JP2002082931A - System for preparing on-demand document - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a catalog or manual of contents different for every customer and corresponding to each customer in a system for preparing an on-demand document for preparing and presenting a catalog or a manual or the like corresponding to each customer. SOLUTION: A customer analyzing means 23 specifies a prescribed number of contents stored in a contents DB 34 by referring to a customer DB 31 and a history DB 32 and an analysis judgment TB 41 according to customer information from the target customer of a customer terminal 13 through a computer network 12, and prepares an edition file by preparing the layout data of the customer information and the specified prescribed number of contents, and an editing means 24 and an information file preparing means 25 performs the layout edition of the respective contents based on the edition file, and prepares the information file of the provided information for every target customer by referring to the contents DB 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an on-demand document creation system for creating and providing catalogs, manuals and the like for each customer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as the performance of printing systems has improved,
Processing called so-called on-demand printing has become possible, and the same or different contents are printed and distributed to a plurality of customers. For this reason, it is desired to print and distribute the contents in advance in accordance with the needs of each customer.

Conventionally, various catalogs such as catalogs for merchandise guides and catalogs for travel guides, and various so-called manual books, are mostly intended to be printed and distributed with the same contents in a fixed quantity. In such a case, printing is performed by appropriately combining text data and image data according to the content type, performing editing, and creating a plate based on the edited data. In addition, many electronic publications using a storage medium such as a compact disk have been produced, but the contents are almost the same for the same type.

[0004]

However, it is desirable that the above-mentioned catalogs and manuals are made to correspond to each customer irrespective of a paper medium or a storage medium, but it is difficult to judge each customer's preference and knowledge level. However, there is a problem that only the same contents as described above can be manufactured. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an on-demand document creation system capable of providing a catalog, a manual, and the like of contents different for each customer and corresponding to each customer.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, there is provided an on-demand document creation system which provides a document of provided information which differs for each customer created based on a predetermined information file. At least, a customer database in which information on a predetermined number of customers is stored, a history database in which information on usage history of each customer is stored, and a predetermined product,
A storage unit including a content database in which content of information about a service is stored for each predetermined type;
A predetermined number of information corresponding to at least one of the information regarding the usage history of the target customer stored in the history database and for finally specifying a predetermined content stored in the content database based on the information. An analysis determination table including a correspondence table, and a predetermined number of contents stored in the content database are specified by referring to at least the customer database, the history database, and the analysis determination table according to customer information from the target customer. Customer analysis means for creating an editing file by creating layout data of the customer information and a specified number of specified contents, and performing layout editing on individual contents of the editing file based on the editing file; Browse the database for each pair An information file editing creation unit configured to create the information file providing information for each customer, a structure having to.

According to the second to fifth aspects of the present invention, the information on the use history stored in the history database includes information for judging a customer's use situation and a use grade level, and the analysis judgment table contains A predetermined number of correspondence tables that ultimately specify the content are included in correspondence with the use status and the use grade level, "and" print on a paper medium based on the created information file. " A configuration including a print processing unit, and a configuration that is connected to a computer network to which a predetermined number of customer terminals are connected, and acquires the customer information from the customer terminals. It has a distribution means for creating a document file in a predetermined format based on the file and distributing it to the target customer. "
Configuration.

As described above, in accordance with the customer information from the target customer, a predetermined number of contents stored in the content database are specified by referring to the customer database, the history database, and the analysis judgment table, and the customer information and the specified information are specified. A layout file of a predetermined number of contents is created, an editing file is created, and based on the editing file, layout editing is performed for each content, and an information file of information provided for each target customer is created by referring to the content database. create. In other words, it is possible to analyze usage trends and preferences based on the history and the like of the target customers and to provide different contents for each customer, and create and provide catalogs and manuals of contents corresponding to each customer. It is possible to do.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of an on-demand document creation system according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a configuration diagram of a state where the present system is connected to a network, and FIG. 1B is a block configuration diagram of the present system. Here, as an example, a case will be described in which the present system is connected to a computer network and creates a sports guide catalog from a customer terminal in response to, for example, a sports guide request.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an on-demand document creation system 11 is connected to a computer network 12 such as the Internet. The computer network 12 has a predetermined number of terminals 13 (13A to 13A) operated by each customer. 13N) are connected, and the business entity terminals 1 of a predetermined number of business entities that provide goods and services
4 (14A to 14N) are connected.

