JP2002109412A - Method to enter customer information - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method to check a logical contradiction of data entered by a user, and when a logical contradiction has been detected, to notify the user to have him/her enter the correct data. SOLUTION: The present invention is a method to enter customer information in an on-line order receiving service which accepts a purchase order of a product on-line. This system is characterized by the fact that a user enters data of a postal code and shipping address for the ordered product, and that the system checks whether the postal code and address data have been properly entered by the user, and in case where the system has judged that the data have not been entered properly, instructs the user to re-enter data of a postal code and shipping address.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a technology for collecting addresses and postal codes from users online. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for allowing a user to input a delivery destination of a product in an online order receiving service for receiving a product order online.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The Internet is composed of a network system and computers interconnected via the network system. Computers connected to each other exchange information by using various systems such as a mail system and a WWW system. The WWW system is a system expressed as a client / server model. In the WWW system, various information resources such as graphical data represented by Web pages and other multimedia data are transferred between a browser program on a client computer and a Web server program on a server computer (that is, a Web site). Can interact.

[0003] Using this WWW system, a W has realized electronic commerce (EC) such as online shopping.
Websites are known. In online shopping, typically, when a user places an order for a product via a computer screen, the price of the product is settled by a credit card or the like, and the product is delivered to the user. In such online shopping, information such as the name and address of a delivery destination is indispensable in order to deliver a product ordered by a user. For this reason, the website operator generally presents an input form screen to the user and prompts the user to input the name and address of the delivery destination.

[0004]

The input form screen for prompting the user to input the name and address of the delivery destination is provided with fields for inputting the postal code, address and delivery destination name. The user sequentially inputs postal codes, addresses, and the like into fields provided on the input form screen. There is also an input form screen provided with a function to support the user's input in order to reduce the user's troublesome input as much as possible. On the input form screen provided with the input support function, for example, the user pulls out a zip code using the input address as a search key (sometimes called “reverse lookup conversion”), or uses a zip code as a search key to retrieve an address. (Also referred to as “forward conversion”), and desired data can be automatically input.

[0005] However, even if the Web site prepares an input form screen having such an input support function, a user who stores both the postal code and the address does not use the input support function. Often, both are directly input. Therefore, even if such a user inputs wrong data due to a memory mistake or a typo, the postal code and the address are not entered because the format is correct. Even if there is a logical inconsistency (error) such as incompatibility, the Web site has once accepted such data. In such a case, in order to fulfill the order received from the user, the operator of the Web site must make an inquiry and confirm the error by telephone, and correct the error to correct data, which is problematic in terms of cost.

Therefore, the present invention checks the logical inconsistency of the data input by the user, and when the logical inconsistency is detected, notifies the user of the inconsistency and allows the user to input correct data. The purpose is to provide a customized system.

More specifically, the present invention checks a logical inconsistency between a postal code and an address manually entered by a user, and if a logical inconsistency between the two is detected, the logical inconsistency is detected. It is an object of the present invention to provide an input system and an input method for notifying a user of the fact and inputting correct data, and to reduce the operating cost of a Web site for implementing EC.

Further, according to the present invention, when a logical inconsistency is detected between a zip code and an address, an input system and an input method capable of specifying the other data based on the input one data. With the purpose of providing
The purpose is to reduce the operation cost of a Web site that realizes EC.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The gist of the present invention is a method for inputting customer information in an online order receiving service for accepting an order for a product on-line, wherein the postal code data of a delivery destination for delivering the ordered product is provided. And the user to input the address data, determine whether the postal code data and address data of the delivery destination input by the user has been correctly input, if it is determined that the input has not been correctly input, again And the user inputs the postal code data and address data of the delivery destination.

[0010] More specifically, the present invention provides an input form having a first field for inputting postal code data and a second field for inputting address data to a user. A first step of prompting the user to input, and a second step of receiving an input form in which postal code data and address data have been input by the user.
And the postal code data of the first field and the address data of the second field input by the user with reference to a dictionary database configured by associating postal code data with address data. And a third step of determining whether the postal code corresponds to the postal code data. If the postal code data input by the user does not correspond to the address data, the input form is presented to the user again. And a fourth step of prompting an input.

