the OS can be used. As such a mail client, a mail command implemented as a standard UNIX command can be used. In addition, sendmail
It is also possible to use a mail server such as. Further, when a UNIX machine is used as the server system, a daemon for executing a mail delivery processing program for periodically delivering mail to a large number of monitors using the mail command or the like in order to periodically execute the mail delivery. Can be started. This daemon can be started using, for example, a cron command.
As the network system, the Internet can be typically mentioned.

In the questionnaire implementation method, monitor information on a large number of monitors is registered in a monitor database. Here, the monitor information of each monitor includes at least mail address information owned by the monitor, and further includes the name, address, gender, and I of each monitor.
D and other information can be included. As the monitor identification information, a name may be used, but for simplification of input at the time of monitor authentication, a monitor ID consisting of only alphanumeric characters is preferably used. The monitor database may be constructed using an appropriate RDBMS, or may be constituted by a CSV format text file or DBM file. The process of registering the monitor information in the database may be performed by the questionnaire system administrator by inputting from the server system terminal,
In addition, a CGI program for performing the registration process and a monitor enrollment Web page including link information to the program are set up in a server system, and a person who wants to enroll needs to access the monitor enrollment Web page. By inputting an item and activating the CGI program, the monitor information automatically input to the monitor database by the program may be registered.

The questionnaire requester is, for example, a company that conducts a questionnaire, and the agent is a provider that provides the questionnaire service of the present invention, a questionnaire agent, or the like. One or more questionnaires can be registered, and a plurality of answer options are provided for each questionnaire. Note that the number of answer options is preferably set to 10 or less. The condition for conducting the questionnaire may be, for example, a period during which the questionnaire is conducted, or a predetermined period from when other appropriate data satisfies the predetermined condition.

The input means for inputting an answer can have an appropriate configuration such as an answer number input form and a URI provided for each answer option. When an i-mode compatible mobile phone is used as a client system, a direct key function (specifying an accesskey attribute in a link tag <a>) can be used to easily input an answer. it can. When a URI is provided for each answer option, each URI may be a URL of a CGI program for answer input processing, with an option for specifying an answer number added. This C
The GI program registers the answer number (answer information) in the questionnaire answer database at any time assuming that the answer number specified as an option has been input, or
An answer number for each question item is accumulated in a temporary file, and when all the answers to the questionnaire have been completed, the answer information can be collectively registered in the questionnaire answer database.

The creation of the Web page for answering the questionnaire is as follows:
The system administrator may use an appropriate editor to create the HTML document while referring to the questionnaire content database. However, it is preferable that the system administrator creates the HTML document by referring to the questionnaire content database. . Such a program can be created by, for example, a perl script, and it is preferable to activate a daemon that periodically executes the program. For example, the program may be configured to search for a questionnaire started on the day of execution by referring to the questionnaire content database, and create a Web page for answering the extracted questionnaire. In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned program is configured so that the answer Web page is deleted after the end of the questionnaire for which the implementation period has ended. The program is preferably configured to be automatically executed at a time when the load on the server is small (for example, early in the morning).

In the mail delivered to the monitor, introduction information of the answer Web page created on the delivery date can be described. The introduction information can include an outline of the questionnaire, a URL of the Web page, information on a present to the monitor that has answered the questionnaire, and the like. If the link information to the Web page is described, the monitor that has viewed the mail can easily access the answer Web page by following the link. The answer Web page is preferably composed of a plurality of pages created for each question item, and the top page is preferably a monitor authentication page. Then, the URL of the top page can be included in the mail.

The distribution of mail to the many monitors is as follows.
It can be performed periodically, preferably daily at a predetermined time, by a daemon started by the cron command.
This mail distribution is preferably performed at a time different from the time for performing the automatic generation of the answer Web page. For example, it is preferable to perform the mail distribution at about 12:00 when many monitors have lunch break.

According to the present invention, each monitor can read a mail delivered to itself at a convenient time by using a client system such as a portable information terminal, and when each monitor is interested in the questionnaire. Can access the web page for answering the questionnaire on the spot,
By registering the answer information input from the client system by the monitor accessing the answer Web page in the questionnaire answer database, the convenience of maintenance of the answer information is improved. The present invention can be realized not only as the questionnaire implementation method but also as a server system that provides a questionnaire service.
This server system may be configured by, for example, one server computer, or when the database becomes large, may be configured by a plurality of server computers that are clustered to improve processing speed. Other network connections (eg, T
It may be constituted by a plurality of computers connected via CP / IP.

Further, the present invention provides a Web server capable of executing a CGI program, mail distribution means capable of distributing a mail including link information to a Web page,
b. A method of conducting a questionnaire using a network system including a Web page providing function provided by a server b and a portable information terminal having a function of receiving an e-mail distributed by the e-mail distribution means. The monitor information is registered in a monitor database, and the monitor information includes identification information of each monitor and mail address information of the portable information terminal owned by each monitor, and is created by a questionnaire requester and / or its agent. Information on the questionnaire, including question items and their answer options, and information on the period of the questionnaire, is registered in the questionnaire content database, and a web page for answering each questionnaire is created based on the questionnaire content database. We
b) a web page created by a web page creating means, and the web page is provided from a web server during the survey period;
The Web page includes character string data of questionnaire questions and answer options, an input form for inputting an answer, and link information to a CGI program for registering the input answer information in a questionnaire answer database. And an email containing link information to the answer Web page for the questionnaire whose implementation period has arrived,
The e-mail distribution means distributes the e-mail to the e-mail addresses of a large number of monitors based on the monitor database, and prompts a large number of monitors to answer a questionnaire during the implementation period.