Therefore, in FIG. 1B, the on-demand document creation system 11 includes a data input / output unit 21, a database (DB) management unit 22, a customer analysis unit 22, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the entire system. It comprises means 23, editing means 24, information file creating means 25, print processing means 26 and distribution means 27. In this case, the editing means 24 and the information file creating means 25 constitute an information file editing and creating means.

The DB management means 22 stores a customer DB 31 in which information on a predetermined number of customers is stored, and information on the use history of each customer including information for judging a use status and a use grade level as appropriate. History DB32
(Described in FIG. 3A), a product DB 33 in which information on predetermined products and services is stored, and a content DB 34 in which contents of information on products and services are stored for each predetermined type. Note that the product DB 33 may be included in the content DB 34.

Further, the customer analysis means 23 stores at least one of the information on the usage history of the target customer stored in the history DB 32, and the usage status and usage included in the information on the usage history as appropriate. An analysis determination table (TB) 41 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 4) corresponding to the information for determining the grade level and including a predetermined number of correspondence tables for specifying a predetermined content finally stored in the content DB 34 from the information. The editing means 24 is connected to a template 42 (which may be included in the editing means 24) which stores a document creation format.

The data input / output means 21 inputs information (for example, customer ID (identifier), telephone number, etc.) relating to the customer from the target customer terminal 13 via the computer network 12 and condition data of the use request as appropriate. The created document of the provided information for each target customer is distributed to the customer terminal 13. In addition, update data for updating at least one of the customer DB 31, the history DB 32, the product DB 33, and the content DB 34 from the business entity terminal 14 is input.

The DB management means 22 stores the customer DB 3
1. History DB 32, product DB 33, and content DB
The access management section 34 manages access to data search, data acquisition, data update, and the like. According to the customer information of the target customer input from the customer terminal 13, the customer analysis unit 23 refers to at least the customer DB 31, the history DB 32, and an analysis determination TB 41 described below to store a predetermined number of contents stored in the content DB 34. Then, the customer information and the layout data of the specified predetermined number of contents are created to create an edit file (details will be described with reference to FIG. 2).

Here, the customer DB 31 stores bibliographic items such as IDs, addresses, ages, genders, telephone numbers, and family structures concerning customers who have purchased in the past and attributes (for example, credit card types ( Cold, silver) information is stored. The product DB 32 stores data on products and services handled (related information such as names).
Is stored. The content DB 34 stores document data (text data, image data, and the like) related to each product and service stored in the product DB 33.

The editing means 24 performs layout editing on the template stored in the template 42 for individual contents of the editing file based on the editing file created by the customer analyzing means 23. The information file creating means 25 creates an information file of the information to be provided for each target customer by referring to the content DB 34 based on each layout-edited data.

The print processing means 26 converts the information file created by the information file creation means 25 into a predetermined print page description format (for example, a postscript format proposed by Adobe in the United States) and converts it into a paper medium. The catalog is printed and a catalog for each target customer is created on demand, and a printed paper medium catalog is sent to the target customer. And the distribution means 27
Is a predetermined format (for example, PDF (Portable Document) proposed by Adobe, USA) based on the information file created by the information file creating means 25.
t Format) to create a document file and distribute it to the customer terminal 13 of the target customer.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the customer analyzing means shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, customer analysis means 23
Includes a customer identification unit 51, a condition range identification unit 52, an analysis determination unit 53, a profile data creation unit 54, a content identification unit 55, a layout data creation unit 56, an edit file creation unit 57, a storage unit 58, and a content identification TB 59. It consists of.

The customer identification means 51 is provided for the customer terminal 1
3 to obtain the customer ID and condition data (which may not be input), refer to the customer DB 31 based on the customer ID, and obtain the necessary bibliographic information of the target customer, and Get the above attributes of the customer. The condition range specifying means 52 specifies a condition range such as a budget and a schedule based on the input condition data and the acquired attributes.