Here, it is preferable that the fourth step includes a sub-step of notifying a user that the postal code data does not correspond to the address data.

[0012] The customer information input method may specify address data corresponding to the input postal code data by referring to the database based on the input postal code data. Number data is first
And an input form in which the searched address data is embedded in the second field of the input form.

Further, in the customer information input method, the postal code data corresponding to the input address data is specified by referring to the database based on the input address data, and the searched postal code is specified. It is characterized by presenting an input form in which data is embedded in the first field and the input address is embedded in the second field.

Further, the present invention is a server computer for providing an online order receiving service for accepting an order for a product on-line, and stores a postal code dictionary formed by associating postal code data with address data. Database and primary for entering postal code data
Presenting the user with an input form having a second field and a second field for entering address data;
Means for prompting the user for input, means for receiving an input form including postal code data and address data input by the user, and postal code data input to the first field with reference to the database. Means for determining whether the address data entered in the second field corresponds to the address data. If the means determines that the postal code data does not correspond to the address data, the user The server computer is characterized by newly presenting an input form and prompting for input.

Further, the present invention is also realized as a program for causing a computer to realize a predetermined function or a recording medium on which the program is recorded. Here, the recording medium is, for example, a hard disk (HD), a DVD-R
In addition to an AM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-ROM and the like, a memory such as a RAM and a ROM is included. The computer also includes, for example, a so-called microcomputer that performs a predetermined process by interpreting a program by a so-called central processing unit such as a CPU or an MPU.

In this specification, the term “means” does not simply mean physical means, but also includes the case where the functions of the means are realized by software. Further, the function of one unit may be realized by two or more physical units, or the function of two or more units may be realized by one physical unit.

[0017]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system for realizing an online order receiving service according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, this system is typically realized as a client / server system using a WWW system on the Internet.

The server computer 1 has a Web server program 11, a Web page 12, a CGI program (script) 13, and a database 14, and forms a Web site for implementing an online order receiving service. On the other hand, the client computer 2 has a browser program 15 for accessing the server computer 1 and browsing the Web page 12.

The Web server program 11 receives an HTTP message sent from the user's client computer 2 and performs a process corresponding to the message. For example, the Web server program 11
If it is determined that the message is for accessing the Web page specified by the URL, the Web page is provided to the client computer 2 of the user. The Web server program 11 is typically implemented on the server computer 1 as a daemon program called httpd.

The Web page 12 is document data which is designed using, for example, HTML or the like and constitutes a screen to be provided to the user. The Web page 12 is prepared in advance as static data, and also has a CGI
It may be dynamically generated by the program 13 or the like. In the present embodiment, the Web page 12 is a Web page that configures a product catalog screen, a product order screen, and the like.
Page b is prepared. The product catalog screen is a screen that introduces products that can be ordered online. The product order screen is a screen for ordering products, a screen for confirming a quote for the desired product and issuing an order instruction, a screen for specifying a payment method for the ordered product, a screen for ordering the product, There is a screen or the like for inputting delivery destination data necessary for delivery. The delivery destination data is, for example, a delivery destination name, a postal code, an address, a telephone number, and the like.

The CGI program 13 is a program executed when the Web server program 11 receives a predetermined message for starting the CGI program 13 by HTTP. The CGI program 13
Typically, it is described in a programming language such as Perl or C ++. The CGI program 13 includes a program for calculating an estimate of a product that the user has requested to order and creating a Web page for presenting the estimate as a quote, and a program for managing the order received from the user. In the embodiment, in particular, a program for checking whether there is a logical inconsistency in the input destination data is prepared. These programs may be configured as independent modules, or may be configured as one module.