Here, the Web server is a program that is executed by an appropriate computer to provide a Web service, and does not need to be executed on a computer owned by a company that provides the questionnaire service. It may be running on any accessible computer. As the mail distribution means, an appropriate mail client program can be used, and the link information to the Web page is a tag character string such as an <A> tag which is compatible with the mail client of the mobile information terminal to be mail distributed. Can be included in the mail.

The monitor identification information included in the monitor information can be a character string unique to each user, such as alphanumeric characters and symbols, and the mail address information is the mail address assigned to the portable information terminal of each user. Can be a character string. For example, in the case of an i-mode compatible mobile phone, the mail address information is "09012345678 @ docom
o.co.jp ".

The information on the questionnaire implementation period is one aspect of the questionnaire implementation condition, and the implementation period can be specified by the questionnaire start date and the number of days, or the questionnaire start date and end date.

As the Web page creation means, a general-purpose text editor (for example, vi, emacs, etc.) can be used, an HTML editor can be used, and characters in an HTML document format can be used while referring to a database. A program that outputs columns may be used. Web
In order to provide a page from a Web server, a file constituting the generated Web page may be registered in a published virtual directory. When the Web page is described in HTML, the answer input form can be configured by, for example, an <input> tag or an <A> tag.

The monitor information can include information on various attributes of the monitor. As various attributes,
The gender, name, address, occupation, and industry of each monitor can be listed. Further, each questionnaire information can include monitor attribute information for specifying a monitor targeted for the questionnaire. For example, the questionnaire can be limited to men only, the address can be limited to a specific area, or the questionnaire can be specified as needed.

Further, the mail distribution means, when the questionnaire whose implementation period has arrived specifies a monitor, does not distribute the mail to a mail address of a monitor not having the specified attribute. Can be. Alternatively, when the questionnaire for which the implementation period has arrived specifies a monitor, the mail delivery means sends a link to a web page for answering the questionnaire to an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address of the monitor not having the specified attribute. You can choose not to include the information.

According to such a configuration, since information on the questionnaire is not delivered by e-mail to monitors not targeted for the questionnaire, it is possible to prevent monitors not targeted for the questionnaire from accessing the questionnaire response Web page.

In the present invention, the monitor information of each monitor can include point information added by answering a questionnaire. In addition, a web page for each monitor to check its own point information,
A web page containing premium information according to the number of points,
It can be provided from a Web server.

The questionnaire information of each questionnaire can include a plurality of question items, and a W
reducing the number of characters in the eb page to less than the number of characters for four lines on the display unit of the portable information terminal to which the mail is to be distributed;
The number of characters in the answer Web page for each answer option is
It is preferable that the number of characters is smaller than the number of characters for one line on the display unit of the portable information terminal.

Also, a Web page for joining a new monitor is provided from a Web server, and the Web page includes input fields for various types of information registered in the monitor database, and based on the information input in the input fields. The monitor information can be newly registered in the monitor database.

Further, the present invention can be realized as a server system that provides a questionnaire service using the above-described questionnaire conducting method. That is, a server system for providing a questionnaire service using a network according to the present invention includes monitor information registration means for registering, in a monitor database, monitor information on a large number of monitors, including mail address information owned by each monitor, A questionnaire information registration means for registering questionnaire information created by the questionnaire requester and / or its agent, including question items and their answer options, and information on the period of conducting the questionnaire in a questionnaire content database; A questionnaire providing means for preparing a Web page for answering each questionnaire based on the questionnaire content database based on the questionnaire content database and providing the Web page from the Web server during the questionnaire period, Mail distribution means for distributing an e-mail including the introduction information of the answer Web page to a plurality of monitor client systems based on the e-mail address information registered in the monitor database; Answer registration means for registering answer information input from the system in the questionnaire answer database, wherein the Web page includes questionnaire questions and character string data of answer options, and input means for answer input. It is characterized by the following. Each of the above-mentioned registration means can be constituted by an appropriate program which can access each database and directly or indirectly refer to and register the contents of the database. The questionnaire providing means refers to a questionnaire content database, saves a web page for answering the questionnaire in a predetermined directory in a Web description language (for example, CompactHTML) format, and rewrites a setting file of the Web server to rewrite the Web server. Can be configured by a program that publishes pages to the Internet. The mail distribution means can be constituted by a mail client program, a cron daemon that periodically starts the mail client program, and the like. The answer registration means can be constituted by a CGI program such as a perl script.

In the above server system, the Web server can execute the CGI program, and
The eb page is a CGI that performs a process of registering the answer information input by the input means in the questionnaire answer database.
Link information to the program.