The analysis determination means 53 has the processing contents shown in FIG.
As will be described later, by referring to a history DB 32 to be described later with the customer ID, information for determining the use status (use field such as sports and travel) and the use grade level of the target customer is acquired, and the analysis determination table 41 By sequentially referring to each correspondence table, data (code data) that finally specifies the content of the product or service stored in the product DB 33 or the content DB 34 is extracted.

The profile data creating means 54 combines the necessary bibliographic information of the target customer and the specific data of the content specified by the analysis judging means 53, and describes the individual profile data of the target customer (see FIG. 3B). Create). The content specifying means 55 acquires file data for specifying the content in the content DB 34 by referring to the content specifying TB 59 based on the specified data of the specified content. This content specifying TB 59 will be described with reference to FIG.

The layout data creating means 56 creates data on how to lay out each data of the individual profile data and the specific data (content file) of the content. The editing file creating means 57 creates an individual editing file for each target customer in which the data of the individual profile data, the content specifying data, and the layout data are compiled. The storage means 58 temporarily stores each created individual editing file, and sequentially stores the edited individual editing files.
4

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the history DB, the profile data, the content specifying table of FIG. 2 and the document created by the print processing unit and the distribution unit of FIG. FIG. 3A shows a conceptual diagram of an example of the history DB 32, in which history information of each customer used in the past is stored. For example, a use date, a customer ID, a name, and an item to be used are shown. , The field of the item (type I, I
..) And information (for example, A to E) for determining the use grade level. Here, the usage grade level indicates, for example, when the reservation service of the XX golf course has been used in the past, the level according to the level position of the XX golf course with other golf courses is indicated. The attribute does not always match the attribute stored in the customer DB 31.

FIG. 3B is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the profile data created by the profile data creating means 54 provided in the customer analyzing means 23. For example, the name, gender, age, field, The customer analysis means 23
Each data such as each specific data of a predetermined number of content items (for example, level A and level B) specified in the above.

FIG. 3C shows the contents specifying table 5.
9 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of each category (for example, I sports, II travel, III product purchase, etc.).
・) Content identification code and content DB3 for each)
No. 4 is associated with the file data of the corresponding information.

FIG. 3D is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the information file created by the information file creating means 25. For example, the corresponding template (cover template, cover template) stored in the template 42 is shown. Content templates etc.) 61 and 62 are acquired, and each template 61,
62, the content of each data specified by the information file is extracted from the content DB 34 and fitted.

Here, FIG. 4 shows a conceptual diagram of each example in the analysis judgment table of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 shows a conceptual diagram of a structure for specifying contents from the analysis judgment table of FIG. FIG. 4 shows the type TB71 and the medium concept TB72.
And table TB73, and the description of other tables (for example, budget TB, lodging TB, etc.) is omitted. FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the type TB 71. For example, each type (for example, I sports, II travel, II
The specific code (I
-A (for example, golf), IB (for example, tennis), ...
・) Are listed.

FIG. 4B is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a predetermined number of intermediate concepts TB72 positioned at an intermediate position for content identification. For each field, a specific code of each item in the field is specified. Each of the specific codes (IA-1, IA-2,...) For specifying a middle concept (for example, an area existing in a golf course) corresponding to the budget, certification, accommodation, etc. corresponding to is there.

FIG. 4C is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a level TB for content specification. The level TB of the target customer and the above-mentioned middle concept specifying code are shown in FIG.
A content identification code (a code for identifying the content file in FIG. 3C) is associated with the content identification code.

Therefore, in FIG. 5, in specifying the content specifying code, first, one of the middle concepts TB72 is specified by the type TB71, and the corresponding middle concept TB72 is specified.
A code for specifying the content specifying code of the above-mentioned content specifying TB 59 is specified at the level TB73 based on the code specified in. In addition, a budget, accommodation, and the like according to the identified content (content identification code) are specified by a budget TB 74, an accommodation TB 75, and the like.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for explaining the whole processing of FIG. FIG. 6A is a flowchart of the entire processing of the present system 11, and FIG. 6B is a flowchart in the case of updating each of the DBs 31 to 34 in the present system 11. In FIG. 6A, first, the system 11 is accessed from a predetermined customer terminal (target customer) 13 via the computer network 12, and the data input / output means 21 transmits the customer ID and condition data (for example, golf course information). At the request, it is assumed that there is no budget or the like) (step (S) 1).