The database 14 has a merchandise database for managing merchandise data relating to merchandise being sold and a customer database for managing data relating to ordered users as customer data. In addition, the database 14
It has a postal code dictionary database that manages a postal code dictionary configured by associating postal codes with addresses.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a product order workflow in the online order receiving system according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, first, when the user accesses the top page in the Web site via the browser 15, the server computer 1 receives the top page,
The user is presented with a product list (product catalog) and prompted to select a desired product (S1). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product list screen according to the embodiment. Here, a Web site that accepts an order for a personal computer is illustrated. The user selects a desired product from the product group presented on such a product list screen.

Now, assuming that the user operates the mouse cursor C to select the product "TP715 series", the server computer 1 presents detailed information of the product (S75).
2). FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an individual product description screen according to the present embodiment. Here, detailed information (price, product specification, etc.) on individual products of the product “TP715 series” is presented. In the present example, the content of the product is presented to the user in a fixed manner, but the user may configure a product by combining arbitrary parts.
The information may be presented to the user in a TO (Built To Order) method. The user refers to the detailed information of such a product and, for example, when ordering a product called “TP715MRN”, operates the mouse cursor C and selects the “estimate / order” icon.
In response to this, an estimate of the selected product is presented (S3). FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the estimation screen according to the present embodiment. When the user confirms the estimate screen, the user selects an “OK” button (not shown), and the server computer 1 receives this and presents a screen for allowing the user to specify a payment method for the ordered product, and inputs the screen. (S
4). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a payment method designation screen according to the present embodiment. Here, various payment methods such as "COD", "bank transfer", and "credit card" are prepared in consideration of user's convenience, and the user can select a desired payment method. ing.
When the user specifies his own payment method and selects a “next” button (not shown), the screen shifts to the next delivery destination specification screen.

When the user inputs necessary items on the payment method designation screen and selects the "next" button, the server computer 1 receives the request and presents a screen for prompting the user to specify the delivery destination of the product. And prompt for input (S
5). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery destination input screen according to the embodiment. Delivery destination input screen, name (delivery destination name)
It comprises a field 71, a postal code field 72, an address field 73, a telephone number field 74, an e-mail field 75 and the like. Such a delivery destination input screen is designed using, for example, an HTML FORM tag or the like. The zip code field 72 is further provided with a zip code search button 721. The postal code search button 721 is a button for referring to a postal code dictionary database provided in the server computer 1 and extracting an address from the postal code. That is, when the user inputs a zip code in the zip code field 72 and selects the zip code search button 721, the server computer 1 searches the zip code dictionary database using the zip code as a search key, and the zip code retrieved as a result is obtained. Is presented in a new delivery destination input screen in which the address corresponding to is embedded in the corresponding field of the address field 73. The user may use the postal code search button 721 as needed, and after inputting the postal code field 72,
The address field 73 may be entered.

When the user inputs necessary items on this delivery destination input screen and selects an "OK" button (not shown), the server computer 1 receives this and an order confirmation screen for final confirmation of the order contents. And prompts the user for final confirmation (S6). FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the order confirmation screen according to the present embodiment. The user confirms his / her own order contents and selects a “confirmation” button (not shown), thereby completing the order for the product. The server computer 1
When it is confirmed that the order has been received, the customer data is registered in the customer database, inventory management is performed on the product data in the product database, and an order for parts constituting the received product is ordered.