The monitor information includes information on various attributes of the monitor. Each questionnaire information may include monitor attribute information for specifying a monitor to be questioned. When the questionnaire that arrives specifies the monitor, the mail may not be delivered to the mail address of the monitor that does not have the specified attribute.

The monitor information includes information on various attributes of the monitor. Each questionnaire information may include monitor attribute information for specifying a monitor to be subjected to the questionnaire. When the questionnaire that arrives specifies the monitor, an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address of the monitor that does not have the specified attribute includes a response Wen for the questionnaire.
It is also possible to configure so as not to include the link information to the page b.

The display section of the i-mode compatible mobile phone is 8 characters in full width (16 characters in half width) × 6 lines in vertical direction. It is preferable to create a page or email.
In addition, the image image uses a monochrome GIF file of two gradations, the GIF file uses only the normal image of the GIF87, 87a, 89a format, and the size of the GIF file is limited to a maximum of 94 × 72 dots .

In the present invention, by providing the following questionnaire content creation Web page from the Web server, the person in charge of the company wishing to conduct the questionnaire easily creates the questionnaire via the Internet, Can be set up on the server system. This questionnaire creation Web page is
It is provided with an input form for a survey period, an input form for a plurality of questions, an input form for answer options corresponding to each question, and an input form for a present. Each input data is registered in the questionnaire content database by a CGI program linked from the page. Each input form can be a suitable one, for example, a character string input box (<input>
Tags), list selection boxes (<select> tags), and the like. As in the case of a list selection box, when a plurality of predetermined data are distributed from the Web server to the client and one of the plurality of data is selected, the server system transmits the predetermined plurality of data to the client. A database can be built in advance.
As a result, the questionnaire and the fixed sentence of the answer option can be registered in the server in advance, and the use of the fixed sentence greatly reduces the burden of creating a questionnaire on the questionnaire conducting company. In this case, each question item registered in the database can be provided with a blank portion, and the questionnaire creation Web page can be provided with an input form of a character string to be embedded in the blank portion.

[0038]

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

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a questionnaire system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The questionnaire system includes a server computer 1 (server system) for providing a questionnaire service, a client computer 11 of a member company, The system includes client systems 21 and 22 such as a monitor mobile phone (portable information terminal). Member companies and monitors can be registered in advance by applying to the organizer of the questionnaire service by an appropriate method. It is also possible to set up a program for performing new registration processing in the server computer 1 and apply for a new membership from any terminal connected via a network. As the client system, a personal computer connected to the Internet by making a dial-up connection to an Internet provider can be used. In the present embodiment, in particular, the i-mod of NTT DOCOMO is used.
It is assumed that an e-compatible mobile phone 21 is used. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 31 denotes an im-m of NTT DOCOMO.
This is a packet communication network that includes a server for connecting the mode-compatible mobile phone 21 to the Internet.

The server computer 1 is connected to a LAN 2 in a company providing a questionnaire service, and can log in to the server computer 1 from another terminal 3 connected to the LAN 2. For example, UNIX can be installed as an OS in the server computer 1. The OS started by the server computer 1 manages an appropriate file system. The file system includes an external storage device such as an HDD connected to the server computer 1 and an external storage device connected to another computer connected via a LAN. Storage devices and the like are mounted, and are constructed so that files stored in these storage devices can be accessed. In the server computer 1, various servers are activated and provide various services to other terminals connected via a network.

In particular, in the present embodiment, a Web server is activated on the server computer 1 and provides Web services to terminals connected via a network. The LAN 2 is connected to the Internet 4, and the clients 11, 21, and 22 can use Web services provided by the server computer 1. Apache can be suitably used as the Web server. In this embodiment, the We
The server b is set to be able to execute the CGI program. The CGI program is Per
1 script and PHP script. In this specification, the CGI program includes:
It is assumed that a program to be executed on the server side is also included in a Web page in which the program is embedded and described, such as PHP-embedded HTML (extension .phtml). Note that J
Since avaScript is a client-side program, it is not included in the concept of the CGI program in this specification.

The LAN 2 is connected to the Internet 4 (wide area network), and the server computer 1
Has a unique Internet IP address, and the terminal connected to the Internet
By specifying the P address, services provided by various servers running on the server computer 1 (ftp service as a file transfer service,
An http service as a Web service) can be used. In addition, the LAN 2 can be connected to a server computer 5 of a student culture association or the like having student information serving as a monitor, so that student information can be obtained from the student culture association or the like to secure a monitor at the beginning of the service. Can be.

In a predetermined directory in the file system of the server computer 1, a corporate member database of the questionnaire service, a monitor database, a questionnaire content database, a questionnaire response database, and a schedule database are stored in a DBM file or other database definition file format. It is constructed in an appropriate format such as CSV format. Each database is composed of a plurality of tables, and each table has a plurality of fields. When a database is defined by a CSV file, each row in the CSV file forms one table, and each field is separated by a predetermined delimiter such as a comma (,). The database can be configured with one file for each database, or can be configured with a plurality of files for each database. Also,
It is also possible to create one master file that controls all the databases, and to refer to each database by accessing the master file.