Then, the customer analyzing means 23 specifies the customer by referring to the customer DB 31 based on the customer ID, and specifies the customer's address, name,
An age and an attribute (eg, a gold member of a credit card, a normal member, etc.) are extracted, and a marketing analysis is performed with reference to the history DB 32 and the analysis judgment TB41 to create an edited file (S2, which will be described with reference to FIG. 7). .

Subsequently, the editing means 24 acquires the template 42 (corresponding templates 61 and 62 in FIG. 3D), and edits the edited file (profile data, layout data) created by the customer analysis means 23 on the template. Based on the data, the layout information of each provided information (corresponding content) is edited with reference to the content DB 34 (S3). Then, the information file creating means 25
, An information file of the layout-edited provided information is created (S4).

When a catalog of a paper medium is created based on the created information file, the print processing unit 26 converts the information file into a print format (for example, the above-mentioned PostScript format) and converts the information file into a paper format. By printing on the medium, a catalog dedicated to the target customer is created and sent by mail or the like (S5). The concept of the catalog printed on the paper medium is shown in FIG.

On the other hand, when delivering to the customer terminal 13 of the target customer via the computer network 12,
The distribution unit 27 converts the information file into a predetermined format (for example, the PDF format), and distributes the PDF file to the customer terminal 13 of the target customer on the computer network 12 via the data input / output unit 21. (S6).

In FIG. 6B, each of the above DB3
When updating 1 to 34, a target DB (here, for example, update data of a customer,
The data input / output means 21 acquires update data (customer information update data, history information update data) of the customer DB 31 and the history DB 32 (S1).
1).

Then, the customer DB 31 is updated based on the customer information update data via the DB management means 22 (S1).
2) Update the history DB 32 based on the history information update data (S13). The same applies to the case where the product DB 33 and the content DB 34 of the corresponding business entity are updated.

Next, FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the analysis processing in the customer analysis means of FIG. In FIG. 7, first, the customer identification unit 51 acquires a customer ID and condition data (for example, it is assumed that a golf course guidance request does not indicate a budget, etc., as described above) (S21), and the customer ID is obtained from the customer ID. The customer is identified by referring to the DB 31 and the address, name, age and attribute (for example, a gold member of a credit card, a normal member, etc., as described above) are extracted, and the target customer is referred to by referring to the history DB 32. History information (this is assumed to be the history information of "Patent Taro" in FIG. 3A)
Is extracted and acquired (S22).

In this case, if there is condition data, the condition range specifying means 52 specifies the budget, schedule, area, and the like. In addition, the analysis determination means 53 specifies a predetermined number of field trends by referring to the type TB 71 from the field information among the information acquired from the history DB 32 (S23). Here, the sport of the field I (for example, IA) is specified. Then, based on the identified field trend (and condition data), the middle concept TB
With reference to 72, a specific code (for example, IA-1) of a range condition such as an area where a golf course exists is specified (S2).
4). Here, since the condition data has not been input as described above, the area of the golf course previously used in the history information and the surrounding area are specified as the range conditions.

On the basis of the specified range condition and the level (here, level A) obtained from the history DB 32, for example, referring to the level TB73 as the range condition of the level A and the level B, the golf course items at the levels A and B are referred to. (For example, XX golf course) specific code (for example, IAA)
-1, IBA-1) and other budgets T as appropriate.
These are specified with reference to B74 or the like (S25). Then, in the profile data creating means 54, based on each specified code such as the specified number of items specified, FIG.
The individual profile data of the target customer as shown in (B) is created (S26).

Subsequently, in the content specifying means 55, based on the created individual profile data, FIG.
Content specification TB shown in (C) (Sports field of I)
59, a file (for example, a file ********. *** corresponding to IAA-1 and IBA-1) as the provision information of the content DB 34 is specified (S27).