The above is the flow of the general procedure in the online order receiving service. In the present embodiment, if the postal code and the address entered by the user on the delivery destination input screen are logically inconsistent, this is the case. To the user,
It is characterized in that a logically correct postal code and address are input. In other words, the user entered incorrect data due to a mistake in the user's memory or typo by directly inputting the postal code and address directly without using an input support function such as a postal code search. In this case, the correspondence between the postal code and the address is checked with reference to the postal code dictionary database, and as a result, if it is determined that the two do not correspond to each other, it is determined that there is a logical contradiction. To notify the correct postal code and / or
Or, the user is prompted again to input an address.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a flowchart of the delivery destination data check program according to the present embodiment. The delivery destination data check program receives the data input on the delivery destination input screen (STEP 9).
01) Check the postal code dictionary database for logical inconsistency between the postal code and address. In other words, the postal code dictionary database stores a postal code dictionary configured by associating postal codes with addresses.
By referring to this, the delivery destination data check program checks whether the received postal code and address are correctly associated with each other. For example, in the received data, if the postal code is “399-0032” and the address is “Kamisuwa XX Town, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture”, the postal code “399-0032” is originally the address “Nagano Prefecture”. Matsumoto City Yoshikawa Muraimachi "
The zip code does not correspond to the address, and there is a logical contradiction. Also, there is logical contradiction when there is no address (postal code) corresponding to the postal code (address). When the delivery destination data check program determines that there is a logical inconsistency as a result of the check (Y in STEP 903)
es) Then, a dialog box indicating that there is a logical contradiction is presented to the user (STEP 904), and the delivery destination input screen is presented again (STEP 905). On the other hand, if there is no logical contradiction. The delivery destination data check program ends as it is.

FIG. 10 is a view showing an example of the dialog box according to the present embodiment. For example, if the user inputs "392-0058" as the postal code and "Kamisuwa XX Town, Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture" as the address, the delivery destination data check program determines that there is a logical contradiction,
A dialog box for calling out a warning as shown in FIG. In this dialog box, a “search address by zip code” button 101, “search zip code by address”
Button 102 and "Restart from the beginning" button 103
Is provided. The user who has been alerted will confirm again that there is no error in the data entered in this dialog box. In this case, if the user determines that the postal code is correct and the address is incorrect, the user selects the “Search address by postal code” button 101 to retrieve the postal code in the postal code dictionary database using the postal code as a search key. A search is performed, and the result is embedded in the corresponding field of the address field 73 in the delivery destination input form and presented to the user. On the other hand, if the user determines that the postal code is incorrect and the address is correct, the user searches the postal code dictionary database using the address as a search key by selecting the "Search postal code by address" button 102. The result is embedded in the postal code field 72 in the delivery destination input form and presented to the user. If the user determines that none of them are correct or does not want to use the search by the postal code dictionary database, the "restart from the beginning" button 103 is selected, and the postal code field 72 and the address field are selected. A delivery destination input screen in which 73 is blank is presented to the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if there is a logical inconsistency in the delivery destination data (especially, zip code and address) input by the user, this is detected and the order stage is determined. Can prompt the user to re-enter. Therefore, the server computer 1 accepts the input data for the time being because the input data is correct in the format, and the operator has to manually confirm and correct the insufficiency of the delivery destination data found at the product shipping stage at a later date. Can be avoided.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when a logical inconsistency between the postal code and the address is detected, the fact is presented to the user and the input is made again using the postal code dictionary database. As a result, accurate delivery destination data can be input reliably.

In the present embodiment, a dialog box for calling out a warning is presented to the user. However, the delivery destination input screen may be directly presented again without presenting the dialog box. In this case, the postal code field 72 and the address field 73 may be set in an initial state (that is, blank). Alternatively, a delivery destination input screen in which only one of the postal code field 72 and the address field 73 is blank may be presented again.

The above embodiment is an exemplification for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention only to this embodiment. The present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist thereof.

In this embodiment, the input of the delivery destination data in the online order receiving service has been described as an example, but the present invention is not particularly limited to this. For example, the present invention can be applied to input of customer information when collecting market information online.

[0036]

According to the present invention, since the logical inconsistency of the data input by the user is checked, the logical inconsistency of the input data can be detected. If there is a logical inconsistency in the input data, the user is notified of the inconsistency, so that the user can input correct data.

In particular, according to the present invention, a logical inconsistency between the postal code and the address manually input by the user is detected, so that the operator or the like must confirm by telephone at a later date. The labor can be saved, and the operating cost of a Web site that implements EC can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a system for realizing an online order receiving service according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a workflow of a product order in the online order receiving system according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a product list screen.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an individual product description screen according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an estimation screen according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a payment method designation screen according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery destination input screen according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of an order confirmation screen according to one embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart of a delivery destination data check program according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a dialog box according to one embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server computer 2 ... Client computer 11 ... Web server program 12 ... Web page 13 ... CGI program 14 ... Database 15 ... Browser program

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A customer information input method in an online order receiving service for accepting an order for a product on-line, wherein a user inputs postal code data and address data of a delivery destination for delivering the ordered product, It is determined whether or not the postal code data and address data of the delivery destination input by the user are correctly input, and when it is determined that the input is not correct, the postal code data and the address data are given to the user. A customer information input method for notifying that the password has not been correctly input. 2. A method for inputting customer information in an online order receiving service for accepting an order for a product on-line, wherein a user inputs zip code data and address data of a delivery destination for delivering the ordered product, It is determined whether or not the postal code data and address data of the delivery destination input by the user are correctly input, and if it is determined that the input is not correct, the postal code data and address data of the destination again are determined. Is input to the user. 3. The delivery destination data input method according to claim 2, wherein the customer information input method notifies the user that the postal code data and the address data have not been correctly input. 4. A first step of presenting a user with an input form having a first field for inputting postal code data and a second field for inputting address data, and prompting the user for input. A second step of receiving an input form including postal code data and address data input by the user; and referring to a dictionary database formed by associating postal code data and address data with the user. A third step of determining whether or not the postal code data of the first field and the address data of the second field input by the user correspond to each other; If it is determined that the address data does not correspond, the postal code data does not correspond to the address data Customer information input method characterized by comprising a fourth step of notifying the user. 5. A first step of presenting a user with an input form having a first field for inputting postal code data and a second field for inputting address data, and prompting the user for input. A second step of receiving an input form including postal code data and address data input by the user; and referring to a dictionary database formed by associating postal code data and address data with the user. A third step of determining whether or not the postal code data of the first field and the address data of the second field input by the user correspond to each other; When it is determined that the address data does not correspond to the address data, an input form is presented to the user to prompt the user to input. Customer information input method is characterized in that a step. 6. The customer information input method according to claim 5, wherein said fourth step includes a sub-step of notifying a user that said postal code data and said address data do not correspond to each other. . 7. The customer information input method, wherein the address data corresponding to the input postal code data is specified by referring to the database based on the input postal code data. Item 7. The customer information input method according to any one of Items 4 to 6. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the input postal code data is embedded in a first field and the searched address data is embedded in the second field. 8. The customer information input method according to claim 7, wherein the input is prompted. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the customer information input method specifies the postal code data corresponding to the input address data by referring to the database based on the input address data. 4 to 6
Enter customer information as described. 10. The customer information input method, wherein the searched postal code data is embedded in the first field and the input address is stored in the second field.
10. The customer information input method according to claim 9, wherein an input form embedded in said field is presented to prompt input. 11. A server computer for providing an online ordering service for accepting an order for a product on-line, comprising: a database storing a postal code dictionary formed by associating postal code data with address data; Means for presenting the user with an input form having a first field for inputting number data and a second field for inputting address data to prompt the user to input; postal mail input by the user; Means for receiving an input form including number data and address data; and referring to the database to determine whether the postal code data input to the first field corresponds to the address data input to the second field. Means for determining whether or not the postal code data and the residence If the data and is determined not to correspond, the input form again presented to the user, the server computer, characterized in that prompting. 12. A recording medium recording a program for realizing a predetermined function in a server computer which provides an online order receiving service for receiving an order for a product online, wherein the program is for inputting postal code data. A function of presenting an input form having a first field and a second field for inputting address data to a user to prompt the user to input, and an input in which postal code data and address data have been input by the user A function for accepting a form, and referring to a dictionary database configured by associating postal code data with address data, the postal code data input into the first field and the postal code data input into the second field. A function of determining whether or not the address data corresponds to the postal code data; A recording medium storing a program, comprising: a function of presenting an input form to the user and prompting an input when it is determined that the address data does not correspond to the address data.