In the corporate member database, a table is provided for each member company, and in each table, a corporate ID, a password, a corporate name, a telephone number, a location, a person in charge, a mail address, a URL of a corporate Web page, and , The number of times of conducting the questionnaire is registered.

In the monitor database, a table is provided for each registered monitor, and in each table, a monitor ID, a monitor name, a monitor password, an e-mail address, a gender, a date of birth, an age, an address, and a storage point are registered. You.

The questionnaire content database can be further composed of a questionnaire attribute database and a questionnaire question database. The questionnaire attribute database has a table for each questionnaire,
In this table, a questionnaire ID, a questionnaire name, a questionnaire start date, a questionnaire period, a conducting company ID, a present name, a target gender, a target age, a target region, a public / private flag, the number of participants, and the number of users are registered. . In the questionnaire question database, a table is provided for each questionnaire, and in this table, a questionnaire ID, one or more question items, and 10 or less answer options provided for each question item are registered.

In the questionnaire response database, a table is provided for each monitor that has answered a predetermined questionnaire, and a questionnaire ID, a questionnaire response date, and an answer number for each question are registered in the table.

The schedule database is provided with a table for each questionnaire implementation start date.
A first questionnaire ID and a second questionnaire ID are registered on the date when the implementation is started. The schedule database does not include a field for registering a third questionnaire ID, and can register up to two questionnaires started on the same day.

In each field of each of the above databases, data attributes such as character strings and integers can be set, and the field size can be set. When each database is composed of a text file in a CSV format or the like, each data is stored as a character string, and
By restricting the field size at the time of output in a program or the like, the character string size of each registered item can be reduced to a predetermined value or less.

In a predetermined directory in the file system of the server computer 1, the database is accessed to read (read) and register (write).
Various programs are set up for performing such operations as described above, so that the database can be easily operated as needed. Such a program can be described in perl, C language, PHP, or other programming languages. In an interpreted language such as perl, execution can be performed by giving an execution attribute to a program file. In a compiled language such as C language, the execution attribute is added to a compiled binary file in an executable format. It can be executed by giving it. The processing content of each program can be appropriately set as needed, but the details of the features of the present embodiment will be described later.

The Web server executed by the server computer 1 of the present embodiment includes various Web servers shown in FIGS.
The web page and various web pages for mobile phones shown in FIGS. 15 to 23 are provided to client systems having various web browsing functions connected via the Internet. These web pages are HTML,
It can be described in an appropriate page description language such as XML or DHTML. Each page can be stored in a predetermined directory of a file system in an HTML file format in advance, and an HTML document can be dynamically generated by a CGI program such as a Perl script and distributed to a client. The Web pages shown in FIGS. 2 to 13 are created in HTML 4.0 or the like on the assumption that a personal computer owned by a member company or a personal monitor is a client system, while the Web pages shown in FIGS. The Web page is an i-mode compatible mobile phone 21 owned by a personal monitor.
Comp is assumed to be a client system.
It is created in actHTML. The Web pages shown in FIGS. 2 to 13 are Internet Explorer by Microsoft.
It can be viewed by a browser such as r or Netscape's Netscape Navigator.

FIG. 2 shows a top page of the questionnaire service according to the present embodiment, which has a left menu frame and a right content frame. In the menu frame, a button dedicated to corporate members, a button dedicated to personal monitors, a company introduction button, a present button, a link button, a button for non-corporate members, and a non-monitor button are arranged. These buttons are Java (registered trademark)
It may be described in Script, or may be described using <INPUT> tag. In any case, each button is associated with the URL of the corresponding Web page or CGI program. By clicking each button with the mouse, the event is notified from the client to the Web server, and the Web server responds. Distribute the Web page to the client.

When the company member dedicated button is clicked, the company member authentication page shown in FIG. 3 is distributed from the Web server to the client 11, and the page is displayed in the right content frame. The authentication page includes a character string input box for inputting a company ID, a character string input box for inputting a password, and Wen input data.
Send button (OK button) for sending to server b
And a reset button for deleting the character string in the input box. Each input box and button are written in <input
> It can be described by tag. Although not displayed on the screen, the authentication page describes link information to a CGI program for performing an authentication process. Such link information can be described by a <FORM> tag. By describing the <input type = "submit" name = "OK"> tag of the submit button in the <FORM> tag, the submit button performs the authentication process. This is an execution button for the CGI program to be executed. When the transmission button is clicked with the mouse, the CGI program is executed by the Web server. The program checks the company ID and password entered in the input boxes against each table registered in the company member database, and if registered in the database, distributes the company member menu page shown in FIG. If the collation is impossible, a page indicating that the company ID or the password is incorrect is delivered to the client 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the corporate member menu page, a new questionnaire new creation button, a questionnaire correction button, a questionnaire result browsing button, a questionnaire status monitoring button, and a request button for a general plan are arranged. When a new questionnaire creation button is clicked on the client 11, the dedicated CGI program creates a new table in the questionnaire content database and distributes the plan setting page shown in FIG. 5 to the client 11 from the Web server. When the table is generated, a unique questionnaire ID is given by the server system. When the questionnaire correction button is clicked, a correction page (not shown) for correcting information on the questionnaire already registered in the questionnaire content database is distributed to the client 11.
When the user clicks the questionnaire result viewing button, the dedicated CGI program extracts the answer information of the questionnaire that has already been executed from the questionnaire content database and the questionnaire answer database, and includes the HT including the answer information.
Generate an ML document (result viewing page) and distribute it to the client. When the questionnaire status monitoring button is clicked, the dedicated CGI program extracts information on the questionnaire that has not been completed from the questionnaire content database and the questionnaire response database, and generates an HTML document (monitoring page) including the information. Distribute this to the client. When a request button for the overall plan is clicked, a request page for requesting a questionnaire to the system administrator is transmitted to the client. When the member company makes a request for the overall plan, the administrator of the questionnaire system of the present embodiment creates a questionnaire as a substitute, directly accesses the questionnaire content database, and registers information on the questionnaire.

The plan setting page, as shown in FIG.
A questionnaire name input form for entering the name of the questionnaire, a present name input form for entering the name of the present, a plurality of monitor identification input forms for identifying the individual monitors to be surveyed, and conducting the questionnaire An implementation period input form for specifying a period, a disclosure / non-disclosure input form for selecting whether to release the results of the questionnaire, and a link button to a schedule setting page are arranged.

In the present embodiment, the input form for specifying the monitor includes a target gender specifying form for specifying the gender of the monitor, a target age specifying form for specifying the age of the monitor, and a residential area of the monitor. And a target area identification form. The gender of the monitor can be either male only, female only, or both male and female. The target age can specify a minimum age and a maximum age. The target area can specify any number of the 46 prefectures. The target gender, target age, and target area may all be specified, or any one of them may be specified.

When information on a predetermined questionnaire is entered in each of the above forms and a link button to a schedule page is clicked, a dedicated CGI program registers the information in a corresponding field of a new table of a questionnaire content database, and a Web server. Distributes the schedule setting page shown in FIG. The schedule setting page includes a questionnaire start date selection input button for each day displayed on the calendar. In the illustrated example, input buttons are arranged for days belonging to the period of June from the access date.

This schedule setting page is dynamically generated by the CGI program when there is a transmission request from the client. This CGI program refers to the schedule database, and arranges a simple character string or image instead of the input button for days on which the start of two questionnaires has already been registered. As a result, it is possible to avoid in advance that three or more questionnaires started on the same day are registered, and the company making the questionnaire request can freely select a free day at that time.

When one of the displayed buttons that can be selected is clicked, information on the date corresponding to the button is transmitted from the client to the Web server, and the Web server executes the CGI program. Then, the program registers the information on the date in the corresponding field of the new table. Then, the Web server distributes the questionnaire content setting page shown in FIG. The page includes a comment input form, a questionnaire input form, ten question item input forms, and a database update button ("update"). Also,
A decision button and a detail setting button are arranged for each question item input form. Each advanced setting button is shown in FIG.
The answer option input page is distributed to the client when the button is clicked. On the input page, an input form of up to ten answer options is arranged, and an arbitrary number of up to ten options can be input by a character string.

The database update button is associated with a database update CGI program.
When this update button is clicked, the CGI program is executed, and the items input in the question item input form and the answer option input form are updated and registered in the questionnaire content database. Also, the questionnaire start date and the questionnaire ID are registered in the schedule database in association with each other. Thus, the Web page for creating a questionnaire is constituted by the pages shown in FIGS. Note that the questionnaire correction button on the menu page (see FIG. 4) may be linked to the plan setting page shown in FIG. 5 or may be linked to a dedicated page for correction.

When the personal monitor dedicated button on the menu page is clicked, a personal monitor authentication page shown in FIG. 9 is distributed from the Web server to the client 11.
The authentication page includes a character string input form for inputting a monitor ID, a character string input form for inputting a password, a transmission button (OK button) for transmitting input data to a Web server, and the above input. A reset button for deleting a character string in the box and a password confirmation button for confirming a password are arranged. The transmission button is associated with a CGI program for performing a monitor authentication process, and functions as an execution button for operating the program on a server system. When the submit button is clicked, the CGI program is executed by the Web server, and the program checks the monitor ID and password entered in the input form with each table registered in the personal monitor database and registers the CGI program in the database. If so, a menu page for personal monitoring (not shown) is delivered to the client 22, and if collation is not possible, a page indicating an incorrect input is delivered to the client 22. In addition, the menu page for personal monitor includes a questionnaire result search function, a point confirmation function to check the points accumulated by answering the questionnaire, information on the questionnaire currently being conducted (link to the questionnaire answer page, etc. ), Links to related sites, gift introductions, etc. can be included.

FIG. 10 shows a page delivered to the client by clicking the company introduction button.

FIG. 11 shows a page delivered to the client by clicking the present button. The present information page can be accessed even by non-monitor members, etc. By publishing such a page, motivation for non-monitors to register monitors can be easily collected. Becomes This present information page is dynamically generated by the CGI program and distributed to the client. This CGI program refers to the questionnaire content database, and displays the questionnaire name of the questionnaire currently being implemented, the present name, and the like. Is extracted and output to a predetermined position on the present information page. This present can be given to only one or a few first-come-first-served monitors, or may be given to all monitors who have responded to the questionnaire. The number of gifts can be arbitrarily determined by the company that conducts the questionnaire.

FIG. 12 is a Web page for joining a new monitor, which is distributed to the client 22 by clicking a non-monitor button. The Web page includes input fields for various information registered in the monitor database, and an application button. In the example shown,
Input fields include a monitor ID input form, an e-mail address input form, a name input form, an age input form, a date of birth input form, and an address (prefecture) input form. When the user clicks an application button after inputting predetermined items in these input forms, the items input in the respective input fields are transmitted to the Web server and stored as temporary files in the file system of the server system. If a system administrator has applied for monitor membership, the system administrator will censor the temporary file and send a confirmation e-mail to the entered e-mail address. Is newly registered in the monitor database. The age of the monitor can be calculated from the date of birth. In order to update the age of each monitor every day, a cron daemon that accesses the monitor database, recalculates the age from the date of birth, and updates the age can be activated.

FIG. 13 shows a corporate member application Web page distributed to the client 11 by clicking the non-corporate member button. An input form for inputting information on a company name, a location, a person in charge, and contact information is arranged on the page. When the minimum information is input and an application button is clicked, the information is displayed on the Web. When the application is transmitted to the server and the administrator of the server system accepts the application, a predetermined corporate member registration procedure is performed.

FIG. 14 shows an example of a questionnaire schedule map registered in the questionnaire content database. Each questionnaire is conducted only during the execution period registered from the start date registered in the questionnaire content database. When the above questionnaire was created, the number of questionnaires started on the same day was limited to two.
According to the schedule map illustrated in the above example, two or less questionnaires are started on the same day, but the number of questionnaires being implemented is not limited. In this embodiment, only the questionnaire start date and the implementation period are used as the questionnaire implementation conditions. However, it is of course possible to set other various conditions as the execution conditions. In the present embodiment, the questionnaire is continuously performed during the implementation period, but may be performed every other day, or may be performed only on a predetermined day of the week during a fixed period of one month or several months. Can also be set to

The Web server provides the client system 21 with i-mode Web pages exemplified in FIGS. FIG. 15 shows the i-mode
Top page for titles, including title display, menu display, and information display. The menu display is
It consists of a plurality of menu items, and each menu item is described by a link tag <A>. Further, the access key function allows a corresponding menu to be selected simply by pressing a numeric button of the mobile phone. The information display includes the mail address information of the system administrator, and the mail can be transmitted to the system administrator only by selecting this mail address.

FIG. 16 shows a system introduction page displayed by selecting the “system introduction” menu on the top page. The page includes a title display, a system introduction sentence, a link to the top page, and an information display.

FIG. 17 shows a monitor authentication page of the questionnaire response Web page. The page includes title display, advertising text, authentication items (monitor ID and password)
Input field, link to non-monitoring page, send button, information display. Here, when a regular ID and a password registered in the monitor database are inputted in the monitor ID input field and the password input field, and the transmission button is selected, the input ID and the password are transmitted from the client system 21 to the Web server. Web server is used for CGI for monitor authentication
By executing the program, it is confirmed that the input ID and password are registered in the monitor database, and the ongoing questionnaire menu page shown in FIG. 18 is distributed. If the authentication fails, the re-authentication page shown in FIG. 22 is delivered.

FIG. 18 is a questionnaire menu page in which links to a questionnaire response Web page of the questionnaire being implemented are listed. The implementation of the questionnaire is shown in FIG.
This is performed by publishing a Web page for answering a questionnaire as illustrated in FIG. 22 on a Web server.
This questionnaire response Web page is generated for each questionnaire on the start date of the questionnaire, and is deleted when the implementation period ends. The creation and deletion of the questionnaire response Web page are processed at a predetermined time every day by a cron daemon (questionnaire creation means) running on the server computer 1. This processing time zone is preferably set to a time when the load on the server computer 1 is small (for example, 7:00 am). The cron daemon executes a predetermined answer page processing program at a designated time. This processing program uses perl language or C
Can be created using languages. The processing program refers to the schedule database, obtains the questionnaire ID of the questionnaire started on the day,
The information about the questionnaire of the questionnaire ID is obtained from the questionnaire content database, the above-mentioned Web page in the form of an HTML document including the questionnaire of the questionnaire and the character string data of the answer option is generated and saved in the file system, Set up a Web server to publish to the Internet. Further, the processing program deletes the HTML file of the Web page for answering the questionnaire for which the implementation period has ended from the file system and cancels the setting of the Web server. The processing program also updates the questionnaire menu page shown in FIG.

The questionnaire response Web page is created for each questionnaire questionnaire. That is, each questionnaire response Web page includes one question item, a plurality of answer options corresponding to the question item, and input means (input form) for inputting an answer. In the page shown in FIG. 19, since there is only one answer to the question item, in this case, the answer can be easily input using the access key function. Specifically, i-mode
In the case of the corresponding page, by describing link information such as <A href="URL#key=1"accesskey="1"> Osaka <A> in the HTML document, the first answer option in FIG. Osaka ”is displayed. Here, the URL specifies a CGI program that performs a process of registering the input answer information in the questionnaire database. In the URL, the answer information is CG.
Arguments to be passed to the I program are specified, and by changing the value of the argument for each answer option, it is possible to easily pass to the CGI program which number has been selected and input. After the registration process, distribution of the next answer Web page as shown in FIG. 20 is performed.

On the other hand, on the page shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of answer options can be input. In this case, <input
> Provide a field where you can enter multiple answer numbers using tags,
Place a submit button. The send button is used to register a plurality of pieces of input answer information in the answer database.
When the button is selected, the character string input in the input field is transferred to the CGI program, and the answer information is registered in the database.
Deliver the next page.

A CGI program for registering the answer information in the answer database can be described by using an appropriate programming language such as a perl script. The program accesses the questionnaire answer database and is input. The answer information (in the case of the present embodiment, a number corresponding to the selected answer) is stored in a table for each questionnaire ID and monitor ID in the same database.

FIG. 21 shows the final page of the questionnaire response Web page. The page does not contain any question items, and a thank-you display for the cooperation of the questionnaire is displayed. Then, when distributing the page, the monitor database is updated so as to increase the number of accumulated points of the monitors responding to the questionnaire by one point.

Further, the server system is provided with mail distribution means for distributing the questionnaire invitation e-mail illustrated in FIG. 23 to the portable telephone 21 of the monitor every day. This mail distribution means starts a mail distribution processing program by a cron daemon at a predetermined time every day. The processing program can be described in an appropriate language such as a perl script, and creates an invitation e-mail shown in FIG. 23 for each monitor and for each questionnaire started on the day with reference to the schedule database, questionnaire content database and monitor database. At the same time, the created mail is distributed to each monitor using a sendmail command or the like. This e-mail includes link information to the questionnaire response Web page. Specifically, in the mail shown in FIG. 23, the character string "here"
19, link information to the questionnaire response Web page as shown in FIG. 19 is incorporated. For example, in the above email, link information is embedded by describing a tag like <A href="URL"> here </A>. In the URL, the URL of the HTML file of the questionnaire response Web page is specified. It should be noted that the URL of the user authentication page can be embedded in the mail. In this case, after the user is authenticated, the answer page shown in FIG.

The configuration of the mail distribution processing program can be any appropriate one. For example, information on the questionnaire that starts on the day is extracted from the questionnaire content database, and the target gender, target age,
If any of the target areas is blank, a solicitation email for the questionnaire is sent to the email addresses of all monitors. When any or all of the target gender, target age, and target area are specified, only monitors having the specified attributes are extracted from the monitor database, and only the extracted monitors are sent to the e-mail address of the questionnaire. Deliver the invitation email to. Others
A mail is unconditionally delivered to all monitors, but a Web page for answering a questionnaire that can be answered by each monitor
Only the link to the page may be described in the email of each monitor.

Although not shown, each of the Web servers includes a Web page for each monitor to confirm its own point information registered in the monitor database, and a Web page containing premium information corresponding to the number of points. And can be provided. The point confirmation page is configured to be delivered only when the monitor ID and the password are authenticated. The prize information page displays a prize name corresponding to a predetermined number of points, such as prize A for 100 points and prize B for 200 points. This prize is mainly provided by the management company of the questionnaire system of the present embodiment, and is different from the present for each questionnaire. By providing the prize, it is possible to secure a monitor participating in the questionnaire system.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the design can be changed as appropriate.

[0079]

According to the present invention, a large number of questionnaires can be requested at a low cost, and a plurality of questionnaires can be simultaneously conducted in one day, and the burden on the monitor can be reduced. The response rate to the questionnaire can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a questionnaire system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating W executed by the server system according to the embodiment;
This is a hard copy of a terminal screen for displaying a top page of the questionnaire system provided by the web server.

FIG. 3 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a company member authentication page of the questionnaire system.

FIG. 4 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a corporate member menu page of the questionnaire system.

FIG. 5 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a plan setting page of a questionnaire creation Web page.

FIG. 6 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a schedule setting page of a questionnaire creation Web page.

FIG. 7 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a questionnaire content setting page among questionnaire creation Web pages.

FIG. 8 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying an answer option input page of a questionnaire creation Web page.

FIG. 9 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a personal monitor authentication page of the questionnaire system.

FIG. 10 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying an introduction page of the questionnaire system.

FIG. 11 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a present information page of the questionnaire system.

FIG. 12 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a non-monitoring page of the questionnaire system.

FIG. 13 is a hard copy of a terminal screen displaying a non-corporate member page of the questionnaire system.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a schedule map of a questionnaire in the questionnaire implementation method according to the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic page configuration diagram of an i-mode top page of the questionnaire system.

FIG. 16 is a schematic page configuration diagram of a system introduction page among i-mode Web pages.

FIG. 17 is a schematic page configuration diagram of a monitor authentication page among i-mode Web pages.

FIG. 18 is a schematic page configuration diagram of a questionnaire menu page among i-mode Web pages.

FIG. 19 is a schematic menu configuration diagram showing an example of a questionnaire response Web page.

FIG. 20 is a schematic menu configuration diagram showing an example of a questionnaire response Web page.

FIG. 21 is a schematic menu configuration diagram showing the last page of a questionnaire response Web page.

FIG. 22 is a schematic page configuration diagram of a monitor re-authentication page.

FIG. 23 is a display screen configuration diagram showing an example of a questionnaire invitation e-mail to the monitor.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 server system (server computer) 4 Internet 11 corporate client system (personal computer) 21 monitor client system (i-mode)
22) Monitor client system (personal computer)

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 13/00 625 G06F 13/00 625 17/40 310 17/40 310Z

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A method for conducting a questionnaire using a server-client type network system, comprising: a monitor database in which monitor information relating to a large number of monitors is stored; and a monitor database created by a questionnaire client and / or its agent. A questionnaire content database in which information on the questionnaire is stored and a questionnaire response database in which answer information to each questionnaire is stored are constructed so as to be referred to from the server system, and a Web system for answering the questionnaire is provided to the client system owned by each monitor. Web for delivering pages
The server is executed on the server system, and an e-mail for conducting the questionnaire is delivered from the server system to the client system owned by each monitor, and the monitor is accessed by using the client system to access the response Web page. And transmitting the answer to the server system, and storing the answer information in the questionnaire answer database. 2. A Web server, mail distribution means,
A method of conducting a questionnaire using a network system including a Web system provided by the Web server and a client system having a function of receiving mail delivered by the mail delivery means, comprising: The monitor information for each monitor is registered in the monitor database, and the monitor information of each monitor includes the mail address information owned by the monitor, and is information on the questionnaire prepared by the survey requester and / or its agent, And information including the answer options and the information on the conditions for conducting the questionnaire are registered in the questionnaire content database, a web page for answering each questionnaire is created based on the questionnaire content database, and the web page is stored in the questionnaire content database. Real During provides the Web server, the Web page may include a questionnaire and character string data of the answer options to the questionnaire, and input means for inputting answers, We for the answers to a questionnaire that satisfies the execution condition
The mail including the introduction information on page b is distributed to the client systems of many monitors based on the mail address information registered in the monitor database by the mail distribution means, and a questionnaire is being implemented for many monitors. A monitor accessing the answer Web page and registering answer information input from the client system in a questionnaire answer database in the questionnaire answer database. 3. A Web server capable of executing a CGI program, mail distribution means capable of distributing a mail including link information to the Web page, a Web browsing function of a Web page provided by the Web server, and the mail distribution means A portable information terminal having a function of receiving e-mail to be distributed by using a network system that includes a portable information terminal. The method according to claim 1, wherein monitor information on a large number of monitors is registered in a monitor database. The identification information of the monitor and the mail address information of the portable information terminal owned by each monitor, the information on the questionnaire created by the questionnaire requester and / or its agent, the questionnaire and the answer options, and That include information on the duration of the questionnaire. Registering in the Kate content database, creating a Web page for answering each questionnaire by Web page creation means based on the questionnaire content database, providing the Web page from the Web server during the period of the questionnaire, Includes character string data of questionnaire questions and their answer options, an input form for inputting an answer, and link information to a CGI program for registering the input answer information in a questionnaire answer database, The We for answering the questionnaire whose implementation period has arrived
The mail including the link information to the page b is delivered to the email addresses of a large number of monitors by the email delivery means based on the monitor database, and prompts a large number of monitors to answer a questionnaire during the implementation period. A method of conducting a questionnaire using a network system, characterized in that: 4. The monitor information includes information on various attributes of the monitor, each questionnaire information may include monitor attribute information for specifying a monitor to be subjected to the questionnaire, 4. The network system according to claim 3, wherein when the questionnaire arrives specifies a monitor, the mail is not delivered to a mail address of a monitor not having the specified attribute. How to conduct a questionnaire using. 5. The monitor information includes information on various attributes of the monitor, each questionnaire information may include monitor attribute information for specifying a monitor to be subjected to the questionnaire, When the questionnaire arriving specifies the monitor, the mail to the mail address of the monitor not having the specified attribute should not include the link information to the Web page for answering the questionnaire. A method for conducting a questionnaire using the network system according to claim 3. 6. The monitor information of each monitor includes point information added by answering a questionnaire, and each monitor displays a Web page for confirming its own point information and prize information according to the number of points. Including W
The method of performing a questionnaire using a network system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the web page is provided from a web server. 7. The questionnaire information of each questionnaire can include a plurality of question items, and a Web for answering each question item is provided.
The number of characters in the page is set to be smaller than the number of characters in four lines of the display unit of the mobile information terminal to which the mail is to be distributed, and the number of characters in the answer Web page of each answer option is reduced to the number of characters in one line of the display unit of the mobile information terminal. The method for conducting a questionnaire using the network system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the number is made smaller than the number of characters. 8. Web page for new monitor joining
3. The Web page provided from the Web server, the Web page includes an input column for various information registered in the monitor database, and the monitor information is newly registered in the monitor database based on the information input in the input column. A method for conducting a questionnaire using the network system according to any one of claims 7 to 7.