The layout data creating means 56 creates data of individual profile data and data on how to lay out the specific file of the content (S28). Then, in the editing file means 57, based on the individual profile data, the predetermined number of content specifying files, and the layout data,
An edit file is created and temporarily stored in the storage means 58,
It is sent to the sequential editing means 24 (S29).

As described above, it is possible to analyze usage trends and preferences based on the history and the like of the target customers and to provide different contents for each customer, and to provide catalogs or manuals of contents corresponding to each customer. Etc. can be created and provided on paper media and / or electronic files.

By the way, the present system 11 of the above embodiment
In the above, the initial customer information is not input from the customer terminal, but, for example, an operator who responds by telephone to the target customer directly inputs the data into the data input / output means 21, sends out the produced printed material catalogue, and sends the created electronic file to the computer network 12. The same effect can be obtained even if the mail is distributed to the customer terminal 13 of the target customer via the Internet, and an on-demand direct mail can be obtained.

Even if the present system 11 is not connected to the computer network 12, the operator who responds by telephone to the target customer can directly input the data into the data input / output means 21 and send out the produced printed matter catalog as described above. Can be used as on-demand direct mail. Further, even if the present system 11 is not connected to the computer network 12, the customer
More appropriate selection and extraction, customer information is input to the data input means 21, and each individual catalog is printed and sent out, so that an on-demand direct mail can be obtained.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, a predetermined number of contents stored in a content database by referring to a customer database, a history database, and an analysis judgment table in accordance with customer information from a target customer. Identify the customer information, create layout data for the specified number of specified content, create an edit file, edit the layout of each content based on this edit file, and refer to the content database to By creating an information file of the information provided for each customer, it is possible to provide a catalog or a manual of the content which differs for each customer and which corresponds to each customer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an on-demand document creation system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the customer analysis means of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a history DB, profile data, a content specifying table, and a document created by a print processing unit and a distribution unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of an example of each of the analysis determination tables in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of a structure for specifying content from the analysis determination table in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the entire process of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an analysis process in the customer analysis means of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 11 On-demand document creation system 12 Computer network 13 Customer terminal 14 Business entity terminal 23 Customer analysis means 24 Editing means 25 Information file creation means 26 Print processing means 27 Distribution means 31 Customer DB 32 History DB 33 Product DB 34 Contents DB 41 Analysis judgment Table (TB) 52 Condition range specifying means 53 Analysis determining means 54 Profile data generating means 55 Content specifying means 56 Layout data generating means 57 Editing file generating means 59 Content specifying TB

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An on-demand document creation system for providing a document of provided information different for each customer created based on a predetermined information file, comprising: a customer database storing at least information on a predetermined number of customers; Storage means comprising a history database in which information relating to usage history by customers is stored, and a content database in which contents of information relating to predetermined products and services are stored for each predetermined type; target customers stored in the history database An analysis determination table, which is provided with a predetermined number of correspondence tables that correspond to at least one piece of information related to the usage history of the content and that finally specify predetermined content stored in the content database based on the information; Depending on the customer's customer information, less Also, referring to the customer database, the history database and the analysis determination table to identify a predetermined number of contents stored in the content database, create the customer information, and layout data of the specified number of specified contents Customer analysis means for creating an edit file; and performing layout editing for individual contents of the edit file based on the edit file, and creating the information file of information provided for each target customer by referring to the content database. An on-demand document creation system, comprising: an information file editing and creation unit. 2. The on-demand document creation system according to claim 1, wherein the information on the use history stored in the history database includes information for determining a customer's use status and a use grade level, The on-demand document creation system according to claim 1, wherein the analysis determination table includes a predetermined number of correspondence tables that finally specify the content in accordance with the use status and the use grade level. 3. The on-demand document creation system according to claim 1, further comprising a print processing unit for performing printing on a paper medium based on the created information file. Creation system. 4. The on-demand document creation system according to claim 1, wherein said on-demand document creation system is connected to a computer network to which a predetermined number of customer terminals are connected. An on-demand document creation system obtained from a terminal. 5. The on-demand document creation system according to claim 4, wherein a delivery file for creating a document file in a predetermined format based on the created information file and delivering the created document file to the customer terminal of the target customer. An on-demand document creation system, comprising: